NFL Picks Week 17: Predictions for Every Game This Weekend
The final week of the NFL season is upon us. We will see the most important games of the year for some teams, and we will see a chunk of useless games where we will see backups actually get a chance to play some games. While there are not many opportunities for teams to play spoiler in the final week, there are several exciting matchups nonetheless.
Among the marquee matchups are the Buccaneers against the Saints, where playoff implications are dependent on other teams, the Bengals against the Ravens, where the Bengals could prevent a division win, the Rams and Seahawks fighting for the NFC West, and of course, the Bears-Packers matchup. Which teams will win their final games of the season?
Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots
1 of 16
Why Miami Could Win: The Dolphins play a lot better on the road this year, and whenever Miami's reeling and New England's thriving, the game ends up way closer than it's supposed to. Maybe if Cameron Wake knocks Brady out of the game they'll have a chance.
Why New England Could Win: The Patriots have the best record in the league, they crushed Miami the first time they faced, and a great performance by Tom Brady could seal the MVP. Beyond that, they could win because they're supposed to win a game like this.
Prediction: Patriots 38, Miami 7; Neither team has much to play for, Miami might as well lose to move up on the draft board so they can get Ingram.
Cincinnati Bengals at Baltimore Ravens
2 of 16
Why Cincinnati Could Win: After a long losing streak, the Bengals are playing well again. They beat the Chargers at their own game without Ochocinco and T.O. That's not an easy feat even if the Chargers haven't been as good in recent years. Oh, and they beat Baltimore their first meetup.
Why Baltimore Could Win: Baltimore's only losses, excluding the Bengals? Pittsburgh, New England, Atlanta. They don't lose to just anyone. They have a great offense for seemingly the first time in franchise history, and their defense can still make plays.
Prediction: Baltimore 24, Cincinnati 9; Baltimore's gonna make it up to Pittsburgh to see who wins the North.
Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons
3 of 16
Why Carolina could win: If they just give the ball to Jonathan Stewart over and over, and don't have Jimmy Clausen doing, well, anything... they might have a very small chance.
Why Atlanta could win: They have the best record in the NFC and want home field advantage throughout the playoffs. A win here would make that happen. They're also against the Carolina Panthers.
Prediction: Atlanta 27, Carolina 3
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Mnnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions
4 of 16
Why Minnesota could win: Under Joe Webb against Philadelphia, Minnesota suddenly looked like a pretty good football team, and Detroit's a much easier opponent. If Adrian Peterson gets loose, he's very difficult to stop.
Why Detroit could win: They've gotten hot the past few games and actually look like a football team now. Shaun Hill's been capable, and Calvin Johnson will make plays. If Joe Webb sees a lot of Ndamukong Suh, that will shift the game in the Lions' favor.
Prediction: Detroit 21, Minnesota 20
Pittsburgh Steelers At Cleveland Browns
5 of 16
Why Pittsburgh could win: A win seals the AFC North for them and a first-round bye, so Pittsburgh has a lot to play for. Their offense and defense has been clicking as a unit, and they already won once this year against the Browns.
Why Cleveland could win: They won last year against Pittsburgh late in the season in an upset bid, so you never know, it could happen again.
Prediction: Steelers 24, Browns 13; closer than what most would expect
Oakland Raiders at Kansas City Chiefs
6 of 16
Why Oakland could win: The Chiefs may have clinched the West, but the Raiders are going to play them tough in this rivalry game nonetheless. Darren McFadden has broken out and played well this year, and everyone seems to be clicking on a level no one saw coming.
Why Kansas City could win: The Chiefs have the best rushing attack in the game with Jamaal Charles and Thomas Jones, and Matt Cassel has been driving the passing game as well. They lost to the Raiders in the first meetup in overtime, so they'll be looking for revenge.
Prediction: Chiefs 31, Raiders 27
Buffalo Bills at New York Jets
7 of 16
Why Buffalo could win: The Bills are a decent team despite their record, and Ryan Fitzpatrick has made them look respectable, or at least as respectable as a 4-11 team could be.
Why New York could win: The Jets don't want to go in the playoffs after losing four of their last five games, and they'll do what they can to prevent it. LT shouldn't have much of a problem cracking 1,000 yards against Buffalo.
Prediction: New York 20, Buffalo 7
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New Orleans Saints
8 of 16
Why Tampa Bay could win: The Buccaneers still have a very small chance at making the playoffs, but need a win to do so. Josh Freeman is quietly becoming a great quarterback, and I've changed my tone on LaGarrette Blount; he's been ridiculous.
Why New Orleans could win: The Saints have to be wondering how they've seemed almost under the radar most of the year. With this win against the Falcons, that should change a bit. They had no problem beating Tampa Bay the first game, and should have no problem again.
Prediction: New Orleans 35, Tampa Bay 24
New York Giants at Washington Redskins
9 of 16
Why New York could win: The Giants are suddenly in dire straits after losing badly to the Packers, and need a win here to keep their playoff hopes alive. Ahmad Bradshaw has the potential to have a breakout game.
Why Washington could win: Somehow, the Redskins have been playing decently the past couple weeks, and against a team heading backward in the Giants, they could very well score the upset.
Prediction: Giants 20, Redskins 17
Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles
10 of 16
Why Dallas could win: The Cowboys have been playing well under Jason Garrett and Jon Kitna; despite the injuries, things are clicking. They've just been playing to play the game, and it's worked so far.
Why Philadelphia could win: This game is fairly useless how that they clinched the third spot in the playoffs, but I don't see them sitting anyone. If Michael Vick gets going and doesn't play like last week, then that's it for the Cowboys.
Prediction: Cowboys 24, Eagles 21; I smell an upset. Gut feeling.
Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers
11 of 16
Why Arizona could win: San Francisco is reeling with the firing of Mike Singletary and a struggling team, so Arizona can come in and snatch a win. John Skelton and Larry Fitzgerald seem to be clicking well, and if that tandem is going, it at least gives Arizona a chance.
Why San Francisco could win: The 49ers want to show they have a good team in place to any coaches that are looking for a gig that could yield good rewards. Patrick Willis has been a bright spot on this team.
Prediction: Arizona 21, San Francisco 10
San Diego Chargers at Denver Broncos
12 of 16
Why San Diego could win: The Chargers are out of the playoffs, but at least want to stay over .500 to show they have a good team heading into next year. Philip Rivers and company are a great passing team, and are one of the better offenses in the league.
Why Denver could win: If you're on the Tebow bandwagon, that's the only reason you need. If you're not, then they still have pieces in place. San Diego's out of the playoffs and can't be feeling good, so Denver can take them out while they're down.
Prediction: Chargers 31, Broncos 21
Jacksonville Jaguars at Houston Texans
13 of 16
Why Jacksonville could win: The Jaguars are this year's overachievers. Not much talent aside from Maurice Jones-Drew, but David Garrard and company have nonetheless provided competition to the Colts. They beat the Texans once and could easily do so again.
Why Houston could win: The Texans are this year's underachievers. They have all the talent in the world in Andre Johnson, Arian Foster, Mario Williams, etc. They can't translate that into wins, but they always have the potential to have huge games.
Prediction: Jaguars 35, Texans 24; no hail mary this time.
Tennessee Titans at Indianapolis Colts
14 of 16
Why Tennessee could win: The Titans have Chris Johnson, who could always have a 200 yard game; that would make it fairly easy for the Titans to win.
Why Indianapolis could win: The Colts barely got back to the playoffs, and a win here could help make the team stronger in their first playoff match. Peyton Manning has enough offensive weapons even without Austin Collie that they should be fine.
Prediction: Colts 27, Titans 20
Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers
15 of 16
Why Chicago could win: A win by the Bears could knock the Packers out of the playoffs, so while they've already clinched a bye, they're not going to take this game lightly. Both the offense and defense have been playing very well this year.
Why Green Bay could win: A win by the Packers clinches a playoff spot, so they have everything on the line in this one. Aaron Rodgers and company have played amazingly, and they're looking to avenge an early-season loss.
Prediction: Packers 31, Bears 28 (OT); Game of the Week
St. Louid Rams at Seattle Seahawks
16 of 16
Why St. Louis could win: St. Louis needs a win to get into the playoffs, as well as to make the NFC West look somewhat respectable. They won the first meetup, and Steven Jackson always has big game potential.
Why Seattle could win: Seattle needs a win to get into the playoffs, and would provide a fairly easy matchup for whoever got to face them. Earl Thomas is not getting enough recognition for his solid rookie season, and Chris Clemons has quietly been very good.
Prediction: St. Louis 17, Seattle 3
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