Week 17 Picks

It's a new year and the NFL regular season is about to come to an end. For some teams (those teams with a red X through their logo) the season can't end soon enough.

There are only a handful of meaningful games this week, so I'll spare you the details on those games and only comment on those games that matter. At the end, I'll give you my prediction on what the playoffs will look like after today.

Week 17 Picks (Home team in CAPS)

Baltimore over CINCINNATI (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS)

Houston over TENNESSEE (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS)

TAMPA BAY over Carolina (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, FOX): The Buccaneers need a win and about five other things to happen for them to clinch a playoff spot. I don't see it happening.

INDIANAPOLIS over Jacksonville (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS): Have to give myself a big "C'mon Man!" for predicting the Jaguars would make the playoffs.

New England over MIAMI (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS): Patriots clinch home-field advantage with a win and the Dolphins clinch the #6 seed with the loss.

MINNESOTA over Chicago (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, FOX)

Buffalo over NY JETS (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS): Happy trails Rex and Rob Ryan.

Dallas over PHILADELPHIA (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, FOX): Cowboys fans will get to see QB Tony Romo today!

PITTSBURGH over Cleveland (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS)

Arizona over LOS ANGELES (Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, FOX)

Seattle over SAN FRANCISCO (Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, FOX): Could be the last game for head coach Chip Kelly in his first season with the 49ers.

ATLANTA over New Orleans (Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, FOX): Falcons clinch a first-round bye by beating the Saints in a shootout in the Georgia Dome.

NY Giants over WASHINGTON (Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, FOX): If the Giants can hold off the Redskins, Washington will be knocked out of playoff contention.

DENVER over Oakland (Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS): The Raiders were a Super Bowl contender before QB Derek Carr broke his leg last week. Now, the Raiders have to beat the Broncos to clinch the AFC West and get a first-round bye. Without Carr, Matt McGloin will get the start at quarterback and I expect him to struggle.

Kansas City over SAN DIEGO (Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS): The Chiefs should take care of business against the Chargers, so if my prediction of the Raiders losing to the Broncos holds true, Kansas City will clinch the AFC West and get a first-round bye with a win.

Green Bay over DETROIT (Sunday, 8:30 p.m. ET, NBC): If my predictions above are correct, the Packers and Lions will have already clinched a playoff berth as a result of the Redskins loss to the Giants. The NFC North and a home playoff game would still be up for grabs though and I like the Packers tonight. Green Bay has won five straight and they've scored at least 30 points in their last three games. Aaron Rodgers is on fire right now and that's not good news for the Lions.

With all that being said, here is how I see the playoffs shaping out.

NFC
1. Dallas Cowboys
2. Atlanta Falcons
3. Seattle Seahawks
4. Green Bay Packers
5. New York Giants
6. Detroit Lions

AFC
1. New England Patriots
2. Kansas City Chiefs
3. Pittsburgh Steelers
4. Houston Texans
5. Oakland Raiders
6. Miami Dolphins

That means we get Giants-Packers, Lions-Seahawks, Dolphins-Steelers and Raiders-Texans next weekend. Not too bad.

Happy New Year!

Last Week: 9-7
Overall: 151-89 (.629)