In this week’s column, football predictions are front and center as teams vie for playoff spots and draft positions during Week 17 of the NFL season. This festive week features an action-packed schedule across five days, kicking off with a doubleheader on Christmas Day showcasing four of the top five teams in the AFC.
The Kansas City Chiefs, led by quarterback Patrick Mahomes, will take on the Pittsburgh Steelers and their star Russell Wilson on Wednesday. Following that matchup, two-time MVP Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens will face off against rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans. Thursday night will feature the Chicago Bears hosting the Seattle Seahawks. Additionally, Saturday presents a trio of games, leaving Sunday with a lighter lineup of just nine games, before the weekend concludes with the Lions facing off against the 49ers on Monday night.
The Los Angeles Chargers (9-6) are set to meet the New England Patriots (3-12), with the Chargers favored by four points. A victory for Los Angeles would secure a wild-card playoff berth. The Chargers have proven to be strong favorites with an impressive 9-2 record against the spread. Quarterback Justin Herbert boasts an undefeated 9-0 against the spread when playing in the Eastern time zone, while the Patriots are struggling, having lost eight consecutive home games in December. The prediction: Chargers will take it 23-16.
In another crucial matchup, the Denver Broncos (9-6) visit the Cincinnati Bengals (7-8), where the Bengals are favored by three points. Cincinnati must secure a win to keep their postseason dreams alive, entering this game as favorites despite their losing record. Meanwhile, Denver can clinch a wild-card spot with a win, having a solid 11-4 record against the spread. An upset is on the cards, with the prediction: Broncos triumphing 23-22.
The Kansas City Chiefs, currently boasting a record of 14-1, will also be looking for their franchise-record 15th win as they visit Pittsburgh (10-5). The Chiefs are favored by three points. By winning this game, they can solidify the number one seed in the AFC playoffs. Notably, Mahomes has historically done well against the Steelers, with strong stats backing him. Pittsburgh hopes to snap a two-game losing streak, expecting wide receiver George Pickens will return from injury. The Chiefs are predicted to win 24-20.
The Baltimore Ravens (10-5) take on the Houston Texans (9-6) with a 5½-point spread favoring the Ravens. Baltimore’s impressive record against Houston, winning their last five matchups, puts them in a good position to challenge for first in the AFC North. However, both teams face challenges, with Houston struggling after losing key player Tank Dell. The prediction leans towards the Ravens winning 23-19.
The Seattle Seahawks (8-7) are hopeful for playoff contention as they visit the Chicago Bears (4-11), with expectations high against a Bears team mired in a nine-game losing streak. The Seahawks are favored by 3½ points, and quarterbacks Geno Smith and Jaxon Smith-Njigba are expected to shine. The prediction: Seahawks come out on top with a score of 26-20.
Another interesting matchup is between the Arizona Cardinals (7-8) and the Los Angeles Rams (9-6), where the Rams are favored by six points. Los Angeles, riding a four-game winning streak, is on the brink of clinching the NFC West. The Cardinals, eliminated from playoff contention, will be looking to spoil the Rams’ success. The prediction sees the Rams taking this one, scoring 26-16.
The Buffalo Bills (12-3) face the New York Jets (4-11) in a game where the Bills are heavily favored by ten points. Buffalo will know prior to the game if they still have a shot at the number one seed. Though they aim to keep key players like Josh Allen healthy for the playoffs, they cannot underestimate the Jets. The prediction is that the Bills will win 27-16.
In a contest where the priority shifts between draft implications and winning, the Las Vegas Raiders (3-12) will take on the New Orleans Saints (5-10). The Raiders are slight favorites by a point, but head coach Antonio Pierce remains focused on winning despite potential impacts on their draft standing. The output predicts a close contest, favoring the Raiders 20-16.
The Carolina Panthers (4-11) are trying to spoil the playoff hopes of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-7), with Tampa Bay favored by eight points. The Panthers, who narrowly lost to the Bucs last month, are coming off an inspiring performance. However, the prediction favors the Buccaneers at 26-20.
A battle of teams struggling this season features the Tennessee Titans (3-12) and the Jacksonville Jaguars (3-12), where Jacksonville is favored by one. The outcome here is meaningless in playoff terms and may harm the draft future of the winner. The prediction leans towards the Titans winning narrowly, at 19-17.
The Indianapolis Colts (7-8) visit the New York Giants (2-13) as the Colts are favored by eight points. The Giants are determined to keep the number one draft position alive, while the Colts are clinging to playoff hopes. The Colts are projected to win this one, likely scoring 27-16.
In a high-stakes game for both the Dallas Cowboys (7-8) and the Philadelphia Eagles (12-3), the Eagles are favored by 9½ points. With the playoffs out of reach for Dallas, they hope to finish strong. Conversely, the Eagles need this victory to secure the NFC East title. The prediction expects the Eagles to emerge victorious at 24-17.
The Minnesota Vikings (13-2) are looking to fend off the Green Bay Packers (11-4), favored by one point. With aspirations for the number one playoff seed, Minnesota must excel against a team they defeated earlier in the season. The prediction hints at a close game, favoring the Vikings 27-22.
Lastly, the Miami Dolphins (7-8) head to Cleveland (3-12), with Miami favored by 6½ points. As Tua Tagovailoa leads the Dolphins into a win-or-go-home scenario, the prediction favors Miami to win this contest 25-16.
The overall forecast last week was solid, with a 12-4 record, pushing the season totals to 168-72 overall straight up and 131-105-4 against the spread. The race remains tight as teams lock in their playoff positions and others look toward the future in the draft.
