The gift of parity and/or mediocrity has been doled out this Christmas season to 10 teams that have both losing records and playoff possibilities, including the entire NFC South, three-fourths of the AFC South and a certain hated rival that resides roughly 278 miles east of U.S. Bank Stadium.
Playoff race predictions: Mark Craig's Week 16 NFL picks against the spread
On this holiday weekend, 10 teams have both losing records and playoff possibilities, including the entire NFC South and the Packers.
December 22, 2022 at 6:52PM
Six teams have clinched a playoff berth, including the Vikings, while five have been eliminated, including the Bears. Five teams, including surging Detroit and slumping AFC South leader Tennessee, are 7-7 and in the thick of a playoff race.
Tom Brady and the 6-8, NFC South-leading Buccaneers are the only team in that division that's favored. They play at Arizona on Christmas.
Meanwhile, the Panthers, Saints and Falcons are all 5-9 and favored to lose on Christmas Eve.
The guess here?
Brady will win, the rest of the division will lose, and the G.O.A.T. will take a two-game lead on everyone heading into the final two weeks. Tampa Bay finishes with games against a Carolina team it lost two and an Atlanta team that it beat.
- NFL scoreboard: Week 16 schedule, game previews, stats
Here are this week's games:
THURSDAY'S GAME
Jaguars (-2½) at Jets: Don't look now, but Trevor Lawrence is making a playoff push with 14 TDs and one INT as the Jags have mounted a 4-2 run. Jaguars 34, Jets 30
SATURDAY'S NFC NORTH GAMES
Giants (+4½) at Vikings: Doubt 'em all you want, but they're 7-1 at home with six one-score wins, four of which were fourth-quarter comebacks, one of which was the greatest comeback in NFL history. Vikings 32, Giants 27
Lions (-2 ½) at Panthers: The Lions are 6-1 since their 1-6 start. A dangerous offense, a resurgent defense and a whole lot of confidence will carry them one step closer to a possible playoff berth. Lions 37, Panthers 34
Buffalo (-8 ½) at Bears: The Bears put up a great fight in losing to the Eagles 25-20 last week. But the sense here is their give-a-hoot tank has been emptied. Bills 40, Bears 21
SATURDAY'S OTHER GAMES
Falcons (+7 ½) at Ravens: Ravens by 3
Saints (+2 ½) at Browns: Browns by 3
Seahawks (+10½) at Chiefs: Chiefs by 10
Buccaneers (-7½) at Cardinals: Buccaneers by 3
MONDAY'S GAME
Chargers (-4½) at Colts: Colts blow a big lead, lose to Vikings by three, bench Matt Ryan and beat the Chargers by three with a Nick Foles-led comeback the following week. What else would you expect of the Purple's charmed season? Colts 30, Chargers 27
UPSET SPECIAL
Packers (+4 ½) at Dolphins: Until you see their playoff death certificate, don't count Aaron Rodgers and the Packers out of that seventh seed and a return visit to U.S. Bank Stadium next month. (P.S. This, of course, jinxes the Packers, so you're welcome, Vikings fans). Packers 33, Dolphins 26
Last week's Upset Special: Titans (+3) 24, Chargers 21. Final: Chargers 17, Titans 14. Record: 4-11.
SEASON RESULTS
Straight up last week/season: 11-5/124-96-2.
Against the spread last week/season: 9-7/111-108-3.
Vikings picks: 8-6.
Mike Conley was in Minneapolis, where he sounded the Gjallarhorn at the Vikings game, on Sunday during the robbery.
