2021 NFL Week 17 Picks

Denver Broncos at LA Chargers (-5 1/2, 45) 4:05 pm - Despite having allowed more points than they've scored (411-408), the Chargers are still in the playoff hunt with an 8-7 record, while Denver, at 7-8, has not yet been eliminated. This is a return engagement after Denver took the first game handily, chalking up a 28-13 win at home on November 28.

The Chargers took the Chiefs into overtime in a 34-28 loss two weeks ago, but fell apart at Houston with a 41-29 defeat.

Denver has suffered two straight tough losses, going down, 15-10 against the Bengals and dropping a 17-13 decision last week at Las Vegas. Second consecutive week on the road looks like the end of it for the Broncos.

Coin Flip: Denver

Prediction: Chargers 30 Broncos 20

Houston Texans at San Francisco 49ers (-12 1/2, 44) 4:05 pm - Houston's win over the Chargers last week included a turnover margin of 3-0. Don't expect Jimmy G to just give it up to the visiting Texans and the SF defense is a heck of a lot better than what the Texans have been facing recently.

Despite last week's 20-17 loss at Tennessee, the 49ers are one of the most dangerous teams out there. They should win this one without much worry.

Coin Flip: Houston

Prediction: 49ers 34 Texans 14

Arizona Cardinals at Dallas Cowboys (-5 1/2, 51 1/2) 4:25 pm - What the heck happened to the Cardinals? After a 7-0 start they've won just three of their last eight games, including their current three-game losing streak. It appears that defenses have figured out Kyler Murray and the Arizona defense has some serious holes to fill.

The Cowboys have been on a tear since the end of November, winning four straight, though the opposition hasn't been very good (Washington twice, Giants, Saints), so the obvious tendency would be to take a stand against the line and support the Cardinals. While their loss to Detroit was a mess, they can be forgiven the losses to the Rams (30-23) and Colts (22-16).

Coin Flip: Dallas

Prediction: Cardinals 27 Cowboys 20

Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints (-6 1/2, 38) 4:25 pm - The book on Ian Book last week against Miami isn't good: 12-for-20, 135 yards, 2 interceptions. He's probably better than that, having gotten his first career start against a fierce Miami defense in that 20-3 defeat.

The good news for Saints fans is that they still have playoff hope (7-8), and they're meeting a division rival which has lost five straight. Cam Newton's return to Carolina has been anything but fun. The Panthers were eliminated from the post-season weeks ago, and the team seems to have nothing left in the tank. Sam Darnold might get the start at QB this week, though it's unlikely to matter.

Coin Flip: Carolina

Prediction: Saints 24 Panthers 14

Detroit Lions at Seattle Seahawks (-7, 42 1/2) 4:25 pm - This is just a horrible game. The Lions seem to have some life left in them. Jared Goff is back at QB following a week on (utter bullshit) COVID protocol.

Coin Flip: Seattle

Prediction: Lions 21 Seahawks 17

Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers (-6 1/2, 47 1/2) 8:20 pm - The Packers need to win this game and hold off the Lions in Detroit next week to secure the #1 seed and a bye in the first week of the upcoming playoffs. That's likely to be easier said than done, since the last time they face the Vikings - albeit in Minnesota - the Vikings were victorious, though only by the narrow 34-31, three-point margin.

Minnesota comes off another one-score loss, which are really piling up for the Vikings and are severely threatening to their post-season aspirations. All eight of Minnesota's losses have been by eight points or fewer. That's exactly how good teams don't make the playoffs. Look for the Packers to hammer the final nails into Minnesota's coffin, though, as it has gone all season, those nails will be hard put.

Coin Flip: Green Bay

Prediction: Packers 27 Vikings 24

Monday, January 3

Cleveland Browns (-3, 41) at Pittsburgh Steelers 8:15 pm - The Steelers haven't called it quits yet, but the losses to quality teams are adding up and are not pretty. The last three Pittsburgh losses have been 41-10 at Cincinnati, 36-28 at Minnesota, and 36-10 at Kansas City (it wasn't even that close). In between, Pittsburgh managed a 20-19 win over Baltimore and a 19-13 victory against Tennessee, both of those at home. In fact, the Steelers haven't lost at home since week three, a 24-10 setback handed to them by the Bengals.

Pittsburgh managed a win at Cleveland in week eight, 15-10, and now needs to do it to them again, this time at home, where they are 5-2-1. The Browns are just 2-5 on the road, and have lost their last three straight trips outside of Cleveland.

Cleveland is in a precarious positions, having to host the Bengals next week, but, a win here and next week might actually land them the division title.

Coin Flip: Cleveland

Prediction: Browns 24 Steelers 19

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