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Fearless Rick & Coin Flip NFL Week 17 Early Games
All times Eastern
Week 16 Results:
ALL TIMES EASTERN
Wednesday, December 25
Kansas City Chiefs (-2.5, 43.5) at Pittsburgh Steelers, 1:00 pm (Netflix) - The Chiefs need just one more win to wrap up the first round bye and secure home field for the playoffs. A win here means they can rest some players in Week 18, which might work out well for them and the Broncos, hosts for the January 5 game.
While the Chiefs have already wrapped up the AFC West, the Steelers have also secured a playoff spot, but, after two straight losses, are in danger of falling from tops in the AFC North to a wild card. Both teams have plenty of reasons to want a win here, but the Chiefs are deadly dangerous in December.
Coin Flip: Kansas City
Fearless Rick's Pick: Chiefs 27 Steelers 17
The Ravens are rolling after their Week 14 bye, knocking off the Giants, 35-14, and last week, the Steelers, 34-17, putting them in a position to capture the AFC North division. It should not be a problem for them if KC knocks off Pittsburgh earlier in the day. They host Cleveland next week.
Unseemly as it may sound, the Texans may lay down on this one.
Coin Flip: Baltimore
Fearless Rick's Pick: Ravens 31 Texans 12
Seattle Seahawks (-4, 43.5) at Chicago Bears, 8:15 pm (Prime Video) - Seattle is still alive in the NFC West race, a game behind the Rams, who they visit next week, so this is a must win for them if they envision the post-season.
The Bears have packed it in long ago, now having lost nine straight.
Coin Flip: Chicago
Fearless Rick's Pick: Seahawks 26 Bears 17
Los Angeles Chargers (-4, 42.5) at New England Patriots, 1:00 pm (NFL Network) - While the Patriots have lost five in a row, their last encounter, at Buffalo, was much improved, losing a 24-21 decision. The last time they played at home, the Patriots feel to the Colts, 25-24. Rookie QB Drake Maye has proven he can compete at this level and Kayshon Boutte is emerging as a threat to any secondary.
The Chargers have great depth and a win here puts them in the playoffs. They come off a 34-27 win over Denver which followed defeats to Tampa Bay and Kansas City. At 9-6, a win here or next week at Las Vegas secures a wild card.
The long trip cross-country and possible cruel weather conditions don't favor the visitors from warm San Diego. New England may stun them.
Coin Flip: New England
Fearless Rick's Pick: Patriots 24 Chargers 21
The Bengals, at 7-8, need to win both of their final two games and get some help. A glaring problem with Cincinnati is that they have yet to win a game against a team with a winning record. Also, they're just 2-5 at home. On the plus side, they've won three straight.
Coin Flip: Denver
Fearless Rick's Pick: Broncos 30 Bengals 24
In all likelihood, the Rams will be expecting a struggle. Arizona smothered them in Week 2, 41-10, but much has changed since then, especially the health of LA's offense. Bear in mind the Rams started 1-4 and are 8-2 since then, including wins over Minnesota, Seattle, New Orleans and Buffalo, and their defense has given up just 15 points in back-to-back wins over the 49ers (12-6) and Jets (19-9).
Coin Flip: Los Angeles Rams
Fearless Rick's Pick: Rams 34 Cardinals 20
New York Jets at Buffalo Bills (-10, 47), 1:00 pm (CBS) - At 10-3, Buffalo looks very much like the #2 seed in the AFC, behind Kansas City and ahead of either Baltimore or Pittsburgh. QB Josh Allen was injured slightly against the Patriots last week, but he's almost certain to start. A win here means many of the starters could rest in their rematch with the pesky Patriots next week.
Simply awful this season, the Jets did manage to lose by only a field goal (23-20) when these two met up Week 6 in New York. Buffalo's defense has shown some holes, so it's not certain they can win this by much. However, Aaron Rodgers may be a bit hobbled by an MCL injury, though he intends to play.
Look for the Bills to end speculation and wrap up the #2 seed.
Coin Flip: New York Jets
Fearless Rick's Pick: Bills 35 Jets 20
Coin Flip: New Orleans
Fearless Rick's Pick: Raiders 16 Saints 13
Expect heavy doses of Jonathan Taylor (218 yards last week) and another dull effort from the Giants.
Coin Flip: New York Giants
Fearless Rick's Pick: Colts 27 Giants 6
The Eagles suffered a blow to their egos and chance for a first round bye when upset last week by the Commanders, 36-33. The upside is that they play the Giants next week.
Dallas is out of the playoffs thanks to Washington's win, but they've put in some good work lately, winning four of their last five, including wins over Washington and Tampa Bay. Their 34-6 loss to the Eagles November 10 was the first week after Dak Prescott's injury. QB Cooper Rush has improved markedly since then. Lots of ways this could go against the Eagles.
Coin Flip: Philadelphia
Fearless Rick's Pick: Cowboys 23 Eagles 20
While Tampa Bay hosts New Orleans next week, they have to focus here because Carolina has been resurgent. Over their last seven games, the Panthers are 3-4, but only one of those losses was by more than six points (Dallas, 30-14). Also, Tampa Bay defeated the Panthers in Week 13, but it was in OT, 26-23. Upset looms large.
Coin Flip: Tampa Bay
Fearless Rick's Pick: Carolina 30 Buccaneers 20
Titans should even up the score.
Coin Flip: Jacksonville
Fearless Rick's Pick: Titans 23 Jaguars 10
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