Daddy’s Hangout 2021 Week 17 NFL Predictions

First things first, rest in peace to the iconic John Madden. John Madden is known to the newer generation for his game, but he’s one of the best coaches ever. Let’s turn our attention to the NFL as we get closer to the playoffs. Week 16 was a minor step back seeing my record was 6-4. My overall record went to 81-52 and my winning percentage dipped from 61 to 60.9%. The Green Bay Packers and Kansas City are getting closer to clinching the top spot of their respective conferences. The Cardinals continued their downfall as they fell at home to a tough Indianapolis Colts team. Buffalo took over the AFC East by going to New England and beat the Patriots. Dallas and Philadelphia blew out division rivals as they continue their playoff push. This week I’ll be predicting another 8 games with playoff implications.

We kick things off with two teams from each conference who needs win for different rooms. The Atlanta Falcons will travel up north to Buffalo to face the Bills. The Falcons are tied with the Vikings and Saints with all three being a game behind for the final Wild Card spot. Atlanta has alternated wins and losses over their last 5 games. The Falcons remain a game behind for the final Wild Card spot along with the Vikings and Saints. If the Falcons lose, their playoff chances are pretty much gone. Buffalo is coming off their biggest win of the season as they defeated New England to take over the division lead. Buffalo played their most complete game last week, but can they duplicate that kind of game? I’m picking the Bills to leave with the win. Buffalo Win 31-21

We have two AFC teams that would be in the playoffs if they started today facing off. The Kansas City Chiefs will travel to Cincinnati to battle the Bengals. The Chiefs is the hottest team in the league as they have reeled off 8 wins in a row. The defense has carried them, but the offense has slowly been rejuvenated in the last month and a half. Kansas City have won 5 of their last 6 games by double digits and they beat some good teams. They can move towards clinching the top spot with a win. Cincinnati can clinch the AFC North with a win and some help if they can beat the Chiefs. Joe Burrow is coming off an historic game against the Ravens where he passed for 525 yards. This will be close, but I’m rolling with the Chiefs. Kansas City Win 30-20

We stay in the AFC with one team still fighting for the top spot and the other for a Wild Card spot. The Miami Dolphins head to Nashville to take on the Tennessee Titans. Miami have won 7-games in a row after losing seven consecutive games. With that streak, they have found themselves clinging onto the final Wild Card spot. The defense has played a huge part in it, but detractors will look at the competition they have faced. Either way, it’s no easy task for any team to win seven in a row in the NFL. The Titans are looking to clinch their division with a win or loss by the Colts. Tennessee also has their eye on the top spot in the AFC with them being a game behind the Chiefs. They win to keep pressure on the Chiefs. Tennessee Win 24-20

We stay in the AFC with a pair of teams that’s trying to get in the playoffs via the Wild Card. The Las Vegas Raiders will travel to Indianapolis to battle the Colts. The Raiders are clinging onto their playoff lives after barely winning their last two games. Before that, they had lost five out of their last six games and it seemed like their season was over. They are one of five teams that have 7 losses in the AFC fighting for the final Wild Card spot. Indianapolis have won three in a row and 6 of their last 7 games heading into this matchup. They are a team no one wants to face, but Carson Wentz will miss this one due to Covid protocols. Can Jonathon Taylor carry them to the win and maybe an MVP award? I’m riding with the Colts. Indianapolis Win 20-17

We have a battle between two teams that many thought could reach the Super Bowl at the beginning of the season. The Los Angeles Rams will head to Baltimore to face the Ravens. The Rams can clinch the NFC West with a win, but they are aiming higher. They remain a game behind the Packers for the top spot and tied with Dallas at the moment. They will need some help, but they are peaking at the right time seeing they’ve won four in a row. The Ravens had a strangle hold on their division, but they have dropped four in a row. They are in danger of not making the playoffs and Lamar Jackson have missed the last two games. They are on the outside looking in and I’m picking the Rams to win. Los Angeles Win 31-24

We have an elimination game between AFC West rivals in this one. The Denver Broncos will travel west to face the Los Angeles Chargers. Denver beat this Chargers team at home a little over a month ago. Ever since, they have dropped three of four games. If the Broncos were to lose this game, they would be eliminated from playoff consideration. Can they find it in them to pull off this upset over the Chargers? Los Angeles had one of their worse losses of the season as they were beaten by the Houston Texans. The loss hurt their playoff chances and will now need some help to go along with a win. Can the Chargers rebound from their ugly loss to remain in contention? I’m picking them to win this one. Los Angeles Win 34-21

We have a big matchup between two teams that have already clinched a playoff berth. The Arizona Cardinals will head to Dallas to face the Cowboys. The Cardinals were the last team to finally lose a game this season. Arizona is now on a 3-game losing streak, lost the division lead and now 5^th in the NFC. The key injuries have decimated this team and they need a big win to get some kind of momentum back. Can they get things together against this tough Dallas defense? Dallas was in a slump, but they put up 56 points against Washington last Sunday night. The Cowboys are riding a 4-game winning streak with the hopes of getting that top seed. This game will be much closer than many think, but I’m still picking the Cowboys. Dallas Win 31-28

We have the Sunday Night game between a pair of NFC North rivals. The Minnesota Vikings will travel to Lambeau Field to take on the Green Bay Packers. With their loss against the Rams last week, Minnesota is a game behind the Eagles for the final Wild Card spot. The Vikings upset the Packers almost a couple months ago in a shootout in Minnesota. The Vikings have lost three of five ever since that game and it seems like things have fell apart. Can they upset the Pack again? Green Bay is on cruise control winning four in a row ever since that game. The Packers barely got by the Ravens and Browns, so they haven’t been playing their best ball. I’m picking them to win and get back some momentum heading into the final week. Green Bay Win 34-24

This is the final game of the week and the last Monday night game of the season. The Cleveland Browns will travel to Pittsburgh to face the Steelers. Both of these teams are barely still in contention for the playoffs. The loser of this one is eliminated, but the Browns still have a shot at the division with a win and Bengals loss. Cleveland have dropped three of their last four games and the future of Baker Mayfield has been the talk of the town. Can they beat the Steelers to hold on to some playoff hopes? We all anticipate this to be the final home game for Big Ben as the Steelers QB. The team will definitely play harder seeing this is the end of the road for the future Hall-Of-Famer. I’m picking the Steelers to win this one. Pittsburgh Win 27-26

There we are my predictions for the 2021 Week 17 NFL season. What games intrigue you the most for the 2021 Week 17 NFL weekend? What do you think about my picks? Check out my top 5 teams from each conference below. Leave some feedback below about anything NFL related or my 2021 Week 17 NFL predictions.

Top 5 AFC Teams