With the postseason nearing, four playoff hopefuls from the AFC make up our best bets for the weekend...
Miami Dolphins to beat Buffalo Bills – {ODDS:127201042:7/4}
From looking like no-hopers in the opening weeks of the season, the Dolphins are closing in on a playoff berth.
Standing in their way are the Bills, who must win their remaining two games to have a chance of making it to the postseason.
Buffalo stalled after a solid start to the season and have lost five of their last eight games, with their three wins coming against teams that have a combined total of just seven victories all year.
Miami, meanwhile, have won eight of their last nine games, and have a perfect record of seven wins on the road.
They are without injured starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill, but his replacement, Matt Moore, was named the AFC’s Offensive Player of the Week after stepping in last Saturday.
The Dolphins triumphed when these teams met in Miami, and a repeat of that result is the most likely outcome here.
Oakland Raiders to beat Indianapolis Colts – {ODDS:127201727:10/19}
The Raiders have sealed their place in the playoffs, but still have work to do to secure a first-round bye.
Fortunately for them, they shouldn’t have too much trouble beating the Colts.
Oakland have scored more points, conceded fewer and generated more turnovers that Indianapolis this season.
They have also won seven of their last eight games.
The Colts earned an impressive victory against the Vikings last week, but they have been plagued by inconsistency all season.
They have only won back-to-back contests on one occasion, and have struggled defensively, allowing the 10th-most points per game in the NFL.
The Raiders are the league’s third-highest scorers, and they should be able to outscore the Colts on Saturday night.
Kansas City Chiefs to beat Denver Broncos – {ODDS:127202326:20/37}
The Chiefs suffered a surprising defeat to the Titans last week, but should bounce back against the Broncos.
Kansas City won in overtime when these sides met in Denver, and will likely have the edge again this weekend, considering they have only lost two games at home all season.
Defensively, these are two of the best teams in the NFL.
But the Chiefs’ edge on the other side of the ball gives them a slight advantage overall.
Their 22.8 points per game is the league’s 15th-highest mark, while the Broncos rank 21st.
Denver have struggled to move the ball recently, won just two games in the past six weeks, and are unlikely to add to that total here.
Pittsburgh Steelers to beat Baltimore Ravens – {ODDS:127202118:20/51}
Winners of five consecutive games, the Steelers can lock up a spot in the playoffs and win their division by beating their AFC North rivals.
The Ravens beat the Philadelphia Eagles last week to boost their playoff chances, but they do not match up well against a surging Pittsburgh team.
The Steelers are clearly the superior side offensively, ranking 11th in points per game, eighth in yards per play and fifth in passing yards.
And in recent weeks they have been excellent on the other side of the ball, too, holding their opponents to under 20 points in each of the last five games.
Home advantage should prove crucial here. The Steelers have won four of their six games in Pittsburgh this season, while Baltimore have lost four of six on the road.
