NFL Week Seventeen Predictions
The Final Week of the 2020 Regular Season and Dozens of Playoff Scenarios. Here’s an easy breakdown and my final predictions of the Regular Season.
Article by Dave Nguyen, AKSM Sports
NFL Playoff Scenarios
AFC
Chiefs - Home field and 1st round Bye
Bills- AFC East Champs and Tiebreaker over Steelers
Steelers- AFC North Champs
Titans - Clinch AFC South Division with win or Colts Loss; Makes playoffs with Ravens or Dolphins loss
Dolphins- Clinch with a win
Ravens- Clinch with a win
Browns- Clinch with a win
Outside: Colts - clinch with win + a Loss from Ravens, Browns, or Dolphins.
NFC
Packers- NFC North Champs. Clinch 1 seed with Win or Seahawks Loss
Saints- NFC South Champs. Clinch 1 seed with Win + Packers Loss + Seahawks Win
Seahawks - NFC West Champs- Clinch 1 seed with Win + Packers Loss + Saints Loss
Washington- Clinches NFC East with Win
Buccaneers - Clinched Wild Card
LA Rams - Clinches berth win Win or tie OR Bears Loss or tie
Bears - Clinches with Win or Cardinals Loss
Outside:
Cardinals - Clinches with Win or Tie +Bears Loss
Giants - Clinches NFC East with Win + Washington Loss
Cowboys - Clinches NFC East with Win + Washington Loss
Predictions
1:00 PM
Dolphins (10-5) at Bills (12-3): The Bills are playing some of its best football at the right time, winners of five straight games and eight of its last nine games. Josh Allen and Stefan Diggs have broken many records and have developed a remarkable chemistry on the field. The Dolphins have played well, and a handful of its wins have been scrappy, especially when Ryan Fitzpatrick bails you out against the Raiders. Fitzpatrick has been ruled out this Sunday against the Bills, which leaves Tua Tagovialoa in a must win situation to make the playoffs. My gut tells me that, after New York has allowed approximately 6,700 fans to attend the Bills first playoff game next week, Bills Mafia would rather have the chance for two home playoff games instead. Prediction: Bills 28-17.
Ravens (10-5) at Bengals (4-10-1): After a three-game losing streak earlier this season, the Ravens are on a four-game winning streak and control its own destiny: win against the Bengals and clinch a playoff berth. After a spectacular reason last year, it was cut short with an exit by the Titans in the playoffs. A chance at revenge is on the line, but it will have to get past the scrappy Bengals who are winners against of its last two games against the Steelers and Texans. Prediction: Ravens 33-20.
Steelers (12-3) at Browns (10-5): With the AFC North Clinched and not winning the tiebreaker against the Bills, the Steelers have clinched the 3-seed in the playoffs. With nothing more to play for, Ben Rothlisberger will not play this weekend in a must win game for the Browns to make the playoffs for the first time since 2002. Mason Rudolph is set to be the starter for the Steelers, returning to Cleveland for the first time since the helmet incident with Miles Garrett last year. The Browns have everything to play for, and it’s fitting that it has a chance to clinch a playoff berth at home. Prediction: Browns 31-17.
Vikings (6-9) at Lions (5-10): With the Vikings eliminated from the playoffs on Christmas due to Alvin Kamara’s six-touchdown effort, this game is meaningless for both teams. With the future of Matt Stafford an offseason topic, this could be the last time Lions fans see the former 1st overall pick donning a Lions uniform. Prediction: Who knows?!
Jets (2-13) at Patriots (6-9): For the first time since 2008, the Patriots will not be in the playoffs. Let this sink in: the Patriots will be missing the playoffs for the first time in 11 years. The viral meme of Bill Belichick slamming the Microsoft phone on the sidelines pretty much summarizes the 2020 season for the Patriots. If there could be any worse news, with the Jets defeating the Browns last week, they are officially out of the Trevor Lawrence race for the 1st overall pick in next year’s draft, which a handful of Jets fans are not happy about. Prediction: Patriots 23-17.
Cowboys (6-9) at Giants (5-10): A game with playoff implications on the line, the Giants and Cowboys square off for the last time this season at MetLife Stadium. The Cowboys are on a three-game winning streak with Andy Dalton under center, while the Giants are on a three-game losing streak. With both teams need a win and the Eagles to defeat the Washington Football team to make the playoffs, normally the team that has momentum has the better chance to win a game like this. Edge=Cowboys: Prediction: Cowboys 23-20.
Falcons (4-11) at Buccaneers (10-5): If you’re a Falcons fan, this season was hard to watch. Between blown fourth quarter leads resulting in losses and the firing of Dan Quinn, the Falcons have a lot of questions to answer in the offseason. The Bucs, on the other hand, are making the playoffs for the first time since 2007. It’s never bad to have Tom Brady leading your team into the postseason, right? Prediction: Buccaneers: 35-28.
4:25 PM
Packers (12-3) at Bears (8-7): With three-straight wins against the Texans, Vikings, and Jaguars, the Bears control their destiny: win Sunday and make the playoffs. The Issue? The Packers happen to be its opponent, who has given the Bears trouble the last few years, including a 41-25 loss on November 29th this year. While many thought when the schedule came out that this game was going to be meaningless, it happens to be important for the Packers too, as a victory would give them the 1-seed and home field for the NFC playoffs. Mitch Trubisky and Matt Nagy’s future in Chicago may be on the line as these two rivals will clash for the second time this year in the Windy City. The edge may be in favor of the Packers, as Aaron Rodgers is looking like the front runner for this season’s MVP. Prediction: Packers: 31-25.
Raiders (7-8) at Broncos (5-10): Another game that does not have any playoff implications as the Raiders travel to Denver to take on the Broncos. Denver has reported that it will retain Vic Fangio to be its head coach next year, despite having four straight losing seasons. The Raiders had a heartbreaking loss to the Dolphins, as many fans question the decisions Joh Gruden made in the last offensive drive. If there’s any optimism for the Raiders, they have a chance to have a .500 or above record for the first time since 2016 with a win this Sunday.
Jaguars (1-14) at Colts (10-5): This game means everything for the Colts, who struggled in the second half against the Steelers last Sunday. If Phillip Rivers can clean up his mistakes from last week against Pittsburgh, the Colts and its top five defense have a great chance of making the post season, as they need a win and a loss from the Dolphins, Ravens, or Browns. As for the Jags, they get a win for holding the number one pick in next year’s draft, the only chance to draft Trevor Lawrence. Prediction: Colts 30-3.
Chargers (6-9) at Chiefs (14-1): With this game not having any meaning for either team, epically since the Chiefs have clinched everything, Kansas City will have Chad Henne at quarterback this Sunday against the Chargers. The positive outlook for the Chargers, Justin Herbert had a spectacular rookie season, setting the rookie record for touchdown passes (28) and 300 yard passing games (7), and is 340 yards away from breaking Andrew Luck’s passing yard record in a rookie season. The future is bright for the Chargers, whereas the Chiefs are on a quest to win back-to-back super bowls.
Cardinals (8-7) at Rams (9-6): One of the most interesting games of the Week 17 slate with a playoff berth on the line for the winner as the Cardinals travel to the City of Angels to play the Rams. Earlier this week it was reported that Rams quarterback Jared Goff will not play due to breaking his thumb in last week’s loss to the Seahawks. John Wolford will be the starter, and veteran quarterback Blake Bortles was signed by the Rams this week to be the backup. It will be the first time since 2013 that a backup quarterback will make his first start for a team in Week 17 with a playoff berth on the line since Kyle Orton suited up for the Cowboys in 2013. The Rams, who have had a top 5 defense all year, will also be without receiver Cooper Kupp due to COVID-19. Kyler Murray suffered a leg injury last week against the 49ers, said he will play in this game. Even with a top 5 defense, Murray has the weapons and experience on offense to put points on the board, whereas John Wolford is a mystery. Prediction: Cardinals 23-20.
Seahawks (11-4) at 49ers (6-9): Russel Wilson was able to lead the Seahawks to the NFC North Division win last week against the Rams and has an outside chance at the 1st seed with a win this Sunday. With nothing but pride to play for, C.J. Bethard is going to sling the pigskin around on Sunday as he did last week against the Cardinals. Showing that he was the better backup quarterback for the 49ers, Bethard threw for 182 yards and tossed three touchdowns in the 49ers win against the Cardinals last week. With head coaching searches going on in the offseason, 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Sala will be a candidate for many positions, so it may be the last season he will be on the sidelines in San Francisco. Prediction: Seahawks 24-14.
Saints (11-4) at Panthers (5-10): The Panthers, considering all their injuries, have had only four games that were not within a one-score point differential. With the amount of youth they have on the roster, there is optimism for Carolina’s future with Matt Rhule at the helm. The Saints, after Alvin Kamara’s six touchdown performance against the Vikings, are NFC South champs who need a win and some help to hold the top spot in the NFC. With a 56-point offensive output against the Vikings, there is optimism that Drew Brees can lead the Saints to a memorable run in the postseason. Prediction: Saints: 27-17.
Titans (10-5) at Texans (4-11): J.J. Watt had a fiery outburst after the Texans loss to the Bengals, which may ignite a fire in this Sunday’s matchup against the Titans. On the other hand, despite a loss in the snow to the Packers, the Titans realize that with a win on Sunday they will be AFC South Champs and host a home playoff game. With the run Tennessee had to the AFC title game last year, Dereck Henry and company are poised to get back there this postseason. Prediction: Titans 30-21.
Sunday Night
Washington (6-9) at Eagles (4-10-1): Some would argue why two teams who play in the NFL’s worst division this year are on Prime Time to close the 2020 regular season. Whether it’s Alex Smith or Taylor Heinicke at quarterback, the Washington Football team is much more talented than the Eagles, especially on defense. With the playoffs on the line for Washington, Chase Young is poised to lead the Football Team to the postseason while the Eagles have a quarterback situation to figure out, as well as a head coach and general manager on the hot seat. Prediction: Washington 21-18.