Hello readers! Another week of National Football League action is coming upon us yet again! With two more weeks left of regular season play teams are either playing for playoff position, a spot in the tournament, or just playing for respectability. Week 17 features games like: Panthers-Buccaneers, Dolphins-Patriots, 49ers-Raiders and Vikings-Packers that I'll keep an eye on. In this post I'll do: the latest playoff picture, a week 17 preview and picks, and the Early & Late TV Broadcast Pairings. I'm stoked to get started, let's get to work!
Playoff Picture: Week 17
Both AFC and NFC have teams that have spots locked up. With just two more weeks of regular season play teams will have to win and hope for some help to come their way. Let's start with the NFC.
Seeding
1st seed: Philadelphia Eagles (13-2) (clinched playoff berth)
2nd seed: Minnesota Vikings (12-3) (clinched NFC North)
3rd seed: San Francisco 49ers (11-4) (clinched NFC West)
4th seed: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-8)
5th seed: Dallas Cowboys (11-4) (clinched playoff berth)
6th seed: New York Giants (8-6-1)
7th seed: Washington Commanders (7-7-1)
Wild Card Weekend Matchups
Washington @ Minnesota
NY Giants @ San Francisco
Dallas @ Tampa Bay
In the Hunt
Seattle (7-8), Detroit (7-8), Green Bay (7-8), Carolina (6-9), New Orleans (6-9)
Better Luck Next Year
LA Rams (5-10), Atlanta (5-10), Arizona (4-11), Chicago (3-12)
Philadelphia just needs to win and win the NFC East and clinch homefield throughout the playoffs. Tampa Bay would just need to win against Carolina and they're in as well. Green Bay would have to win both games and have the Giants and Commanders lose their games to get in. Still a wild finish in the NFC. Let's take a look at the AFC.
Seeding
1st seed: Buffalo Bills (12-3) (clinched AFC East)
2nd seed: Kansas City Chiefs (12-3) (clinched AFC West)
3rd seed: Cincinnati Bengals (clinched playoff berth)
4th seed: Jacksonville Jaguars (7-8)
5th seed: Baltimore Ravens (10-5) (clinched playoff berth)
6th seed: LA Chargers (9-6) (clinched playoff berth)
7th seed: Miami Dolphins (8-7)
Wild Card Weekend Matchups
Miami @ Kansas City
LA Chargers @ Cincinnati
Baltimore @ Jacksonville
In the Hunt
New England (7-8), NY Jets (7-8), Tennessee (7-8), Pittsburgh (7-8), Las Vegas (6-9)
Better Luck Next Year
Cleveland (6-9), Indianapolis (4-10-1), Denver (4-11), Houston (2-12-1)
Buffalo can clinch homefield advantage with a win and Chiefs loss. Cincinnati can clinch the AFC North with a win and a Ravens loss. A lot of the 7-8 teams will be paying attention to the Dolphins-Patriots matchup. If the Dolphins can win they have a good shot to win a playoff spot.
Week 17 Preview
The Seventeenth week of the NFL's regular season will start in Nashville, Tennessee and finishes in Cincinnati, Ohio. Week 17 features a 16-game slate of games where 32 teams will play. No teams are on a bye this week. Week 17 features a Thursday night game, nine early games, four late games, a Sunday night game and a Monday night game. FOX will have the single, regional game and CBS will carry the doubleheader. Let's get to the picks!
Week 17 Picks
Note: Game times are in US Eastern time. TW is me and CV is Cardinal Viking my former roommate.
Dallas (11-4) @ Tennessee (7-8) (Amazon; 8:15 pm): TW: Cowboys; CV: Cowboys
The Cowboys beat the Eagles and the Titans lost to the Texans last week. Dallas got a huge win against their rivals on Christmas Eve. Though they nearly lost that game, they'd have to take some solace in knowing how good they can be. Tennessee has been a faltering team with issues at quarterback at the worst time. I mean most opposing teams aren't afraid of Malik Willis. They do with Derrick Henry. I'll take the Cowboys despite I hope the Titans can find their inner underdog.
Arizona (4-11) @ Atlanta (5-10) (FOX; 1:00 pm): TW: Falcons; CV: Falcons
The Cardinals lost to the Buccaneers and the Falcons lost to the Ravens. The battle of the birds! Naturally the Cardinal vs Falcon would go in favor to the Falcon. At least based on size of the bird. For the football side of things, both teams are fairly matched. It seems that Trace McSorley would get the start again. I would think that the Falcons will win this game via running game so I'll take that.
Carolina (6-9) @ Tampa Bay (7-8) (FOX; 1:00 pm): TW: Buccaneers; CV: Buccaneers
The Panthers beat the Lions and the Buccaneers beat the Cardinals last week. At some point someone is going to win this NFC South division. Whether it be the rising stock of the Carolina Panthers or the sinking pirate ship of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. I can't go against Tom Brady, at least not now.
Chicago (3-12) @ Detroit (7-8) (FOX; 1:00 pm): TW: Lions; CV: Lions
The Bears lost to the Bills and the Lions lost to the Panthers last week. An old school NFC North battle. Both teams might not be playing for playoff football but the hatred will still be there in Detroit. Detroit has had a good season and getting at least a 8-win season would do wonders for their confidence. Why not go with Detroit?
Cleveland (6-9) @ Washington (7-7-1) (FOX; 1:00 pm): TW: Commanders; CV: Commanders
Both teams lost last week as the Browns lost to the Saints and the Commanders lost to the 49ers. The Brownies missed the playoffs for the 19th time in 20 years. It's not quite the signs of stability. Despite that they could play spoiler to Washington. The Commanders are looking into a possible change at quarterback to go forward to achieve success. Both Taylor Heinicke and Carson Wentz eye that starting job. I think the Commanders are still the better team overall but they shouldn't take the Browns likely.
Denver (4-11) @ Kansas City (12-3) (CBS; 1:00 pm): TW: Chiefs; CV: Chiefs
The Broncos lost to the Rams and the Chiefs beat the Seahawks last week. Denver made headlines with the firing of head coach Nathaniel Hackett. Not sure how much of an improvement the Broncos will get from their interim head coach Jerry Rosburg. All I know is that the Chiefs are riding high and they can't let a game slip from their grasp. IF they fall it will have to be the biggest upset in this season.
Indianapolis (4-10-1) @ NY Giants (8-6-1) (CBS; 1:00 pm): TW: Giants; CV: Giants
The Colts lost to the Chargers and the Giants lost to the Vikings last week. Both teams are in free fall. At least more so for the Colts. Indy is a mess and they just can't seem to get over the hump with a win. I think a sign for their mess was a 33-0 blown lead against Minnesota. The Giants were also a victim of the Vikings last week. New York has been in free fall but at least they have a playoff spot still in their destiny, if they win out. I can't trust the Colts.
Jacksonville (7-8) @ Houston (2-12-1) (CBS; 1:00 pm): TW: Jaguars; CV: Jaguars
The Jaguars beat the Jets and the Texans beat the Titans last week. Jacksonville has been one of the hottest teams in the NFL. They've got an offense that opposing teams dread and they have a defense that is just as good. They're new at this newfound success and will need to not get cocky. Especially they cannot lose to the worst team in the NFL in the Houston Texans. I can't see it happening and I just hope that they don't falter. I'd rather see the Jaguars than the Titans at this point in the season.
Miami (8-7) @ New England (7-8) (CBS; 1:00 pm): TW: Patriots; CV: Dolphins
Both teams lost last week as the Dolphins lost to the Packers and the Patriots lost to the Bengals. It might be the best shot for the Patriots to win if Tua Tagovailoa doesn't start. If they don't win they that's on them to suffer the consequences of that result. Miami has a good offense but without a healthy Tua they're vulnerable. During the Dolphins 1st three-game losing streak, he wasn't the quarterback. New England's offense is horrendous. Their defense is really good however. That might be the biggest difference in this game. If the Patriots can put up at least 21 points they have a good shot to win.
New Orleans (6-9) @ Philadelphia (13-2) (FOX; 1:00 pm): TW: Eagles; CV: Eagles
The Saints beat the Browns and the Eagles lost to the Cowboys last week. It will be a tough decision for Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni to make for the quarterback starter. The Eagles haven't clinched the NFC East and the #1 seed yet. Gardner Minshew has proven to be a good quarterback but he can also make mistakes as well. New Orleans isn't quite Houston but they aren't Dallas either. Personally, I'd let Jalen Hurts rest this week if its still serious. I'd take my chances with Minshewmania.
NY Jets (7-8) @ Seattle (7-8) (FOX; 4:05 pm): TW: Seahawks; CV: Jets
The Jets lost to the Jaguars and the Seahawks lost to the Chiefs last week. Remember when the Jets were a 7-4 team and looked like a team that could challenge the AFC. Yeah feels like last year. The Jets have a tough road ahead to get to the playoffs and will need to at least win and get some help to achieve the playoffs. Seattle is kind of in the same boat. Geno Smith at one point looked like the steal of the season. With Denver's spiraling out of control, I think Seattle easily won that trade of Russell Wilson to Denver. I think Seattle's offense is a bit better on offense and decent on defense compared to the Jets. I'll take the home team.
San Francisco (11-4) @ Las Vegas (6-9) (FOX; 4:05 pm): TW: 49ers; CV: 49ers
The 49ers beat the Commanders and the Raiders lost to the Steelers last week. Looks like Derek Carr will get a seat on the bench as Jarrett Stidham will get the start for the Raiders. Brock Purdy will get the start as well. He has done a masterful job at steadying the ship of the 49ers. We will have to see how well Stidham can play against the tough 49ers defense. Its a tough mountain to climb as I don't think the Raiders will do it.
LA Rams (5-10) @ LA Chargers (9-6) (CBS; 4:25 pm): TW: Rams; CV: Chargers
The Rams beat the Broncos and the Chargers beat the Colts last week. The Battle of Los Angeles! The Rams have had a good thing going with Baker Mayfield who had a monster game against the Broncos. Granted the Broncos shot themselves in the foot multiple times. The Chargers have had a great stretch of football and the good stretch has awarded them with a playoff berth. They confuse me as they should be better than what they are. I don't trust them to win against an improving Rams team.
Minnesota (12-3) @ Green Bay (7-8) (CBS; 4:25 pm): TW: Packers; CV: Vikings
The Vikings beat the Giants and the Packers beat the Dolphins last week. Classic NFC matchup on CBS. Two rivals gather in the late afternoon game. Not sure why the Packers are favored by 3.5 in this game. Kirk Cousins is playing well and the offense is near unstoppable. Sure their defense is suspect. Green Bay could put up a decent offense if both run and pass go off the chains. Minnesota could be the better team but I'll take the home team.
Pittsburgh (7-8) @ Baltimore (10-5) (NBC; 8:20 pm): TW: Steelers; CV: Ravens
The Steelers beat the Raiders and the Ravens beat the Falcons last week. Sunday night features the classic Steelers-Ravens rivalry. Pittsburgh has been playing better with their defense keeping them in games and their offense doing just enough to win. I would be interested in taking the Ravens but the Steelers defense is no slouch. Both teams will be playing their hearts out in this game as rivalries bring out the best of teams.
Buffalo (12-3) @ Cincinnati (11-4) (ABC/ESPN; 8:30 pm): TW: Bills; CV: Bills
The Bills beat the Bears and the Bengals beat the Patriots last week. Week 17 wraps up with a good game on Monday night. The first Josh Allen and Joe Burrow game will surely be an intriguing one. Both quarterbacks will be facing against good defenses. I tend to think with these big games, the more experienced quarterback will win out. With the pressure of it I would go with Josh Allen to take care of business on the road. Cincinnati is a good team as well and this might be a potential AFC championship matchup. Perhaps a bit too ahead of myself but I think the Bills will win.
Early & Late TV Broadcast Pairings
Note: Games in bold are being shown in my area. Check local listings
CBS Early
Miami @ New England
Ian Eagle, Charles Davis
Indianapolis @ NY Giants
Kevin Harlan, Trent Green
Denver @ Kansas City
Greg Gumbel, Adam Archuleta
Jacksonville @ Houston
Andrew Catalon, James Lofton
CBS Late
Minnesota @ Green Bay
Jim Nantz, Tony Romo
LA Rams @ LA Chargers
Spero Dedes, Jay Feely
FOX Single
Carolina @ Tampa Bay
Kevin Burkhardt, Greg Olson
New Orleans @ Philadelphia
Joe Davis, Daryl Johnston
Chicago @ Detroit
Kenny Albert, Jonathan Vilma
Cleveland @ Washington
Adam Amin, Mark Schlereth
Arizona @ Atlanta
Jason Benetti, Brady Quinn
San Francisco @ Las Vegas (Late)
Kevin Kugler, Mark Sanchez
For more information on which game(s) are being shown in your area, check out: NFL 2022: Week 17 Maps
2022 Pick ‘Em Records
My record:
Week 1: 8-7-1
Week 2: 8-8
Week 3: 5-11
Week 4: 11-5
Week 5: 10-6
Week 6: 8-6
Week 7: 9-5
Week 8: 12-3
Week 9: 11-2
Week 10: 8-6
Week 11: 8-6
Week 12: 10-6
Week 13: 11-3-1
Week 14: 7-6
Week 15: 8-8
Week 16: 9-7
Total: 143-95-2
Cardinal Viking's record:
Week 1: 6-9-1
Week 2: 11-5
Week 3: 5-11
Week 4: 6-10
Week 5: 9-7
Week 6: 9-5
Week 7: 8-6
Week 8: 9-6
Week 9: 9-4
Week 10: 8-6
Week 11: 8-6
Week 12: 9-7
Week 13: 8-6-1
Week 14: 9-4
Week 15: 13-3
Week 16: 10-6
Total: 135-101-2
Previous Picking Records:
2017: 167-89
2018: 156-98-2
2019: 151-104-1
2020: 163-92-1
2021: 167-104-1
2019: 161-94-1
2020: 167-88-1
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