Here are the games with playoff implications and my predictions as to what I think will happen:
Dallas Cowboys (8-7) @ New York Giants (8-7) - Sunday 8:20 PM EST, NBC
- Breakdown: The Giants are coming off a game they had to win against the Jets, which they won. Quarterback Eli Manning and wide receiver Victor Cruz are really starting to click. Last week, the Cowboys lost to the Eagles. Tony Romo was injured in that game, but the team says he is ready to play. But how effective will be? If you are a Cowboys fan, you just better hope this game doesn't come down to a field goal attempt with time winding down.
- Prediction: Giants 20 Cowboys 17
- What this would mean: The Giants would be in, the Cowboys would be out
Baltimore Ravens (11-4) @ Cincinnati Bengals (9-6) - Sunday 4:15 PM EST, CBS
- Breakdown: The Baltimore Ravens have already clinched their playoff spot, but don't tell them this game shouldn't be important to them. They need a win Sunday to secure the division title and first-round bye. In the AFC North, divisional pride is a very important thing. Additionally, it is important for the Ravens because their home record is 8-0, while their away record is a lackluster 3-4 entering Sunday. For the Cincinnati Bengals, they know they control their own fate. If they win, there in the playoffs. If they lose, they could still make it, but they don't want to have to think about that. Rookie quarterback Andy Dalton has gotten the job done all year, but his team needs him to step up now.
- Prediction: Bengals 20 Ravens 16
- What this would mean: The Ravens and Bengals would get both AFC wild card spots
Pittsburgh Steelers (11-4) @ Cleveland Browns (4-11) - Sunday 4:15 PM EST, CBS
- Breakdown: As was aforementioned, the Pittsburgh Steelers are playing for the division title. They would like that first-round bye to help heal quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. Big Ben plans on playing, but how effective will he be and how long will he play. Backup Charlie Batch played well last week. The Cleveland Browns aren't going to give the Steelers' a yard more than they can help, let alone the win. The Browns would love to send their rival Steelers into the playoffs on a sour note and will be coming after Roethlisberger full throttle.
- Prediction: Steelers 20 Browns 6
- What this would mean: Steelers would be in line for the division title and first-round bye if the Ravens lost
Kansas City Chiefs (6-9) @ Denver Broncos (8-7) - Sunday 4:15 PM EST, CBS
- Breakdown: Hey Denver, do you remember Kyle Orton? Well guess what? He is going to be the starting quarterback of the team trying to knock your team out of the playoffs. The Denver Broncos decided to switch starting quarterbacks to Tim Tebow. They decided to give Orton a chance to start elsewhere, so they waived him. What the Broncos didn't expect, was that the Chiefs would claim him and that he would be playing against them with the playoffs on the line. For the Broncos to win, Tebow needs to limit his mistakes, especially turnovers, and the Broncos defense needs to step up and play well again.
- Prediction: Broncos 16 Chiefs 13
- What this would mean: Broncos would win the AFC West
San Diego Chargers (7-8) @ Oakland Raiders (8-7) - Sunday 4:15 PM EST, CBS
- Breakdown: Like the Chiefs, the San Diego Chargers can try to play spoiler to a divisional foe. This season didn't go like the Chargers had planned. It started great with a 4-1 record, but then they lost six games in a row. They simply couldn't recover from the losing streak. The Oakland Raiders have been a streaky team all year. They brought in quarterback Carson Palmer to lead them to the playoffs. Now, they need him to step up and make that happen. The Raiders defense will try and force turnovers, which the Chargers have been susceptible to giving up all year.
- Prediction: Raiders 20 Chargers 10
- What this would mean: The Raiders would be in line for a chance at winning the AFC West title or one of the wild card spots
Tennessee Titans (8-7) @ Houston Texans (10-5) - Sunday 1:00 PM EST, CBS
- Breakdown: The Houston Texans have already clinched their first playoff berth in franchise history. They will focus on getting players healthy and comfortable this week. Star wide receiver Andre Johnson returns to the lineup for the hosts. The Tennessee Titans are still alive for the last wild card spot in the playoffs. They need some help though to set up what would be a rematch with the Texans in the playoffs. If the Titans don't make the playoffs, they don't have anyone to blame but themselves, especially after they lost to the previously winless Indianapolis Colts.
- Prediction: Titans 20 Texans 17
- What this would mean: The Titans would have an outside shot at the last wild card spot
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