NFL: Week 17 Predictions
Week 16 provided a shift in the landscape of the NFL when Andy Dalton’s win at Heinz Field cemented Cincinnati’s playoff status and consigned the Steelers to third place in the AFC North and an empty schedule in January for the first time since… I don’t know when.
But while the regular season seems to have flown by, there are still some hugely important games to be played in the final week, with some very important slots in the playoffs still to be decided. The AFC playoff teams are already confirmed, but the order in which they are seeded is not, while the NFC still has countless scenarios that need to be ironed out, including the conundrum of the NFC East, where Washington and Dallas face off for the division title. But we start the final week in Atlanta with two teams who know what they’ll be doing in January already…
Sunday 6:00pm
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 27-24 Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons wrapped up the number 1 seeding in the NFC last week, so it’s anyone’s guess what kind of team they will put out against Tampa, especially with the injuries they have had to their defense throughout the season. The Bucs however will probably be looking to end their season on a high, and the last game between these two was very close, 24-23 to the Falcons, so I think the Bucs will edge this one, with Doug Martin having a good day.
New York Jets 10-17 Buffalo Bills
Both these teams have been very disappointing this year, so will be looking to end with a win over their close divisional rivals in a game that is interesting for a few reasons. Firstly, Greg McElroy is concussed, so Mark Sanchez may be starting for the last ever time in a Jets jersey, and it will be interesting to see what state of mind he is in. Secondly, the Bills are a franchise surrounded by speculation right now, both at the QB position and at the Coaching position, so the way that Buffalo play could be indicative of decisions already made behind the scenes. I’ll take the home team against a Jets franchise in chaos.
Baltimore Ravens 16-13 Cincinnati Bengals
While the Ravens have won the AFC North and the Bengals are locked into the number 6 seed in the AFC, both teams will want to win this for superiority going into the playoffs. The Ravens got back into their groove when they destroyed the reeling Giants last week, but the Bengals really silenced any doubters in their grinding win against the Steelers, and to win this one, they’ll have to do it again. The key to this one will be how the Ravens’ defense plays. If it can cover AJ Green one on one and stop Ben-Jarvus Green-Ellis running the ball, then they should win this one, and the way they shut down Big Blue last week tells me they’re capable in a close one.
Chicago Bears 24-17 Detroit Lions
Fortunately for the Bears, playing the Lions in a game that they have to win is a huge stroke of luck as from my perspective, this is the perfect matchup for the ball-hawking defense, and Brandon Marshall-centred offense. It will be very difficult for the Lions to beat the Bears as they will have to do things well that they haven’t done all year: run the ball and cover in the pass game. The Bears sneak into the playoffs and avoid the embarrassment of being 7-1 at the start of the year and missing out.
Houston Texans 31-17 Indianapolis Colts
The Texans still need to win to wrap up a bye, while the Colts are locked into the no.5 seed. These facts combined with a poor Indy D has to equal a Texans win, even though Andrew Luck will try to exploit a struggling Houston secondary while running away from JJ Watt a lot.
Carolina Panthers 27-34 New Orleans Saints
While neither of these teams are technically playing for anything, this could end up being the game of the week. Cam Newton is on fire right now, and the Saints’ porous secondary will make life enjoyable for the 2011 no.1 pick. But Drew Brees’ men will be delighted after seeing Sean Peyton sign a new 5 year deal to coach the team, and will want to put on a show for him and their home fans. This could go anywhere, but I’ll go with the home team in the Superdome.
Philadelphia Eagles 13-27 New York Giants
The Giants have been humiliated in the past two weeks, but still have a slim hope of making the playoffs as long as they beat the Eagles and other results go their way. I think they’ll finish the season well, but ultimately come up short of the playoffs, which will have many teams breathing a sigh of relief as the reigning champion G-Men are dangerous on their day. The Eagles are rebuilding in preparation for next year and because of an injury to Nick Foles, Michael Vick starts the last game of the year… bad move.
Cleveland Browns 6-24 Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers will be reeling from last week, and with QB and RB changes in the pipeline for the Browns, this looks a nailed on win for the home team, who want to finish the year with some positives after missing the playoffs. Cleveland were promising this year, and if they can keep their defense at a good level, they have a chance to compete next year.
Jacksonville Jaguars 13-24 Tennessee Titans
Jacksonville made a real good fist of the game against New England last week, but going to a Titans team who are just beginning to find their identity on both sides of the ball could be dangerous for a Jags roster that is seriously lacking in talent and needs adding to in the draft to complement the impending signing of Tim Tebow… which will set them back another year or two.
Sunday 9:25pm
Kansas City Chiefs 10-27 Denver Broncos
Denver need to win to secure a bye and the Chiefs are already thinking about next year, so this one is quite self-explanatory, Peyton Manning will do what he has to and the Broncos should gain a bye week.
Green Bay Packers 31-20 Minnesota Vikings
This is a very interesting matchup, as a win will confirm Green Bay’s bye week into the playoffs, while the Vikings need to win just to sneak in, along with other results going their way. One thing is for sure, if they do get in, it will be squarely on the shoulders of the machine that is Adrian Peterson, who needs a few more than 200 yards to break Eric Dickerson’s record of yards in a season for a running back. He could well do it against the Pack, but with the well-known opportunistic Green Bay defense, I can’t see Christian Ponder doing enough to win the game.
Miami Dolphins 20-27 New England Patriots
The Pats were very poor last week, they rested players and still escaped with a win against Jacksonville. They will want to get back into good habits this week in front of their home fans, especially against a divisional rival in Miami who, if they draft well and add correctly in free agency, could become a real threat to the AFC East. The Dolphins defense is a good unit, Reggie Bush has played well and Ryan Tannehill has been very good this year for a rookie QB. The Dolphins should give the Pats a good game, but they haven’t given up on that first round bye just yet.
Oakland Raiders 13-34 San Diego Chargers
Both these teams have disappointed this year, and while the Chargers’ poor season will cost Norv Turner his job, I think San Diego will end the year on a high, and show whoever taking over from Turner that they have a team that, with a few additions, can be very competitive. The Raiders need a lot, but Reggie McKenzie is changing the culture of that football team, and it will be a long slow rebuilding process, although I can’t see Terrelle Pryor being the QB of the future.
St Louis Rams 10-30 Seattle Seahawks
I don’t know what I can say about this Seattle team after the last month or so, they’ve been incredible, and if they play like they did last week against the 49’ers, they have the ability to beat any other team in this league. However, until they win a playoff tie on the road, I can’t put them up there as Superbowl contenders just yet. Having said that, they could well decimate the Rams at home this weekend to finish off a great regular season. The Rams under Jeff Fisher have improved beyond all recognition, and I have a feeling that next year, the NFC West will be by far the toughest division in football.
Arizona Cardinals 6-34 San Francisco 49’ers
These are the facts: the Niners should steamroll the Cardinals, and if they don’t there are serious worries over their ability to go all the way. San Francisco’s defense has been lauded for two seasons now and is undoubtedly a top 5 unit, but it is the offense that is wildly inconsistent and must put together a decent run of performances. The Cardinals need to revamp their O-line, QB and RB roster spots, and if they do, they’ll be a very good team, but they’re not at the moment.
Monday 1:20am
Dallas Cowboys 27-23 Washington Redskins
The most important game of the weekend is rightly shifted to prime-time, and it’s a straight shootout between Tony Romo and Robert Griffin III for the NFC East title and some football in January. The Redskins have played some hugely entertaining, winning football recently, and they are definitely the public’s choice, but if you had to pick, you’d go for the most complete team, and Dallas have more talent spread around their roster. They also have the experience of do-or-die football, with veteran pro’s Tony Romo, DeMarcus Ware and Jason Witten sure to be leading the Cowboys against Washington’s young stars. If Dallas can slow down Alfred Morris, then they give themselves a very good chance of winning the game. One factor that could make things interesting is the weather, the snowstorms crossing the US right now could make a difference to many games this weekend, and that’s something that could play into Washington’s favour. But all things considered, I’m taking Dallas to sneak their way into the playoffs.