Chicago Bears @ Detroit Lions
Pick: Lions
The Lions are scratching at a playoff spot. The Bears are trying to end on a high note.
Los Angeles Chargers @ Kansas City Chiefs
Pick: Chargers
The Chiefs gave away a giant early season division lead to the Chargers. They did it by playing terrible, inconsistent football while the Chargers found their legs. My knee-jerk thought is that the Chiefs get it together at home in a must-win game but the Chargers are simply playing better.
Cincinnati Bengals @ Minnesota Vikings
Pick: Vikings
The Vikings return home after a long, tough road trip. They can wrap up the division with a win and can't let this be a trap game.
Miami Dolphins @ Buffalo Bills
Pick: Bills
The Dolphins looked great against the New England Patriots on Monday. It's been a while since I've seen Jay Cutler play two consecutive impressive games.
Philadelphia Eagles @ New York Giants
Pick: Eagles
The Eagles lost quarterback Carson Wentz to a torn ACL last Sunday. They now have to rally around Nick Foles. The Giants could surprise but the Eagles are too talented to pick against them.
Arizona Cardinals @ Washington Redskins
Pick: Redskins
The Cardinals have been frisky in recent weeks. The Redskins are starting to slide after playing solid football for much of the season. Have injuries caught up with them? Who knows? They should still play much better than they played last week.
New York Jets @ New Orleans Saints
Pick: Saints
It would be a surprise if the Saints won by less than three scores.
Green Bay Packers @ Carolina Panthers
Pick: Panthers
Aaron Rodgers returns. This is a tough team and place for that return.
Baltimore Ravens @ Cleveland Browns
Pick: Ravens
This rivalry has always made me twitchy due to the disappointing fact that the Ravens used to be the Browns. The Ravens should roll in this one.
Houston Texans @ Jacksonville Jaguars
Pick: Jaguars
It's difficult to come up with a scenario in which the Texans have a shot at making this a competitive game.
Los Angeles Rams @ Seattle Seahawks
Pick: Rams
The battle for the NFC West. The Seahawks won the first game between the two. The Rams have to win this one. Actually, it's a must-win for both teams. The Rams are healthier and the Seahawks haven't been as automatic at home as they usually are. Injuries have hit so many teams hard this season. These two teams might be on opposing ends of the injury spectrum. The Seahawks vaunted defense is being manned by mostly second-unit players. There's been an assembly line at running back. The offensive line is always in flux. Close followers of the team might say differently but the Rams have trotted out their starters and top role players nearly every week.
New England Patriots @ Pittsburgh Steelers
Pick: Patriots
The Game of the Week. Perhaps the Game of the Season. I don't see the Patriots playing another game like they played on Monday. The Steelers offense is a nightmare but they are also inconsistent. This game could be a lot like the Steelers-Ravens game from last week. The team with the ball last probably wins and the Patriots are the best at manipulating possessions.
Tennessee Titans @ San Francisco 49ers
Pick: 49ers
Can Jimmy Garoppolo lead his new team to a third consecutive win? The Titans have been struggling.
Dallas Cowboys @ Oakland Raiders
Pick: Raiders
This game probably doesn't have the same appeal that it had back when the schedule was released. The Raiders have been playing this season as if in a trance.
Atlanta Falcons @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Pick: Falcons
This is another game that looked fantastic in April. That's why it's on Monday night. The Falcons have to win out to even challenge for a playoff spot.
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