NFL 2015: Week 17 Picks

The last day of the NFL regular season is always a sad day, but what that means is the playoffs are almost here. 

If the season ended today, here is what the playoff picture would look like.

(Image Courtesy of CBS Sports)

With that being said, the playoffs may not ended up like it's pictured above. Here are all of today's scenarios.

So, how will it all play out? Here are my predictions.

Week 17 Picks (Home team in CAPS)

NY Jets over BUFFALO (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS): Buffalo did beat New York 22-17 back in Week 10, but the Jets have won five straight and are a win away from clinching the final playoff spot. The Jets were able to finally knock off the Patriots last week in overtime after Bill Belichick decided to defer and kick the ball to the Jets after winning the overtime coin toss. The Jets took advantage and went right down the field and scored the game winning touchdown without Tom Brady ever taking the field. I think the Jets will carry that momentum into their game in Buffalo and clinch a playoff berth for the first time since 2010.

New England over MIAMI (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS): With a win down in South Beach on Sunday, the Patriots will clinch home-field advantage for the fourth time in the last six years. We all know just how tough the Patriots are to beat at home in the playoffs, but with all the injuries they've sustained throughout the season, I'll be surprised if they repeat. More on the Patriots in two weeks after their first-round bye, but for now, New England gets some much needed rest after a win in Miami.

ATLANTA over New Orleans (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, FOX): Falcons started off strong, but a six game losing streak really took its toll on the team. Atlanta improved a lot though and should be a playoff contender in 2016. As for the Saints, they disappointed too and we will have to wait and see if head coach Sean Payton is back on the New Orleans sideline for a 10th season.

CINCINNATI over Baltimore (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, FOX): Bengals had a chance to clinch a first-round bye on Monday night, but a miserable fourth quarter derailed that opportunity, for now anyway. The Bengals can still get a bye, but I predict that they'll end up with the number three seed. QB AJ McCarron hurt his wrist on the last play of Monday's loss, but he should be ready to go on Sunday. McCarron has looked good at times, but the Bengals need Andy Dalton back if they're going to win a playoff game for the first time since '91. The offense just is not the same without Dalton and the Bengals need TE Tyler Eifert (concussion) healthy as well. That is why a bye would be so helpful giving guys some extra rest. I just don't see it happening. Ravens will give the Bengals a game, but I see Cincinnati winning.

Pittsburgh over CLEVELAND (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS): Horrible loss for the Steelers last week in Baltimore and now they must beat the Browns and hope the Bills upset the Jets. Pittsburgh should beat Cleveland rather easily, but yet again, I thought they would have beaten Baltimore rather easily last week. With that being said, as I picked earlier, I have the Jets winning, which would end the Steelers season. Pittsburgh will beat Cleveland, but beyond that, we shall see.

HOUSTON over Jacksonville (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS): It's been a crazy season down in Houston. The Texans got off to a 2-5 start and have had four different players start a game at quarterback and yet, they're 8-7 and a win away from clinching the AFC South. Brandon Weeden, who also played for the Cowboys this season, has led the Texans to back-to-back wins as a backup and now a healthy Brian Hoyer will receive the task of getting Houston into the playoffs. Jacksonville has an exciting offense and they'll be a team to watch in 2016, but they're just 1-6 on the road this season and have lost to the Texans once already. Houston gets the win and will get to host a playoff game next week.

INDIANAPOLIS over Tennessee (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS): You almost have to be a mathematician to figure out how the Colts are still able to get into the playoffs, but they still have a sliver of hope. I don't see it happening, especially since I predict the Texans beating the Jaguars, but the Colts could be playing into next week. They have beat Tennessee first and I think they will, but they won't make the playoffs. Could this be head coach Chuck Pagano's final game in Indy?

Washington over DALLAS (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, FOX): A round of applause for Kirk Cousins. He has had a tremendous season and he has proven all the doubters wrong. Going into Week 17, Cousins leads the league in completion percentage (69.5%) and has thrown for 3,990 yards and 26 touchdowns. I didn't think the Redskins were good enough to be .500, but behind the play of Cousins they are going to host a playoff game next week. Job well done and good luck to whoever ends up playing in Washington next week.

NY GIANTS over Philadelphia (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, FOX): Look up disappointing in the dictionary and you'll the Eagles and Giants logos. I, like many people, thought these two teams could contend for the NFC East crown in 2015. The Giants have some talented players, but failed to play an entire 60 minutes of football seemingly every game this season. The Eagles also have a ton of talent, but they underperformed, newly acquired RB DeMarco Murray did not fit Chip Kelly's offense one bit and speaking of Kelly, he was let go on Tuesday. With most of the good college jobs already filled, will Chip Kelly stay in the NFL? One team in particular comes to mind as a possible fit and they have a young quarterback named Marcus Mariota, who has a decent understanding of Chip Kelly's offense. As for Sunday, the Giants get Odell Beckham back from suspension and beat a demoralized Eagles teams who's without their head coach.

Detroit over CHICAGO (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, FOX): I thought about taking the Bears here, but Chicago will be without WR Alshon Jeffery, who was placed on injured reserve this week, and they're just 1-6 at home and 1-4 in the division this season. Detroit has won two straight and I'm going with the Lions in this one.

CAROLINA over Tampa Bay (Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, FOX): So much for going undefeated, but the loss to the Falcons last week might have done the Panthers some good. It's better to loss in the regular season than in the playoffs and perhaps a loss will refocus Carolina for a deep playoff run. They'll have a bye next week and a win over Tampa clinches home-field, but the playoffs won't be easy. Arizona and Seattle to name a few, stand in their way of going to the second Super Bowl in franchise history.

KANSAS CITY over Oakland (Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, FOX): The Chiefs have gone from a 1-5 to a win and loss by the Broncos to being AFC West division champions. Quite an accomplishment. I thought Kansas City was done after RB Jamaal Charles went down, but with a win at home against Oakland on Sunday and the Chiefs will be going into the playoffs having won 10 straight. Whether Kansas City is at home or on the road next week, they should be favored to win their 11th straight game. On another note, watch out for the Raiders in 2016. Derek Carr, Latavius Murray and Amari Cooper are going to tear up the league next year and have the Raiders in playoff contention.

DENVER over San Diego (Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS): The Broncos got a much needed win on Monday night against the Bengals, now a win against the 4-11 Chargers will get them a first round bye. Additionally, this could be the final game for the San Diego Chargers, emphasis on the San Diego part. The Chargers could be on the move to Los Angeles, but we'll have to wait to see on that one. Broncos get the win on Sunday.

ARIZONA over Seattle (Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, FOX): A terrific matchup late Sunday afternoon between two of the toughest teams in the NFL. Arizona went up and beat Seattle 39-32 seven weeks ago and has won nine straight. Arizona is my pick to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl, that's right Panthers fan, and I think they'll beat the Seahawks for a second time on Sunday. The Cardinals are terrific on both sides of the ball and are a more complete team than other in the NFC or AFC for that matter.

St. Louis over SAN FRANCISCO (Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS): Did you know that if the Rams win on Sunday, they'll have gone 5-1 in the NFC West? In a division that has the Cardinals and Seahawks, that's incredible. Too bad the Rams are 3-7 against everybody else. St. Louis needs a quarterback and they too could be on the move this offseason. Los Angeles Rams sounds good in my opinion.

GREEN BAY over Minnesota (Sunday, 8:30 p.m. ET, NBC): Packers are tough to beat at home and have beaten the Vikings once already this season. I think they'll do it again on Sunday night and clinch the NFC North crown.

Last Week: 9-7
Overall: 145-95 (.604)

FINAL PLAYOFF PREDICTIONS 

After all the games are finished late Sunday night, here is how I see the playoffs unfolding:

NFC

1. Carolina Panthers
2. Arizona Cardinals
3. Green Bay Packers
4. Washington Redskins
5. Seattle Seahawks
6. Minnesota Vikings

This means we will have Seattle at Washington and Minnesota going back to Green Bay with Arizona and Carolina getting first round byes.

AFC
1. New England Patriots
2. Denver Broncos
3. Cincinnati Bengals
4. Houston Texans
5. Kansas City Chiefs
6. New York Jets

If the AFC unfolds as I think it will, Cincinnati would host New York next week and Houston would host the hottest team in the NFL, Kansas City.

Playoffs are almost here and it should be one great postseason.