Think the Ravens can't make the playoffs? Think again. All it takes is ...
1. Saturday, 5 p.m.
Chiefs lose at Raiders. For the second straight week, the Chiefs will replace MVP-candidate Priest Holmes with Mike Cloud at running back. Cloud, who gained 19 yards on 16 carries against the Chargers last Sunday, meets defensive tackle Sam Adams this week. As if that matchup isn't bad enough, the Raiders need to win to secure the AFC's No. 1 seed for the second time in three years. It figures to be the last chance for owner Al Davis to tweak the NFL's hierarchy for a while, so he doesn't want to miss it.
2. Sunday, 1 p.m.
Ravens top Steelers. This part isn't as hard as it sounds. The Ravens need miserable weather in Pittsburgh. Easy, right? Then they throw a little special teams mojo at new Steelers kicker Jeff Reed, who wasn't around when the Steelers beat the Ravens last October, 31-18. But surely Reed has heard about Kris Brown's day of infamy last season, when he missed four of five field goal attempts in Heinz Field's tricky winds to lose to the Ravens. So, say the Steelers move the ball at will, but can't get touchdowns -- remember, the Ravens are third in the AFC in red-zone defense. Then it's up to Reed. Snap, the trap closes and history repeats.
3. Sunday, 1 p.m.
Browns lose to Falcons. The Browns do their best work on the road, where they are 6-2. But they are only 2-5 at home and this game is in Cleveland. That's big. To make it even more do-able, the Falcons are 4-2-1 on the road, so they probably don't care that it's not in a dome and snow is coming down. Michael Vick probably likes to play in terrible weather. If all else fails, the Browns' Dwayne Rudd can throw his helmet again.
4. Sunday, 1 p.m.
Patriots lose to Dolphins. The Patriots are 3-7 against winning teams this season -- and haven't beaten one since September. They've already lost three games at home. And the Tom Brady offense that looked so great in the beginning of the year has gone into early hibernation. But if the Patriots' offense doesn't cooperate, their defense will. New England is only 27th against the run this season, and Miami's Ricky Williams isn't coming as Santa Claus bearing gifts.
5. Sunday, 4:15 p.m.
Jets lose to Packers. Even if the Eagles beat the Giants tomorrow to lock up home-field advantage in the NFC, the 12-3 Packers will have to beat the Jets to assure themselves of the No. 2 seed and a first-round bye. That's because the 11-4 Bucs hold a tiebreaker over the Packers, and they don't play until Sunday night. So this will be an up-and-up game. The problem the Packers have is injuries. They are down to second-stringers everywhere, especially on defense. They wish they had Bernardo Harris back now. Can't you just see Laveranues Coles and Santana Moss scooting scot-free through the Packers secondary?
6. Sunday, 4:15 p.m.
Broncos lose to Cardinals. OK, this is the one that defies belief. How can any self-respecting team lose at home to Arizona with a playoff berth on the line? But the Broncos already may have lost their self-esteem in last Sunday's dreadful loss to their arch-enemy, the Raiders. Besides, what are the chances demoted quarterback Brian Griese, on his way out of town shortly, will hot-wire the head sets and send in some bogus plays for his replacement, Steve Beuerlein? Pretty good, don't you think?
7. Sunday, 4:15 p.m.
Chargers lose to Seahawks. This is a classic example of two teams heading in opposite directions. The Chargers have lost six of eight to blow their first playoff berth in seven years. The Seahawks have won their last two and are averaging 28.6 points in their last five games in an offensive resurgence. Besides, San Diego coach Marty Schottenheimer always loses the big game. He owes Art Modell this one.