BENGALS (7-6, -3) over Vikings (7-6), 21-17:

Same won-lost records here, but the first of three Saturday games finds Cincy needing the win more desperately in the more crowded AFC playoff chase. Bengals have won four straight at home vs. Vikes, and clear edge to Jake Browning over Nick Mullens in the battle of backup QBs.

BROWNS (8-5, -3) over Bears (5-8), 24-16:

Coach Matt Eberflus and QB Justin Fields are fighting for their futures in Chicago and have turned sneaky dangerous, winning won two in a row and three of four. But veteran fill-in Joe Flacco has been tonic for Cleveland’s offense and proved capable of keeping Browns on playoff pace. Venue a big factor here, too, with Earthtones on a 9-2 run at home and Chitown mired in a 2-9 road swoon.

PACKERS (6-7, -3 over Buccaneers (6-7), 23-20:

Battle of the Bays finds Bucs clinging to a tiebreaker lead in the weak NFC South and Pack hanging onto the seventh and last playoff spot in the conference. Green Bay’s home edge grows in Frozen Tundra time. Jordan Love has been quite good lately and now hopes to have weapons Aaron Jones and Christian Watson back from injury.

TITANS (5-8, -3) over Texans (7-6), 27-23:

Coin flip of a game, with Houston likely to bounce back from a rout loss to Jets and Tennessee facing risk of a letdown after that crazy 28-27 upset win in Miami on Monday night. I lean with the home team largely because Texans QB C.J. Stroud (concussion) and top WR Nico Collins (calf) both are iffy to play.

CHIEFS (8-5, -7 over PATRIOTS (3-10), 23-16:K.C.

has lost two straight and four of past six, the frustration showing in Patrick Mahomes’ whining about the officiating last week. teams, a stout matchup. N’Awlins is well alive in the NFC South race, while NYG has won three in a row with an offense come to life behind Tommy DeVito and improved defense. With Derek Carr’s receivers room an injury-wracked shambles, expect low-scoring Biggies to cover.