NFL Picks Week 17: Packers, Ravens, Colts and the Rest of Sunday's Big Winners

Week 17 is upon us already. It seemed like it was just yesterday that we were counting down the days until opening kickoff.

After Sunday, 12 teams will receive an invitation to attend the league's postseason tournament known simply as the NFL playoffs.

Some have punched their ticket already and are playing for merely position, home field advantage, a first round bye or all three.

Most of the games this weekend impact the playoff picture in some way, shape or form. The 2-13 Panthers can effectively send the 12-3 Falcons to the wild card round with their first road win of the season.

That is just one of many scenarios that might unfold during this week 17. Here's who I like to win in the final week of the NFL regular season.

Carolina Panthers vs. Atlanta Falcons

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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)

Though the Falcons lost some of their home field mystique in last week's loss to the Saints, their week 17 opponent has lacked just about everything throughout the season.

The Panthers come in at 2-13, winless on the road, and sporting the league's worst offense by far.

It's fun to pick upsets and play with different scenarios but all signs point brightly to Atlanta firing up the offense and tightening up the defense on Carolina in the Georgia Dome, resulting in a convincing victory for the home team.

Prediction: Atlanta Falcons

Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Cleveland Browns

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PITTSBURGH - DECEMBER 23: Troy Polamalu #43 of the Pittsburgh Steelers watches his team play against the Carolina Panthers during the game on December 23, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

The Browns and Steelers meet up on Sunday to renew a division rivalry which has been dominated by Pittsburgh over the years.

However the Steelers are still not at full strength, making them susceptible to an upset on the road.

Eric Mangini will likely get creative in this one and considering the Browns have nothing to lose or gain on Sunday, a win seems almost inevitable.

A loss by the Steelers in Cleveland and a win by the Ravens in Baltimore gives the purple guys the division and a first round bye in the AFC playoffs.

Prediction: Cleveland Browns

Oakland Raiders vs. Kansas City Chiefs

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KANSAS CITY, MO - DECEMBER 26: Brandon Flowers #24 of the Kansas City Chiefs in action during the game against the Tennessee Titans on December 26, 2010 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

A matchup as classic as peanut butter and jelly is set to kick off week 17 in Kansas City. The playoff-bound Chiefs will look to cap off their stunning 10 win season with yet another at home.

The Raiders come in at 7-8 and would love nothing more than to finish .500 and 6-0 in the division in 2010.

Unfortunately the game is being played at Arrowhead Stadium, where the Chiefs are 7-0 this season. Kansas City knocks off Oakland and struts into wild card weekend with as much confidence as any team in the league.

Prediction: Kansas City Chiefs

Miami Dolphins vs. New England Patriots

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ORCHARD PARK, NY - DECEMBER 26: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots stands on the sidelines 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 Ima

The New England Patriots have already locked up the AFC's top seed, a first round bye and home field advantage throughout the playoffs.

Miami has already been eliminated from the AFC wild card race and is essentially playing for pride and paycheck.

Taking both of these factors into account it would seem that the only way the Pats lose is if Brady's hair is covered up on the sidelines. I like those odds in week 17.

Prediction: Miami Dolphins

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. New Orleans Saints

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ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 27: Quarterback Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints celebrates a touchdown pass in the first half during the game against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome on December 27, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox

Unfortunately for Saints fans Drew Brees' performance last week will likely prove meaningless.The Falcons are overwhelming favorites to beat Carolina and if they do then a Saints victory does little.

They will be in the wild card regardless as the 5th seed. Still, playing at home for a 12-win season, the Saints come out focused and looking to eliminate the Bucs from the postseason picture.

After all, if the Panthers do actually pull it off then 12-4 New Orleans could claim the division, a first round bye and home field advantage throughout the playoffs.

Prediction: New Orleans Saints

Buffalo Bills vs. New York Jets

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ORCHARD PARK, NY - DECEMBER 26: Ryan Fitzpatrick #14 of the Buffalo Bills readies to pass against the New England Patriots at Ralph Wilson Stadium on December 26, 2010 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

This AFC East showdown is one of many good matchups this weekend, featuring a locked-in playoff team and a team playing for respect.

The Bills have been a tough out for anyone this season and the uninspired Jets will be their next victim in week 17.

New York hasn't been stellar at home all year and the Bills seem like the favorite in this game if the Jets choose to rest guys like Mark Sanchez for the wild card round.

Prediction: Buffalo Bills

Cincinnati Bengals vs. Baltimore Ravens

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CLEVELAND - DECEMBER 26: Quarterback Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens throws to a receiver against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium on December 26, 2010 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images)

Baltimore comes into Sunday's matchup with the Bengals with plenty to gain. Of course most of it depends on the outcome of the Steelers and Browns game.

The Ravens can go from wild card to first round bye with a win and a Pittsburgh loss, but they are a lock for the wild card if they lose to Cincinnati at home in week 17.

Joe Flacco will now lead the Ravens into the postseason for the third time in as many seasons. Flacco has grown tremendously with the Baltimore offense and the Bengals are just another notch on his belt.

Prediction: Baltimore Ravens

Tennessee Titans vs. Indianapolis Colts

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OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 26: Dwight Freeney #93 of the Indianapolis Colts celebrates after a sack 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

The Colts and Titans kick off from Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday afternoon in yet another game with playoff implications.

Indianapolis controls its own destiny and can win the AFC South with a win over Tennessee. A loss at home to the Titans coupled with a Jacksonville victory would see the Jags through to the postseason and not the Colts.

However, it's hard to see Peyton Manning allowing that to happen. In a season that has seen Manning prove more human than ever before, the reigning MVP has still fought tooth and nail to put his team in contention for the top prize.

Prediction: Indianapolis Colts

Dallas Cowboys vs. Philadelphia Eagles

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 28: A Philadelphia Eagles fan holds a ' VICK-TORY' sign in the crowd during their game against the Minnesota Vikings at Lincoln Financial Field on December 28, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty I

Though Sunday's game between the Cowboys and Eagles means nothing to the playoff picture, it's the Cowboys and Eagles and it must be picked or hell will likely freeze over.

The Cowboys' quarterbacks are dropping like flies at this point and the Eagles' quarterback just flat out flies.

Vick was slowed in last week's loss and could see plenty of bench time in week 17 considering the birds are already NFC East champs and will host a wild card game next week.

The Cowboys have been playing well under Jason Garrett and won't go away easy but the Eagles are clearly the better team right now, with or without Vick under center.

Prediction: Philadelphia Eagles

New York Giants vs. Washington Redskins

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GREEN BAY, WI - DECEMBER 26: Eli Manning #10 of the New York Giants throws against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on December 26, 2010 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

The Giants and Redskins play in DC this weekend with a wild card spot on the line. The G-Men need a win and Packers loss at Lambeau to steal a six seed in the NFC playoffs.

Washington has been dismal at home this season and Rex Grossman will likely get the nod at quarterback. Neither point, however, favors the home team.

New York is playing for something and that could likely be the difference, well, if they can stop anyone first.

Prediction: New York Giants

Chicago Bears vs. Green Bay Packers

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

Aaron Rodgers and his new helmet welcome the Chicago Bears to Lambeau Field in one of week 17's biggest games.

A win sends the Packers through to the postseason while a loss opens the door for the Giants and Bucs to possibly take advantage.

The Eagles loss to the Vikings last week locked Chicago into a first round bye and a win would only move them up if the Falcons lost as well.

The Packers will be at home in a playoff atmosphere and that seemed to work out nicely for them last weekend.

Prediction: Green Bay Packers

Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Houston Texans

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DENVER - DECEMBER 26: Wide receiver Jacoby Jones #12 of the Houston Texas advances the ball against the Denver Broncos at INVESCO Field at Mile High on December 26, 2010 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

The Texans and the Jaguars are both coming off of disappointing losses in week 16. The Jags lost their chance to control their own destiny and now need a win and a Colts loss to get in.

Houston lost by a point to the Broncos on the road and now returns home looking for their sixth win of the year after starting the season 4-2.

The Texans can wrap up two disappointing seasons with a win on Sunday.

Prediction: Houston Texans

St. Louis Rams vs. Seattle Seahawks

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TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 26: Tight end Chris Baker #86 of the Seattle Seahawks catches a pass while warming up just before the start of the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on December 26, 2010 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by J. M

The NFL game of the week features two NFC West teams battling it out on Sunday night for the division crown.

St. Louis comes in one win better than the Seahawks but a loss would change all of that, as it would be Seattle instead marching into a home wild card game next week.

At 7-9 the Seahawks would be division champions and actually host a playoff game. Crazy.

The Rams would have to beat Seattle for the second time this season and finish 8-8 to make the postseason as the NFC West champions.

Both teams are equally mediocre and the only noticeable difference besides the quarterback uncertainty for the Seahawks, is the home field advantage in Seattle's favor.

Prediction: Seattle Seahawks

Patrick Clarke is a student at Towson University and a writing intern for Bleacher Report.