We’ve made it to the final week of the 2020 NFL regular season. All 16 games are being played today. Nearly all of the games could impact who makes the playoffs. I’ll be making my picks for all 16 games. If you don’t have some of these games in your location, I highly recommend getting NFL RedZone every season, where you can see every big play live.
Miami Dolphins (10-5) at Buffalo Bills (12-3)
Josh Allen is a top 3 MVP candidate. If there was a most improved player this season, it’s Josh Allen. The Bills added in former Vikings WR Stefon Diggs who had a career game last week. The Bills can be the number 2 seed in the AFC if they win against Miami today.
Tune into Dolphins at Bills at 1:00 PM ET on CBS.
Baltimore Ravens (10-5) at Cincinnati Bengals (4-10-1)
I do think the Bengals have a bright future but without Joe Burrow, well I can’t pick them to win. The Bengals have missed the playoffs and I think they should focus on upgrading the offensive line this upcoming offseason. For the Ravens, they can clinch a playoff spot with a win, so don’t expect Trace McSorley to start.
Tune into Ravens at Bengals at 1:00 PM ET on CBS.
Pittsburgh Steelers (12-3) at Cleveland Browns (10-5)
Ben Roethlisberger is out and that changes what the Steelers offense looks like. I do really like the Steelers’ defense but I think the Browns have a better team today. They’re fighting for a playoff spot and can win a spot with a win today, their first appearance since 2002.
Tune into Steelers at Browns at 1:00 PM ET on CBS.
Minnesota Vikings (6-9) at Detroit Lions (5-10)
I hope the Vikings end this season on a win. They’re without Dalvin Cook, by the way, rest in peace to his father James Cook. This game doesn’t matter for the playoff picture, but with the weapons Kirk Cousins has available, I’d expect a win over a struggling Lions team. I do expect the Vikings to look better next season.
Tune into Vikings at Lions at 1:00 PM ET on FOX.
New York Jets (2-13) at New England Patriots (6-9)
The Patriots might purposely lose this game to get a better draft spot in April. The Jets have won 2 straight and have lost their chance at the projected top pick, Trevor Lawrence. I think the Jets win this game and pick either Justin Fields or Penei Sewell with their first-round selection. Also, Cam Newton has disappointed a lot of Patriots fans and Bill Belichick seems to stick with him to end their disappointing season.
Tune into Jets at Patriots at 1:00 PM ET on CBS.
Dallas Cowboys (6-9) at New York Giants (5-10)
This is a must-win for both teams to have a chance of winning the NFC East. I’m picking the Cowboys to win based on their offensive weapons, but I’m worried about their defense, with linebacker Leighton Vander Esch out.
Tune into Cowboys at Giants at 1:00 PM ET on FOX.
Atlanta Falcons (4-11) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-5)
This doesn’t affect the Bucs, but they should win this game. I’m worried about Tampa’s defense with stud linebackers Devin White and Shaquil Barrett out, but the trend is that the Falcons always find a way to lose. In my opinion, the Falcons are the toughest losing team. They fight until the very end, but always come up short.
Tune into Falcons at Buccaneers at 1:00 PM ET on FOX.
Green Bay Packers (12-3) at Chicago Bears (8-7)
This game could go either way. Two historic rivals battling it out in the Windy City. For the Packers, you have MVP frontrunner Aaron Rodgers, who still has star players to target such as wide receiver Davante Adams and running back Aaron Jones. The only problem is that star offensive tackle David Bakhtiari is out with a torn ACL and will miss the rest of the year. The Bears have a great defense, but I don’t think Khalil Mack and the rest of the defense can match what Aaron Rodgers brings. If the Bears win, they clinch a playoff spot. They still have a chance if they end up losing to the Packers, who want the first-round bye.
Tune into Packers at Bears at 4:25 PM ET on FOX.
Las Vegas Raiders (7-8) at Denver Broncos (5-10)
The Raiders have the better offense, with running back Josh Jacobs and tight end Darren Waller earning Pro Bowl selections. I like the Broncos defense more, with Bradley Chubb (questionable) leading the pack. The Raiders have to rely on their offense to win this game, but it doesn’t matter because neither team made the playoffs. The Raiders have lost their past 9 season finales, with 4 of those being to Denver.
Tune into Raiders at Broncos at 4:25 PM ET on CBS.
Jacksonville Jaguars (1-14) at Indianapolis Colts (10-5)
Congratulations to the Jaguars on clinching the number one pick in the 2021 draft! The Jags will end the season with one win, but it doesn’t matter because the Jaguars can select Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence with that pick. Undrafted rookie running back James Robinson’s star-studded season comes to an end with him being ruled out. The Colts don’t officially clinch a playoff spot with a win, but they will need the win if they want any chance of making the playoffs.
Tune into Jaguars at Colts at 4:25 PM ET on CBS.
Los Angeles Chargers (6-9) at Kansas City Chiefs (14-1)
The Chiefs already locked up the number one seed, so they don’t need to have all the starters play. The Chargers can improve and get ready for the offseason. Justin Herbert seems like the answer the Chargers needed. This game is one of the meaningless games when it comes to the playoffs, but if your fantasy league plays Week 17 it may be worth watching.
Tune into Chargers at Chiefs at 4:25 PM ET on FOX.
Arizona Cardinals (8-7) at Los Angeles Rams (9-6)
The Rams are the better overall team at full strength, but without Jared Goff or Cooper Kupp, the offense might lose the game. Michael Brockers is out as well but Aaron Donald runs the Rams’ defense. The Cardinals have some offensive players listed questionable, but if they have Kyler Murray and DeAndre Hopkins they should be fine. Arizona can’t lose this game if they want to make the playoffs, which they can do by beating the Rams.
Tune into Cardinals at Rams at 4:25 PM ET on CBS.
Seattle Seahawks (11-4) at San Francisco 49ers (6-9)
The Seahawks could get the top seed in the NFC with a win and some help, so the Seahawks will try everything they can to get that first-round bye. The 49ers are depleted and I do wish the team the best, but I don’t see them winning this game.
Tune into Seahawks at 49ers at 4:25 PM ET on FOX.
New Orleans Saints (11-4) at Carolina Panthers (5-10)
The Saints could be the first team to go 6-0 in the NFC South and I think they can do it. The only problem is that their running game will get them nowhere, as star running back Alvin Kamara has been ruled out as well as the backups. The Saints can also try to get the number one seed in the NFC with a win.
Tune into Saints at Panthers at 4:25 PM ET on FOX.
Tennessee Titans (10-5) at Houston Texans (4-11)
It’s surprising to me that the Titans haven’t clinched a playoff spot. That will change today. The Titans are led by star running back Derrick Henry and that’s not just their offense. Ryan Tannehill was a strong quarterback this season and A.J. Brown is a stud receiver. I feel really bad for Deshaun Watson and J.J. Watt, they’re on such an unmotivated team. At least they fired Bill O’Brien.
Tune into Titans at Texans at 4:25 PM ET on CBS.
Washington Football Team (6-9) at Philadelphia Eagles (4-10-1)
I thought Washington wouldn’t be in a position to win the NFC East but with a win on Sunday Night Football, they can do exactly that. The Eagles could be in a better position if they had brought in Jalen Hurts earlier this season. Cowboys fans have to root for their division rival to clinch a playoff spot. Terry McLaurin, Alex Smith, and Antonio Gibson are all questionable, which might hurt them.
Tune into Washington at Eagles at 8:20 PM ET on NBC.
Calhoun's Corner 