Week 17 NFL Game Predictions
Welcome to a hectic Week 17, fans! Numerous scenarios surround this week for playoff hopeful teams! New England, Baltimore, Houston, Philadelphia, Green Bay, San Francisco and Atlanta have all won their respective divisions making each team a lock for the playoffs. Houston will be the #1 seed in the AFC, thus earning themselves a first round bye. The #1 seed in the NFC comes down to Philadelphia and Green Bay – which ever team wins is likely the #1 seed although both teams have a tough game this week therefor San Francisco and Atlanta are still in the running if both Philadelphia and Green Bay lose and either San Francisco or Atlanta win.
Now, let’s break down the Wild Card scenarios.
AFC: Kansas City – wins AFC West with win.
San Diego – wins AFC West with win and KC loss. Wins Wild Card with win or Cincinnati and Pittsburgh loss.
Cincinnati – wins Wild Card with win or Pittsburgh and Miami loss.
Pittsburgh – wins Wild Card with win and/or Cincinnati and Miami loss.
Miami – wins Wild Card with win and Cincinnati loss.
NFC:
Dallas – wins Wild Card with win or Carolina and Seattle loss.
Detroit – wins Wild Card with win or Carolina and Seattle loss.
Carolina – wins Wild Card with win and Dallas or Detroit loss. If Seattle wins however, both Dallas and Detroit must lose in order for Carolina to win the remaining Wild Card.
Seattle – wins Wild Card with win and Dallas or Detroit loss. If Carolina wins however, both Dallas and Detroit must lose in order for Seattle to win the remaining Wild Card.
X – Conference Regular Season Champ (#1 Seed)
Y- Divisional Champs.
AFC EAST
Y-New England Patriots – (12-3) [4-1]
Miami Dolphins – (8-7) [4-1]
Buffalo Bills – (8-7) [2-3]
New York Jets – (5-10) [0-5]
AFC WEST
Kansas City Chiefs – (11-4) [4-1]
San Diego Chargers – (11-4) [3-2]
Denver Broncos – (6-9)[2-3]
Oakland Raiders – (4-11) [1-4]
AFC NORTH
Y- Baltimore Ravens – (11-4)[3-2]
Pittsburgh Steelers – (9-6)[3-2]
Cincinnati Bengals – (9-6)[4-1]
Cleveland Browns – (1-14) [0-5]
AFC SOUTH
X-Houston Texans – (14-1) [5-0]
Tennessee Titans – (7-8) [3-2]
Indianapolis Colts – (2-13) [1-4]
Jacksonville Jaguars – (1-14) [1-4]
AFC WILDCARD
San Diego Chargers – (10-4) [3-2]
Cincinnati Bengals – (9-6)[4-1]
Pittsburgh Steelers – (9-6)[3-2]
Miami Dolphins – (8-7) [4-1]
NFC EAST
Y-Philadelphia Eagles – (12-3) [4-1]
Dallas Cowboys – (10-5) [3-2]
New York Giants – (6-9) [3-2]
Washington Redskins – (3-12) [0-5]
NFC WEST
Y-San Francisco 49er’s – (11-4)[4-1]
Seattle Seahawks – (9-6) [4-1]
Arizona Cardinals – (3-12) [1-4]
St. Louis Rams – (3-12) [1-4]
NFC NORTH
Y-Green Bay Packers – (12-3)[4-1]
Detroit Lions – (10-5) [3-2]
Chicago Bears – (7-8) [2-3]
Minnesota Vikings – (2-13) [1-4]
NFC SOUTH
Y-Atlanta Falcons – (11-4) [4-1]
Carolina Panthers – (9-6)[4-1]
Tampa Bay Buccaneers – (7-8) [1-4]
New Orleans Saints – (6-9) [1-4]
NFC WILDCARD
Dallas Cowboys – (10-5) [3-2]
Detroit Lions – (10-5) [3-2]
Carolina Panthers – (9-6)[4-1]
Seattle Seahawks – (9-6) [4-1]
Tampa Bay (7-8) @ Atlanta (11-4)
Match up to watch: Doug Martin v.s. Sean Witherspoon
Tampa knows that they have missed a big chance to make the playoffs this season. BUT, the team can build off a respectable 7-9 or 8-8 record once the season concludes. Atlanta may play their starters for most of the first half and depending on what the score is looking like, the staff may decide to either sit the starters or let them continue playing. I see no reason for Atlanta’s offense to play more than the first half. Which is why I’m taking Tampa on the road here.
Tampa – 24 Atlanta – 20
New York Jets (5-10) @ Buffalo (8-7)
Match up to watch: Darrelle Revis v.s. Stevie Johnson
New York has been a huge disappointment this season. I live in Cortland, New York – let me tell you what, everyone around this town thinks the Jets are super bowl bound – well, that is the one’s who don’t absolutely despise when the team comes to town. Buffalo has been a pleasant surprise this season after dishing out some money to some big name free agents. Look for Buffalo to stick around for the next few years. I like Buffalo in this one, but there is just no way that the Jets go win less in the division.
New York Jets – 26 Buffalo – 24
Baltimore (11-4) @ Cincinnati (9-6)
Match up to watch: Anquan Boldin v.s. Leon Hall
Baltimore has locked up the AFC North, therefore I don’t expect the starters play much more than a quarter or two. Even so, the Bengals need this win – and the young Bengals always seem to win when they really need to. I see Cincinnati winning this game at home and catapulting themselves into the playoffs – hopefully.
Baltimore – 20 Cincinnati – 27
Chicago (7-8) @ Detroit (10-5)
Match up to watch: Matt Forte v.s. Stephen Tulloch
Chicago needs this win to boost the team’s morale, not to mention to build towards success next year. The Bears have underachieved this season after filling some major needs this past offseason. Detroit may need this one even more than Chicago. With a win here, the Lions solidify themselves a Wild Card birth. Detroit will take this one at home, but they’ll have to work for it.
Chicago – 28 Detroit – 35
Jacksonville (1-14) @ Tennessee (7-8)
Match up to watch: Justin Blackmon v.s. Jason McCourty
Jacksonville….there’s not much to look forward to here…except maybe the #1 overall pick. I guess. But they may have even played themselves out of contention for that! Tennessee has no shot of making the playoffs this season. But the team has young pieces in place on both sides of the ball. Look for this team to have a bright, bright future.
Jacksonville – 13 Tennessee – 27
Houston (14-1) @ Indianapolis (2-13)
Match up to watch: Brian Cushing v.s. Dwayne Allen
Houston’s starters will not play more than a quarter in this one – the team already has the #1 seed in the AFC tournament, not to mention a first round bye. So, it’s looking like a good chance for the Andrew Luck led Indianapolis Colts to steal one at home from the AFC powerhouse. I think Indy can do it. I haven’t given the team much hope this season – based on how bad I think their defense will be and their offensive line.
Houston – 20 Indianapolis – 27
Green Bay (12-3) @ Minnesota (2-13)
Match up to watch: A.J. Hawk v.s. Adrian Peterson
Green Bay needs to win this contest if the team has any hopes at a #1 seed in the NFC tournament and a first round bye. The Packers will not face much of a test against the lowly Minnesota Vikings. But let’s give the Vikes some credit – the team does have a solid run defense. Oh wait. Green Bay doesn’t run the ball.
Green Bay – 30 Minnesota – 17
Miami (8-7) @ New England (12-3)
Match up to watch: Kevin Burnett v.s. Rob Gronkowski
Miami has a chance at the playoffs, but let’s be real here – nobody expects the team to make the playoffs and they will not. The Dolphins do have some young talent on offense – all the team really needs is some wide receivers. The reason Miami is sitting at 8-7 is because of the team’s stout defense. Bar none. New England’s starters usually play the final game, at least most of it. Look for the Pats to win this one at home and cruise into the playoffs.
Miami – 21 New England – 28
Carolina (9-6) @ New Orleans (6-9)
Match up to watch: Jonathan Stewart v.s. Curtis Lofton
Carolina needs to win here if the team has any shot of making the playoffs. The young Panthers are quite a handful when they want to play to their full potential. New Orleans is trying to upset this young and very energetic team. I look for this one to be a shoot out until the end. And I see Cam being Cam, winning it in the end in some miraculous way.
Carolina – 33 New Orleans – 31
Philadelphia (12-3) @ New York Giants (6-9)
Match up to watch: Cullen Jenkins v.s. David Baas
Philadelphia needs to win here if the team hopes to be the #1 seed in the NFC tournament. The Eagles are probably better served sitting their starters to minimize the risk of injury, not to mention this team is better without a weeks worth of rest. New York is one angry team. The Giants have missed the playoffs this season. Issues at tight end, linebacker, injuries at corner and an aging offensive line have led to the demise of the defending champs. But I think an upset is in the making this week. If you’d like to call it that. Andy Reid opts to sit his starters on offense and most on defense to rest for the playoffs.
Philadelphia – 20 New York Giants – 24
Cleveland (1-14) @ Pittsburgh (9-6)
Match up to watch: Trent Richardson v.s. Lawrence Timmons
Cleveland is looking forward to the draft, the team has been since week 5. This Browns team is not going anywhere fast. Although, the team does have some decent pieces on defense. Look for the Browns to add skilled players on offense and some more beef to their offensive line – and maybe a tight end? Pittsburgh needs to win here to make the playoffs. Steel City should have no problem winning this one at home against a weak Browns team.
Cleveland – 14 Pittsburgh – 30
Dallas (10-5) @ Washington (3-12)
Match up to watch: Brandon Carr v.s. Santana Moss
Dallas must win here. If the Boys win this contest, they are still playing next week. If the team loses, well….they’ll be watching the playoffs at home. Washington could be a hard team to beat at home with nothing to lose. I fully expect Robert Griffin to air it out for most of the game, but the Cowboys have too much talent in their secondary to let a rookie end their playoff aspirations.
Dallas – 26 Washington – 20
Oakland (4-11) @ San Diego (11-4)
Match up to watch: Rolando McClain v.s. Ryan Matthews
It’s a question mark whether or not Oakland’s young middle linebacker, Rolando McClain, will play at all this season. If the young stud is suspended, it will be a HUGE blow to this team’s defense. The Raiders know what they have to fix this offseason…their offensive line needs A LOT of help! San Diego is looking like a playoff caliber team ready to do some damage this season. Look for San Diego to win this one with ease.
Oakland – 20 San Diego – 30
Arizona (3-12) @ San Francisco (11-4)
Match up to watch: Larry Fitzgerald v.s. Carlos Rogers
Arizona is looking towards the draft at this point. The Cards NEED help on their offensive line, and a little help on defense in the pass rushing department. San Francisco, on the other hand, may end up sitting their starters after the first quarter or first half. There is no reason to keep their starters in there to risk injury – especially Frank Gore. Arizona has upset written all over themselves, but I can’t see San Fran dropping one at home before the playoffs start.
Arizona – 23 San Francisco – 27
St. Louis (3-12) @ Seattle (9-6)
Match up to watch: Steven Jackson v.s. Kam Chancellor
St. Louis needs help on offense. That’s obvious. The team has little talent along the offensive line and has no “stud” at wide receiver. Jeff Fisher will address these issues this offseason. Seattle needs to win this game or else the team has NO chance at making the playoffs. Even if the team wins, numerous things have to occur for the Hawks to make the playoffs.
St. Louis – 14 Seattle – 20
Kansas City (11-4) @ Denver (6-9)
Match up to watch: Brandon Flowers v.s. Eric Decker
Kansas City is a lock for the playoffs. If the team wins today, they are the champs of the AFC West. If the Chiefs lose today, they are the top Wild Card team. Denver is trying to upset this Kansas City team. It’s tough to win against Denver deep into December in Denver..Kansas City will walk out with a big fat “L”.
Kansas City – 20 Denver – 23
Man, what a week! We always have to remember that any team can win on any given day!! Phew, now that all of that hectic season is over it’s time for the NFL Playoffs baby! Here is what the final standings looked like for each division!!
X – Conference Regular Season Champ (#1 Seed)
Y- Divisional Champs.
AFC EAST
Y-New England Patriots – (13-3) [5-1]
Miami Dolphins – (8-8) [4-2]
Buffalo Bills – (8-8) [2-4]
New York Jets – (6-10) [1-5]
AFC WEST
San Diego Chargers – (12-4) [4-2]
Kansas City Chiefs – (11-5) [4-2]
Denver Broncos – (7-9)[3-3]
Oakland Raiders – (4-11) [1-4]
AFC NORTH
Y- Baltimore Ravens – (11-5)[3-3]
Cincinnati Bengals – (10-6)[5-1]
Pittsburgh Steelers – (10-6)[4-2]
Cleveland Browns – (1-15) [0-6]
AFC SOUTH
X-Houston Texans – (14-2) [5-1]
Tennessee Titans – (8-8) [4-2]
Indianapolis Colts – (3-13) [2-4]
Jacksonville Jaguars – (1-15) [1-5]
AFC WILDCARD
Kansas City Chiefs – (11-5) [4-2]
Cincinnati Bengals – (10-6)[5-1]
NFC EAST
Y-Philadelphia Eagles – (12-4) [4-2]
Dallas Cowboys – (11-5) [4-2]
New York Giants – (7-9) [4-2]
Washington Redskins – (3-13) [0-6]
NFC WEST
Y-San Francisco 49er’s – (12-4)[5-1]
Seattle Seahawks – (10-6) [5-1]
Arizona Cardinals – (3-13) [1-5]
St. Louis Rams – (3-13) [1-5]
NFC NORTH
Y-Green Bay Packers – (13-3)[5-1]
Detroit Lions – (11-5) [4-2]
Chicago Bears – (7-9) [2-4]
Minnesota Vikings – (2-14) [1-5]
NFC SOUTH
Y-Atlanta Falcons – (11-5) [4-2]
Carolina Panthers – (10-6)[5-1]
Tampa Bay Buccaneers – (8-8) [2-4]
New Orleans Saints – (6-10) [1-5]
NFC WILDCARD
Dallas Cowboys – (11-5) [4-2]
Detroit Lions – (11-5) [4-2]
Playoff Picture:
AFC:
Game 1: Kansas City (5) @ Baltimore (4)
Game 2: Cincinnati (6) @ San Diego (3)
Bye: Houston (1), New England (2)
NFC:
Game 1: Dallas (5) @ Atlanta (4)
Game 2: Detroit (6) @ Philadelphia (3)
Bye: Green Bay (1), San Francisco (2)
Jeesh, I can’t wait until we get the Playoffs rolling! It’s going to be awesome! You won’t want to miss it! Keep checking back for updates on Week 18: NFL Playoff Predictions!!!
Thanks!
Keep your fins up fans!!!
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