Hello 2025! It’s a new year, but it’s the same old story in the NFL as the regular season enters its final week-survival. Five teams have to win this week to have a shot at playing in the wild-card round next week. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Atlanta Falcons will play the other foes in the division to determine who wins the NFC South. The Denver Broncos, Miami Dolphins, and Cincinnati Bengals will fight to win their games for the one wild card spot left in the AFC. However, the marquee matchup of the weekend will be game 272, a battle for the NFC North title and the number one seed between the Minnesota Vikings and the Detroit Lions. In this article, we will preview and predict the five hottest matchups involving teams with playoff implications.
Last week: 4-1
Overall: 55-25
1. Cleveland Browns (3-13) at Baltimore Ravens (11-5)-Saturday, 4:30 p.m. ET (ABC)
I can only see this game ending with one result which is a Ravens victory. After losing to their cross-state rival, the Philadelphia Eagles, in week 13, the Ravens emerged from their bye week with renewed focus. Baltimore has won their last three games by a point differential of 22 points. The offense has averaged 33 points in that span, while the defense has held opponents to 11 points per game. On the other hand, the Browns are on a five-game losing streak and have been held to a total of 16 points in the past three games. Ugly football! The Ravens will romp to victory in a lopsided win and take the AFC North division as the third seed.
Ravens 33-Browns 13
2. Cincinnati Bengals (8-8) at Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6)- Saturday, 8 p.m. ET (ABC/ESPN)
If the Ravens win, the Steelers will enter this matchup knowing they are a wild-card team having lost the division. I think Mike Tomlin will play his starters because the team needs to find some cohesion and a positive performance ahead of the playoffs. The offense has struggled in the three-game losing streak by scoring an average of 10 points, while the defense has struggled by allowing 30 points per game. The defense has slipped in the rankings due to some injuries, and I think the red-hot Bengals’ offense can take advantage. The Bengals have come from the dead after starting the season 3-8, and a six-game streak could sneak them into the wild-card round if the results go their way elsewhere.
Spoiler alert- I think they will. Bengals 30-Steelers 23
3. New Orleans Saints (5-11) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-7)-Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (Fox)
In an ordinary season, Baker Mayfield could be considered an MVP candidate with a 71.7 completion percentage, 4,279 yards, 39 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions. Last week, the Bucs quarterback played a nearly flawless game in completing 27 of 32 passes, 359 yards, and five touchdowns in a 48-14 victory over the Panthers. The Saints’ defense will offer little resistance ahead of a soul-searching off-season in Louisiana. The offense was the only unit shutout in the regular season against the Packers in week 16 and mustered 10 last week against the Raiders. I have Baker and the Bucs rolling at home to win the division. It means the Atlanta Falcons will finish second even though they will defeat the Carolina Panthers.
Bucs 34-Panthers 17
4. Kansas City Chiefs (15-1) at Denver Broncos (9-7)- Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET (CBS)
The Broncos control their destiny despite a heartbreaking overtime 3o-24 loss last week to the Bengals. If they win on Sunday at home against the Chiefs, then they win the final wild-card spot in the AFC. However, I think the Broncos will underestimate the Chiefs, who will be resting their starters. Carson Wentz will relish the chance to showcase his talent in this Andy Reid system, and I think the Chiefs will pull off the upset on the road.
I think the New York Jets will upset the Miami Dolphins because Aaron Rodgers will want to prove to the Jets should consider keeping him around next season. The Dolphins’ offense will be compromised with another injury to quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who will miss the game.
Chiefs 23-Broncos 20
5. Minnesota Vikings (14-2) at Detroit Lions(14-2)-Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET (NBC)
This is the game of the week as two 14-2 teams face off for the first time in the regular season for the NFC North. The Lions won a thriller 31-29 on the road earlier in the season, which means we can expect a tight contest. Last week, Detroit’s offense torched the 49ers by scoring 40 points, but their defense struggled in allowing 34 points. The defense benefited from two terrible Brock Purdy interceptions, which allowed the offense to capitalize. I think the Vikings have a far better defense and have the weapons to keep up on the scoreline. In a hostile environment, I like the Vikings’ chances to win a thriller because of the Lions’ defensive issues.
Vikings 34-Lions 27