By Lance Tominaga, ESPN Honolulu Web Editor.
Can you believe it? We’re already at the end of the NFL’s regular season. We’ve seen a little bit of everything this season, from scandal (Jon Gruden) to tragedy (Henry Ruggs) to sheer stupidity (Antonio Brown). And then there’s yours truly, whose season of prognostications can best be described as “utterly mediocre.” (<—— sad face)
For the 18th and final time this season, here are this week’s picks:
♦ NEW ENGLAND @ MIAMI: The Dolphins had a nice run to keep their season interesting, but they flopped miserably last week and are now eliminated from any postseason contention. New England, meanwhile, still has an outside shot at securing the No. 1 seed in the AFC and the coveted first-round bye. You must know where I’m going with this.Pick: PATRIOTS
♦ DALLAS @ PHILADELPHIA: Both teams are in the postseason, but seemingly heading in opposite directions. Dallas lost a tough game to Arizona this past Sunday, and (worse) lost receiver Michael Gallup to a torn ACL. The Eagles, on the other hand, have won four straight and are peaking at the perfect time. The Cowboys are seven-point favorites, but I smell upset here. Pick: EAGLES
♦ INDIANAPOLIS @ JACKSONVILLE: This should be a no-brainer. The Colts are in the playoffs if they beat the lowly Jags. And, with a 2-14 record, Jacksonville actually has an incentive to lose on Sunday. By doing so, they clinch the No. 1 pick in this year’s NFL Draft. Pick: COLTS
♦ PITTSBURGH @ BALTIMORE: The Steelers’ playoffs are still alive, but just barely. According to ESPN, Big Ben and company have an eight percent chance of making the postseason. Basically, they have to beat the Ravens, the Colts have to lose to the Jaguars, and the Raiders-Chargers game cannot end in a tie. Meanwhile, Baltimore’s playoff chances are even slimmer, and if Lamar Jackson can’t go, they’re practically nonexistent. Pick: RAVENS
♦ L.A. CHARGERS @ LAS VEGAS: This is it. Winner nabs the playoff spot. Chargers end Joey Bosa had some not-so-complimentary things to see about Derek Carr after the teams’ first meeting this season, so DC is going to be looking to shut him up. As a die-hard Raiders fan, I want to say they’ll win. But every time I pick the Silver & Black, they lose. So… CHARGERS
♦ SAN FRANCISCO @ L.A. RAMS: If the 49ers win this one, they’re in the playoffs. And they’ve beaten the Rams five straight times. But even though the Rams have already locked up a playoff spot, L.A. has incentive to win on Sunday, too, namely the No. 2 seed in the NFC. I’m just going to go with the better team. Pick: RAMS
Last Week: 3-3 | 2021 Record: 58-44 (.569)