NFL - Week Seventeen Preview

It's come down to the final weekend of the 2017 NFL season and there still are three playoff spots up for grabs between the two conferences. The AFC has two spots left (four teams in contention) and the NFC has just one spot left as the Atlanta Falcons or Seattle Seahawks will be the last team in.
In the AFC, there are numerous possibilities as the Baltimore Ravens (9-6), Tennessee Titans, Los Angeles Chargers and Buffalo Bills (all with 8-7 records) are battling for the remaining two wild card spots.


The following is a capsule style preview of all 16 games for the final week, followed of course by the Heftyinfo predictions for the games.


Green Bay (7-8) at Detroit (8-7) - This game means absolutely nothing to the NFC playoff chase.

Houston (4-11) at Indianapolis (3-12) - Who cares?

Chicago (5-10) at Minnesota (12-3) - The Vikings are looking to wrap up the number-two seed in the NFC playoffs.

NY Jets (5-10) at New England (12-3) - The Patriots should roll in this one as they look to clinch home field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs.

Washington (7-8) at NY Giants (2-13) - Eli Mannining's final game as Giants quarterback? Could be.

Cleveland (0-15) at Pittsburgh (12-3) - Steelers roll !

New Orleans (11-4) at Tampa Bay (4-11) - The Saints are marching back to the playoffs for the first time in four years.

Carolina (11-4) at Atlanta (9-6) - The Falcons need this one to clinch the sixth spot in the NFC playoff chase.

Cincinnati (6-9) at Baltimore (9-6) - Ravens looking to wrap up a playoff spot for first time since 2014 season.

Buffalo (8-7) at Miami (6-9) - The Dolphins always beat the Bills in South Florida.

Dallas (8-7) at Philadelphia (13-2) - The Eagles have already locked up home field edge in NFC playoffs. Cowboys are out of it.

Jacksonville (10-5) at Tennessee (8-7) - Must win for the Titans, unless both Chargers and Bills lose their games. Jaguars would love to knock the Titans out of the playoff race.

Kansas City (9-6) at Denver (5-10) -  Nightmare season for Denver coming to a close  . . . Chiefs are playoff bound.

Arizona (7-8) at Seattle (9-6) - Can the Seahawks make it to the playoffs for a sixth straight season?  They must win this one and get some help.

San Francisco (5-10) at LA Rams (11-4) - The Rams will likely be resting their starters as they are likely to finish as the third seed in the NFC playoffs . . .  49ers are unbeaten with Jimmy G at quarterback.

Oakland (6-9) at LA Chargers (8-7) - The Chargers are on a mission to make the playoffs after starting the season with a 0-4 record.







Heftyinfo predictions for Week Seventeen  . . . . .   (Home teams are listed in bold;  Lock of the Week is listed in BOLD CAPS)

Detroit over Green Bay
Atlanta over Carolina
Baltimore over Cincinnati
Pittsburgh over Cleveland
NEW ENGLAND over NY Jets
NY Giants over Washington
Minnesota over Chicago
Miami over Buffalo
Indianapolis over Houston
Philadelphia over Dallas
New Orleans over Tampa Bay 
Jacksonville over Tennessee
Kansas City over Denver
Seattle over Arizona
San Francisco over LA Rams 
LA Chargers over Oakland


Last Week's Record -  13-3

SEASON RECORD -  167-73

Lock of the Week Record -  14-2