ShareThisCapsule previews for Week 17 around the NFL. All times EST.
SUNDAY
Pittsburgh Steelers (8-7) at Miami Dolphins (7-8), 1 p.m.
The Dolphins gassed their own playoff chances with back-to-back losses. The Steelers have their fingers crossed, but nothing will erase the taste of those losses to K.C., Oakland and Cleveland.
Prediction: Steelers, 24-10
New England Patriots (10-5) at Houston Texans (8-7), 1.
It is almost a necessity that the Texans lose to the Patriots for the Steelers to sneak into the playoffs. But they haven't lost in their past three games and won't start now.
Prediction: Texans, 31-21
Indianapolis Colts (14-1) at Buffalo Bills (5-10), 1.
It's perfectly understandable what Jim Caldwell did (or Bill Polian ordered). But those Colts players will never forget being denied a chance at a perfect season.
Prediction: Colts, 17-9
New Orleans Saints (13-2) at Carolina Panthers (7-8), 1.
Right about now, the Panthers are playing more like the early-season Saints and the Saints, who have lost two in a row, are playing more like the early-season Panthers.
Prediction: Panthers, 31-21
Jacksonville Jaguars (7-8) at Cleveland Browns (4-11), 1.
The Browns have won three in a row. The Dawg Pound is the perfect spot for the Jaguars.
Prediction: Browns, 20-9
Chicago Bears (6-9) at Detroit Lions (2-13), 1.
The Bears had different thoughts about their season when they beat the Steelers in Week 2. They were reminded of those thoughts when they beat the Vikings in OT Monday night.
Prediction: Bears, 20-13
New York Giants (8-7) at Minnesota Vikings (11-4), 1.
Is there a more schizophrenic team in the NFL than the Giants? And, aside from the Saints, is there a team declining faster than the Vikings?
Prediction: Vikings, 27-23
San Francisco 49ers (7-8) at St. Louis Rams (1-14), 1.
If only the 49ers can learn to beat other good teams besides Arizona. Maybe that will happen when their offense catches up to their stingy defense.
Prediction: 49ers, 24-3
Atlanta Falcons (8-7) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-12), 1.
Go figure those Buccaneers: Only three victories all season and two are against Green Bay and New Orleans. Can they possibly close with three consecutive wins?
Prediction: Falcons, 24-23
Green Bay Packers (10-5) at Arizona Cardinals (10-5), 4:15.
These teams could meet again in another week in a wild-card game, so maybe each will play with a guarded conservatism. But keep an eye on those Packers.
Prediction: Packers, 35-34
Kansas City Chiefs (3-12) at Denver Broncos (8-7), 4:15.
After their 6-0 start, the reeling Broncos now need a lot of help to make the postseason. They will get some from the Chiefs, who have never won at Invesco Field (0-8).
Prediction: Broncos, 23-17
Baltimore Ravens (8-7) at Oakland Raiders (5-10), 4:15.
Of the Raiders' five victories, four have come against the Eagles, Bengals, Steelers and Broncos. But, unlike the Steelers, the Ravens have beaten all their bad opponents.
Prediction: Ravens, 23-9
Washington Redskins (4-11) at San Diego Chargers (12-3), 4:15.
The Chargers have won a league-high 10 in a row and are the AFC's highest-scoring team. Even their reserves can beat the Redskins, who are 1-6 on the road.
Prediction: Chargers, 31-9
Tennessee Titans (7-8) at Seattle Seahawks (5-10), 4:15.
Give Jeff Fisher credit for taking an 0-6 team and nearly leading them to the playoffs. Finishing 8-8 after that start will make them feel like they made the playoffs.
Prediction: Titans, 30-23
Philadelphia Eagles (11-4) at Dallas Cowboys (10-5), 4:15.
The Eagles, who have won six in a row, might be peaking at the right time. But the Cowboys, who beat them in November, can still wrest the division title with a victory.
Prediction: Eagles, 24-23
Cincinnati Bengals (10-5) at New York Jets (8-7), 8:20.
Jets coach Rex Ryan pronounced his team finished two weeks ago. But all they have to do is beat the Bengals to clinch a wild-card playoff spot. Maybe they are finished?
Prediction: Bengals, 20-16
(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, www.scrippsnews.com.)
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