NFL Picks Week 17: NFC Playoff Teams That Will Help Their Playoff Standing

Five of the six NFC playoff spots are secure. The other one will be in a "no complications, win and your in" game between the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants. 

Still only the Packers have their actual seed locked up. A lot still rides on this week. These teams will take care of business and secure good seeding or a playoff position in one case. 

San Francisco 49ers

While the 49ers are thin at the receiver position, they are still one of the best defenses in the league. More than that, they're facing a team with no offensive punch whatsoever. Because of that, they will lock up the No. 2 seed and a bye week in the NFC.

The 49ers offense will do enough. Their receivers are depleted but so is the Rams' secondary. That will make a huge difference. It's not going to take more than a few nice plays to turn the momentum in this one. San Francisco will get those and let Frank Gore do the rest. 

That will be more than enough for the defense. 

The win means that a playoff game between the 49ers and Saints would be in San Francisco. That's a huge advantage to the 49ers. 

Prediction: 49ers 23, Rams 7

Detroit Lions

The Lions are in the playoffs, but the difference between the No. 5 and No. 6 seed is immense. With the No. 5 seed, they get to play the NFC East champions. With the No. 6 seed, they have to go to New Orleans. 

When the Packers beat the Bears, it was a good thing for the Lions. Now, the Packers won't have anything significant to play for. They will play a conservative game, if their starters play at all.

The Lions will take advantage of that, pulling a win off at Lambeau Field.  

Prediction: Lions 27, Packers 14

New York Giants

The NFC East is terrible, but someone is going to win it. The Giants have already beaten the Cowboys in Dallas, with a healthy Tony Romo. 

Now that the game is in New Jersey with a banged-up Romo, the results will be the same. As it always is with these teams, the game will be close. But look for the Giants' pass rush to force a big play, shifting the momentum of the game. 

The Giants won't do well in the playoffs, but they will beat the Cowboys and get there. 

Prediction: Giants 24, Cowboys 20

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