Here is my preview and prediction for the Week 17 NFL games being played Saturday, Sunday, and Monday!
Los Angeles Chargers at New England Patriots
The 9-6 Chargers, led by QB Justin Herbert, look to clinch a playoff spot with a win. The 3-12 Patriots gave the Buffalo Bills a scare, leading 14-0 early but ultimately lost 24-21. Even though the Patriots were a bit pesky last week, I think Herbert gets the job done sending the Chargers into the playoffs.
Score Prediction: Chargers 24 – Patriots 17
Denver Broncos at Cincinnati Bengals
The 9-6 Broncos, led by QB Bo Nix, can also clinch a playoff spot with a win. The 7-8 Bengals, led by QB Joe Burrow, also need a win to keep their slim playoff hopes alive. Denver has the better defense, and I think WR Courtland Sutton has a huge game in a high-scoring affair.
Score Prediction: Broncos 31 – Bengals 24
Arizona Cardinals at Los Angeles Rams
The 7-8 Cardinals were knocked out of playoff contention after losing to the Panthers in overtime. They will look to play spoiler against the Rams. The 9-6 Rams, led by QB Matt Stafford, can clinch the NFC West with a victory, and the Seattle Seahawks lose to the Chicago Bears. The Rams have more firepower than the Cardinals, and I expect them to win this one easily.
Score Prediction: Rams 31 – Cardinals 17
Indianapolis Colts at New York Giants
The 7-8 Colts are holding onto very slim playoff hopes. RB Jonathan Taylor is gelling at the right time after rushing for over 200 yards and scoring 3 touchdowns in week 16. The 2-13 Giants season can’t end fast enough for their fans. One silver lining is they clinch the number 1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft if they were to lose out. I expect Taylor to have another big game in a Colt’s win.
Score Prediction: Colts 24 – Giants 13
New York Jets at Buffalo Bills
The 4-11 Jets, led by QB Aaron Rodgers, are the most disappointing team in the league. They will play hard, but will it be enough to upset the Bills? The 12-3 Bills, led by QB Josh Allen, can clinch the AFC 2 seed with a win. I think they get it, as I don’t think Allen will lose at home.
Score Prediction: Bills 27 – Jets 20
Tennessee Titans at Jacksonville Jaguars
The 3-12 Titans and the 3-12 Jaguars are both in contention for the number one overall pick. Whoever wins will do a disservice to their 2025 draft status. The Jaguars have been playing better and rookie WR Brian Thomas Jr. has been outstanding and could be the difference in this one.
Score Prediction: Jaguars 17- Titans 13
Las Vegas Raiders at New Orleans Saints
The 3-12 Raiders and the 5-10 Saints are also out of playoff contention. The Raiders do have a bit more going for them, as they are healthier than the depleted Saints.
Score Prediction: Raiders 23 – Saints 13
Carolina Panthers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The 4-11 Panthers, led by QB Bryce Young, can play spoiler and knock the Buccaneers out of the playoffs with a win and an Atlanta Falcons win. The 8-7 Buccaneers, led by QB Baker Mayfield, are most likely going to win out and hope for a Falcon loss to win the NFC South. I think they get the win here, as RB Bucky Irving should dominate.
Score Prediction: Buccaneers 31 – Panthers 27
Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles
The 7-8 Cowboys are improving on both sides of the ball. They can spoil the Eagles chances at home-field advantage with a win. The 12 -3 Eagles suffered a blow to their chances to get home-field advantage as the number one seed with a disappointing loss to the Washington Commanders. QB Jalen Hurts status for this game is up in the air as he left last week’s game early and is in concussion protocol. His presence will determine the outcome of this game.
Score Prediction: Eagles 27 – Cowboys 23 (Cowboys 23 -16 without Hurts).
Miami Dolphins at Cleveland Browns
The 7-8 Dolphins are desperate for a win as they are hanging onto slim playoff hopes. The 3-12 Browns are reeling as their offense has been anemic. The Dolphins have too many weapons, and their defense should clamp the Browns down.
Score Prediction: Dolphins 23 – Browns 10
Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings
The 11-4 Packers and the 13-2 Vikings meet in the marquee game of the week. The Packers have been led by RB Josh Jacobs, who has been dominant in the second half of the season. The Vikings are getting solid QB play from Sam Darnold, and you know he will look for WR Justin Jefferson for big plays down the field. I keep going back and forth on this one, but I will go with my Viking homer side.
Score Prediction: Vikings 30 – Packers 27
Atlanta Falcons at Washington Commanders
The 8-7 Falcons find themselves tied at the top of the NFC South but hold all tiebreakers vs. the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. A win here and a Buccaneer loss would clinch the division. The 10-5 Commanders can clinch a playoff spot and could get one step closer to winning the NFC East with an Eagle loss. QB Jayden Daniels is coming off a 5 TD performance, and their offense should put up a ton of points against the Falcon pass defense.
Score Prediction: Commanders 30 – Falcons 20
Detroit Lions at San Francisco 49ers
The 13-2 Lions can clinch home-field advantage throughout the playoffs with a win and losses by the Eagles and Vikings. The 6-9 49ers are depleted and look to finish the season on a high note with two wins. I think the Lions get revenge here, as they lost to the 49ers in the NFC Championship game a season ago.
Score Prediction: Lions 27 – 49ers 23
