NFL Predictions Week 17: Denver Broncos and Teams That Will Clinch Playoff Berth

It’s almost time for the NFL Playoffs and there are still positions to be determined. Here are a few teams that will clinch their playoff berth in Week 17.

Cincinnati Bengals

Cincinnati hasn’t defeated a top-tier team this season. They lost to San Francisco, Denver, Pittsburgh, Baltimore and Houston. But, each of those games was lost by seven points or less.

The Bengals have a great defense. They are fifth against the rush and 12^th against the pass. They should be able to give rookie quarterback Andy Dalton opportunities to win the game on the offensive side of the ball.

Dalton has been great this season. He has thrown for 3,166 yards and 20 touchdowns. If he can stay away from the turnover bug (13 on season) the Bengals will find success.

Baltimore is a porous road team this season. Every loss that they have endured has been on the road. Coincidentally, Ray Rice only received a combined 36 carries in their losses. They haven’t realized that Rice getting the ball 20 or more times per game gives them the best chance to succeed.

Stop trying to prove that Joe Flacco is a premier quarterback in the NFL and play smart, fundamental football. Run the ball and play great defense.

I’m not sure we will see that.

Prediction: Bengals 24, Ravens 21

New York Giants

It’s time to put up or shut up in the NFC East. It’s been a division that has been full of disappointment this season.

Somebody has to win and that team will be the New York Giants.

The Dallas Cowboys are notorious for not living up to expectations. I think they're due for another letdown in New York on Sunday Night Football.

New York has been a team all season long that has played up or down to their competition. They have lost to 5-10 Washington twice, 7-8 Seattle at home and have struggled against Miami, Buffalo and Arizona.

When people believe they can’t is when they can win. People loved the New York Jets in Week 16, but the Giants took it to them pretty easily. They were ready to go and they will show the same enthusiasm in Week 17.

New York will not allow their division rival to take the crown at their home field. It can’t and won’t happen.

Prediction: Giants 31, Cowboys 24

Denver Broncos

Whether your opinion on Tim Tebow has changed or not is meaningless because he has a chance to do what most thought he couldn’t achieve and that’s make the NFL postseason.

Tebow and Denver Broncos will grab this feat if they can defeat the Kansas City Chiefs.

What an ending to a strange season in Denver. A quarterback that was driven out of town by fans has an opportunity to stick it to them in the ultimate fashion by knocking them out of the postseason. Kyle Orton will be looking to rectify his previous downfalls in Denver.

Sometimes, when you want something too much, it can cause you to be too confident in your abilities. This may cause Orton to pressure throws and try to thread needles to prove that he was the best quarterback on the team.

Tebow has a glorious opportunity to shut the naysayers up (for now) by leading his team that was 1-4 to the AFC West crown.

He won’t turn the ball over like he has in recent weeks. He can’t throw four interceptions like he did against Buffalo. Expect Tebow to be around 10-to-15 throws instead 30.

He’ll make the appropriate plays that win games. If this game is close at the end you might as well forget about Orton getting his revenge because Tebow will find a way to get it done.

Prediction: Broncos 17, Chiefs 14