The action for Week Seventeen starts on Thursday night when the Dallas Cowboys (11-4) visit the Tennessee Titans (7-8) but the game most people will be focusing on this week is the Monday Night Football game in Cincinnati between the Bengals (11-4) and the Buffalo Bills (12-3) with perhaps the top spot in the AFC playoffs on the line.
The Bills have won six straight games while the Bengals have won seven consecutive games, so something has to give. Buffalo owns the top spot in the AFC playoff chase right now, but a win by the Bengals would allow them to leap frog the Bills for at least the number-two spot at worst. The Kansas City Chiefs are also 12-3 and have remaining games against the hapless Denver Broncos (at home) and at the Las Vegas Raiders to finish the regular season. What it all means is the Bills definitely need this one because they could possibly drop from the top spot down to number three entering the final week of the regular season.
Expect a back and forth game between two teams with solid defenses and excellent offensive attacks, led by two of the best young quarterbacks in the league. Bills QB Josh Allen has 32 touchdown passes and 13 interceptions and has also rushed for 746 yards and scored seven touchdowns. Meanwhile, Joe Burrow has been the Bengals unquestioned leader and he has 34 TD passes and just twelve interceptions while also scoring five rushing touchdowns. This game will likely go down to the wire and the team that has the ball last could pull it out.
The Miami Dolphins (8-7) have dropped four games in a row and now face the New England Patriots (7-8) on the road in what is really an elimination game for the loser as far as a playoff spot is concerned. Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa is out for this game as he suffered another concussion last week in the loss to Green Bay. The Patriots lost the season opener to Miami and would love to get some revenge, especially with the 'Fins starting Teddy Bridgewater at quarterback. This one is a toss up for sure.
In Philadelphia, the Eagles (13-2) will host the New Orleans Saints (6-9), a team that can still win out and possibly get into the NFC playoffs. Philly will likely be without starting QB Jalen Hurts (shoulder sprain) once again this Sunday, meaning Gardner Minshew will once again get the start. The Saints pulled out a close win against Atlanta last week and it will be a tall order for them to get this road win. The Eagles should get the victory and lock up "home field" advantage throughout the NFC playoffs.
In the putrid NFC South, the first place Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-8) host the Carolina Panthers (6-9), who walloped Tom Brady and the Bucs back in October, 21-3 so they know they can get into first place in the division with a win. But does anyone really expect Panthers QB Sam Darnold to out perform Tom Brady in a must win game? It's possible, especially in this years' version of the NFL. But the pick here is for the Buccaneers to take care of business.
Up in Green Bay this Sunday, the Packers (7-8) will host the Minnesota Vikings (12-3) as they continue to make a push to make the playoffs. The Packers won their third consecutive game in Miami on Christmas Day and QB Aaron Rodgers is continuing to mesh with the fleet of young wide receivers at the right time of the season. The Vikings keep winning one-score games and they are already in the playoffs, but would like to maintain their number-two seed. Green Bay is already in "playoff mode" as they must win out to have a shot to get in, so take the Packers in this one.
As for the rest of the action this weekend, all the games are previewed in the capsule style format and the Heftyinfo picks follow up.
Dallas (11-4) at Tennessee (7-8) - Cowboys should win this game as the Titans are already locked into a final game showdown next week with Jacksonville for the AFC South title.
Arizona (4-11) at Atlanta (5-10) - Two teams just playing out the schedule in this one. Take the Falcons.
Indianapolis (4-10-1) at N.Y. Giants (8-6-1) - The Giants need this game and they should get the win.
Chicago (3-12) at Detroit (7-8) - The Lions still have a chance to make the playoffs, but the Bears could be the spoilers as they look to end their eight game losing streak.
Denver (4-11) at Kansas City (12-3) - The Broncos challenged the Chiefs right down to the wire three weeks ago . . . not this time around. Chiefs roll !
Cleveland (6-9) at Washington (7-7-1) - The Commanders turn back to QB Carson Wentz for this must win game. The Browns are out of playoff contention and would do well to stay close in this one.
Jacksonville (7-8) at Houston (2-12-1) - The Jaguars are surging and will be looking forward to the final game match against Tennessee. The Texans have been playing good football in December, so watch out for a possible surprise in this one.
N.Y. Jets (7-8) at Seattle (7-8) - This game will decide which losing team will be eliminated from playoff contention.
San Francisco (11-4) at Las Vegas (6-9) - Take the 49ers in this one. The Raiders are an absolute mess.
L.A. Rams (5-10) at L.A. Chargers (9-6) - The Chargers have already locked up a playoff spot in the AFC. The Rams are coming off their best game, but don't expect them to roll up 50-plus points on the Chargers defense.
Pittsburgh (7-8) at Baltimore (10-5) - The Sunday night game featuring these bitter rivals will be a good one. The Steelers are coming off their emotional win last week and would love to knock off Baltimore in their own yard. Plus a win for Pittsburgh keeps them in the AFC playoff chase.
The Heftyinfo picks for Week Seventeen . . . . . . . . . . . . . (Home teams are listed in bold; Lock of the Week is listed in BOLD CAPS)
Dallas over Tennessee
Atlanta over Arizona
N.Y. Giants over Indianapolis
Chicago over Detroit
KANSAS CITY over Denver
New England over Miami
Philadelphia over New Orleans
Tampa Bay over Carolina
Washington over Cleveland
Jacksonville over Houston
Seattle over N.Y. Jets
San Francisco over Las Vegas
L.A. Chargers over L.A. Rams
Green Bay over Minnesota
Pittsburgh over Baltimore
Cincinnati over Buffalo
Last Week's Record - 11-5
SEASON RECORD - 153-85-2
Lock of the Week Record - 14-2
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