Given how mediocre the once-mighty AFC North has become, it wasn't crazy to think that the Bengals could emerge amid the muck and win the division. If they got into the playoffs, with their high-powered offense, they had a puncher's chance against anyone.

After eight games, the Buccaneers looked like a legitimate sleeper pick to emerge from the NFC. QB Baker Mayfield was a trendy MVP contender. They'd beaten the Seahawks and 49ers, two playoff teams.

The Eagles and Commanders meet in a divisional clash on Saturday. Washington has shut down injured QB Jayden Daniels for the season, making it a tough task to win this game, even at home.

The Rams and Seahawks clash on Thursday night in a battle between 11-3 teams. The winner of this one will claim the lead of the NFC West, as well as the NFL's overall top point differential.

After the Jaguars ran up and down the field on the Jets' defense, New York head coach Aaron Glenn fired defensive coordinator Steve Wilks.

The Vikings and Cowboys clash this week in a matchup between a pair of NFC teams. Both are on the cusp of elimination from postseason contention, needing a victory in this game to stay alive.

The Panthers and Saints meet in an NFC South clash. New Orleans won the first bout and will look to improve to 3-2 in divisional play this week. Carolina is suddenly in the division's top spot.

It's hard to tell which would be the bigger borderline miracle: the Dolphins making the playoffs or head coach Mike McDaniel saving his job after he was as good as fired a month ago.

The Colts called Philip Rivers out of retirement and his post-playing career life as the patriarch of the Rivers Bunch (he's got 10 kids and is a grandfather) to try and drag them into the playoffs.

The Week 14 win was over the Browns, but it's unfair to be dismissive of the Titans' second win of 2025 by portraying it as "just the Browns."

One of the games on Sunday's NFL slate features the Chicago Bears hosting the Cleveland Browns. Who has the edge in our Bears vs Browns pick?

The Texans lost their first three games and looked like they were heading for a disastrous season. However, since then, they have won eight of 10, including victories over the Ravens, 49ers, Jaguars, Bills, Colts, and Chiefs.