New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning passes against the Dallas Cowboys in the first half of their NFL football game in Arlington, Texas December 11, 2011. REUTERS/Mike StoneMIKE STONE/Reuters
SUNDAY
Washington Redskins (5-10) at Philadelphia Eagles (7-8)
WASHINGTON plus 9
In the end, people can point to the 2011 Philly "Dream Team" and say: "They were only half-bad."
The pick EAGLES
Tennessee Titans (8-7) at Houston Texans (10-5)
TENNESSEE minus 3
The Texans have the No. 3 seed in the AFC locked up and will likely coast with backups after the half.
The pick TITANS
Indianapolis Colts (2-13) at Jacksonville Jaguars (4-11)
INDIANAPOLIS plus 4
After back-to-back wins at home, the Colts hit the road one last time. Jaguars star Maurice Jones-Drew claims the NFL rushing title in a game not even Colts/Jags fans will be watching.
The pick COLTS
San Francisco 49ers (12-3) at St. Louis Rams (2-13)
SAN FRANCISCO minus 11
All the 49ers have to do to claim a first-round playoff bye is win. The Rams are riding a six-game losing skid that will likely end with coach Steve Spagnuolo being fired.
The pick 49ERS
Chicago Bears (7-8) at Minnesota Vikings (3-12)
CHICAGO plus 1
Journeyman quarterback Josh McCown wasn't totally awful for Chicago last week. Throw in a Bears defence playing for pride and it should be enough.
The pick BEARS
Detroit Lions (10-5) at Green Bay Packers (14-1)
DETROIT minus 4
The last time Detroit won at Lambeau Field, Brett Favre was an Atlanta Falcon.
The pick PACKERS
Carolina Panthers (6-9) at New Orleans Saints (12-3)
CAROLINA plus 8
New Orleans will have one eye on the San Francisco game, and quarterback Drew Brees will play just long enough to ensure Pats QB Tom Brady doesn't usurp him as the single-season passing-yardage record holder.
The pick PANTHERS
New York Jets (8-7) at Miami Dolphins (5-10)
NEW YORK plus 2
After huffing and puffing all season, will the real Jets please stand up.
The pick JETS
Buffalo Bills (6-9) at New England Patriots (12-3)
BUFFALO plus 11
After wrapping up home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs last week, the Pats have nothing to play for, a situation the Bills know all too well.
The pick PATRIOTS
Seattle Seahawks (7-8) at Arizona Cardinals (7-8)
SEATTLE plus 3
Ah, what could have been: The mantra of a pair of teams battling for the glory of an 8-8 season. Seattle coach Pete Carroll's rah-rah approach is a factor.
The pick SEAHAWKS
San Diego Chargers (7-8) at Oakland Raiders (8-7)
SAN DIEGO plus 3
The Raiders have multiple playoff-entry options, all hinging on a win. The crushing defeat San Diego took last week took the wind out of its sails.
The pick RAIDERS
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-11) at Atlanta Falcons (9-6)
TAMPA BAY plus 12
The Falcons will know before they take the field (Lions at Packers at 1 p.m. ET) whether they can climb to the NFC's No. 5 seed with a win. If they are playing for nothing, this could be ugly.
The pick BUCCANEERS
Kansas City Chiefs (6-9) at Denver Broncos (8-7)
KANSAS CITY plus 4
Kyle Orton started the season as the Broncos' opening-day quarterback and closes it out with a chance to keep Tim Tebow and Co. from ascending to the promised land of the playoffs.
The pick BRONCOS
Pittsburgh Steelers (11-4) at Cleveland Browns (4-11)
PITTSBURGH minus 8
With Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger doubtful with his sprained ankle, expect Pittsburgh tailback Rashard Mendenhall to pound away at Cleveland's 30th-ranked rushing defence.
The pick STEELERS
Baltimore Ravens (11-4) at Cincinnati Bengals (9-6)
BALTIMORE minus 3
It's a case of who wants it more: a win for the Ravens will give them a first-round bye; a win for the Bengals and they'll clinch just their third playoff appearance in 21 seasons.
The pick RAVENS
Dallas Cowboys (8-7) at New York Giants (8-7)
DALLAS plus 3
The game of the week by a country mile. Win and you're in. You can't simplify it any more than that.
The pick GIANTS
Last week 7-8-1
Season 117-111-12
Paul Attfield