COLTS AT BILLS
When: 11 a.m.
Line: Bills by 8.
Synopsis: Look for little playing time for most of Indy's regulars as the Colts already have the top seed for the AFC playoffs. Curtis Painter might make his first NFL start, and teams with a QB doing that are 10-24 in the last 4 seasons. Whoever carries the ball for Indy will do so vs. the NFL's worst run defense (165.1 yards a game allowed). Bills QB Ryan Fitzpatrick is set to return from an ankle injury. Like so many games Sunday, which almost is like the final week of the preseason, it's coin-flip time on predicting a winner.
BILLS 24, COLTS 20
SAINTS AT PANTHERS
When: 11 a.m.
Line: Panthers by 6.
Synopsis: New Orleans has the NFC's top seed but is more likely than Indy to give its starters a decent amount of playing time because the team has lost 2 in a row and is out of sync. Carolina has the NFL's 3rd-rated ground attack but its two backs are banged up. New Orleans has struggled recently vs. the run.
PICK OF THE WEEK (vs point spread): SAINTS 31, PANTHERS 27
JAGUARS AT BROWNS
When: 11 a.m.
Line: Browns by 1 1/2.
Synopsis: Cleveland, with RB Jerome Harrison emerging, has won 3 in a row and Jacksonville has lost 3 in a row. To make the playoffs the Jags need to win and have 4 of these teams lose to get in: Ravens, Steelers, Jets, Texans and Steelers. Good luck.
BROWNS 24, JAGUARS 17
BEARS AT LIONS
When: 11 a.m.
Line: Bears by 3.
Synopsis: Chicago QB Jay Cutler finally had a marquee game last week and works vs. the NFL's worst pass defense. It looks as if Detroit will go back to QB Daunte Culpepper after Drew Stanton fared poorly last week in his first NFL start.
BEARS 23, LIONS 16
PATRIOTS AT TEXANS
When: 11 a.m.
Line: Texans by 8.
Synopsis: To get in the playoffs, Houston needs to win and have 2 of these teams lose: the Broncos, Jets and Ravens. They face a team that has locked up a playoff spot and seems destined for the No. 3 AFC seed and might use many of its regulars sparingly.
TEXANS 27, PATS 20
STEELERS AT DOLPHINS
When: 11 a.m.
Line: Steelers by 3.
Synopsis: Both have an outside shot at the playoffs, needing to win and get help. Pittsburgh's Ben Roethlisberger ends a career year and faces the 23rd-rated pass defense. The Steelers' defense has been poor minus S Troy Polamalu (knee) who is unlikely to play, and Pittsburgh has lost 3 in a row on the road (including to KC and Cleveland). Look for Miami's Chad Henne (307 passing yards per game in his last 4 outings), to go to the air, especially with RB Ricky Williams having a shoulder injury.
STEELERS 30, DOLPHINS 23
GIANTS AT VIKINGS
When: 11 a.m.
Line: Vikings by 9.
Synopsis: Minnesota has lost 3 of 4 and must win and have Philly lose to get the NFC's No. 2 seed. Minny QB Brett Favre comes off a big outing but faces the NFL's 4th-ranked pass defense. NY's run defense is in the middle of the pack, so look for Vikes RB Adrian Peterson to get a workout. NY was embarrassed at home last week by Carolina, will miss the playoffs and will be minus RB Brandon Jacobs (knee). The Vikes are 7-0 at home.
VIKINGS 31, GIANTS 20
49ers at RAMS
When: 11 a.m.
Line: 49ers by 7 1/2.
Synopsis: The Rams lock up the top draft pick with a loss, and the only other hoopla here is that likely Hall of Fame WR Isaac Bruce, who has been inactive lately and has just 2 catches in the 49ers' last 8 games, is expected to play in the stadium where he had so much success with the Rams in what could be his NFL finale.
49ers 24, RAMS 10
FALCONS AT BUCCANEERS
When: 11 a.m.
Line: Falcons by 2 1/2.
Synopsis: Another matchup of teams out of the playoff hunt, but both have won 2 in row. Tampa has held foes to 17.4 per game in its last 5. Atlanta is 2-5 on the road.
BUCCANEERS 20, FALCONS 15
PACKERS AT CARDINALS
When: 2:15 p.m.
Line: Cardinals by 3 1/2.
Synopsis: There's a good chance these teams could meet in the playoffs next week in the same place, so expect a close-to-the-vest game plan from both as they don't want to show anything fancy.
PACKERS 20, CARDINALS 17
CHIEFS AT BRONCOS
When: 2:15 p.m.
Line: Broncos by 12 1/2.
Synopsis: Denver can lose and get in the playoffs, but a win enhances its chances and it gets the lowly Chiefs here. Denver has lost 7 of 9 and key WR Brandon Marshall is being benched so the Broncos should take to the ground because KC is 31st vs. the run.
BRONCOS 24, CHIEFS 16
RAVENS AT RAIDERS
When: 2:15 p.m.
Line: Ravens by 11.
Synopsis: Baltimore merely needs to win to make the playoffs, but that's not a gimme. Oakland has beaten division leaders Cincy and Philly, plus playoff contenders Denver and Pittsburgh. QB Charlie Frye is expected to start and face a banged-up secondary, although S Ed Reed (groin) might be back. A key: Baltimore sends its 7th-rated ground game vs. the 29th-rated run defense.
RAVENS 23, RAIDERS 20
REDSKINS AT CHARGERS
When: 2:15 p.m.
Line: Chargers by 3 1/2.
Synopsis: San Diego has won 10 in a row, has a first-round bye and probably will pull its regulars early in what almost certainly will be the finale for Redskins coach Jim Zorn.
CHARGERS 20, REDSKINS 10
TITANS AT SEAHAWKS
When: 2:15 p.m.
Line: Titans by 4.
Synopsis: Titans RB Chris Johnson is 128 yards away from becoming the 6th NFL player to run for 2,000 yards in a season and 75 yards away from breaking the NFL record for yards from scrimmage (2,429) set in 1999 by the Rams' Marshall Faulk. Johnson faces the NFL's 24th-ranked defense.
TITANS 26, SEAHAWKS 20
EAGLES AT COWBOYS
When: 2:15 p.m.
Line: Cowboys by 3.
Synopsis: The winner grabs the NFC East title and maybe a first-round bye, the loser a wild-card slot. Philly has won 6 in a row but must shuffle its offensive line now that C Jamaal Jackson is done because of a knee injury, which could have Dallas teeing off on QB Donovan McNabb. The Cowboys have won 2 in a row and the defense has risen.
EAGLES 24, COWBOYS 20
BENGALS AT JETS
When: 6:30 p.m.
Line: Jets by 10.
Synopsis: NY makes the playoffs if it wins, lose and it's done. The Bengals have little to gain here so don't expect a full night for the regulars. The Jets give up just 15.7 points per game, best in the NFL.
PICK OF THE WEEK (to win): JETS 24, BENGALS 10
RECORD
Last week: 9-7. Season: 154-86.
Vs. point spread: Last week: 10-5-1. Season: 120-116-4.
Pick of the week last week (to win): Right. Season: 15-1.
Pick of week last week (point spread): Right. Season: 11-5.