Overview
- Three head-to-head matchups will determine division control today, with Ravens–Steelers for the AFC North lead, Colts–Jaguars for first in the AFC South, and Bears–Packers deciding the NFC North pecking order.
- Sunday Night Football features Chiefs vs. Texans at 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC, with Kansas City at 6-6 and Houston at 7-5 both seeking a crucial boost in the AFC playoff race.
- Four teams are off this week — Giants, Patriots, Panthers and 49ers — as team sites and local outlets publish rooting guides to map favorable results for their playoff paths.
- Betting and analytics coverage intensified, with SportsLine AI issuing picks and exact-score projections for every game and CBS Sports’ model highlighting value sides such as the Jets and Broncos.
- Key status updates shape today’s slate, including Lamar Jackson cleared without an injury designation for Baltimore, Chicago’s Rome Odunze ruled out and Green Bay’s Jayden Reed questionable, and Joe Burrow back in action for Cincinnati since Thanksgiving.