NFL Predictions Week 17: Upset Picks and Projections

Whether the entire season is on the line or just pride, any team is capable of a surprise in the final week of the year.

A year ago at this time, the Baltimore Ravens and Miami Dolphins fell short in Week 17 when a win might have put them in the playoffs. A few other spots were decided in key divisional games.

This season, three different matchups will decide the divisions still up for grabs in winner-take-all battles. Meanwhile, a number of other squads will have to win and hope for help throughout the league. However, having a need to win doesn't necessarily ensure victory.

Here is a look at predictions for each game as well as a few underdogs that can ruin plans on the final day of the season.

Away	Predicted Score	Home	Pick ATS*
San Diego Chargers	21-20	Kansas City Chiefs	SD +2.5
Jacksonville Jaguars	10-21	Houston Texans	HOU -10
Philadelphia Eagles	28-24	New York Giants	PHI +3
Buffalo Bills	17-31	New England Patriots	NE -5
Dallas Cowboys	16-20	Washington Redskins	WAS +7
Cleveland Browns	10-24	Baltimore Ravens	BAL -9
Chicago Bears	24-27	Minnesota Vikings	CHI +7
Indianapolis Colts	34-13	Tennessee Titans	IND -7
Carolina Panthers	20-28	Atlanta Falcons	ATL -4
New York Jets	7-20	Miami Dolphins	MIA -6
New Orleans Saints	21-13	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	NO -4
Oakland Raiders	14-31	Denver Broncos	DEN -14.5
St. Louis Rams	17-35	Seattle Seahawks	SEA -13
Arizona Cardinals	16-13	San Francisco 49ers	ARI +6
Detroit Lions	27-28	Green Bay Packers	DET +7.5
Cincinnati Bengals	17-24	Pittsburgh Steelers	PIT -3.5

Upset Alert

San Diego Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs

Philip Rivers is dealing with a serious injury going into Week 17 and will have to win on the road to clinch a playoff spot. However, we learned last week never to count out the veteran quarterback.

Down 21-0 early and 28-7 at halftime against the San Francisco 49ers, Rivers led the Chargers back from the dead to secure a victory in Week 17, which impressed Ian Rapoport of NFL.com at the time:

Even with the injury, the quarterback's condition has improved with time, via Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune:

Although the Kansas City Chiefs have done a good job against the pass this year, Rivers should be able to move the ball in this one. As long as the Chargers defense holds up, they will be able to leave with a road win and a spot in the postseason.

Washington Redskins vs. Dallas Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys have clinched the NFC East and are likely looking at the No. 3 seed in the NFC regardless of what happens. They can earn a bye if both the Seattle Seahawks and Arizona Cardinals lose or if the game between the Detroit Lions and the Green Bay Packers ends in a tie.

However, these unlikely scenarios leave the Cowboys with very little to play for in Week 17.

On the other hand, the Washington Redskins have more at stake than just the current record. Many of the players are fighting for jobs next year, including quarterback Robert Griffin III.

The good news is the former Rookie of the Year is coming off a strong performance in an upset win over the Philadelphia Eagles. ESPN's Ron Jaworski liked what he saw:

If he can have a similar showing against the Cowboys and beat the team's biggest rival for a second time this season, Washington will at least have some momentum going into the offseason.

Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers

Jeff Roberson/Associated Press

The 49ers obviously have talent, but there is little reason to have faith in them closing out a win nowadays. After the recent loss to the Chargers, tight end Vernon Davis had this to say:

Saturday's collapse represented the fourth loss in a row for San Francisco, and things aren't getting any better in Week 17. Head coach Jim Harbaugh is seemingly on his way out, and other veterans are likely past the point of caring.

On the other hand, the Cardinals have clinched the playoffs but are still trying to get the best seed possible.

Additionally, they have to use this chance to figure out how to be successful without Carson Palmer or Drew Stanton. Third-string quarterback Ryan Lindley didn't have a good showing against the Seattle Seahawks, although few do. Expect the team to try hard to get a win and get some confidence heading into the postseason after a strong start to the year.

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