Welcome to the 17th and final week of the regular season and man this has been a very exciting season to say the least. Last week my record was 4-3, making my overall record fall to 54-41 and keeping my overall winning percentage at 56.8%. I’ll be predicting all the games that have some type of playoff implications, whether it’s positioning, to make the playoffs, to crown a division winner or even for the top seeds in both conferences, which is a total of nine games. Let’s Get Started!!
We have a match-up between a couple of AFC East rivals as the New York Jets visit the Buffalo Bills. The Jets have arguably been the best team in the AFC over the past month with them winning five games in a row. Last week, they pulled off the huge upset over New England and now to make the playoffs, all they have to do is beat their former coach and the Buffalo Bills. The Bills are trying to finish the season with a 8-8 record, but will have to do it without LeSean McCoy. The Bills beat the Jets earlier in the season at home, but I believe the Jets will come into Buffalo and win this one.
Jets Win 31-30
We have another match-up between AFC East rivals as the New England Patriots visit the Miami Dolphins. The Patriots playoff fate is simple; if they win this game they’ll be the top seed in the AFC and have home field advantage in the playoffs. The Patriots have been decimated with injuries all season and they would love to have that bye week to start the playoffs. On the other side, the Dolphins had high expectations when the season started, but things didn’t go well this season. The Dolphins would love to finish the season with a win and hurt the seeding of the Patriots, but I think the Pats will win.
Patriots Win 30-20
We have another division game with playoff implications as the Baltimore Ravens visit the Cincinnati Bengals in a key AFC North match-up. The Ravens damaged the playoff chances of the Pittsburgh Steelers last week. This week they’re hoping to cost the Bengals a first round bye, which would be huge for the Bengals as they hope to get Andy Dalton back. Can Ryan Mallet have another impressive game against the Bengals? Cincinnati is coming off a tough loss this past Monday Night in Denver as they held the lead the majority of the game before falling. I’m going with the Bengals to win!!!
Bengals Win 33-21
We stay in the AFC North with a game that the Pittsburgh Steelers need to win and get some help as they visit the Cleveland Browns, who could be playing for the top pick of the NFL Draft. The Steelers put themselves in a hole when they were beaten by the Ravens last week, when they were the favorites coming into the game. The Steelers need a win and have the Jets lost to make the playoffs. The Browns have nothing to lose because they’ll be without Johnny Manziel, have a chance to get the #1 pick with a loss and Titans win. I believe the Steelers should easily beat the Browns.
Steelers Win 30-17
We now head to the AFC South where the Houston Texans can win the division with a win at home against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Texans control their own destiny by just winning and they’ll be the division champ after starting the season playing horribly. Houston could also make the playoffs if the Colts were to lose against the Titans, but I’m sure they would love to win. On the other side, the Jaguars are definitely a team on the rise because they have one of the better young offenses in the league. Can the Jaguars finish the season on a positive note with so many guys out? I’m riding with the Texans!!
Texans Win 33-24
We stay in the AFC South as the Tennessee Titans visit the Indianapolis Colts in a must-win game for the Colts. The Titans have a couple of scenarios they face coming into this game, on one side if they lose, they have the #1 pick in the 2016 NFL Draft and if they win, that eliminates the Colts from winning the division and making the playoffs. Can the Titans pull it out? The Colts was actually my pick to make the Super Bowl this year, but with a failing offensive line, Andrew Luck being injured and his turnovers, it comes down to this. I believe they will beat the Titans, but still miss the playoffs.
Colts Win 31-20
We head down to the NFC South where the Tampa Bay Buccaneers visit the Carolina Panthers, who’s coming off their first loss of the year. The Buccaneers had a pretty good season by winning six games and their future seems bright with them having a great draft last year. What better way for Tampa Bay to top off a good season and head into 2016 by beating the Panthers? The Carolina Panthers, despite having a 14-1 record still need to beat the Bucs to clinch home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. How will the Panthers respond after a loss and so many injuries? I’m going with the Panthers to win!
Panthers Win 37-28
We head to the AFC West as the San Diego Chargers visit the Denver Broncos, where it seems like Peyton Manning will be healthy enough to be the back-up. The Chargers have had a horrible season filled with injuries on both sides of the ball and uncertainty about their future. Can the San Diego Chargers play spoiler and hand the Broncos a loss so they have to play next week in the Wild Card round? The Broncos are coming off a hard fought and impressive win last Monday against the Bengals. Can the Broncos pick up the win and get the first round bye? I believe they will win!!
Broncos Win 27-17
This could be the game of the day as the Seattle Seahawks face the explosive Arizona Cardinals in a big-time game. The Seahawks were looking like the same team from the past couple of years by winning five games in a row before losing to the Rams last week. They have already clinched a playoff berth, but they probably would love to go into the playoffs on a positive note, not a 2-game losing streak. The Cardinals have already clinched a first round bye, but with a win and loss by the Panthers they could clinch home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. I’m going with Arizona to win this one!!
Cardinals Win 33-21
The final regular season game of the 2015-2016 regular season will be between the Minnesota Vikings traveling to face the Green Bay Packers with the winner claiming the NFC North title. The Vikings are coming off of two dominating performances against the Bears and Giants after losing a couple of games in a row. Can the Vikings defense distract Rodgers enough to pick up the win? The Packers were on a late season skid, but they won in Detroit on a Hail Mary, which started a three game winning streak before they were blown out last week by Arizona. I think they rebound and beat Minnesota to win the division again.
Packers Win 24-21
My Playoff Seedings:
AFC
1) New England Patriots
2) Denver Broncos
3) Cincinnati Bengals
4) Houston Texans
5) Kansas City Chiefs
6) New York Jets
NFC
1) Carolina Panthers
2) Arizona Cardinals
3) Green Bay Packers
4) Washington Redskins
5) Minnesota Vikings
6) Seattle Seahawks
