NFL schedule today: Everything to know about football games on Jan. 6
The NFL is back with another Saturday doubleheader to start the final week of the 2023 season.
And both games feature teams with playoff hopes on the line.
First up, the Pittsburgh Steelers hope to clinch a playoff berth on the road against the Baltimore Ravens, who have locked up the No. 1 seed in the AFC with quarterback Lamar Jackson the league's MVP front-runner.
And in prime time, C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans travel to face Jonathan Taylor and the Indianapolis Colts in an AFC South battle with a division crown and wild-card implications.
Here’s what you need to know about the Steelers-Ravens and Texans-Colts matchups Saturday.
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How to watch Saturday's games
The Steelers and Ravens kickoff at 4:30 p.m. ET. The Texans and Colts begin play at 8:15 p.m. Both games will be televised on ESPN/ABC, and both can be streamed on ESPN+.
Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7) at Baltimore Ravens (13-3)
With the No. 1 seed already clinched, Ravens coach John Harbaugh will likely rest his most important players and get ready for a Super Bowl run. And that includes Jackson, who could win his second MVP award.
Meanwhile, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin can celebrate knowing he’s already clinched a 17th consecutive season without a losing record in Pittsburgh. But a playoff berth would be nice in a turbulent season.
Even if the Steelers win in Baltimore, they would need help from several teams to reach the postseason. Pittsburgh needs to win and get a Buffalo Bills loss to the Miami Dolphins with the AFC East on the line Sunday night, or a Jacksonville Jaguars loss or tie against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, or a tie in the Texans and Colts game to reach the playoffs.
Two other scenarios gets Pittsburgh into the postseason: Steelers tie, Jaguars loss and Texans-Colts doesn’t end in tie, or Jaguars loss and win by the Denver Broncos on the road against the Las Vegas Raiders and Texans-Colts doesn’t end in tie.
Houston Texans (9-7) at Indianapolis Colts (9-7)
The Texans and Colts are vying for a playoff spot in their final game of the regular season, and it’s inspiring to see the turnaround both teams have made in 2023.
It’s simple for the Texans and Colts on Saturday night: win and get into the playoffs. And if you want to win the AFC South? Win and hope the Jaguars lose to the Titans on Sunday.
For the loser: Better luck next year.
Houston chose C.J. Stroud with the No. 2 pick in the 20023 draft, and found the right head coach in DeMeco Ryans after a carousel of coaching hires and hovering at the top of the NFL draft order in recent years. If Houston reaches the postseason, it’ll be the first time since 2019 when Bill O’Brien, Deshaun Watson, J.J. Watt and DeAndre Hopkins were the faces of the franchise.
Meanwhile, the fact that the Colts have a chance to reach the playoffs with Jonathan Taylor in and out of the lineup due to injuries and contract disputes, and Gardner Minshew II leading the offense without rookie QB Anthony Richardson (shoulder) for most of the season is a credit to first-year coach Shane Steichen maximizing the talent. The Colts are 6-5 since Minshew took over, and could return to the playoffs for the first time since 2020.
AFC SOUTH PLAYOFF SCENARIOS:Will Jaguars clinch, or can Texans and Colts win division?
Predictions for Saturday's NFL game
Here are the USA TODAY Sports staff’s predictions for both games:
- Jarrett Bell: Steelers over Ravens; Texans over Colts
- Chris Bumbaca: Steelers over Ravens; Texans over Colts
- Nate Davis: Steelers over Ravens; Texans over Colts
- Safid Deen: Ravens over Steelers; Texans over Colts
- Tyler Dragon: Steelers over Ravens; Texans over Colts
- Victoria Hernandez: Steelers over Ravens; Texans over Colts
- Jordan Mendoza: Steelers over Ravens; Texans over Colts
- Lorenzo Reyes: Steelers over Ravens; Texans over Colts