NFL Week 17 Preview

New England at NY Jets - The Jets started off this season terribly, sinking to an 0-7 record by midseason. Then they started winning games and feeling confident. Now, they have largely returned to losing once again. So what happens when Gang Green hosts one of the best and most consistent teams in the league this weekend? My guess is that the losing continues for the Jets. My pick: New England

Jacksonville at Indianapolis - The Jaguars have really caught fire, haven't they? Admittedly, I was lukewarm about their success earlier this season. Yet, they have been winning in such a way lately that some people, myself included, have been standing up and taking notice. Still, there is a sense that right at this moment, they might not even be the best team in the AFC South, even if they do go ahead and win the division title. But for the Jaguars, that is neither here nor there. The main focal point for them has to be on beating the Colts, a team which went from a top-tier team just five or so weeks ago to out of the playoff picture entirely in these last couple of weeks. The Colts would love to play the role of spoiler, and this could be a dangerous game for the Jaguars. Still, I suspect that they find a way to win. My pick: Jacksonville

Pittsburgh at Cleveland - The Steelers can wrap up the AFC North title with a win on the road in Cleveland today. It would be nice for Browns fans to see their team play the role of spoiler and hand the Steelers a loss, and force them into a must win next weekend against the Ravens. However, the Steelers probably have enough to find a way to win this one. My pick: Pittsburgh

Tampa Bay at Miami - The battle of the two original Florida teams. The Bucs have lost three straight games, although it feels like a lot longer of a losing streak at this point. There was a point when the Bucs looked like one of the powerhouse teams in the league this season. But they watched their season go into a near free fall. They are on the edge of irrelevance. However, they absolutely need to win this one in order to make sure that they still have a chance to take the NFC South and reach the playoffs when they take on Carolina next weekend. The best, and perhaps the only, way for them to do that is by beating Miami this weekend. And I suspect that they are overdue for a win. My pick: Tampa Bay

New Orleans at Tennessee - One of the largely irrelevant games that are inevitably played during this time of the year. Granted, the Saints have gotten hot, even perhaps caught fire a bit. But they still are not going anywhere near the playoffs. The Titans showed that they can win by pushing around the Chiefs (without Mahomes, of course) in dominant fashion last weekend. But the Saints should stay hot and win their fourth straight. My pick: New Orleans

Arizona at Cincinnati - The Cardinals started the season off impressively at 2-0. They have won only one game in the thirteen games since. And while the Bengals have hardly been a pillar of stability this season, they do seem to have a bounce back in their step with the return of quarterback Joe Burrow. The Cards are lucky that it is supposed to be unseasonably warm in Cincy today. However, it still will likely not be enough, as the Bengals should be able to take this one. My pick: Cincinnati

Seattle at Carolina - This is actually a surprisingly huge game with major playoff ramifications. The Seahawks are hot, but they go on the road, across the country, to take on a team in first place and with a chance at wrapping up their division title. Yes, the Carolina Panthers could win the NFC South if everything goes well for them today. That would mean the Bucs losing and, most importantly, finding a way past the Seahawks. Not sure about Tampa losing to Miami, but the Panthers will not have an easy time of it against the Seahawks, who are flying high right now atop the NFC West and with the best overall record in the NFC. Look for the Seahawks to come away with this one. My pick: Seattle

NY Giants at Las Vegas - Another one of those games with absolutely no playoff ramifications whatsoever. However, this does have some serious implications for both teams, because these two teams are tied for the worst overall record in the league. That means that the loser of this game will "win" the first overall pick in next year's draft. So the winner of this game loses. The way that the season has gone for these two teams, that hardly seems surprising. And when you have two teams who have a combined four wins in their combined 30 games this season so far, it feels impossible to really feel confident about your pick. My pick: Las Vegas

Philadelphia at Buffalo - The Bills need this win to keep their division title hopes alive. Meanwhile, the Eagles have already clinched the NFC East title, although home field advantage is pretty much out of their reach. Not sure if the Eagles will rest their starters or not. But the Bills should win simply due to urgency, since this is a far more important game for them to win than for Philly. Plus, the Bills have been playing some incredible football as of late. My pick: Buffalo

Sunday Night Football: Chicago at San Franciso - The Bears clinched the NFC North title by virtue of the Packers losing to the Ravens last night. Yet, this game still means something for Chicago, because they still have a chance at home field advantage throughout the playoffs. When was the last time that Da Bears had home field advantage throughout the playoffs? It's been well over a decade now. But the 49ers actually have a chance at the number one seed in the NFC as well. If they win this and beat Seattle next weekend, they win the NFC West title and are the top overall seed in the NFC. And remember, the 49ers were in the Super Bowl two years ago, and very nearly won it. So this is a major showdown for both teams. My pick: San Francisco 

Monday Night Football: LA Rams at Atlanta - After losing the big showdown in Seattle, the Rams need some help now if they are to win the NFC West. But before playing out possible scenarios of how they can still win, they need to take care of business themselves by getting back to winning. On the road against the Atlanta Falcons, they should be able to do that much in this one. My pick: LA Rams