Capsule previews for Week 17 around the NFL. All games Sunday and all times Eastern.
Jacksonville Jaguars (5-10) at Baltimore Ravens (10-5), 1 p.m.
The Ravens need a victory to secure the second wild-card playoff spot. If they look just half as good as they did against the Cowboys, the Jaguars can limp all the way back to Jacksonville. PREDICTION: Ravens, 34-9.
St. Louis Rams (2-13) at Atlanta Falcons (10-5), 1 p.m.
Despite a surprising home loss to the Broncos, the Falcons remain in position to still get the No. 2 seed in the NFC playoffs.
PREDICTION: Falcons, 34-3.
New England Patriots (10-5) at Buffalo Bills (7-8), 1 p.m.
There is a chance the Patriots could become only the second 11-5 team in history to not make the playoffs. If that happens, nobody will feel sorry for Bill Belichick, even though he could be considered AFC coach of the year.
PREDICTION: Patriots, 27-23.
Kansas City (2-13) and Cincinnati Bengals (3-11-1), 1 p.m.
Surprised the Bengals could post a shutout? To quote Clark Griswold in 'Christmas Vacation,' 'If I woke up tomorrow with my head sewn to the carpet, I wouldn't be more surprised than I am right now.'
PREDICTION: Bengals, 23-20.
Detroit Lions (0-15) at Green Bay Packers, (5-10), 1 p.m.
Here it is, the day of infamy for the Lions, who can become the first winless team since 0-14 Tampa Bay in 1976. Should Rod Marinelli be asked what he thinks of his team's execution, he should reply, 'I'm in favor of it.'
PREDICTION: Packers, 27-6.
Chicago Bears (9-6) at Houston Texans (7-8), 1 p.m.
That four-game hot streak the Texans were riding came to a sudden end against, of all teams, the Oakland Raiders. But, they can put an end to the Bears' chances of making the playoffs and finish at .500.
PREDICTION: Texans, 23-21.
Tennessee Titans (12-2) at Indianapolis Colts (11-4), 1 p.m.
Are these the best two teams in the AFC? Perhaps, though they won't look it today because both teams plan to rest most of the top players who helped them get to where they are.
PREDICTION: Colts, 23-14.
New York Giants (12-3) at Minnesota Vikings (9-6), 1 p.m.
The Giants secured the No. 1 seed in the NFC by outrushing Carolina and ending a two-game losing streak. The Giants are the only NFC team with more rushing yards than the Vikings, who have their fingertips on the division title.
PREDICTION: Vikings, 24-20.
Carolina Panthers (11-4) at New Orleans Saints (8-7), 1 p.m.
Despite its loss to the Giants, Carolina is not to be discounted as a Super Bowl team. But, in order to make the path more palatable, the Panthers cannot afford to let the No. 2 seed slip away.
PREDICTION: Panthers, 37-27.
Miami Dolphins (10-5) at New York Jets (9-6), 1 p.m.
The struggling Jets now need a win against the Dolphins and a New England loss to win the division. Hey, look at the bright side: They can spend the next couple months wondering if Brett Favre might retire ... or unretire.
PREDICTION: Dolphins, 31-27.
Dallas Cowboys (9-6) at Philadelphia Eagles (8-6-1), 1 p.m.
The Cowboys are capable of beating the Giants, but not the Steelers and Ravens? The Eagles are capable of beating the Steelers and Cowboys, but not the Redskins? Go figure.
PREDICTION: Cowboys, 23-21.
Oakland Raiders (4-11) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-6), 1 p.m.
The Bucs once looked like a playoff guarantee. But, after three consecutive losses, they need a victory against the Raiders and a loss by the Cowboy to get the second wild-card spot. Yikes.
PREDICTION: Buccaneers, 23-3.
Cleveland Browns (4-11) at Pittsburgh Steelers (11-4), 1 p.m.
Trying to get points from the Browns offense is like trying to squeeze orange juice from a turnip, and that was before Bruce Gradkowski was the QB. The Steelers want to wash some of that Tennessee taste from their mouth.
PREDICTION: Steelers, 27-3
Seattle Seahawks (4-11) at Arizona Cardinals (8-7), 4:05 p.m.
In its past four losses, Arizona has allowed an average of 42 points ' an indication the Cardinals' won't be having anything more than a cup of coffee in the post-season. Even Kurt Warner got benched last week.
PREDICTION: Cardinals, 30-17.
Washington Redskins (8-7) at San Francisco 49ers (5-10), 4:05 p.m.
The Redskins did a good job of keeping Reggie Brown from breaking the plane, something that other Beltway team couldn't do with Santonio Holmes. But let's see if they can slow the surging 49ers.
PREDICTION: 49ers, 30-21.
(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, www.scrippsnews.com.)
EMBARGOED for SUNDAY releaseMust credit Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Post new comment