Week 17 NFL Picks: Winner of Every Scorching Regular -Season Finale

While Week 17 of the NFL regular season is the ultimate test of will for many teams, for others it’s the ultimate test of pride.  For some, the playoffs have already begun, but for teams not in win-or-go-home battles, or at least those attempting to improve postseason seeding, a player's love of the game along with his will to win will be on full display in games with zero meaning.  Here are predictions for each regular-season finale.

Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers

Mike McCarthy would be wise to bench his key starters.  With home-field advantage locked up and not even an undefeated season to play for, expect the Packers to coast and the Lions to make sure they lock up that all-important fifth seed.

Prediction: Detroit by 7

Tennessee Titans at Houston Texans

While nothing is on the line for the Texans, everything is on the line for the Titans.  Still, Tennessee isn’t talented enough to come away with the W even with all of Houston’s injuries.

Prediction:  Houston by 3

Indianapolis Colts at Jacksonville Jaguars

Indianapolis really wouldn’t be stupid enough to win three straight games and lose the race for Andrew Luck, right…right?  Luckily for the Colts the Jags are at home.

Prediction: Jacksonville by 3

New York Jets at Miami Dolphins

Intentional grounding in the end zone?!  Are you kidding me, Mark Sanchez?!  Poor Jets; they’ll win, but they won’t get enough help to sneak into the playoffs.

Prediction: New York by 10

Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings

Two teams with nothing to play for without their star running backs; this one should be fun to watch.  Brian Urlacher vs. Jared Allen: Who wants it more?

Prediction: Minnesota by 1

Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots

Two reasons the Patriots win big: one, home-field advantage is within their grasp.  And two, Tom Brady wants revenge for Round 1.

Prediction: New England by 17

Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints

Cam Newton will want to put on a show, but the Saints want that first-round bye more.  Oh yeah, and Drew Brees is on fire.

Prediction: Saints by 13

Washington Redskins at Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles were supposed to win the Super Bowl, and the Redskins were supposed to win their division—right, Rex Grossman?  Both teams fell way short of their goal, and only rivalry will fuel the players to suit up in this one.

Prediction: Eagles by 10

San Francisco 49ers at St. Louis Rams

Not only are the 49ers the superior team, but they have something to play for in the No. 2 seed, unlike the Rams.  Expect a blood-bath.

Prediction: San Francisco by 21

Seattle Seahawks at Arizona Cardinals

Neither team technically has anything to play for, but each squad finished the year strong after a horrible start.  A win over a divisional rival would be a nice morale boost going into the offseason.

Prediction: Seattle by 3

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Atlanta Falcons

Besides the Eagles, the Buccaneers arguably had the most disappointing season in the league.  They just want to get this year over with while the Falcons are shooting for a higher seed.

Prediction: Falcons by 21

Baltimore Ravens at Cincinnati Bengals

At the same time the Ravens will be fighting for the AFC North crown, the Bengals will be fighting for their playoff lives.  In one of the games of the week, expect a defensive battle.

Prediction: Ravens by 6

Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns

One more case of a talented team with a ton of motivation meeting a pitiful team that would rather be on vacation.  This dead rivalry will be settled by halftime.

Prediction: Without Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers by 13; with him, Steelers by 21.

Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos

Kyle Orton’s revenge will be the Chiefs' greatest fuel, but the Broncos as a team are going to want this victory more.  Denver’s defense will be too much to overcome for Kansas City's weak offensive attack.

Prediction: Broncos by 6

San Diego Chargers at Oakland Raiders

When talking about teams that would rather be on vacation, the Chargers are at the top of that list.  Hue Jackson would love to avoid looking like a moron for that Carson Palmer trade.

Prediction: Raiders by 10

Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants

It may end up being as simple as this: Eli Manning isn’t supremely talented, but he’s a proven winner.  Tony Romo has all the talent in the world, but he’s a choke artist.

Prediction: Giants by 3

David Daniels is a featured columnist at Bleacher Report and a syndicated writer. Follow him on Twitter.