2010 NFL Predictions: Week 17

Here we are, the final week of the 2010 NFL season. Even though a lot of playoff spots have been determined already, at least half of the games this week still have major playoff ramifications, whether it is who makes the playoffs or who wins a division title and who ends up being a Wild Card team.

Last week's prediction record: 10-6

Record on the season: 144-80

Upset Special record: 6-7

Here are my predictions for Week 17 of the 2010 NFL season:

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-6) at New Orleans Saints (11-4)

It's a long shot, but if the New Orleans Saints are able to beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers AND the Atlanta Falcons lose, the Saints will once again be NFC South champs and earn themselves a first round Bye in the playoffs. The more likely of those two conditions is that the Saints beat the Buccaneers.

2010 Week 17 Prediction: New Orleans Saints defeat Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Oakland Raiders (7-8) at Kansas City Chiefs (10-5)

The Kansas City Chiefs have already sewn up their playoff spot, but I think they will want to head into the playoffs with their unblemished home record intact.

2010 Week 17 Prediction: Kansas City Chiefs defeat Oakland Raiders

Pittsburgh Steelers (11-4) at Cleveland Browns (5-10)

Despite being 11-4, the Pittsburgh Steelers still need to win this game to win the AFC North. The Cleveland Browns have beaten some good teams this season, but I just don't think the Steelers are going to let themselves lose this game and possibly lose out on the AFC North.

2010 Week 17 Prediction: Pittsburgh Steelers defeat Cleveland Browns

Carolina Panthers (2-13) at Atlanta Falcons (12-3)

To clinch the NFC South, all the Atlanta Falcons have to do is beat the worst team in the NFL while playing in the cozy confines of the Georgia Dome. They can't really mess this up, can they?

2010 Week 17 Prediction: Atlanta Falcons defeat Carolina Panthers

Minnesota Vikings (6-9) at Detroit Lions (5-10)

Both the Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions have been playing relatively well over the past three or four weeks of the season, although both teams still have a lot of questions about their futures. Despite coming off a huge win against the Eagles in Philadelphia, I think the Vikings are going to lose to a Lions team that is looking for its first four game winning streak since the 1999 season.

2010 Week 17 Prediction: Detroit Lions defeat Minnesota Vikings

Miami Dolphins (7-8) at New England Patriots (13-2)

The New England Patriots have already locked up the top seed in the AFC, but Bill Belichick coached teams rarely let off the throttle. The Miami Dolphins are an impressive 6-1 on the road this season, but I'm not sure they have the firepower to beat the Patriots unless the Patriots decide to rest some of their starters in preparation of the playoffs.

2010 Week 17 Prediction: New England Patriots defeat Miami Dolphins

Buffalo Bills (4-11) at New York Jets (10-5)

The New York Jets have already locked up an AFC Wild Card berth, and will likely be cautious with their injured starters. It's possible that Darrelle Revis, Antonio Cromartie, and Mark Sanchez will all sit out this game against the Buffalo Bills, and I'm not sure the Jets are actually going to try and win this game.

2010 Week 17 Prediction: Buffalo Bills defeat New York Jets

Cincinnati Bengals (4-11) at Baltimore Ravens (11-4)

If the Baltimore Ravens win this game AND the Pittsburgh Steelers lose their matchup with the Browns, the Ravens will be AFC North champions and have a first round Bye in the playoffs. Much like the situation in the NFC between the Saints and Falcons, I think the Ravens have a great chance of beating the Bengals but they don't have that good of a chance of the Steelers messing up and losing to the Browns.

2010 Week 17 Prediction: Baltimore Ravens defeat Cincinnati Bengals

San Diego Chargers (8-7) at Denver Broncos (4-11)

The San Diego Chargers ranked at or near the top of the league in both total offense and total defense, but turnovers, poor special teams play, and bad crunch-time play ultimately led to the Chargers missing the playoffs. The Denver Broncos, meanwhile, are one of the worst teams in the league and haven't shown any major signs of life at any point this season.

2010 Week 17 Prediction: San Diego Chargers defeat Denver Broncos

Chicago Bears (11-4) at Green Bay Packers (9-6)

This game means everything to the Green Bay Packers, who get an NFC playoff berth with a win, and nothing to the Chicago Bears, who are guaranteed to have the Number 2 seed in the NFC whether they win or lose.

2010 Week 17 Prediction: Green Bay Packers defeat Chicago Bears

Tennessee Titans (6-9) at Indianapolis Colts (9-6)

If the Indianapolis Colts win this game, they also win the AFC South. Peyton Manning and company have struggled to find consistency all season, but I don't think they'll let themselves lose and miss the playoffs for the first time since the 2001 season.

2010 Week 17 Prediction: Indianapolis Colts defeat Tennessee Titans

Dallas Cowboys (5-10) at Philadelphia Eagles (10-5)

The Philadelphia Eagles are guaranteed the Number 3 seed in the NFC, so I don't see what they would gain by not resting Michael Vick and some other starters for this game. Despite Andy Reid implying otherwise, I think the Eagles are going to make sure that no one suffers a serious injury in this game, even if that means losing to the Dallas Cowboys.

2010 Week 17 Prediction: Dallas Cowboys defeat Philadelphia Eagles

Arizona Cardinals (5-10) at San Francisco 49ers (5-10)

This might end up being the least entertaining game of the week. No playoff implications, and both the Arizona Cardinals and San Francisco 49ers have been fairly awful this season. The edge goes to the 49ers for seeming less awful this season.

2010 Week 17 Prediction: San Francisco 49ers defeat Arizona Cardinals

New York Giants (9-6) at Washington Redskins (6-9)

If the New York Giants win AND the Green Bay Packers lose, the Giants will make the playoffs. There's nothing the Giants can do about the Packers/Bears game, but I fully expect the Giants to dominate the Washington Redskins and end the season with 10 wins.

2010 Week 17 Prediction: New York Giants defeat Washington Redskins

Jacksonville Jaguars (8-7) at Houston Texans (5-10)

If the Jacksonville Jaguars win AND the Indianapolis Colts lose, the Jacksonville Jaguars will win the AFC South. From their end, the Jaguars should have no trouble dispatching a wildly inconsistent Houston Texans team.

2010 Week 17 Prediction: Jacksonville Jaguars defeat Houston Texans

Sunday Night Game: St. Louis Rams (7-8) at Seattle Seahawks (6-9)

The final Sunday Night Football Game of the season might not look like much on the surface, yet it will determine who wins the worst division in football (NFC West) and goes to the playoffs. Despite having home field advantage for the game, I just don't think the Seattle Seahawks are a strong enough team to beat a St. Louis Rams team that has exceeded everyone's expectations after going 1-15 last season.

2010 Week 17 Prediction: St. Louis Rams defeat Seattle Seahawks

Source:

All stats and standings from espn.com