Last week: 11-5 (.687)

Season record: 135-73 (.649)

---

GAME: New Orleans Saints (7-6) at Chicago Bears (7-6), 8 p.m., Thursday

THE SKINNY: There aren't enough wild-card playoff spots to accommodate all the teams in the NFC South, maybe even the surging Saints. The Bears can still catch the Vikings because they have the easier three-game schedule remaining.

PREDICTION: Bears, 27-24

---

GAME: Steelers (10-3) at Baltimore Ravens (9-4), 4:15 p.m., Sunday

THE SKINNY: The Steelers have won four in a row and can clinch a first-round bye with a victory. But they haven't won in Baltimore since 2002 and the Ravens are on a roll, winning seven of their past eight games.

PREDICTION: Ravens, 16-10

---

GAME: Washington Redskins (7-6) at Cincinnati Bengals (1-11-1), 1 p.m., Sunday

THE SKINNY: Before all is said and done, the Bengals might end up with the worst record in the NFL. They have scored just 16 points in three games since they tied the Eagles.

PREDICTION: Redskins, 23-9

---

GAME: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-4) at Atlanta Falcons (8-5), 1 p.m., Sunday

THE SKINNY: It's not getting any easier for the Buccaneers after playing -- and losing -- Monday night in Carolina. But, after losing to the Saints, Atlanta might be down to its last chance for a playoff spot.

PREDICTION: Falcons, 24-17

---

GAME: Tennessee Titans (12-1) at Houston Texans (6-7), 1 p.m., Sunday

THE SKINNY: The Titans can clinch home-field advantage throughout the playoffs with a victory and a loss or tie by the Steelers. They might have to wait against the Texans, who have won three in a row.

PREDICTION: Texans, 24-23

---

GAME: Detroit Lions (0-13) at Indianapolis Colts (9-4), 1 p.m., Sunday

THE SKINNY: Only one team has won more consecutive games than the Steelers (4), and that's the Colts, who are on a six-game streak and in position to clinch a playoff spot. But only if they can, uh, beat the Lions.

PREDICTION: Colts, 40-6

---

GAME: Green Bay Packers (5-8) at Jacksonville Jaguars (4-9), 1 p.m., Sunday

THE SKINNY: The Packers are sliding quickly into the toilet after losing three in a row. The Jaguars are already there, having lost four in a row and displaying more blood and guts than Barney Fife.

PREDICTION: Packers, 21-20

---

GAME: San Diego Chargers (5-8) at Kansas City Chiefs (2-11), 1 p.m., Sunday

THE SKINNY: The Chargers have lost four games in the final 30 seconds this season. The Chiefs almost made it No. 5 last month, except they failed on a two-point conversion pass with 29 seconds left.

PREDICTION: Chargers, 30-20

---

GAME: San Francisco 49ers (5-8) at Miami Dolphins (8-5), 1 p.m., Sunday

THE SKINNY: Beware of the 49ers, who have back-to-back victories against two other teams from the AFC East. But, look out for the Dolphins, who have won six of their past seven to tie for the AFC East lead.

PREDICTION: Dolphins, 31-23

---

GAME: Buffalo Bills (6-7) at New York Jets (8-5), 1 p.m., Sunday

THE SKINNY: The New York Bretts aren't exactly surging toward the playoffs, not after back-to-back losses to the Broncos and 49ers. Maybe they can order a Slanket for Favre and keep him from shivering in the late season.

PREDICTION: Jets, 24-16

---

GAME: Seattle Seahawks (2-11) at St. Louis Rams (2-11), 1 p.m., Sunday

THE SKINNY: Only the Lions have a longer losing streak than the Seahawks (6) and Rams (7). The NFL should come up with a new addendum to the flexible schedule: Have the ability to cancel games.

PREDICTION: Seahawks, 4-2

---

GAME: Minnesota Vikings (8-5) at Arizona Cardinals (8-5), 4:05 p.m., Sunday

THE SKINNY: The Cardinals lead the league in scoring and have already clinched their first division title in 33 years. If they want a home playoff game for the first time in 61 years, they better stop Adrian Peterson.

PREDICTION: Cardinals, 31-23

---

GAME: Denver Broncos (8-5) at Carolina Panthers (10-3), 4:15 p.m., Sunday

THE SKINNY: The Broncos can clinch the AFC West title with a victory or a loss by the Chargers. But make room for a long playoff run for the Panthers, who have the look of a Super Bowl team.

PREDICTION: Panthers, 33-20

---

GAME: New England Patriots (8-5) at Oakland Raiders (3-10), 4:15 p.m., Sunday

THE SKINNY: This is the second time this season the Patriots have stayed on the West Coast for back-to-back games. The last time, they lost the second leg of the trip in San Diego.

PREDICTION: Patriots, 27-13

---

GAME: New York Giants (11-2) at Dallas Cowboys (8-5), 8:15 p.m., Sunday

THE SKINNY: The Giants should, and will, recover from their loss to the Eagles that ended a seven-game winning streak. Of greater significance is whether the Cowboys can bounce back from their loss to the Steelers.

PREDICTION: Giants, 23-21

---

GAME: Cleveland Browns (4-9) at Philadelphia Eagles (7-5-1), 8:30 p.m., Monday

THE SKINNY: After going five years without playing on Monday night, the Browns are 2-0 this season on MNF. That, though, was when they had a quarterback. And a coach with some security.

PREDICTION: Eagles, 27-11