Week 17 AFC
Games w/Playoff Implications
Dolphins @ Patriots
This is a DEFINITE WIN. The Patriots are ready to turn the corner & silence the doubters heading into the playoffs. What better way to do it than a dominant performance at home & clinching a first-round bye?
Score: 31-17, Patriots Win.
Steelers @ Ravens
Before I get into this game pick I just want to say, hats off to Mike Tomlin & this Steeler roster for making it to week 17 of the regular season & still being alive in the playoff race. Fortunately for the Steelers, the Ravens have been so good that they don’t have to win this game or start their best guys! This bodes well for a Steeler squad that has shown fight all season long & need to get a win to stay alive! I’m taking the Steelers to win it on the road & hope that the Texans will do their job & beat the Titans.
Score: 20-17, Steelers Win.
Titans @ Texans
It’s win & in for Tennessee. The Texans are locked in as the #4 seed & there is a scenario where the Texans move up to the #3 seed. However the Chargers would have to beat the Chiefs… probably not going to happen. Based on the way the Texans have played this season, they are bound to lose this week. After every loss the Texans have won 2 straight. That means following a two game win streak, the Texans lose the next game. With the Titans having the simplest way into the playoffs, I don’t see them shooting themselves in the foot here. Titans gear up for the playoffs!
Score: 27-23, Titans Win.
Chargers @ Chiefs
Once again another easy win for a top-tier AFC team. Mahomes & the Chiefs are likely the #3 seed in the AFC, however, in an alternate universe if the Dolphins were to beat the Patriots at home, the Chiefs could move up to the #2 seed in the AFC with a win. Yup, keep dreaming about that first-round bye! The team that was the #1 seed in the AFC a season ago is set to host their only home game in the wild card round next week.
Score: 29-17, Chiefs Win.
Raiders @ Broncos
Yes the Raiders are alive in the playoff race heading into the season-finale. This week they take on Drew Lock & the Broncos in what is a MUST WIN game for Oakland. They let the #6 seed slip away from them with losses to the Jaguars & Jets… the Titans loss certainly does not help as they will not have a head-to-head tiebreaker if it came down to that. A Titans loss, a Steelers loss, a Jaguars loss & a Raider win would have to happen on Sunday for Oakland to make it. I’m not going to bet against Jon Gruden & his Raiders against Denver. However, based on this week’s game picks, I don’t see the Raiders making the playoffs as both a Titans & Steelers win is very possible.
Score: 29-17, Raiders Win.
Games w/o Playoff Implications
Browns @ Bengals
The snooze fest of this week goes to the bottom 2 teams of the AFC North. The Browns have been a mess & the Bengals have been… well worse. Regardless I’m taking the Browns to win this game as Freddie Kitchens is definitely in the hot seat & this roster needs reassurance that they are a talented heading into next season.
Score: 27-17, Browns Win.
Colts @ Jaguars
Doug Marrone is likely done as the Jaguars head coach, however, Jacoby Brissett could still see himself as the face of the franchise next season in Indy. The Colts are reportedly in the market for a quarterback & a stellar week 17 performance would not hurt Jacoby Brissett case to be the signal-caller for this team for at least 1 more season. I’m taking the Colts to win it on the road against Minshew Magic & the Jags!
Score: 24-17, Colts Win.
Jets @ Bills
Once again, I have put a game pick in the "w/o playoff implications” game despite the Bills being a playoff team. Regardless of what happens this week the Bills are locked in as the #5 seed & will be on the road throughout the playoffs. Their likely first stop: Houston next week. Sure, why not a Bills win at home to close out the season as the Jets eye a top 10 draft pick!
