NFL Playoff Schedule Predictions and Week 17 Picks

With the final week of the 2013 season upon us, it is time for me to break out my Playoff Schedule Predictions for the 2013 NFL postseason. As always it is my guilty pleasure to try to predict what matchups will be scheduled in what timeslots on the different networks. It is always tough to call because the playoff teams are not set yet, but the NFL and the networks slot the games in certain spots. The games are rotated on a yearly basis, so the games have to be set up a certain way. Every year it fascinates me to see how the league sets up the games and how it affects the schedule, so every year I try to predict how it plays out before the games in Week 17. Here is what I think will happen based on my predictions for Week 17...

Wild Card Weekend:
Saturday January 4th
NBC-4:30pm EST: (5) Kansas City at (4) Indianapolis
NBC- 8:00pm EST: (5) San Francisco at (4) Green Bay

Sunday January 5th
FOX-1:00pm EST: (6) New Orleans at (3) Philadelphia
CBS-4:30pm EST: (6) San Diego at (3) Cincinnati

*If Miami gets the 6th seed, then I think that Miami and Cincy will still be on Sunday 1/5.
*If Chicago wins the North over Green Bay, then I still think that SF/Chi will be on Saturday night on NBC.

Divisional Weekend:
Saturday January 11th
FOX-4:30pm EST: @ Carolina
CBS-8:00pm EST: @ Denver

Saturday January 12th
CBS- 1:00pm EST: @ New England
FOX-4:00pm EST: @ Seattle

Before I get to my Week 17 picks, I am six games over .500 with one week to play. All I need to do is go at least 6-10 this week to finish with a record over .500 for the season which would be a great accomplishment for me this season. Onto the picks for Week 17...

Last Week's Record: 8-7-1
Overall Record: 118-112-12
(HOME TEAM IN CAPS)

ATLANTA (+6) over Carolina: I think the Panthers will win this game and grab the #2 seed in the NFC, but I think the Falcons will give them everything they have in this finale.

TENNESSEE (-7) over Houston: Meaningless game. The Titans get to 7-9 and the Texans secure the #1 pick in the NFL Draft with their 14th straight loss.

PITTSBURGH (-6) over Cleveland: The Steelers keep their faint playoff hopes alive for a few hours as they get to 8-8 with a win over their rival.

NY GIANTS (-2) over Washington: Another meaningless game and the G-Men get to 7-9 on the year, and the Mike Shanahan Era ends in Washington with a 3-13 campaign.

CINCY (-5) over Baltimore: The Bengals have plenty of motivation in this game. They can knock the Ravens out of the playoffs and they can still get the #2 seed in the AFC.

INDY (-10) over Jacksonville: Indy could still get the #3 seed and they have an outside shot at the #2 seed. They will take care of their end by thumping the Jags at home.

New York Jets (+6) over MIAMI: There is always a surprise game in Week 17. I have a feeling that this might be the one. The Jets can get to 8-8 and help save Rex Ryan's job and in the process knock the Dolphins out of the playoffs. Miami might win this game, but it will come down to the wire.

Detroit (+3) over MINNESOTA: What a disappointment the Lions were this season. I had them in the playoffs before the year, but they have lost three games in a row after they were sitting in good shape at 7-5. This should be Jim Schwartz's last game as head coach.

Green Bay (PICK) over CHICAGO: Aaron Rodgers will be back for this game, and this sets up a huge storyline for this game. One game for the NFC North title, and it involves the Packers and the Bears. You can't get a better scenario than that one.

Buffalo (+9) over NEW ENGLAND: I think the Pats will win the game, but I think it will be closer than people think. Look for the Bills to hang around for awhile in this one.

Tampa Bay (+13) over NEW ORLEANS: This game has some potential as a stunner. Stranger things have happened in the final week of the season in the past. The Saints will win, but I think it will be closer than expected.

ARIZONA (+2) over San Francisco: When this game kicks off, Arizona will be playing with their playoff hopes still alive. Usually a team fighting for the playoffs will outplay a team that is already in the playoffs. Seeding doesn't really matter to those teams that are already in the playoffs.

SAN DIEGO (-7) over Kansas City: The Chiefs are already locked in to the #5 seed, so there is a good chance that they will not play many of their key players. I have a feeling the Chargers are going to find their way into the playoffs. Look for a big win by San Diego at home.

SEATTLE (-9) over St. Louis: After last week's stunning home loss to Arizona, the Seahawks need to win this game to lock up the #1 seed in the NFC. I think they will be focused and ready to go for this game, and they will take care of business at home over the Rams.

Philly (-4) over DALLAS: Tony Romo will probably miss this game because of a back injury which means that Kyle Orton will get the start in his place. The Cowboys season rests on the right arm of Kyle Orton. How amazing is that? Broncos fans will tell you that Kyle Orton is not the QB running your franchise, but for one game Orton could get the job done. I just think that the Eagles are just the better team right now, and their offense should find a way to put up enough points to hold off the Cowboys.

Denver (-10) over OAKLAND: Denver needs to win this game to secure the #1 seed in the AFC. The Pats will be playing at the same time, so the Broncos can't rest anyone and to play this to the end. Terrelle Pryor gets the start for the Raiders, and this game will be back and forth for a while, but look for Peyton Manning and the Broncos to push the pedal to the medal when they have to and get the job done in the end.

Final Score: Broncos-38 Raiders-24