Ravens, Chargers eyeing chance to move on up

When they meet Saturday night in one of several intriguing games in the penultimate week of the NFL season, the Baltimore Ravens and Los Angeles Chargers will be chasers. By Sunday night they could be leaders.

Baltimore (8-6) trails Pittsburgh (8-5-1) by a half-game in the AFC North. The Chargers (11-3) are tied with Kansas City for the AFC West lead — and the conference’s best record — but the Chiefs hold the tiebreaker.

So the winner will be in solid position for the playoffs.

“They’re playing outstanding football,” Ravens safety Eric Weddle said of his former team. “We’ve got everything in our hands, as do they, so it’s going to be an amazing game, one that will define where our season goes from there.”

Baltimore is a 4½-point underdog at the Chargers, who have had an extended rest after a sensational comeback win at Kansas City on Dec. 13.

Chargers, 27-24

CINCINNATI (+7) AT CLEVELAND

Hard to believe we’re going with Browns as our top choice. We are.

Best Bet: Browns, 23-13

GREEN BAY (-1) AT NEW YORK JETS Tempted by Houston and Seattle, but see this as ... Upset Special: J-E-T-S, 20-17

LOS ANGELES RAMS (-14) AT ARIZONA

Rams’ offence needs to wake up for 60 minutes. This is the time.

Rams, 40-10

PITTSBURGH (+5½) AT NEW ORLEANS Saints’ offence needs to wake up for 60 minutes. This is the time.

Saints, 34-24

HOUSTON (+2½) AT PHILADELPHIA Such a huge game for both sides. In Foles we trust. Eagles, 24-23

KANSAS CITY (-2½) AT SEATTLE

Chiefs could go from No. 1 seed to wild card, especially if they lose here.

Seahawks, 26-24

NEW YORK GIANTS (+9½) AT INDIANAPOLIS Colts believe they are playoff bound. Giants won’t get in way.

Colts, 30-20

WASHINGTON (+10) AT TENNESSEE, SATURDAY Titans believe they are playoff bound. Redskins won’t get in way.

Titans, 22-15 TAMPA BAY (+7) AT DALLAS Dallas came back to Earth last week, should soar this week.

Cowboys, 26-13

BUFFALO (+13)

AT NEW ENGLAND

No more road nightmares for Patriots, who are 6-0 at Foxborough.

Patriots, 30-23

MINNESOTA (-5½) AT DETROIT Wild-card spot could depend on win here for Vikings. Vikings, 26-14

CHICAGO (-3½)

AT SAN FRANCISCO Niners won’t be intimidated by Bears’ D after handling Seahawks’ D.

Bears, 17-13

ATLANTA (+3) AT CAROLINA Ron Rivera deserves better than what players have delivered. Dan Quinn, too. Panthers, 21-20

DENVER (-2½) AT OAKLAND, MONDAY NIGHT

Last home game in Bay Area for Raiders?

Broncos, 19-13

JACKSONVILLE (+4½) AT MIAMI

At least it should be sunny. Dolphins, 23-20

2018 RECORD

Last Week: Against spread (78-1). Straight up (9-7)

Season Totals: Against spread (110-101-8). Straight up: (14577-2)

Best Bet: 5-10 against spread, 10-5 straight up

Upset special: 8-7 against spread, 7-7-1 straight up