Week 17 NFC
Games w/Playoff Implications
Saints @ Panthers
This is a game lock. The Saints are primed to sweep the Panthers & will have done everything they can to clinch a first-round bye for the 2nd consecutive season. The only thing Carolina has going for them at this point in time is CMC’s phenomenal 2019 season. Although individual stats are one things… draft picks are another. The Panthers are playing for picks as the Saints are playing for seeding. I guess opposites don’t always attract which bodes well for a Saint team that is looking to win & a Panther team that has no incentive to win… WHO DAT ALL THE WAY in Carolina.
Score: 31-20, Saints Win
Packers @ Lions
You see it? Yup don’t worry, I noticed it as well! This Packer offense has not been on point for the second half of the season. On the contrary, the Packer defense has been nothing short of phenomenal the past month, holding opposing teams to fewer than 16 points in 4 straight games (longest streak since 2002). Despite the Rodgers’ led offense struggling, the Packers are on the verge of not only clinching a first round bye, but the 1st seed in the NFC! Yes, this a 12-win team that will take ugly wins than pretty losses any day & quite frankly winning shuts everyone up, so I’m not going to complain!
Evan Siegle/Packers
Moving on to something that goes unnoticed with this Packer offense is Rodgers’ efficiency with the football as his 24-3 TD-INT ratio is the best in the NFL this season. This week the NFC North champs head to the Motor City where they look to keep their engines running against a Lion’ team that has lost 8 consecutive games. A top 3 draft pick looks more appealing to Detroit than a win on Sunday… the PACK is BACK sitting among the NFC’s best with a top-2 seed.
Score: 27-13, Packers Win
49ers @ Seahawks
Okay. You can stop scrolling down to find this matchup. It’s here. All of it. The rivalry. The love. The hate. The greatness. Everything. The 49ers are not only playing for naming rights as “NFC West Champs” but the 1st seed in the NFC which would give them home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. This game is going to come down to quarterbacks once again. Experience bodes well for Seattle…
QB Comparison
The quarterback position is a commodity in this league & although I believe Jimmy Garoppolo is an above average signal-caller, Russell Wilson is elite. Likely the MVP-runner up to Ravens’ Lamar Jackson, Wilson has been in this position one too many times. This is not a game or atmosphere he can’t handle. Playing in Seattle is something that does not bode well for this 49er’ team looking to strike gold… The 49ers have scored fewer than 20 points in 11 straight road games vs Seahawks, including playoffs (1-10 record). However, things for the Seahawk’ offense haven’t been so bright off late as they have scored fewer than 13 points in 2 of their last 3 games. Maybe the reincarnation of a 1-2 punch backfield with Marshawn Lynch & Robert Turbin could ignite something a 2014 Seahawk’ remembers…
With all this hype around “Beast Mode” & his return, we forget how amazing Russell Wilson is. “DANGERuss” Wilson has a record of 3-0 in his career in regular season games vs 11+ win teams (124.6 passer rating). As for opposing QBs making their first start in Seattle in a primetime game… a combined record of 0-6 in the Pete Carroll Era (since 2010). In those 6 games the Seahawks average margin of victory has been 16.8 PPG. Yes to clarify, Jimmy Garoppolo is making his first career start in Seattle. I’m sending the 49ers through a tough looking playoff journey to Miami. They will have to fly into Philly, then Green Bay & see a potential rematch with either Seattle or New Orleans in the Championship game (in an unlikely case they play the Packers or Vikings in the Championship) if they were to get through the divisional round. Seattle gets crowned as NFC West Champs for the first time since 2016!
Score: 27-23, Seahawks Win.
Eagles @ Giants
Yes, technically the NFC East still does not have a team going to the playoffs until this week. The Eagles have won their battle for the East in last week’s matchup against the Cowboys. The Giants are playing for a top 3 draft pick & a win would jeopardize that. I got Philly flying into the 4th seed!
Score: 23-14, Eagles Win.
Games w/o Playoff Implications
Cardinals @ Rams
The Rams are simply trying to crack .500 for themselves as the Cardinals are playing for draft picks. Rams sweep Arizona!
Score: 30-17, Rams Win.
Falcons @ Buccaneers
The second & final meeting between these two NFC South rivals. Bucs’ QB, Jameis Winston is looking to be consistent…something he clearly has not been fond of as he has the most INT by a QB averaging 300+ pass YPG in a season in NFL history. Bipolar explains Winston perfectly. Lopsided is what I would use to describe this matchup. What I presume to be a high-scoring game I’ll take the Jameis & the Bucs offense to win it. Dan Quinn is going to be just fine in Atlanta & quite frankly one loss is not going to push him into any kind of hot seat heading into the offseason. Jameis has more to play for than anyone on the Falcons when it comes to job security. Bucs win at home!
Score: 31-23, Bucs Win.
Vikings @ Bears
How weird would a Bears sweep be? Not that weird! The Vikings are practically locked in as the #6 seed in the NFC. A win or a loss on Sunday will have no effect on that. Meanwhile, Mitchell Trubisky could potentially be playing his last game in Chi-Town so it’s time to show up & show out! Besides, with the Vikings looking to rest key starters, Trubisky should take advantage of this as the Bears look to break .500 for the second consecutive season.
Score: 24-17, Bears Win.
Cowboys @ Redskins
I’m putting this game pick in the games w/o Playoff Implications because I have the Eagles winning against the Giants this week. That game pick would nullify the result of this game. I still believe that the Cowboys will in fact win this matchup & do everything they can on their part to potentially book their ticket to the postseason. However, the Boys’ need help (a win) from Giants rookie QB, Daniel Jones in his first start against Philly… something I simply don’t see happening. Jason Garrett likely coaches his final Cowboy game in the Nation’s capital.
Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
