Week 17 NFL Picks: How AFC Playoff Picture Will Be Resolved

We know one thing about the AFC playoffs. The Texans will be the No. 3 seed. That's going to happen. We also know that the Patriots, Ravens and Steelers are in the playoffs, but they can all be seeded differently, depending on one game. 

Yes, the AFC playoff picture is complicated. But as we're less than 24 hours away from the final games of the regular season, it's time to take a look at how things are going to shake out. 

Baltimore Ravens at Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals have a bright future, but they will fall short this year. They are not as good as the Ravens, who will be playing for the No. 1 seed and the bye week. 

Baltimore will lock that up, leaving the Bengals hoping for some help. They're not going to get enough of it. 

Prediction: Ravens 23, Bengals 14

New York Jets at Miami Dolphins

The Jets need a win, and then a lot of help. Unfortunately for Rex Ryan's boys, they're not going to get either.

The Dolphins are red hot, and have the team needed to beat the Jets. They don't defend the pass well, but they get the benefit of going against Mark Sanchez. That's going to mean the Jets have to run into Miami's defense. Not a good scenario. 

The Dolphins' offense is playing well, and put up just enough points here. It won't be pretty, but the Dolphins will win. 

Prediction: Dolphins 16, Jets 10

Tennessee Titans at Houston Texans

The Texans have finally had all of their injuries catch up with them. Even if the starters play, it's hard to imagine that they'll be taking too many risks. 

The reason is that if they lose, they may well get the Titans the following week. That's not too tough of a task, as playoff opponents go. The Titans will come out with a sense of desperation and pull this one out.

Prediction: Titans 20, Texans 10

San Diego Chargers at Oakland Raiders

The Raiders have too many offensive weapons for the Chargers to focus on. Even without Darren McFadden, this is a talented offense. It's the same offense that had their way against the Chargers in San Diego earlier this season. 

This game will be no different. The Chargers will put up some points, but make too many mistakes. The Raiders are playing for everything here. They'll win this one.

Prediction: Raiders 27, Chargers 21

Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos

Unfortunately for the Raiders, the Broncos will keep them from a division crown. As ugly as the game was, the Broncos beat the Chiefs earlier in the season in Arrowhead. Now, they're in Denver. The results will be no different. 

The Broncos have had trouble against teams that score a lot. The Chiefs are not that team. They don't have the offense of New England, or even Buffalo. Look for another close game in this one. The Broncos will lock up the AFC West. 

Prediction: Broncos 20, Chiefs 13

Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns

When the Ravens win their game, this won't matter as much. Still, the Steelers will win their finale. Offensively, the Steelers are not a good team without Ben Roethlisberger. Fortunately, their opponent will do well to score anything against the Steelers defense. 

The Browns are awful. The Steelers will have no problem taking advantage of the opportunities they're given to come away with a win. 

Prediction: Steelers 20, Browns 7

Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots

This is another game that won't matter when the Ravens win, but the Patriots play first. They will be out to win this one, which is exactly what they'll do. 

The Bills beat the Patriots earlier in the season for the first time since 2003. That game was in Buffalo, was one of the worst of Tom Brady's career, and the Bills still needed a late field goal to win. 

They won't be as fortunate in this one. 

Prediction: Patriots 37, Bills 24

That will leave the AFC playoff picture looking like this.

1.	New England Patriots	13-3
2.	Baltimore Ravens	12-4
3.	Houston Texans	10-6
4.	Denver Broncos	9-7
5.	Pittsburgh Steelers	12-4
6.	Tennessee Titans	9-7

Follow @mdixon1985