Games of the Week

 


There are just three games left in the 2023 NFL Regular Season. The race for the playoffs is tightening to a fever pitch. At the same time, for most, it’s the semi-finals of your fantasy season, so doubtless you have more than a passing interest in the games. This week, as with last week, we have games on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. With Monday being Christmas, we have a trio of Monday games. That has made for a smaller Sunday slate, and yet we have plenty of compelling matchups.

Below are the five games on the Sunday slate that have caught my eye.

Early Games:

Indianapolis Colts (8-6) at Atlanta Falcons (6-8)
About: The Colts are now in a three-way tie atop the AFC South. That makes for a fun race to the end. The Falcons, meanwhile, have slipped behind in their own three-way race. The Falcons are now a full game behind the Saints and Buccaneers after being one game up two weeks ago. Both teams are hungry for a win. For the Falcons, a loss could end their playoff run. The Colts, meanwhile, would love to end the season atop the AFC South. The stakes are big for this one.

Detroit Lions (10-4) at Minnesota Vikings (7-7)
About: A huge matchup in the NFC North, there are big stakes for both teams. The Lions are on the verge of winning the division, but more importantly they are still in play for the top seed in the NFC. The Lions, Eagles and Cowboys all sit at 10 wins, chasing the 11-win 49ers with three games left. The Vikings, meanwhile, are clinging to their playoff life. They have two of their last three games with Lions. That gives the Vikings a chance to get to the division, but also presents a challenge as they hang on to a Wild Card slot. Both teams need a win here.

Cleveland Browns (9-5) at Houston Texans (8-6)
About: This is a crucial battle of two teams fighting for a playoff spot in the AFC. The Browns, despite losing their best running back and starting quarterback, are the top Wild Card team at the moment. The Texans, meanwhile, went from the No. 2 overall pick to tied atop the AFC South with three weeks left. Despite that success, if the playoffs started now, the Texans would narrowly miss the cut. That’s how competitive it is in the AFC. That means there is no margin for error. This should be a heck of a battle.

Late Games:

Jacksonville Jaguars (8-6) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-7)
About: A battle of division leaders comes to a head down the stretch on Sunday. The Jaguars were once comfortably on top of the AFC South. Three straight losses have them in a three-way tie. The tiebreakers still look good, but the Jaguars need to stop the skid. The Buccaneers, meanwhile, are peaking at the right time. They’re atop the NFC South and looking to hold that position. To do that, they need to record wins against quality opponents to end the season. This should be a fun Florida battle.

Dallas Cowboys (10-4) at Miami Dolphins (10-4)
About: The Cowboys had a stumble in Week 15 in Buffalo, getting thrashed by the Bills. With the Eagles’ loss to the Seahawks, the Cowboys are still atop the NFC East, for now. They have a hard last stretch beginning Sunday in Miami. The Dolphins, meanwhile, have also beaten poor teams soundly and struggled against better competition. They have a lead in the AFC East, but the Bills are creeping ever closer. The Dolphins would like a win over a good Cowboys team to silence the critics and put them in shape to take a step forward.

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