WEEK 17 NFL PREDICTIONS

RECORD LAST WEEK: 10-6

RECORD FOR THE SEASON: 159-79

Merry Christmas!

December 25th, Noon CT

Kansas City Chiefs 14-1 @ Pittsburgh Steelers 10-5

The Dark Magic Bowl occurs on Christmas day as the Chiefs face the Steelers. Pittsburgh has

been without George Pickens for the last few games, but he’ll be back this week, and Pittsburgh will need all hands on deck to defeat the Chiefs. Kansas City clinches the one seed with a win, and I expect them to win this week.

Chiefs 23 Steelers 19

Confidence Level: 7

X-Factor: Patrick Mahomes

Best Bet: Harrison Butker over 1.5 field goals

December 25th, 3:30 PM CT

Baltimore Ravens 8-5 @ Houston Texans 9-6

In a potential playoff preview, the Ravens face a Texans team needing a win. The Texans lost

Tank Dell for the season last week. Houston’s offense will miss him, but they still have Nico

Collins. However, Lamar Jackson is peeking at the right time, and the Ravens will win on the

road.

Ravens 28 Texans 23

Confidence Level:6

X-Factor: Lamar Jackson

Best Bet: Lamar Jackson over 1.5 passing touchdowns

Thursday, December 26, 7:15 PM CT

Seattle Seahawks 8-7 @ Chicago Bears 4-11

The Seahawks travel to Chicago to face a Bears team that is losers of nine straight games.

Seattle should be able to run the ball successfully on this Bears defense and get the win on the road in the Windy City.

Seahawks 24 Bears 14

Confidence Level: 8

X-Factor: Zach Charbonnet

Best Bet: Zach Charbonnet over 67.5

Saturday, December 28th, Noon

Los Angeles Chargers 9-6 @ New England Patriots 3-12

The Chargers control their own destiny to make the playoffs and now they face the Patriots in what is a horrible matchup for New England. The Chargers want to run the ball and the Patriots allow 167.5 rushing yards a game the last two weeks. Chargers get the win on the road.

Chargers 23 Patriots 10

Confidence Level:10

X-Factor: J.K. Dobbins anytime Touchdown

Saturday, December 28th, 3:30 PM CT

Denver Broncos 9-6 @ Cincinnati Bengals 7-8

A very important game in the AFC playoff picture between the Broncos and Bengals takes

place. The Broncos win and clinch a spot in the playoffs, but a Bengals win leaves them with

hope going into week 18. I’m interested to see Patrick Surtain vs Ja’marr Chase and if Surtain

can limit Chase who has been on fire all season. The Broncos are more rested, understand this game's importance, and get the win.

Broncos 28 Bengals 27

Confidence Level:3

X-Factor: Patrick Surtain II

Best Bet: Broncos +3.5

Saturday, December 28th, 7:15 PM CT

Arizona Cardinals 7-8 @ Los Angeles Rams 9-6

The. Cardinals were eliminated from the playoffs after a disappointing loss to the Panthers. The Rams are looking to hold onto their first place spot in the NFC West. Los Angeles defense has improved allowing only 7.5 points per game the last two weeks, I believe they’ll get the win this week at home.

Cardinals 10 Rams 27

Confidence Level: 9

X-Factor: Kyren Williams

Best Bet: Kyren Williams anytime touchdown

Sunday, December 29th, Noon Games CT

Indianapolis Colts 7-8 @ New York Giants 2-13

The Giants have lost 10 straight games and now face a Colts team trying to keep their playoff hopes alive. AR and JT will have a field day running all over the Giants defense and get the win.

Colts 26 Giants 17

Confidence Level:9

X-Factor: Jonathon Taylor

Best Bet: Jonathon Taylor anytime touchdown

Dallas Cowboys 7-8 @ Philadelphia Eagles 12-3

The Cowboys have played better in recent weeks and I’m not sure of the status of Jalen Hurts. Philly is coming off a loss and they still have a chance at the 1 seed in the NFC. Give me the Eagles to bounce back at home.

Cowboys 20 Eagles 30

Confidence Level:8

X-Factor: Saquon Barkley

Best Bet: Saquon Barkley anytime touchdown

New York Jets 4-11 @ Buffalo Bills 12-3

The Bills are officially out of the running for the number one seed as the Chiefs clocked that spot with their win over the Steelers on Christmas. I’m assuming they’ll rest week 18 but this week Josh Allen has another MVP performance and leads the Bills to a win.

Jets 16 Bills 28

Confidence Level:10

X-Factor: Josh Allen

Best Bet: Josh Allen over 1.5 passing touchdowns

Carolina Panthers 4-11 @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers 8-7

The Bucs lost to the Cowboys in a game that could potentially cost them a playoff berth.

Carolina has played better since Bryce Young became the starter again. Baker Mayfield has a

bounce back game in a win.

Panthers 21 Bucs 27

Confidence Level: 6

X-Factor: Baker Mayfield

Best Bet: Baker Mayfield over 1.5 passing touchdowns

Las Vegas Raiders 3-12 @ New Orleans Saints 5-10

The Saints got embarrassed in a Monday night loss to the Packers losing 34-0 is something

that’s hard to bounce back from. The Raiders are showing some fight but I believe in New

Orleans to make up for their shutout loss and get the win.

Raiders 17 Saints 20

Confidence Level:5

X-Factor: Blake Grupe

Best Bet: Blake Grupe over 1.5 field goals

Tennessee Titans 3-12 @ Jacksonville Jaguars 3-12

The game of the week between the two worst teams in the AFC South and maybe the AFC as a whole. Mac Jones and the Jags will give the ball away a couple times and the Titans get the win.

Titans 16 Jaguars 14

Confidence Level:3

X-Factor: Tony Pollard

Best Bet: Mac Jones over 0.5 interceptions

Sunday, December 29th, 3 PM CT

Miami Dolphins 7-8 @ Cleveland Browns 3-12

The Dolphins are on the playoff bubble but need a lot to happen in order for them to make it, but the first thing is they need to win. The Browns can keep it close but the Dolphins win.

Dolphins 23 Browns 18

Confidence Level:6

X-Factor: Tua Tagovailoa

Best Bet: Tua over 243.5 passing yards

Green Bay Packers 11-4 @ Minnesota Vikings 13-2

The actual game of the week takes place between the Packers and Vikings, two of the NFC’s

top contenders. The first time these two teams played it was a thrilling 31-29 win for the Vikings. Minnesota along with Philly and Detroit still has a chance at the one seed in the NFC. I’m going to pick Green Bay to win on the road and get the upset.

Packers 30 Vikings 27

Confidence Level:4

X-Factor: Jordan Love

Best Bet: Josh Jacobs over 71.5 rushing yards

Sunday, December 29th, 7:20 PM CT

Atlanta Falcons 8-7 @ Washington Commanders 10-5

Michael Penix Jr. makes his primetime debut against fellow rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. Atlanta needs this win to remain atop first place in the NFC South but the Commanders are coming off an amazing comeback win over the Eagles last week and have a ton of momentum right now. I’m going to pick the Commanders to win but it’ll be close.

Falcons 20 Commanders 24

Confidence Level:7

X-Factor: Jayden Daniels

Best Bet: Jayden Daniels longest completion over 35.5 yards

Monday, December 30th, 7:15 PM CT

Detroit Lions 13-2 @ San Francisco 49ers 6-9

A rematch of last years NFC Championship takes place on Monday as the Niners host the

Lions. San Francisco has been eliminated from the playoffs. The best they can do is play grinch to the Lions who are hoping to remain atop the NFC standings. Jahmyr Gibbs should have a field day against a bad Niners run defense.

Lions 31 49ers 19

Confidence Level:9

X-Factor: Jahmyr Gibbs

Best Bet: Jahmyr Gibbs over 92.5 rushing yards