NFL Week 17 Picks, Score Predictions

NFL Week 17 Picks and Score Predictions

The final week of the 2015 NFL regular season is here, with no Thursday or Monday night game and a full schedule on Sunday. Here are your picks and score predictions for Week 17.

New England Patriots (12-3) at Miami Dolphins (5-10)-1:00 p.m. ET

The Patriots can secure home field advantage in the playoffs with a win, while the Dolphins are playing for whatever might be left of their pride. This game could get very ugly. Score Prediction: Patriots 31, Dolphins 3

Tennessee Titans (3-12) at Indianapolis Colts (7-8)-1:00 p.m. ET

The Colts, even with an increasingly dismal quarterback situation, can win and maintain an outside chance to win the AFC South. The Titans may start Zach Mettenberger under center for a second straight week, with Marcus Mariota (knee) uncertain to play, so this game looks like a real yawner overall. Score Prediction: Titans 17, Colts 10

Detroit Lions (6-9) at Chicago Bears (6-9)-1:00 p.m. ET

The Lions have played solidly since a bad start, and Matthew Stafford seems to have taken to offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter. Detroit ends a fairly disappointing season on a high note. Score Prediction: Lions 27, Bears 17

Jacksonville Jaguars (5-10) at Houston Texans (8-7)-1:00 p.m. ET

The Texans are in the driver's seat to win the AFC South, even if they lose on Sunday. The Jaguars can end the season on a high note, with a lot of promise ahead for 2016. Score Prediction: Jaguars 21, Texans 20

Baltimore Ravens (5-10) at Cincinnati Bengals (11-4)-1:00 p.m, ET

The Bengals are still in the mix for a first-round bye, though they might be down to their No. 3 quarterback this week. But it's hard to see the Ravens getting up for a second straight rivalry game and pulling another upset, regardless of who Cincinnati has available. Score Prediction: Bengals 17, Ravens 10

Washington Redskins (8-7) at Dallas Cowboys (4-11)-1:00 p.m. ET

The Redskins may rest players on Sunday, with nothing to play for in terms of playoff seed. But the Cowboys are ill-equipped to beat anyone, as they end an injury-hampered, disappointing 2015 season. Score Prediction: Redskins 20, Cowboys 7

Philadelphia Eagles (6-9) at New York Giants (6-9)-1:00 p.m. ET

Two teams that have bad defenses and capable quarterbacks is a formula for a high-scoring game. There's the added layers of Chip Kelly's firing in Philadelphia, and the potential for this to be Tom Coughlin's final game as Giants' head coach. Score Prediction: Giants 31, Eagles 28

New Orleans Saints (6-9) at Atlanta Falcons (8-7)-1:00 p.m. ET

After a 5-0 start and a fall out of the playoff picture, the Falcons can salvage a winning season with a victory on Sunday. The Saints don't have anything substantial to play for, but quarterback Drew Brees always gives them a chance. Score Prediction: Falcons 27, Saints 20

Pitttsburgh Steelers (9-6) at Cleveland Browns (3-12)-1:00 p.m. ET

The Steelers need a win and a Jets' loss to earn a Wild Card spot. Against a bad Browns' team, they'll hold up their end of that bargain. Score Prediction: Steelers 24, Browns 14

New York Jets (10-5) at Buffalo Bills (7-8)-1:00 p.m. ET

The Jets need a win to absolutely lock in a playoff spot. The Bills would surely love to secure a season sweep in what running back Anthony Dixon has called their Super Bowl. Score Prediction: Jets 20, Bills 14

St. Louis Rams (7-8) at San Francisco 49ers (4-11)-4;25 p.m. ET

The Rams are on a high after beating the Seattle Seahawks for the second time this season, so there's a possibility they'll overlook the 49ers. The real question is if San Francisco is equipped to take advantage. Score Prediction: Rams 20, 49ers 6

Oakland Raiders (7-8) at Kansas City Chiefs (10-5)-4:25 p.m. ET

The Chiefs can win the AFC West with a win and a Broncos' loss on Sunday. The Raiders can finish .500 for the first time since 2011, so they have something to play for too. Score Prediction: Chiefs 24, Raiders 21

San Diego Chargers (4-11) at Denver Broncos (11-4)-4:25 p.m. ET

The Broncos can clinch a first-round playoff bye with a win Sunday. The Chargers may love to spoil that with an upset win, but they don't have enough talent to do it. Score Prediction: Broncos 23, Chargers 14

Seattle Seahawks (9-6) at Arizona Cardinals (13-2)-4:25 p.m. ET

The Seahawks have a playoff spot secured, with a road trip in the Wild Card round coming regardless of how things turn out. The Cardinals can clinch home field advantage through the NFC playoffs with a win, along with a Panthers' loss, and head coach Bruce Arians has said they'll treat Sunday's game like the first game of the season. Score Prediction: Cardinals 27, Seahawks 21

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-9) at Carolina Panthers (14-1)-4:25 p.m. ET

The pressure of an undefeated season is now off the Panthers, which is a good thing in the bigger picture of their ultimate goal. The Buccaneers took a solid step this season, but they are not on Carolina's level. Score Prediction: Panthers 27, Buccaneers 13

Minnesota Vikings (10-5) at Green Bay Packers (10-5)-8:30 p.m. ET

The NFC North will be decided on Sunday night, with the potential for further implications on playoff seeding based on earlier results. The two teams are going in opposite directions right now. Score Prediction: Vikings 27, Packers 24