Michael Cohen

Michael Cohen

Michael Cohen

ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 31: Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills looks on after a game against the New England Patriots at Highmark Stadium on December 31, 2023 in Orchard Park, New York.

This is it folks. The end of the 2023 regular season is finally upon us, and with it, the final remaining playoff seedings will be determined.
How crazy will this get?

Consider this: The Buffalo Bills must win against Miami on Sunday night to clinch the AFC East. Should Miami win, and clinch the East, the Bills could be out of the playoffs altogether, unless the Pittsburgh Steelers or Jacksonville Jaguars lose their games. That would mean Buffalo gets in through the back door.

But that’s not all. The Eagles must beat the Giants on Sunday, and hope the Cowboys lose to Washington to win the NFC East. Should Dallas win, the Cowboys are NFC East champs regardless of the result of the Eagles-Giants contest.

The Colts, Texans, and Jaguars are all playing for the AFC South crown. Should Jacksonville beat Tennessee, they win the division. If not, the winner of the Colts-Texans game gets the divisional crown.

Oh, let’s not forget the NFC South. Tampa Bay must win to win the division. A loss to Carolina opens the door to New Orleans and Atlanta.

How will this shake out? Let’s predict.

  • PHILADEPHIA (11-5) @ NY GIANTS (5-11) - SUNDAY 4:25

    The Giants don’t need this game, but you can rest assure they will do everything they can to disrupt the Eagles playoff dreams. The G-Men have played hard the past two weeks despite dropping games to the Eagles and Rams. That said, the Eagles come into this game with desperation on their mind. They want this one not only to have a shot at the NFC East, but to rebuild their confidence going into the playoffs.
    PICK: EAGLES 31 – GINATS 21.

  • PITTSBURGH (9-7) @ BALTIMORE (13-3) - SATURDAY 4:30

    The Ravens are resting MVP Lamar Jackson this week. They have everything locked up. The Steelers could throw a real monkey wrench in to the playoffs by winning and having a shot at the last wild card should Buffalo get tripped up. Last time Steelers were in this spot in 2019, needing to win in Baltimore in the final week of the year, they lost. Got a feeling it might be a little different this time for Mason Rudolph and company.

    PICK: STEELERS 23 – RAVENS 17 

  • HOUSTON (9-7) @ INDIANAPOLIS (9-7)

    Who do you have more faith in? Rookie C.J. Stroud who has been very good so far this year, or the willy old veteran journeyman in Gardner Minshew for Indianapolis. Winner has an outside shot at the AFC South, but realistically, the winner is a wild card lock. Gotta roll with Indy at home and a little Minshew magic.

    PICK: COLTS 27 – TEXANS 24 

  • DALLAS (11-5) @ WASHINGTON (4-12)

    Which Cowboys team will show up this week? The one that has dominated opponents at times this year? Or the one that has been bad on the road and needed a referee mistake to get past Detroit last week? This is a tricky spot for Dak Prescott and the Boys. the Commanders could easily just tank this game and go for a higher pick. But this is Ron Rivera’s last game as Head Coach. So expect Washington to give Dallas a fight and a scare.

    PICK: COWBOYS 24 – COMMANDERS 20 

  • BUFFALO (10-6) @ MIAMI (11-5)

    It all comes down to this. If the Steelers or Jaguars win on Sunday, the Buffalo Bills must win in Miami to keep their playoff hopes alive. Lose, and the Bills are out of the playoffs. This game is for the AFC East title. A lot of people love Buffalo to come down to Miami to pull out the upset because of the injuries the Dolphins have incurred. That maybe true, but Tua Tagovailoa is not going to go down without a fight. Expect Miami to have something in the tank for this one.

    PICK: DOLPHINS 31 – BILLS 28 

  • BONUS: NY JETS (6-10) @ NEW ENGLAND (4-12)

    The Tank Bowl. Both teams know that a loss only helps their draft stock. For many Jets fans they want Gang Green to extend its 15-game losing streak to Bill Belichick and the Patriots in order to hurt New England’s chances of landing a top flight quarterback in the draft. But that won’t happen. The Jets have pride and want to end that skid.

    That said, fully expect the Patriots to fight as well. This may very well be Belichick’s final game as Patriots head coach. One would assume he would like to go out with a win.

    PICK: PATRIOTS 16 – JETS 9 

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