Happy New Year! As we get ready for week 17, we get ready for some wild games, with big playoff implementations. On Thursday Night, the Cowboys defeated the Titans for the final Game of 2022. For Sunday’s early game we have Cardinals-Falcons, Bears-Lions, Broncos-Chiefs, Dolphins-Patriots, Colts-Giants, Saints-Eagles, Panthers-Buccaneers, Browns-Commanders and Jaguars-Texans. For the late slate of games we have 49ers-Raiders, Jets-Seahawks, Rams-Chargers and finally Vikings-Packers. So now, let me share my analysis and who I think will win each and every matchup.
Cardinals (4-11) @Falcons (5-10) -3.5 ATL SUN 1:00 PM
Cardinals:
The Arizona Cardinals come into Atlanta after a loss in overtime. Trace McSorely got the start last week with Colt McCoy out due to injury, and will be out this week. David Blough will lead the charge in this game. Star RE, JJ Watt, announced that this will be his final season. I think that he will get home (sack the quarterback) at least once in this game, and will have 2+ Tackles For Loss. The Cardinals currently sit with the number 4 pick in the NFL Draft, as they are chasing the Broncos (Seahawks have the pick via trade), and the Chicago Bears.
Falcons:
The Falcons come off of a disappointing 17-9 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, eliminating them from playoff competition. Rookie quarterback, Desmond Ridder, went 22/33 for 218 passing yards, 0 touchdown passes, but didn’t throw an interception. The Falcons were unable to score a touchdown, as 3 Younghoe Koo field goals were all they showed for on the scoreboard. They currently have the 6 pick in the upcoming NFL Draft, as they would be tied with the Cardinals by record if they end up losing this game. We will see which team will win in the battle of backup quarterbacks.
Game Pick:
ARI 20 ATL 23
Bears (3-12) @Lions (7-8) -6.0 DET SUN 1:00 PM ET
Bears:
The Chicago Bears come into the Motor City after a 35-13 loss to the Bills, their 8th in a row. The Lions were part of that streak, when they beat the Bears 31-30 back in week 10. They currently have the number 2 pick in the draft, and a Texans victory and a Chicago loss would put the Bears in line for the number one pick. The Bears confirmed that they will continue to start Justin Fields, despite the fact that they have officially been eliminated from playoff competition. We will see if they can win this game, and have some pride going into next season.
Lions:
The Detroit Lions come off of a disappointing 37-23 loss. The Lions playoff hopes currently sit at 17%, as they would improve to 23% with a win, but a loss puts them down to 2%. The Lions gave up over 315 rushing yards against the Panthers, over 200 in the first half. We will see if they can stop the Bears 3-headed rushing attack of Justin Fields, David Montgomery and Khalil Herbert. Field ran for 147 yards on only 13 carries, and found the end zone twice (one a 67 yard touchdown). We will see if they can win that game, and keep their playoff hopes realistic.
Game Pick:
CHI 23 DET 27
Broncos (4-11) @Chiefs (12-3) -12.5 KC SUN 1:00 PM
Broncos:
The Denver Broncos come into Arrowhead Stadium after being embarrassed by the Rams 51-14. They fired former Head Coach, Nathaniel Hackett, in favor of Jerry Rosburg. They got down 27-0 when they played against the Chiefs back at home, but then stormed back with 21 straight points. They still ended up losing 34-28. Russell Wilson threw for 247 yards, 3 touchdown passes, and 1 pick against Kansas City before getting knocked out of the game. With no playoffs to play for, they look to upset the Chiefs, and have pride going into next year.
Chiefs:
The Kansas City Chiefs look to continue their push for the number one seed in the AFC. The Buffalo Bills currently have the number one seed, and can secure it with a win against the red-hot Bengals on Monday Night, and a Chiefs loss. Patrick Mahomes looks like he will be the MVP, due to the fact that Jalen Hurts has sprained his shoulder. The Chiefs outlasted the Broncos 34-28 in week 14, after going up 27-0 in Denver. We will see if they can duplicate that performance, and hope that they take the crown of the AFC on Monday.
Game Pick:
DEN 27 KC 28
Dolphins (8-7) @Patriots (7-8) -2.5 NE SUN 1:00 PM ET
Dolphins:
The Dolphins come off of a disappointing 26-20 loss to the Green Bay Packers. Quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa, threw 3 fourth quarter interceptions in the loss. They currently have the seven seed in the AFC playoff picture, and could clinch it this week. They would need a win, and a Jets loss to get in. If they end up tying, they need a Jets loss, and a Steelers loss or tie on ‘Sunday Night Football’. We will see if they can get that done against a New England Patriots squad that is also fighting to reserve their spot in the playoffs.
Patriots:
The New England Patriots come into Gillette Stadium riding a two-game losing streak, dropping 4 of their last 5. They went down 22-0 last week against the Bengals, before coming back with 18 straight points. They still fell short, because Rhamondre Stevenson fumbled the ball near the goal line late in the ballgame. I think that if they can run the ball for over 150 yards, and can get over 100 yards off of the play action game, they will be able to win this game, and clinch the playoffs next week.
Game Pick:
MIA 27 NE 10
Colts (4-10-1) @Giants (8-6-1) -5.5 NYG SUN 1:00 PM
Colts:
The Indianapolis Colts come off of an offensive meltdown in their 20-3 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. Last week, Head Coach Jeff Saturday, said that Nick Foles would be starting in the place of Matt Ryan. That did not turn out very well, as Foles ended up throwing two interceptions on his first two drives. Running Back Jonathan Taylor, was out last week due to an ankle injury, as he has been deemed out for the rest of the year. We will see if they can get a victory, and try to keep the Giants from clinching the playoffs.
Giants:
The Giants come back home to East Rutherford after dropping a heartbreaker to the Minnesota Vikings. New York can clinch a playoff spot this week if many different things happen. The simplest of them is just to win this game, but if that doesn’t happen they can still lock in their playoff spot. If they do end up dropping the game, the Green Bay Packers, Detroit Lions and the Washington Commanders would all have to drop their respective games. We will see what will happen, and if they can lock in a playoff spot.
Game Pick:
IND 19 NYG 34
Saints (6-9) @Eagles (13-2) -5.5 PHI SUN 1:00 PM ET
Saints:
The New Orleans Saints still have something to fight for. After outlasting the Cleveland Browns, the (6-9) New Orleans Saints find themselves only one game out of the lead for the NFC South. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers could clinch the division with a victory against the Carolina Panthers, but if they can’t, the Saints could steal it from them. Their defense had some stellar play, only giving up 10 points, and coming up with a big stop late in the game. We will see if they can replicate that performance.
Eagles:
The Philadelphia Eagles find themselves one win away from clinching the NFC East, and locking up home-field advantage and a first round bye in the playoffs. Star quarterback Jalen Hurts has been listed as doubtful to play, but the Eagles said that they don’t think he will be able to suit up. I think that Miles Sanders will carry the ball over 15 times in the ballgame, if Gardner Minshew is under-center. They should still be able to get the victory even with Minshew.
Game Pick:
NO 12 PHI 27
Panthers (6-9) @Buccaneers (7-8) -4.0 TB SUN 1:00 PM ET
Panthers:
The Carolina Panthers come into Tampa Bay, after an impressive 37-23 win over the Detroit Lions. The Panthers were able to total over 300 yards on the ground in the entire game, with over 200 of them coming in the first half alone. If they can replicate that against the Buccaneer squad, I like the chances to win this game. They control their own destiny, as if they win this game and they win next week, The NFC South is all theirs. We will see if they can get that done.
Buccaneers:
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers look to clinch the NFC South with a victory here at home. Last week, The Buccaneers outlasted the Arizona Cardinals in overtime, mainly due to the fact that their defense played very solid. The Buccaneers offense was a little lackluster, only generating 19 points. However, their defense stepped up and only gave up 16 points to Trace McSorley and the rest of the Arizona Cardinals team. We will see if their defense can replicate that performance, and their offense does a bit better.
Game Pick:
CAR 23 TB 13
Browns (6-9) @Commanders (7-7-1) -2.0 WSH SUN 1:00 PM
Browns:
The Cleveland Browns come into this performance after a disappointing 13-10 loss to the New Orleans Saints. That loss officially eliminated them from playoff competition, as they sit at 6-9. Myles Garrett was benched last week, but he said that was a misunderstanding. The Browns look to spoil the commanders playoff hopes of clinching this week, with a win over them. We will see if they can get it done, find out more about Deshaun Watson‘s talent, and have some pride going into next season.
Commanders:
The Washington Commanders look to clinch a playoff spot back at FedEx Field. They would have to win this game, hope for a New York Jets loss against the Seattle Seahawks, the 3-win Chicago Bears to take down the Detroit Lions in Detroit, and watch the Green Bay Packers lose or tie to the Minnesota Vikings. Carson Wentz will get the start over Taylor Heinicke, despite leading the Commanders to a 2-4 start. We will see if they can get the win, and see how the other games play out.
Game Pick:
CLE 16 WSH 20
Jaguars (7-8) @Texans (2-12-1) -3.5 JAX SUN 1:00 PM ET
Jaguars:
The Jacksonville Jaguars come into Houston after a victory, one of their three game win streak. They take on a two win Texans squad that has put up some pretty good fights as of late. Evan Engram is Trevor Lawrence’s main target, and I expect the Jaguars to feed in the ball this game. I expect over 75 yards, five or more catches, and at least one touchdown reception. The Jaguars don’t really have anything to play for, as no matter what the outcome is of this game, The winner of a Jaguars-Titans showdown next week will be the AFC South champion.
Texans:
The Houston Texans come off of their second win of the season, and have been playing some really good football as of late. In the last three games they have made it a one score game, and the teams that they played for the Dallas Cowboys, Kansas City Chiefs, and they beat the Tennessee Titans last week. They are in danger of losing the number one overall pick, as a win and a Bears loss put the Bears in first place.
Game Pick:
JAX 31 HOU 30
49ers (11-4) @Raiders (6-9) -9.5 SF SUN 4:05 PM ET
49ers:
The San Francisco 49ers are rolling with Brock Purdy. The 49ers currently are riding on an 8 game winning streak, with 3 of those games being started by this past years Mr. Irrelevant, Brock Purdy. They Will look to keep the streak going, but they will be without Deebo Samuel for another game. Nick Bosa will make his return to the NFL after being sidelined for last year (and weeks 1-16 this year). The 49ers are still alive for the 1 seed, and look to make a run for it.
Raiders:
The Raiders Head Coach, Josh McDaniels, announced earlier in the week that Jarrett Stidham will be their new starting quarterback, replacing Derek Carr. The Raiders are still technically alive to make the playoffs, but it would take basically a miracle to make that happen. I expect Josh Jacobs to start racking up yards the way he used to, as he has had some poor games as of late. I expect them to lean heavily on Jacobs, to take the some of pressure off of Stidham.
Game Pick:
SF 34 LV 13
Jets (7-8) @Seahawks (7-8) -1.5 NYJ SUN 4:05 PM ET
Jets:
The New York Jets come off of an embarrassing 19-3 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars of ‘Thursday Night Football’. They still have a pretty good shot to make the playoffs, and a win here would definitely help those odds. Mike White will return from his rib injury, as if he didn’t the Jets would have a quarterback controversy between Zach Wilson, and Chris Streveler. I expect over 25 pass attempts from Mike White, with at least 10 of them going to Garret Wilson.
Seahawks:
The Seattle Seahawks come off of a 24-10 loss to the Chiefs, their third one in a row. Geno Smith looks to beat his former ball club, as he has already beaten the Chargers and Giants. The Seahawks expect star wideout, Tyler Lockett, to play in this game despite a foot injury. The Seahawks are still very much alive for playoffs, as if they win out they make the playoffs. That isn’t too tall of a task, as they have this game against the Jets, and end of the regular season against the Rams.
Game Pick:
NYJ 17 SEA 31
Rams (5-10) @Chargers (9-6) -6.5 LAC SUN 4:25 PM ET
Rams:
The Los Angeles Rams come off of an impressive 51-14 victory over the Denver Broncos on Christmas. Baker Mayfield has played some good games since joining the Rams squad, leading them to two wins in three games. I think Cam Akers is a top 20 running back, and should get over 100 yards in this game. Baker Mayfield was awarded the ‘NVP’ (Nickelodeon’s Most Valuable Player Of The Game) award. We will see if they can put up a similar performance against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Chargers:
The Los Angeles Chargers come off of a victory over the Indianapolis Colts on ‘Monday Night Football’ last week. That victory solidified them a spot in the playoffs, as they look to fight for seeding in the AFC. They currently stand at the 6 seed, and are on a three game win streak. I think that this team can make a deep run in the playoffs, and could be a dark horse contender for the Super Bowl in Arizona. We will see if they can live up to the hype, and win this game.
Game Pick:
LAR 34 LAC 40
Vikings (12-3) @Packers (7-8) -3.0 GB SUN 4:25 PM ET
Vikings:
The Minnesota Vikings come into Green Bay with Greg Joseph as their hero. He has given the Vikings back-to-back game winning field goals, the latest one being a 61 yarder, to walk-off the Giants in overtime. I think that due to the fact that Justin Jefferson is barely over 200 yards away from break and Calvin Johnson is receiving record, I think that the Vikings will feed him the ball a lot. He will have seven more touches in the game, that will total over 100 yards. If they can do that, they’ll find a way to beat the Packers.
Packers:
The Green Bay Packers come off of a 26-20 victory, thanks to their defense coming up the big light in the game. The Miami Dolphins quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa, threw three fourth quarter interceptions to Secure the Packers victory. The Packers path to the playoffs is simple, win the rest of your games, and have the Washington Commanders drop one of their two ball games. If that happens the Packers will be in the playoffs.
Game Pick:
MIN 37 GB 27
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