NFL Week 17 Picks: Predictions for Games That Will Finalize NFL Playoff Picture

Below are the answers to the multitude of playoff questions facing the AFC in Week 17. There is a lot up for grabs, including two divisions and a wild-card spot.

The NFC playoff picture is far less complicated. The Giants are going to beat the Cowboys to win the East, and that is the only riddle to be solved. So, I am going to focus on the AFC here.

Baltimore Ravens at Cincinnati Bengals

The Ravens were triumphant the first time these two met in a surprisingly high-scoring 31-24 game. Since that game, neither team has scored more than 24 points. This one will be much more low-scoring.

That low-scoring game is going to favor the Ravens. They have a superior defense and far more experience on their side. The most important thing they have going for them in this game, though, is the fact that Ray Rice was able to have success in the their first meeting.

In that game, Ray Rice had 104 yards on 20 carries and added two touchdowns. He also had five catches for 43 yards. When Rice gets it going, the Ravens do not lose.

Prediction: Ravens 23, Bengals 17

This win will give the Ravens the AFC North. It will also knock the Bengals from the playoffs due to the following games.

San Diego Chargers at Oakland Raiders

The Raiders are playing their first meaningful game in Week 17 in nearly a decade, and they will be playing it in front of their hometown fans in the Black Hole. 

This team and that stadium are going to be fired up. That is going to make for a jacked-up Raiders team ready to destroy the players in front of them, and that is exactly how the Raiders have beaten the Chargers three straight times. They have been more physical.

San Diego is going to have a hard time getting motivated for this game. They had the wind knocked out of their sails, as they were eliminated from playoff contention last week, and now enter the game with a coach that is as good as fired.

Prediction: Raiders 27, Chargers 20

This game will put the Raiders in a prime position to win the wild-card spot. However, they won't need it because....

Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos

The Broncos are going to lose to the Chiefs. Denver's improbable streak of miraculous wins has come to a crashing end. Tim Tebow suddenly can't protect the ball, and this defense is no longer capable of bailing him out.

The Broncos defense has allowed at least 35 points in three of their last four games. There secondary is riddled with injuries, and they will be facing a QB in Kyle Orton that will be fired up to show the Broncos why they were foolish to cut him.

The Broncos offense will not be able to keep pace with Chiefs. Kansas City's defense has been performing at a high level. They have held their opponents to 16 or fewer points in four of their last five games. This is bad news for the Broncos.

Prediction: Chiefs 23, Broncos 10

This loss, combined with the Raiders' win, will result in the Raiders winning the AFC West and open up the wild card for the Tennessee Titans.

Tennessee Titans at Houston Texans

The Titans are in a position to win the tiebreaker with the Bengals no matter what happens to the Jets. They will seize this opportunity by beating a sinking Texans team.

After collecting a stunning win in their first game with TJ Yates as their starter, the Texans are reeling. They have lost their last two games to the Panthers and the Colts.

They will not be able to rebound against the Titans. The Texans have nothing to gain in this game, and they would be foolish to work valuable starters like Arian Foster too hard in this game.

Meanwhile, the Titans will not be holding anything back as they battle for the right to advance to the postseason.

Prediction: Titans 20, Texans 13

The Titans will be the final AFC wild-card team.

Projected AFC Playoff Seeding

No. 1 New England Patriots

No. 2 Baltimore Ravens

No. 3 Houston Texans

No. 4 Oakland Raiders

No. 5 Pittsburgh Steelers

No. 6 Tennessee Titans