NFL Week 17 Predictions

Week 16 brought a ton of surprises. The New York Jets defeated the Indianapolis Colts, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers slipped by the New Orleans Saints in overtime, the Carolina Panthers dominated the New York Giants, and the Chicago Bears beat the Minnesota Vikings in an exciting overtime play. Here is what we are looking for in Week 17 of the 2009-2010 NFL season.

Indianapolis Colts at Buffalo Bills:

The Colts' undefeated record was broken last week after they pulled Peyton Manning and their starters in the 3^rd quarter. Since the Colts do not have a perfect record to accomplish and they have already clinched home field advantage, they will most likely pull their starters again partly through the game. Last week, the Bills were humiliated by the Falcons. They couldn't put the ball in the end-zone. The Bills are having quarterback troubles and started their third string quarterback last week. This week, Fitzpatrick could play, which would give the Bills more of a chance to pull off another win.

Colts 27, Bills 14

Pittsburg Steelers at Miami Dolphins:

The Steelers slipped past the Ravens last week in overtime, keeping their playoff hopes alive. They have to win this week and hope for losses from multiple teams in order to make the playoffs. In the last two weeks, Roethlisberger has thrown for over 700 yards. The Dolphins are almost in the same position as the Steelers. They need a win and multiple teams to lose to make the playoffs. The run game hasn't slowed down much after losing Ronnie Brown. Last week, the Dolphins lost to Houston. They were 27-0 at half time and rallied in the second half, but fell short 27-20.

Steelers 28, Dolphins 24

New England Patriots at Houston Texans:

Tom Brady and the Patriots have already clinched a playoff spot by winning their division. Tom Brady and Randy Moss lit up the air last week, connecting for 3 touchdowns. They will most likely rest their starters near the end of the game; however, it is the Patriots and they might play them throughout. The Texans need to win this week and hope for losses from multiple teams to make it to the playoffs. Last week, the Texans defeated the Dolphins 27-20. The results of this game will depend on if the Patriots play their starters throughout the game.

Texans 27, Patriots 24

New Orleans Saints at Carolina Panthers:

Dreew Brees and the Saints clinched homefield advantage throughout the playoffs last week with the loss by the Vikings. They will most likely only play their starters for only a portion of the game. The Panthers have upset two teams in two weeks. They not only upset their opponents, they dominated them. They are out of the playoffs, but are still playing great this last quarter of the season.

Saints 21, Panthers 20

New York Giants at Minnesota Vikings:

The Giants are out of the playoff race after their loss to the Panthers last week. This week they will be playing this game for honor and try to defeat the Vikings. The Minnesota Vikings could have clinched the first-round bye last week if they would have beaten the Bears. However, this is not the case and the Chicago Bears won in overtime. The Vikings have now lost 3 of their last 4 games and Adrian Peterson hasn't had a hundred yard rushing game in the last 6 games. Brett Favre and Brad Childress both claim that their conflict last week is not going to affect them; however, we could see it on the field last week when Favre didn't agree with Childress.

Giants 30, Vikings 26

Atlanta Falcons at Tampa Bay Buccaneers:

The Falcons and Buccaneers are out of the race for the playoffs. The Falcons showed up the Bills last week, allowing them only 3 points. The Buccaneers pulled off an amazing upset last week, defeating the Saints by a field goal in overtime.

Falcons 27, Buccaneers 10

San Francisco 49ers at St. Louis Rams:

The 49ers and the Rams are both out of the playoff race and are looking for wins this week to...well, just win. The 49ers beat the Lions last week, and will be playing the Rams this week, which has a similar record. Frank Gore had a big game last week, and should do likewise again this week.

49ers 24, Rams 17

Jacksonville Jaguars at Cleveland Browns:

The Jaguars went belly-up last week against the Patriots, slimming their chances of making it to the playoffs. This week, the Jaguars must win and need multiple other teams to lose this week. The Browns are on a 3-game winning streak and will be looking to increase it to 4. Mangini's job is on the line, so he will do all he can to win this week (after all, who would fire a coach on a 4-game winning streak).

Browns 28, Jaguars 20

Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions:

The Bears are coming off a huge victory over the Vikings. Jay Cutler threw 4 TDs and only 1 interception in that game. If he can keep up his consistency this week, the Bears should have no troubles beating the Detroit Lions. The Lions only scored six points against the 49ers tough defense. Without Stafford and Culpepper, they will be struggling again this week.

Bears 28, Lions 7

Philadelphia Eagles at Dallas Cowboys:

The Eagles and the Cowboys have it all on the line. They are both in the playoffs, but where they will be is the question. The Eagles' destiny is in their own hand. If they win, they clinch the 2 seed and first-round bye. The way they are playing, they should be able to beat Cowboys this time. The Cowboys have turned their December play around. Both teams will keep in their starters because they both need the win.

Eagles 31, Cowboys 27

Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos:

The Chiefs' can't make the playoffs and the Broncos are still fighting for a wildcard spot. The Chiefs lost to the Bengals last week, but not by much. They will be looking to be a spoiler for the Broncos this week. If the Broncos win, they will clinch the wildcard. Last week, the Broncos lost to the Eagles. This week, Orton and the Broncos will be looking to win and clinch the playoff spot.

Broncos 21, Chiefs 10

Washington Redskins at San Diego Chargers:

The Redskins the last two weeks have been pretty...well pathetic. They tried the worst trick play and they didn't put a single point on the board last week against the Cowboys. The Chargers are on top of the power rankings and they are the most feared team in the league. They have one of the most explosive offenses in the league.

Chargers 27, Redskins 10

Tennessee Titans at Seattle Seahawks:

The Tennessee Titans were eliminated from the hunt for the playoffs last week with their loss to San Diego. Chris Johnson was still explosive last week, but their defense failed them. The Seahawks were embarrassed two weeks in a row. Last week, they allowed five rushing touchdowns to the Packers last week.

Titans 38, Seahawks 14

Baltimore Ravens at Oakland Raiders:

The hunt for the wildcard spot became a lot tougher last week for the Ravens when they were beat by the Steelers. They will need a win this week with a loss from the Jets or Broncos to make it to the playoffs. They have a strong offense behind Joe Flacco. The Raiders have pulled off multiple upsets this year. They are out of the playoff race but will be looking to spoil the Ravens chances of making it. Charlie Frye will most likely be the starting quarterback again this week.

Ravens 24, Raiders 13

Green Bay Packers at Arizona Cardinals:

Both the Packers and the Cardinals have clinched a spot in the playoffs. The Packers scored 48 points against the Seahawks last week and showed that they can be a Superbowl team. Aaron Rodgers and the defense showed that they were dominant in the league. The Cardinals have a chance to get the 2 seed still and will be looking for a win this week against the Packers. Kurt Warner and Larry Fitzgerald will most likely connect for a touchdown or two.

Packers 27, Cardinals 21

Cincinnati Bengals at New York Jets:

The Bengals clinched their division and the Jets are still hunting for a playoff spot. If the Jets win they will have a spot in the playoffs. The Bengals have been strong throughout the season and beat some tough teams. The Bengals might not play their starters for the whole game, whereas the Jets will most likely play Mark Sanchez the and the rest of the starters the whole game.
Jets 20, Bengals 17