NFL Picks Week 17: Predicting Cowboys vs. Giants and Week's Key Matchups

Rarely do division titles come down to a game in the final week between two clubs fighting for the crown, but we're treated to that this year. 

The Dallas Cowboys travel to New Jersey to take on the New York Giants in a battle for the NFC East championship. 

Week 17's schedule is dotted with other games that have serious postseason implications. 

Here's how I see those marquee matchups playing out. 

Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants 

Tony Romo is practicing with his team on Wednesday, and there's a good chance he'll play in the season finale. Despite his recent stretch of stellar play, the Cowboys have been relatively disappointing, especially on defense. 

The Giants have also turned in a few flat performances, but like Dallas, they also have explosive tendencies on offense.

For this matchup, forget all the explosiveness in the receiving corps and the play of Eli Manning, Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs are the X-factors.

They've been running well in the last two games and they'll be the determining factor in the Giants' division-clinching victory because of how they're utilized in the red zone. They'll also keep the Dallas defense honest.

Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos 

I've got the Kansas City Chiefs in this one, here's why.

Tim Tebow's shortcomings have been exposed and the Chiefs will have the proper game plan installed.

We saw what Tamba Hali did to disrupt Aaron Rodgers a few weeks back and the linebacker is an ideal spy for the Broncos quarterback who can also frequently make plays against the run.  

Along with that, Kyle Orton has revitalized the KC offense which will be able to move the ball through the air against the Broncos' respectable secondary.

It won't be the prettiest game of the year, but the Chiefs will do enough in their front seven to limit the Broncos on offense and won't make the crucial mistakes late in the game to allow Tebow to lead another magical comeback.

The Broncos can't count on late fumbles forever.

Baltimore Ravens at Cincinnati Bengals 

Tough one here. While the Ravens are essentially playing for the a top seed in the AFC, the season is on the line for Cincinnati.

They sold out their stadium for a change and players on both sides will undoubtedly be charged up for this one.

A.J. Green and Ray Lewis didn't play in the first meeting, a game in which the Ravens won 31-24 in Baltimore. 

It'll be different this time around. 

The Bengals will focus on stopping Ray Rice with their aggressive and beefy defensive front, thus adding pressure to Joe Flacco. 

Green will provide a few game-altering plays for the Bengals in crunch time and don't forget about Cedric Benson, who is due for a productive game. 

In a battle between evenly-matched clubs, Cincinnati gets it done at home by a field goal.