The month of December is upon us. And with it is the month of judgement in the National Football League.
For teams that are 6-5, 5-6 or even 4-7 (N.Y. Jets this means you), it is now or never time. To paraphrase a quote from NFL Network’s Scott Hansen, this is time of the year when “losses become wins, and wins become losses.”

In other words, who is going to step up and make that six week push toward the postseason? Is there a team we aren’t talking about right now that makes the playoffs? Will someone choke away a playoff spot that seemed destined weeks ago? We will begin to find out.

• Atlanta (5-6)(-2.0) @ NY Jets (4-7)

  If there was ever a last chance saloon this is it for the New York Jets. At 4-7 they can’t afford anymore setbacks, not with Aaron Rodgers potentially plotting his own comeback later this month. The Jets must beat a Falcons team that, while not great, is also playing for something. The Falcons are in first in the wretched NFC South. If Gang Green is to win this, the defense must fluster Falcons quarterback Desmond Ritter, and the Jets need to, have to, gotta, commit to the run with Breece Hall to take pressure off Tim Boyle.
  PICK: JETS 17 – FALCONS 14

• Denver (6-5) @ Houston (6-5) (-3.0)

  The Broncos come riding high with a five game winning streak into Houston in what is a dangerous game for Denver. Not only are the Texans getting points as a home favorite, quarterback C.J. Stroud has separated himself from the pack as the shoe-in for Rookie of the Year.

  It can’t be ignored what’s happened in Denver. To go from 1-5 to 6-5, and Russell Wilson has turned back the clock, and is looking like an MVP caliber player again. Look at his numbers! 20 touchdowns to four interceptions.

  Both of these teams are good enough to get to the playoffs. Keep in mind Houston hasn’t lost two in a row since the start of the year. Denver is about to start a three-game road trip.

  PICK: TEXANS 29 – BRONCOS 24

• San Francisco (8-3) (-3.0) @ Philadelphia (10-1)

  It’s hard to believe that the 10-1 Eagles are actually betting underdogs in this one, but they are. The Eagles will eventually lose another game, but the question is when? The 49ers might be that team. They bring the league’s top scoring defense into the game, and Brock Purdy is healthy this time around in a rematch — and who knows, preview, of the NFC Championship Game. As good as San Fran is, it’s just hard to imagine Philly losing at home right now.

  PICK: EAGLES 26 – 49ers 23

• Kansas City (8-3) (-7.0) @ Green Bay (5-6)

  What do you get when you mix Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs offense and a beat up Packers defense? Probably a long night for Green Bay. This is Mahomes first trip to Lambeau Field, and it comes as K.C. is coming off a bounce-back win in Vegas last week. The Packers are feeling good about themselves after a huge Turkey Day win over the Lions last week. This week will be a tad different.

  PICK: CHIEFS 31 – PACKERS 21

• Cincinnati (5-6) @ Jacksonville (8-3) (-9.0)

  A great opportunity for the Jaguars to feed off a wounded team like the Bengals. Cincinnati is having a bitterly disappointing year, and losing Joe Borrow for the year won’t help. The Jaguars are a weird team at home, only 3-3 in Duval County, but the edge has to go with Jacksonville who is healthier, and have the better QB in Trevor Lawrence over Bengals back-up Jake Browning.

  PICK: JAGUARS 24 – BENGALS 10

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