It can be hectic to follow the NFL playoff picture during the final weekend of the regular season, but fortunately we won’t have to scramble too much on Saturday.
The AFC North will be decided at some point during a double dose of division battles, starting in Baltimore with a clash between the Browns and, well, the former Browns.
If the current Browns win that game, attention will turn to the nightcap at Metal Metropolis, where Pittsburgh can clinch the North and knock an MVP-caliber quarterback out of the playoffs in the process.
Here’s a closer look at Saturday’s best bets:
CLEVELAND BROWNS AT BALTIMORE RAVENS (4:30 ET)
Baltimore could already have the AFC North clinched if it hadn’t blown a late lead during a Week 8 loss at Cleveland.
Instead, the Ravens need to win the rematch to secure their second straight division title. Baltimore can also clinch if Cincinnati beats Pittsburgh later on Saturday, but the division should be decided before that game begins.
The Ravens are moving forward, having won each of their last three games by at least 17 points. They will take the field on nine full days of rest after defeating Houston 31-2 on Christmas Day.
Rust shouldn’t be an issue, as Baltimore returned from its bye week by defeating the New York Giants 35-14 to start its current winning streak. The Ravens defense has been especially solid during that stretch, allowing just 31 points.
They will cling to a useless Browns offense that has scored 16 points in its last three games and failed to reach the end zone in last week’s 20-3 loss to Miami.
Cleveland quarterback Jameis Winston paced Baltimore for 334 yards and three touchdowns in the teams’ first meeting, but with backups Bailey Zappe and Dorian Thompson-Robinson likely splitting snaps under center on Saturday, he is expected to Let the Ravens keep the Browns quiet and move up a division. qualification.
Ravens -19.5, -115 (DraftKings)
CINCINNATI BENGALS AT PITTSBURGH STEELERS (8 ET)
Joe Burrow has orchestrated an MVP-caliber season for Cincinnati and he has played some of his best moments when it mattered most.
The fifth-year signal-caller has already set career highs in passing yards (4,641) and touchdowns (42) while throwing just eight interceptions. He has revived the Bengals’ season after their 4-8 start, throwing 12 touchdowns against three picks during Cincinnati’s four-game winning streak that has propelled the team into playoff contention.
Burrow threw three touchdowns in the Bengals’ first game against Pittsburgh, but also had three turnovers in Cincinnati’s 44-38 loss in Week 13.
The 38 points allowed by the Steelers seemed unpredictable at the time, but Pittsburgh’s once-stingy defense has continued to weaken in recent weeks. The Steelers have allowed at least 27 points in each of their last three games, losing them all to relinquish their division lead to Baltimore.
Pittsburgh’s pass defense has been especially porous, allowing three touchdowns through the air in two consecutive games. Mix those struggles with Burrow’s current eight-game streak with at least three landing throws, and it’s easy to count on another big day from the Bengals’ elite quarterback.
Joe Burrow over 2.5 landing passes, +125 (DraftKings)
