Week 17 Predictions

New York Jets (7-8) vs Miami Dolphins (8-7)

Jets come in off a win last week against the Browns while the Dolphins come in off a loss against the Bills. Jets have been eliminated from playoff contention while the Dolphins are playing for the final playoff spot. This may be Rex Ryan’s final game with the Jets and would like to get a win for him, but the Dolphins at home have been a force to reckon with. Prediction: Dolphins

Houston Texans (2-13) vs Tennessee Titans (6-9)

One of only three games without any playoff implications. Texans come in off a loss last week against the Broncos while the Titans come in off a win against the Jaguars. Both teams will most likely be in search of a new head coach when the season is over and Titans will need to make significant moves involving Jake Locker, Kenny Britt and Chris Johnson during the off-season. Texans last win was in week 2 against the Titans but that was several months and injured reserve players ago. Prediction: Titans

Carolina Panthers (11-4) vs Atlanta Falcons (4-11)

Panthers come in off two straight wins while the Falcons come in off a loss last week to the 49ers. Panthers are playing for the NFC South title, the number one seed and a first round bye while the Falcons just hope to send the retiring TE Tony Gonzalez out on a high note. Falcons have the worse run game and the Panthers have the number 2 run defense which means relying heavily on Matt Ryan who has thrown a career worst 16 INTs. Even without WR Steve Smith the Panthers should be able to get the win. Prediction: Panthers

Cleveland Browns (4-11) vs Pittsburgh Steelers (7-8)

Browns come in off six straight losses while the Steelers come in off two straight wins. The Steelers are hanging onto the slimmest of hopes of making the playoffs but need this win and a lot of help to make that happen. Browns can only hope to play spoiler in what has been another disappointing season for the franchise. Prediction: Steelers

Washington Redskins (3-12) vs New York Giants (6-9)

Another game without any playoff implications. The Redskins come in off seven straight losses while the Giants come in off a surprising win against the Lions. This is only the Giants second losing season under Coughlin so should recover next season. Meanwhile the Redskins will be n search of a head coach in the off season and will desperately need to address their offensive line issues if they have any hopes of keeping QB RGIII as their franchise quarterback for years to come. Prediction: Giants

Jacksonville Jaguars (4-11) vs Indianapolis Colts (10-5)

The Jaguars come in off two straight losses while the Colts come in off two straight wins. Colts have won the AFC South and are playing for a very slim chance of scoring a first round bye. Colts have had some impressive wins this season and should make a good run in the playoffs. Jaguars will have to find a new quarterback in the off-season as they finish with the league worst scoring offense. Prediction: Colts

Detroit Lions (7-8) vs Minnesota Vikings (4-10-1)

This is another game without any playoff implications. The Lions come in off three straight losses while the Vikings come in off a loss last week against the Bengals. The Lions have lost five of their last six while the Vikings lost seven of their first eight putting both out of contention and in all likelihood, in search of a head coach this off-season. The Lions will also need to improve their offensive line, running game and secondary while the Vikings will need to quickly address their quarterback situation as QB Christian Ponder has been a major disappointment. Prediction: Lions

Baltimore Ravens (8-7) vs Cincinnati Bengals (10-5)

The Ravens come in off a loss last week against the Patriots while the Bengals come in off a win against the Vikings. Ravens need the win and a lot of help in order to claim the final playoff spot. The Bengals have locked up the AFC North title and are playing for the outside chance of winning a first round bye. Ravens QB Joe Flacco will be playing on an injured knee against a tough Bengals defense. Ravens are 2-5 on the road this season while the Bengals are undefeated at home. Prediction: Bengals

San Francisco 49ers (11-4) vs Arizona Cardinals (10-5)

49ers come in off five straight wins while the Cardinals come in off three straight wins. The 49ers have clinched a playoff berth and need help to gain the NFC West title and homefield advantage. Cardinals need a lot of help to make the playoffs even with a win. The 49ers have won seven of the last eight meetings between the two teams and hope to finish off the season strong. Prediction: 49ers
Kansas City Chiefs (11-4) vs San Diego Chargers (8-7)
The Chiefs come in off a loss last week against the Colts while the Chargers have won three straight. Chiefs are locked into the fifth seed in the AFC while Chargers need a win and a lot of help in order to get into the sixth and final playoff spot. Chiefs haven’t decided if they are going to rest their starters or not and Chargers have already won their first matchup. Prediction: Chiefs

St. Louis Rams (7-8) vs Seattle Seahawks (12-3)

Rams come in off two straight wins while the Seahawks come in off their first home loss in fifteen games. Seahawks are playing for a chance to win the NFC West title and homefield advantage. While the Seahawks have struggled on offense in recent weeks, the Rams haven’t won in Seattle since 2004 and may be without rookie WR Tavon Austin for the third consecutive game. Prediction: Seahawks

Buffalo Bills (6-9) vs New England Patriots (11-4)

The Bills come in off two straight wins while the Patriots come in off a win last week against the Ravens. Bills have long since been eliminated from playoff contention, so the Patriots are playing for the number two seed and a first round bye after securing the AFC East title last week. Patriots have won 12 straight home matchups against the Bills. Bills will be starting QB Thad Lewis as EJ Manuel is still dealing with a swollen left knee. Prediction: Patriots

Green Bay Packers (7-7-1) vs Chicago Bears (8-7)

Both teams come in off losses last week. The winner of this game will win the NFC North. Packers will have QB Aaron Rodgers back this week and possibly WR Randall Cobb as well. Bears QB Jay Cutler has a 1-8 record against the Packers. Bears won the first matchup between the two teams and hope to sweep them for the first time in six seasons. Prediction: Packers

Denver Broncos (12-3) vs Oakland Raiders (4-11)

Broncos come in off a win last week against the Texans while the Raiders come in off five straigt losses. The Broncos have been decimated by injuries with LB Von Miller, WR Wes Welker, S Rahim Moore, & DL Kevin Vickerson & Derek Wolfe all out due to injuries. The AFC West champions are playing for homefield advantage throughout the playoffs. Raiders will have QB Terrelle Pryor back this after being out five weeks with a knee injury. Raiders have not beaten the Broncos in three seasons and will miss the playoffs for the 11th straight season. Prediction: Broncos

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-11) vs New Orleans Saints (10-5)

Both teams come in off two straight losses. Saints are playing to make the playoffs and potentially win the NFC South. Bucs will start QB Mike Glennon again who had won four out of five before losing the last two games. Saints have struggled offensively the last two weeks and this week will be without S Kenny Vaccaro with a broken ankle. Bucs will need to improve their offense in the off-season. Prediction: Saints

Philadelphia Eagles (9-6) vs Dallas Cowboys (8-7)

Both teams come in off wins last week and both are playing for the NFC East title and a playoff spot. Only one team will make the playoffs. The Cowboys will be without QB Tony Romo who is out with a herniated disk. The team will have to rally behind QB Kyle Orton who hasn’t started a game since 2011.  Eagles starting QB Nick Foles struggled in the last contest between these two teams but has thrown for 22 TDs and just 2 INTs in his nine starts. Prediction: Eagles