NFL Picks Week 17: Will Eli Manning Pass the New York Giants Into the Playoffs?
NFL picks for Week 17 will hinge on a number of factors with a lot of pivotal games left to be played in the final week of the regular season.
Many teams' playoff hopes ride on the outcome of not only their own matchups, but those of other teams in their conference.
What teams are favored heading into the last week of the season and what teams will sneak their way into the playoffs?
Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons
1 of 15
The Atlanta Falcons are favored by 14.5 over the Carolina Panthers in a game that they should be able to sleepwalk through to get a win.
The Panthers have been awful all season long and they stand virtually no chance against arguably the NFC's best team.
With a win, the Falcons will take the No. 1 seed in the NFC and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
Atlanta 33, Carolina 6
Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns
2 of 15
Pittsburgh has a 5.5-point advantage over the Cleveland Browns this Sunday.
Cleveland had a solid run in the middle of the season, but they've reverted back to playing like the team we've all come to know and love.
The Steelers have the best run defense in the NFL and they'll take away the Browns most potent weapon, Peyton Hillis.
Expect the Steelers to come out strong as they fight to lock up the No. 2 seed, the AFC North and a first-round bye for the playoffs.
Pittsburgh 30, Cleveland 13
Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions
3 of 15
Surprisingly, the Detroit Lions are favored by 3 over the Minnesota Vikings. I don't see it, especially after the Vikings inspired performance against the Philadelphia Eagles on the road.
Both teams aren't playing for much aside from positioning in the 2011 NFL draft.
Calvin Johnson missed a third straight practice and will be a game-time decision. If he sits or is limited by his injury, expect a rout of the Lions, even if Brett Favre doesn't suit up in what is likely to be his final game in the NFL.
Minnesota 24, Detroit 10
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Oakland Raiders at Kansas City Chiefs
4 of 15
The Kansas City Chiefs are ahead by 3.5 at home against the Oakland Raiders.
Kansas City already has a playoff berth locked up, but they can clinch the No. 3 seed with a win or with a loss by the Indianapolis Colts.
Since they're playing an early game, expect the Chiefs to come out firing on all cylinders to lock up their current position.
They lost a close game against the Raiders on the road earlier this season, but they're undefeated at home so far, and I don't expect that to change.
Kansas City 27, Oakland 21
Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots
5 of 15
New England will be favored by 4 at home this Sunday against Miami. The spread is rather low considering that the Patriots routed the Dolphins 41-14 in Week 3.
The Patriots are undefeated at home and they've had little trouble disposing of the competition this season.
The question will come down to whether the Patriots rest their starters. They have No. 1 seed, first-round bye and home field advantage already clinched.
New England 33, Miami 14
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New Orleans Saints
6 of 15
New Orleans is a heavy 7.5 favorite over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Saints demolished the Buccaneers earlier this season 31-6. However, don't expect Tampa Bay to roll over with a shot—albeit a very long one—to make it into the playoffs.
Marques Colston just underwent arthroscopic knee surgery so his chances of playing are slim to none.
Even so, the Saints are coming off a big week against the Atlanta Falcons and expect them to carry that momentum into Week 17.
New Orleans 28, Tampa Bay 17
Buffalo Bills at New York Jets
7 of 15
The New York Jets have a slim 1.5 lead over the Buffalo Bills this weekend.
With the Jets having a playoff berth already locked up, expect them to pull most of their starters. Especially since LaDainian Tomlinson, Santonio Holmes and Mark Sanchez are all dealing with injuries.
Regardless, New York should have no trouble disposing of the Bills, but don't expect the Bills to let the Jets walk all over them.
New York Jets 17, Buffalo 13
Cincinnati Bengals at Baltimore Ravens
8 of 15
Baltimore is heavily favored by 9.5 to take on the inept Cincinnati Bengals.
The Ravens did lose on the road to the Bengals in Week 2, but don't expect the same outcome.
Both teams have been on a roll over the last couple of weeks, but the Ravens are simply a much better team.
Baltimore still has a chance to play for a first-round bye and the AFC North title if they win and the Steelers lose.
Baltimore 27, Cincinnati 17
San Diego Chargers at Denver Broncos
9 of 15
The San Diego Chargers are on top of the Broncos by 3.5 heading into Week 17.
The Chargers, in particular, have been a massive disappointment this season and their upset loss to the Cincinnati Bengals last week only makes their season seem that much worse.
Norv Turner is inexplicably being brought back to coach the team and with the Chargers out of the playoffs, an upset could easily happen.
If Denver turns Tim Tebow loose and he actually plays well like he did against the Texans, this could turn ugly for San Diego.
However, I still have the Chargers just barely edging out the Broncos.
San Diego 34, Denver 28
Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers
10 of 15
Chicago already has the NFC North and a first-round bye locked up as they go into their matchup against Green Bay underdogs by 10.
It's pretty simple for the Packers: a win over Chicago or a loss by New York and Tampa Bay, and they're in the postseason.
Green Bay's playoffs started last week and they responded with a route of the Giants. Aaron Rodgers should come out firing on all cylinders.
Despite coach Lovie Smith claiming that he will not rest his starters, he may change his tune if the Bears are already locked into the No. 2 seed.
Green Bay 24, Chicago 17
Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles
11 of 15
Philadelphia is favored by 3.5 at home against the Dallas Cowboys.
Even as favorites, the Eagles have a lot going against them here.
First and foremost, Michael Vick will be sitting out and Kevin Kolb will be starting under center.
They nearly lost a few weeks back at Dallas with Vick as their quarterback and they're certainly not better with Kolb.
Philadelphia isn't playing for anything at this point as they're already locked into the No. 3 seed. Expect them to rest their starters.
Dallas 27, Philadelphia 21
Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers
12 of 15
San Francisco has the home-field advantage with a 6-point spread over Arizona.
Both teams are out of the playoff hunt and they're not really playing for much.
The 49ers crushed the Cardinals 27-6 a few weeks earlier on the road and it should be a similar outcome playing at home.
Plus, with Mike Singletary gone, the 49ers might play better without such a strict disciplinarian verbally abusing them at every turn.
San Francisco 34, Arizona 14
Jacksonville Jaguars at Houston Texans
13 of 15
Jacksonville is behind Houston by 3 heading into their Week 17 divisional matchup.
The Jaguars are still in the playoff hunt and they need to beat the Texans and have the Colts lose to take the AFC South and reach the postseason.
However, with David Garrard and Maurice Jones-Drew both out, the Jaguars are in bad shape.
Houston will likely be without Andre Johnson, but Arian Foster should be able to shoulder the load and carry them to victory.
Houston 24, Jacksonville 10
St. Louis Rams at Seattle Seahawks
14 of 15
St. Louis is one win away from reaching the postseason. They head into their matchup against Seattle favored by 3.
Seattle will be without Matt Hasselbeck, which should make it that much easier for the Rams to dispose of the Seahawks. The Rams already beat the Seahawks 20-3 earlier this season.
Sam Bradford should have no trouble orchestrating a win over Seattle to get into the playoffs.
St. Louis 23, Seattle 7
New York Giants at Washington Redskins
15 of 15
The New York Giants are favored by 4 against the Washington Redskins.
New York crushed Washington earlier this season 31-7. Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs tore them apart on the ground and it should be no different here.
The Giants will be without Hakeem Nicks and Steve Smith for this pivotal game.
If the Giants win, they'll need the Packers to lose in order to grab the final playoff spot.
New York Giants 28, Washington 14
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