NFL Picks Week 17: Green Bay Packers, New York Giants Fight For Final NFC Spot

NFL Week 17 picks are officially in four days before the final week of the regular season with teams such as the New York Giants and the Green Bay Packers among the teams fighting for the final spot in the NFC.

There are also bye weeks and division titles on the line. Don't forget that half the league is playing the role of spoiler and should put out their best effort this weekend.

Who will win in the final week of the regular season and enter the post-season in 2011? Here are my week 17 picks.

I am a NFL Featured Columnist for BleacherReport.com. Follow me on twitter: twitter.com/MattMiselis.

Carolina Panthers @ Atlanta Falcons

Scott Halleran/Getty Images

ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 27: Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons looks upfield to pass during the first half of the game against the New Orleans Saints at the Georgia Dome on December 27, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)

Despite losing to the rival Saints on Monday Night Football, I expect the Atlanta Falcons to take care of business and clinch home field throughout the playoffs.

They are facing a Panthers team that clinched the top pick in next years draft, and is about to see their head coach John Fox walk out the door.

The Falcons put a ton of pressure on Drew Brees. Can't see why they can't do the same to rookie quarterback Jimmy Clausen.

Falcons 37    Panthers  14

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Cleveland Browns

Jared Wickerham/Getty Images

PITTSBURGH - DECEMBER 23: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers laughs on the sideline during the game against the Carolina Panthers on December 23, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

The AFC North title will be on the line for the Pittsburgh Steelers when they take on the Cleveland Browns.

As much as I want to see an upset by the Browns, I can't see them pulling it off.

Pittsburgh earned extra rest after playing on Thursday night, and Troy Polamalu could even return to ensure the victory.

We will see some firepower from the Browns, but it won't be enough to upset the Steelers.

Steelers 21   Browns 17

Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 26: Injured Quarterback Brett Favre #4 of the Minnesota Vikings stands on the sidelines during thier game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on December 26, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo b

Will Brett Favre start for the Vikings in potentially his final NFL game, or will Joe Webb get a second straight start?

No matter who starts, the Vikings will finish the season on a high note. The team has a lot to play for: their interim head coach, their pride and the anger they want to unleash on a disappointing season.

If they were able to get to Michael Vick yesterday I can't imagine what they could do Drew Stanton and the pourous offensive line of the Detroit Lions.

Vikings 27   Lions 16

Oakland Raiders at Kansas City Chiefs

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OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 19: Jason Campbell #8 of the Oakland Raiders in action against the Denver Broncos at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on December 19, 2010 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Which streak will be broken; the undefeated record in the division for the Raiders or the home record of the Kansas City Chiefs?

My upset pick of the week, as I am going with the Oakland Raiders. This team has showed it's ability to put up points this season, and it won't change against the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Raiders defense can focus on stopping the dominant rushing game of the Chiefs while defending the pass well ( ranked third in lead against the pass).

Todd Haley will also make sure he doesn't overwork his players as a spot in the playoffs has been clinched already.

Raiders 24    Chiefs 20

Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots

Rick Stewart/Getty Images

ORCHARD PARK, NY - DECEMBER 26: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots stands on the field against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium on December 26, 2010 in Orchard Park, New York. New England won 34-3. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

The New England Patriots head into week 17 with a first round bye and home field throughout the playoffs.

That won't stop Bill Belichick from playing his starters a good period of time. Tom Brady should put up decent numbers in his last regular season start, and the defense should take advantage of a weak quarterback in Chad Henne.

Patriots 20   Dolphins 13

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New Orleans Saints

Scott Halleran/Getty Images

ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 27: Quarterback Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints walks off the field in the second half during the game against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome on December 27, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Gett

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be fighting for their playoff lives against the New Orleans Saints who just defeated the rival Atlanta Falcons.

Even though the game will be close I do not see the Buccaneers beating the Saints in their building.

New Orleans is beginning to return to Super Bowl form on both sides of the ball, which will be too much for the young, inexperienced Buccaneers to handle.

Saints 31   Buccaneers 21

Buffalo Bills at New York Jets

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 26: Head coach Rex Ryan of the New York Jets watches as his team takes on the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on December 26, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defeated the Jets 38-34. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

The New York Jets end the regular season having clinched a playoff birth despite losing and face the Buffalo Bills.

I see a win from Gang Green at the Meadowlands.

The Jets defense will respond after a lackluster performance against Chicago. Ryan Fitzpatrick will feel plenty of pressure against the Jets and find no receivers down field.

Mark Sanchez will continue to make strides as well against a questionable Bills defense.

Jets 35   Bills 17

Cincinnati Bengals at Baltimore Ravens

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HOUSTON, TX - DECEMBER 13: Quarterback Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens throws over the Houston Texans defense at Reliant Stadium on December 13, 2010 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

The Baltimore Ravens keep their AFC North title hopes alive against a Cincinnati Bengals team that is playing spoiler.

Carson Palmer had his best game of the season this past week and comes in hot at the time to face a Ravens team he always has success against.

However, Baltimore will avoid the sweep and pull this game out. The Bengals aren't the same time they were in week two on either sides of the ball.

The Ravens corner backs should play decent against the inexperience of the Bengals receivers as Ed Reed should add a few more interceptions to his career against Carson Palmer.

This Bengals defense is also vulnerable against both the run and the pass.

Ravens 28   Bengals 17

San Diego Chargers at Denver Broncos

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CINCINNATI - DECEMBER 26: Philip Rivers #17 of the San Diego Chargers is dejected after throwing an interception during the Chargers 34-20 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals in the NFL game at Paul Brown Stadium on December 26, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (P

I see a blowout coming with this game. The Chargers were stunned by the Bengals as their playoff hopes vanished away.

They can now release their anger against a Broncos team that has struggled all season. Philip Rivers will put up huge numbers as the Chargers rout the Broncos in Denver.

Chargers 38    Broncos 17

Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers

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GREEN BAY, WI - DECEMBER 26: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers is chased out of the pocket against the New York Giants at Lambeau Field on December 26, 2010 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

The Green Bay Packers need a win to ensure themselves a spot in the playoffs. They will have to do it against the rival Bears.

I think they pull it off. The Packers offense is hard to stop right now, even for a veteran defense such as the Bears.

The secondary of Green Bay will take advantage of Jay Cutler's miscues.

And with a bye officially clinched after the Eagles loss, don't be surprised to see some Bears players rested.

Packers 28   Bears 20

Tennessee Titans at Indianapolis Colts

Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 26: Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts looks on against the Oakland Raiders during an NFL game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on December 26, 2010 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

Peyton Manning will lead the Colts to another AFC South title.

The Colts will take care of business against a Titans team that collapsed mid season and could never recover.

Indianapolis has found a running game, making it tougher to stop Peyton Manning.

The Colts defensive front should do a solid job by bringing pressure to whoever is behind center for the Titans.

Colts 30  Titans 20

Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles

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ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 19: Interim head coach Jason Garrett of the Dallas Cowboys during a game against the Washington Redskins at Cowboys Stadium on December 19, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Jason Garrett will end his interim head coach tenure on a positive note.

The Cowboys were given extra time to prepare for this game, and almost took out the Eagles last time.

They are also playing an Eagles team that has nothing to play for after losing to Minnesota, is on a short week  and will rest players to ensure they will be ready for a playoff opener on a week from Saturday.

Dallas Cowboys win by default.

Cowboys 30  Eagles 21

Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers

Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

SAN FRANCISCO - NOVEMBER 14: Patrick Willis #52 of the San Francisco 49ers in action against the St. Louis Rams during an NFL game at Candlestick Park on November 14, 2010 in San Francisco, California.(Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

Both of these teams have been major disappointments in the weak NFC West.

Who will come out on top? The San Francisco 49ers.

With new management coming to town soon in San Fran, the 49ers players will be playing for job security in 2011.

Alex Smith/Troy Smith should be able to put together a productive day against a weak Cardinals secondary, while the defense can contain Larry Fitzgerald and quarterback John Skelton.

49ers 17  Cardinals 16

New York Giants at Washington Redskins

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 19: Justin Tuck #91 of the New York Giants reacts against the Philadelphia Eagles during their game on December 19, 2010 at The New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

The New York Giants are on the brink of missing the playoffs after losing to both the Eagles and the Packers.

It will be certain they control their fate on Sunday. The Giants defense will bounce back against a Redskins offense that will struggle with Rex Grossman as the quarterback.

Eli Manning should also respond with a solid game against one of the leagues worst defense units in the league.

Giants 33   Redskins 14

Jacksonville Jaguars at Houston Texans

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NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 19: Andre Johnson #80 and Jacoby Jones #12 of the Houston Texans celebrate after Johnson's touchdown against the Tennessee Titans at LP Field on December 19, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Titans defeated the Texans, 31-17. (

A battle of two AFC South teams will result in a split, with the home team winning each game.

The Houston Texans have plenty of reasons to be frustrated, and will come out ready to play against the Jaguars.

Houston plays much better at home then they do on the road and I expect Andre Johnson and Arain Foster to lead the way against a Jaguars team that will finish with a .500 record.

Texans 28   Jaguars 25

Seattle Seahawks at St. Louis Rams

Chris Graythen/Getty Images

NEW ORLEANS, LA - DECEMBER 12: Quarterback Sam Bradford #8 of the St. Louis Rams looks to throw a pass during the game against the New Orleans Saints at the Louisiana Superdome on December 12, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Get

The match up between the Rams and the Seahawks may not be exciting to most folks, but a playoff birth is still on the line.

Who comes out with the victory? It will be the St. Louis Rams.

They are better on both sides of the ball. Sam Bradford should put up decent numbers against a weak secondary the Seahawks have.

Seattle quarterback Matt Hasselbeck may reportedly miss the game and Charlie Whitehurst could get the start.

If there is any team that can compete in the playoffs against the top teams of the NFC, it will be the Rams.

Rams 30  Seahawks 16