NFL Week Seventeen Predictions

Carolina Panthers @ Atlanta Falcons

If any other team were in Atlanta's position then I'd say this game would be ripe for an upset, but the Falcons are probably going to play with purpose despite having nothing to really play for.
Prediction: Falcons

Cincinnati Bengals @ Baltimore Ravens

I just don't see the Bengals being able to do much against that defense.
Prediction: Ravens

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Cleveland Browns

Browns might have a slight chance if Hillis plays, but that Steelers' defense is solid.
Prediction: Steelers

Minnesota Vikings @ Detroit Lions

Detroit is just starting to get hot.  I know this is a game the Vikings are going to fight tooth and nail to win, but I expect Detroit to mimic the gameplan Chicago used to beat them: lots of pressure on the quarterback and an aerial attack.
Prediction: Lions

Oakland Raiders @ Kansas City Chiefs

Oakland's looking pretty banged up, and their rush defense isn't keeping up with their pass defense.
Prediction: Chiefs

Miami Dolphins @ New England Patriots

New England isn't going to roll over for this game, they should win at home.
Prediction: Patriots

Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ New Orleans Saints

The Bucs are toe to toe with the Saints on both sides of the pass, but they have struggled against the run, and Chris Ivory and company should put the hurt on them.
Prediction: Saints

Buffalo Bills @ New York Jets

The Jets will make a statement heading into the playoffs.
Prediction: Jets

San Diego Chargers @ Denver Broncos

Denver hasn't convinced me that they can beat anyone, much less the Chargers
Prediction: Chargers

Chicago Bears @ Green Bay Packers

The Bears finally had a statement game over the Jets, but I still feel like people underestimate them.  The perfect way to counter that would be to potentially knock Green Bay out of the playoff chase, and I think that motivation will get the Bears back into the habit of winning at Lambeau that they had the first few years under Lovie Smith.  This is my game of the week.
Prediction: Bears

Jacksonville Jaguars @ Houston Texans

The Jaguars haven't looked like a team that wants to win lately, but the Texans are just abysmal.  They have  a penchant for winning games at the end of the season after they've lost all playoff hope, but I can't see them pulling this one out.
Prediction: Jaguars

Tennessee Titans @ Indianapolis Colts

Unfortunately for Jaguars fans I can't see Indy letting a playoff opportunity slip through their hands the way Jacksonville did.  The Titans have problems, and I see no way that they'll be able to stop Peyton Manning.
Prediction: Colts

Dallas Cowboys @ Philadelphia Eagles

I truly hate the questionable status, it seems like every time it's put on someone the day before they end up playing.  If Kitna plays, this could be a trap game.  If not, I doubt they can put together an attack that will beat the Eagles.  I have no other viable upsets, though, so I'm taking the Cowboys.  This is my upset of the week.
Prediction: Cowboys

Arizona Cardinals @ San Francisco 49ers

The Cardinals have looked pretty awful at times this season, but they've pulled their act together recently a slight bit.  The Niners just had their head coach fired with one game to go and I doubt they'll have a cohesive gameplan going in, so I'm taking the Cards to finish the season strong.  This is my sleeper of the week.
Prediction: Cardinals

New York Giants @ Washington Redskins

The Giants are struggling, but they couldn't possibly lose to Washington, could they?
Prediction: Giants

St. Louis Rams @ Seattle Seahawks

Hard to believe this is for a playoff spot, you'd never have guessed the Seahawks would still be in it.  Still, I don't see them containing the Rams' offense
Prediction: Rams