Pressure Packed Week 17 Looms with Massive Playoff Implications

“Form is temporary, class is permanent.” It is an expression that means that although elite athletes may struggle occasionally, but their ability will shine brightly in the end. It felt that the world watched this expression live on the Netflix Christmas doubleheader on Wednesday. Many fans and analysts have been critical of Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson’s performances this season. However, as the playoff loom and on the national stage as the stand-alone holiday games, the elite quarterbacks showed their class in demolishing their opponents. Mahomes out-played Russell Wilson by completing 29 of 38 passes, 320 yards, and three touchdowns in a 29-10 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.

On the other hand, Lamar Jackson completed 10 of 15 passes for 168 passing yards, four rushes for 87 yards, and three total touchdowns in a 31-2 win over C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans. The wins mean that the Chiefs win the number seed and a bye in the wild-card round, and the Ravens are a win closer to winning the AFC North division. Still, there are more pressure-packed games ahead in week 17. In this article, we will preview and predict the outcomes.

Last week: 3-2
Overall: 51-24

1. Denver Broncos (9-6) at Cincinnati Bengals (7-8)- Saturday, 4:30 p.m. ET (NFL Network)

Despite a collapse last Thursday against the Chargers, the Broncos still control their playoff destiny if they win this game. Denver has struggled against the elite AFC teams in scoring 6, 14, and 10 points against the Steelers, Chiefs, and Ravens for an average of 8 points. However, they will face a Bengals team desperate for a win to stay alive in the wild-card race. The Bengals are on a 3-game winning streak and in a position to sneak into the playoffs because Joe Burrow is quietly playing on an MVP level. I think this will be an exciting game, but Burrow will pull this game out late in the fourth quarter.

Bengals 30-Broncos 24

2. Dallas Cowboys (7-8) at Philadelphia Eagles (12-3)-Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (Fox)

Dallas was eliminated last week from the playoffs, but it did not deter the team from playing the role of spoilers against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Cowboys have quietly won four of their last five games and would love to ruin their bitter rival’s chances of winning the division and number one seed. However, I favor the Eagles to win this matchup because they will impose their physicality through the run game through Saquon Barkley. Barkley is 268 yards behind Eric Dickenson for the all-time rushing yards record.

Eagles 25-Cowboys 20

3. Green Bay Packers (11-4) at Minnesota Vikings (13-2)-Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET (Fox)

This is the best game of the weekend. The Vikings can win the division while the Packers have secured a wild card spot. The two teams met earlier this season, with the Vikings jumping out to a 28-0 lead on the road, but Jordan Love mounted a ferocious comeback by outscoring the Vikings 29-3 to lose a thriller. Last week, the Vikings edged the Seahawks, while the Packers shut out the Saints. I think Minnesota is the more complete team, and I have them sweeping the Packers by winning a narrow margin.

Vikings 27-Packers 23

4. Atlanta Falcons (8-7) at Washington Commanders (10-5)-Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET (NBC)

This game has been flexed into Sunday Night Football and is a matchup of the number 2 pick (Jayden Daniels) and 8th pick (Michael Pennix) in the 2024 draft. Pennix played well in his starting debut in a 34-7 win over the New York Giants, while Daniels played the role of savior with a game-winning touchdown thrown to topple the Eagles. The Falcons must win because any slip-ups would hand the initiative to the Buccaneers. However, I think the Commanders will win and clinch a playoff spot because Pennix will come short in his first road start of his NFL career. After a five-touchdown performance, Daniels will stay hot with a good performance.

Commanders 31-Falcons 27

5. Detroit Lions (13-2) at San Francisco 49ers (6-9)-Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET (ESPN)

The 49ers were eliminated from contention after losing to the Miami Dolphins last week. I think the team struggled this season due to injury problems, but they still have to themselves and management that they should keep them together for next season. I think Detroit’s injuries on defense will catch up with them, while the 49ers offense will look to send a message for next year. The Lions have played back-to-back road games in Chicago and now in the Bay area, which is a difficult challenge. I have the 49ers winning in an upset and a thriller.

49ers 30-Lions 29