Pro Picks: Ravens will beat the Dolphins in a battle for the AFC's No. 1 seed
Pro Picks is a weekly column where AP Pro Football Writer Rob Maaddi shares his picks for upcoming games. For all previous Pro Picks, head here.
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The AFC’s No. 1 seed is on the line when Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens host Tua Tagovailoa and the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.
Fresh off a convincing 33-19 victory over the NFC's top team, the San Francisco 49ers, the Ravens (12-3) have a tough challenge standing between them and a first-round bye.
The Dolphins (11-4) finally beat a team with a winning record last week in their fourth try. Now, they've got a shot at home-field advantage and a bye. If they lose, they could be playing against Buffalo for the AFC East title next week. So they'd go from battling for the No. 1 seed to potentially finishing with the fifth or sixth spot.
The Ravens are 3 1/2-point favorites, according to FanDuel Sportsbook. They've defeated seven winning teams by at least 14 points. Pro Picks expects Baltimore to win by single-digits.
RAVENS, 27-20
ARIZONA at PHILADELPHIA
Line: Eagles minus 10 1/2
The Cardinals (3-12) will try to spoil Philadelphia’s playoff positioning when coach Jonathan Gannon faces his former team. The Eagles (11-4) are coming off a shaky win that snapped a three-game losing streak, but still control their division title hopes and have a shot at the No. 1 seed if San Francisco slips up.
BEST BET: EAGLES, 30-16
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS at DENVER
Line: Broncos minus 3 1/2
Russell Wilson got benched for Jarrett Stidham with the Broncos (7-8) nearing playoff elimination following a crushing loss at home to lowly New England. The Chargers (5-10) are onto next season.
UPSET SPECIAL: CHARGERS, 19-16
DETROIT at DALLAS
Line: Cowboys minus 6
Undefeated at home, the Cowboys (10-5) still have a shot at the NFC East if they win and get help. They’re a much different team on the road. The Lions (11-4) remain in the mix for the No. 1 seed after winning their first division title in 30 years. They’ll need to win out and have the 49ers and Eagles lose to earn a first-round bye.
COWBOYS, 31-27
NEW ENGLAND at BUFFALO
Line: Bills minus 11 1/2
Josh Allen and the Bills (9-6) can’t afford to look ahead to a potential showdown for the AFC East against the Dolphins. The Patriots (4-11) try to play spoiler after smashing Denver’s playoff hopes.
BILLS, 26-9
ATLANTA at CHICAGO
Line: Bears minus 3
Justin Fields and the Bears (6-9) have won four of six and are trying to finish the season on an encouraging note. The Falcons (7-8) are nearing playoff elimination so they'll be desperate for a win after Taylor Heinicke sparked the offense.
BEARS, 24-20
TENNESSEE at HOUSTON
Line: Texans minus 4 1/2
The Texans (8-7) could get C.J. Stroud back after missing two games just in time to help them get a wild-card spot. The Titans (5-10) are playing for pride.
TEXANS, 24-17
LAS VEGAS at INDIANAPOLIS
Line: Colts minus 3 1/2
The Raiders (7-8) need a win to stay alive in the playoff race after upsetting Kansas City on the road without completing a pass in the final three quarters. The Colts (8-7) will get in with two more wins.
COLTS, 26-18
LOS ANGELES RAMS at NEW YORK GIANTS
Line: Rams minus 4 1/2
The Rams (8-7) have won five of six to move into a wild-card spot in a season that began with low expectations. The Giants (5-10) are eliminated from the playoffs after starting the season with high aspirations.
RAMS, 23-18
SAN FRANCISCO at WASHINGTON
Line: 49ers minus 12 1/2
Brock Purdy aims to bounce back from four picks and the 49ers (11-4) can move a step closer to locking in the NFC’s No. 1 seed. The Commanders (4-11) are benching Sam Howell for Jacoby Brissett after losing six in a row to move in position for a top five draft pick.
49ERS, 34-13
CAROLINA at JACKSONVILLE
Line: Jaguars minus 6
The banged-up Jaguars (8-7) are still in control of the AFC South despite losing four in a row. They may not have Trevor Lawrence against the Panthers (2-13) because of a shoulder sprain.
JAGUARS, 23-13
NEW ORLEANS at TAMPA BAY
Line: Buccaneers minus 2 1/2
Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers (8-7) are the hottest team in the NFC and can secure their third straight NFC South title with their fifth straight win. The Saints (7-8) need a win to stay in the playoff race.
BUCCANEERS, 23-18
PITTSBURGH at SEATTLE
Line: Seahawks minus 3 1/2
The Seahawks (8-7) control their playoff hopes after consecutive comeback wins in the final minute. The Steelers (8-7) need to win to stay in the wild-card chase. They’ll stick with Mason Rudolph at quarterback if Kenny Pickett can’t go.
SEAHAWKS, 22-20
CINCINNATI at KANSAS CITY
Line: Chiefs minus 7
These aren’t the same Chiefs (9-6) who won the Super Bowl last season. Patrick Mahomes and Co. are struggling but are still one win away from clinching their eighth straight AFC West title. The Bengals (8-7) are still chasing a wild-card spot with QB Jake Browning.
CHIEFS, 27-17
GREEN BAY at MINNESOTA
Line: Vikings minus 1 1/2
The Packers (7-8) have struggled on defense since beating Kansas City on Dec. 3. The Vikings (7-8) need QB Nick Mullens to stop turning the ball over. It’s a must-win game for both teams with fading playoff hopes.
VIKINGS, 26-23
NEW YORK JETS at CLEVELAND
Line: Browns minus 7 1/2
Pro Picks stayed hot on Thursday night, earning the victory by picking the Browns to win 23-13. They defeated the Jets 37-20.
Last week: Straight up: 7-9. Against spread: 6-9-1
Overall: Straight up: 147-94. Against spread: 124-107-9.
Best Bet: Straight up: 9-7. Against spread: 6-9-1.
Upset Special: Straight up: 8-8. Against spread: 10-6.
Thursday: Straight up: 13-6. Against spread: 14-4-1.
Monday: Straight up: 9-12. Against spread: 13-7-1.
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