After a wildly unpredictable first half of the season, the NFL season is finally starting to come into focus, especially the AFC playoff picture.
It seems to be the case every year, but New England and Pittsburgh are once again the class of the conference. After an unexpectedly slow start on defense, the Patriots are finally starting to round into form on that side of the ball.
It’s been more than enough to support the spectacular play of Tom Brady, who is once again right in the heart of the MVP discussion.
The Steelers, meanwhile, are beginning to look like the team a lot of folks around here hoped they might be at the start of the season. Ben Roethlisberger still isn’t playing his best football, but when you have players like Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell to work with, it tends not to matter.
On the other side of the ball, the defense has been among the league’s best and has been there most weeks even when the offense hasn’t been clicking. If Pittsburgh can beat New England and clinch home field advantage in the playoffs, there don’t figure to be many teams that can go into Heinz Field in January and pull out a ‘W’.
The wild card picture is another story. It says something that the thoroughly mediocre Baltimore Ravens are currently sitting in a playoff spot. They and the Tennessee Titans have the inside track right now, but truth be told, any number of teams can feasibly work their way into the picture.
The L.A. Chargers have put a rough start behind them and have been dominating teams in recent weeks. One of those teams is the free falling Buffalo Bills, who are still very much alive despite having thrown their quarterback situation into utter chaos over the past two weeks.
Even below-average squads like Oakland, Miami, Cincinnati, and the Jets aren’t totally out of it.
For crying out loud, the Cleveland Browns are 0-10 and haven’t been mathematically eliminated from playoff contention.
Strange days indeed.
On to the picks:
Buffalo at Kansas City
Both of these teams desperately need a ‘W’ to stay in playoff contention, and, perhaps more importantly, regain some goodwill from their respective fanbases. Kansas City’s offense still has enough firepower to put up points against Buffalo’s shellshocked defense.
Nick’s pick: CHIEFS
Tampa Bay at Atlanta
The Bucs are hanging around at 4-6, but they’re also stuck in a brutal division. Atlanta needs to pick up a win here before they embark on what’s likely the toughest remaining schedule in the league.
Nick’s pick: FALCONS
Cleveland at Cincinnati
Look for this to be a good old-fashioned AFC North slugfest: two solid defenses, two struggling offenses. I have a sneaky feeling that this could wind up being Cleveland’s first win of the season, but I’ll go with my brain over my gut.
Nick’s pick: BENGALS
Tennessee at Indianapolis
After a rough prime time loss to Pittsburgh, the Titans get a nice bounceback gift in the form of a Colts team that is simply playing out the rest of the season. A division win for Tennessee puts them firmly in the driver seat for the first Wild Card spot in the AFC.
Nick’s pick: TITANS
Miami at New England
Two squads that have found their level in the second half of the season. The Patriots look like legitimate Super Bowl contenders (surprise, surprise). Meanwhile, Miami (4-6) is closer to being a cellar-dwellar than a .500 team judging by its recent play.
Nick’s pick: PATRIOTS
Carolina at N.Y. Jets
The Panthers are an interesting team: they aren’t what you’d consider a title contender, but they’ve been playing solid football and usually beat the teams they’re supposed to. That should be the case on Sunday against a surprisingly respectable Jets team.
Nick’s pick: PANTHERS
Chicago at Philadelphia
As frightening as it might be to consider, the Eagles look like they’re only getting better as the season goes on. Going up against a young, inexperienced Chicago squad, they ought to become the first team this year to reach double-digits in wins.
Nick’s pick: EAGLES
Seattle at San Francisco
A closer matchup than it would’ve been just a few weeks ago. The Seahawks have been absolutely devastated by injuries, particularly to Richard Sherman and Kam Chancellor. Still, Russell Wilson, should be more than enough to beat the lowly 49ers.
Nick’s pick: SEAHAWKS
Denver at Oakland
The loser of this AFC West contest can effectively kiss their slim playoff hopes goodbye. With their backs against the wall, I think the Broncos are capable of pulling off the minor upset.
Nick’s pick: BRONCOS
New Orleans at L.A. Rams
Could this potentially be a preview of the NFC title game? Despite a loss to the Vikings, the Rams look like they will be a tough out come playoff time. The Saints, meanwhile, simply keep finding ways to win and will look to stretch their winning streak to nine. It’ll come down to quarterbacks, and I’m taking the wily veteran (Drew Brees) over the up-and-coming youngster (Jared Goff).
Nick’s pick: SAINTS
Jacksonville at Arizona
While the Jags didn’t look all that impressive against winless Cleveland last week, that defense is so good that any trip-ups from the Blake Bortles-led offense can usually be overcome. Don’t expect the injury-riddled Cardinals to put up much resistance.
Nick’s pick: JAGUARS
Green Bay at Pittsburgh
I’m sure that the NFL is disappointed that they won’t be getting a Ben Roethlisberger-Aaron Rodgers matchup in prime time. Non-Steeler fans will be disappointed as well; this one could be a blowout.
Nick’s pick: STEELERS
Houston at Baltimore
Another prime time stinker. Two of the worst offenses in the game square off against one another. Don’t be surprised if this is a game that has multiple defensive touchdowns. Baltimore’s defense is better than Houston’s, so I suppose that’s the tiebreaker.
Nick’s pick: RAVENS
Last week: 8-5
Overall: 88-47
