As we close in on the final weeks of the regular season, the playoff pictures are as clear as mud. There are only a hand full of teams that are certain playoff contenders, and only a hand full that are out of the playoff picture, leaving nearly the entire league still mathematically in it, with only four weeks to go.

This week should change that, at least for a good chunk of the teams. With a lot of key matchups, we should see some exciting football this weekend. I can’t wait for it to get started, so let’s get to right to it!

This week’s Lock of the Week (9-1).

Chicago at Detroit.

If you had told me back in week 1 that the Lions, without Megatron, would be on top of their division and looking to win big in week 14 to stretch their lead over the rest of the pack (no pun intended), I’d have suggested a good psychiatrist for you to continue the discussion with.

But here we are, with four games to go and the Lions are not only leading their division by two games, but are fighting for the #2 seed and a first week bye! And who do they get to host this week? The injury riddled, second worst team in the NFC!

I still don’t think the Lions are going to the Super Bowl, but they have made me a believer that they know how to win. They seem to be able to score against any team, and their defense has been playing respectably lately. Not great, but good enough to win two out of three games.

Their weak schedule up to this point hasn’t hurt their chances either. And while their final three weeks will determine just how good they are (at the Giants and Dallas before finishing at home against the Packers), this week should be an easy victory!

Final score – Detroit 34, Chicago 20.

This week’s Upset of the Week (4-6).

Seattle at Green Bay.

Another one of those “If you had told me in week 1” games. These were supposed to have been two of the top teams in the league this year, dominating their opponents along the way, with this week 14 match-up quite possibly holding #1 seed implications.

Well, there are playoff implications, but nothing on that grand of a scale. The Packers are trying to make their way into the playoff picture, while the Seahawks are looking to hold on to their current position as the #2 seed.

While I am not believers of either team right now, this should be a great game to watch. Why? Great question. Let me give you a couple of reasons.

First, the game is in Green Bay, where there is supposed to be more snow than we saw in last week’s game with Houston. The weather had a big impact on the Texans, and is sure to do the same on the Seahawks.

Next, although I’m not completely sold that Green Bay is back, after a seriously struggling season, Rogers and team actually looked like the Packers in last week’s victory.

And finally, the Seahawks are not the team that all of the experts are desperately trying to paint a picture of. Their offense looks decent one week, and then struggles to hit double digits the next. They still have a scary good defense, but injuries are bringing them back down to earth. The latest injury, a season ending one to Earl Thomas, will not bode well if Rogers has another solid game.

This should go down to the wire, but I’m going with the home team.

Final Score – Green Bay 20, Seattle 17.

This week’s Game of the Week (7-2-1).

Dallas at N.Y. Giants.

This is always an epic battle, whether either team is a contender or not. And this time around, both teams are contenders, with the Cowboys looking to clinch the #1 seed and the Giants hoping to solidify their hold on the #5 seed.

Before the season began, I had picked the Giants to win this division and, like most people, didn’t even have the Cowboys in the playoff picture. While I have to tip my hat to the machine that they have become, I still don’t believe this Dallas team will reach the Super Bowl.

Not due to lack of talent. They are loaded with that, as the Giants will find out today. I just think that come playoff time, rookies look like rookies, while experience becomes ten times more important than during the regular season.

But we’re getting ahead of ourselves. We are still in the regular season, and this battle of the NFC East is sure to entertain everyone. The Giants are a good enough team to hang with these Cowboys, and both teams have enough weapons to make this a real fireworks show for the fans.

Ultimately, it will come down to which team makes the most mistakes, and this Dallas team does not make mistakes. This should go down to the wire, but the visitors will walk away with the win.

Final Score – Dallas 34, N.Y. Giants 27.

It doesn’t matter which games you choose to watch this week, there is going to be entertainment for everyone. Now go and enjoy some football!