Ravens, Chargers can still move up
Teams less than a game behind division leaders
When they meet Saturday in one of several intriguing games in the penultimate week of the NFL season, the Baltimore Ravens and L.A. 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, but the Chiefs hold the tiebreaker.
So the winner will be in solid position for the playoffs; L.A. already is in. Plus, the Steelers and Chiefs have very difficult road tests.
“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,” Raven Eric Weddle said.
Baltimore is a 4½-point underdog at the Chargers, who have had an extended rest after a 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 if they lose here.
Seahawks, 26-24
N.Y. Giants (+9½) at Indianapolis
Colts believe they are playoff bound. Giants won’t get in way.
Colts, 30-20
Washington (+10) at Tennessee
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.
Bears, 17-13
Atlanta (+3) at Carolina
Both coaches deserve better than what players have delivered.
Panthers, 21-20
Denver (-2½) at Oakland, Monday
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, 7-8-1; straight up, 9-7
Season totals: Against spread, 110101-8; straight up, 145-77-2)
Best bet: 5-10 against spread, 10-5 straight up
Upset special: 8-7 against spread, 7-7-1 straight up