Broncos-Chargers and Week 17 Picks!

The Broncos finish 2018 at home against the Chargers, and the game will feature a lot of no shows, the final appearance of Vance Joseph on the Denver sideline, and probably a lopsided loss. The Broncos are going to finish 6-10 and that might actually help their draft position for 2019 based on what happens the rest of the day. The Chargers still can win the division and the #1 seed in the AFC with a win, so they have something to play for. Look for the Chargers to easily roll over the Broncos and put this dreadful season behind us.

Prediction: LA Chargers (-6) over DENVER
Final Score: Chargers-31 Broncos-10

Now onto the picks for Week 17....

Last Week's Record: 7-6-3
Overall Record: 116-107-14
(HOME TEAM IN CAPS)

NY GIANTS (-5) over Dallas: The Cowboys have the NFC East wrapped up, so they will probably take it easy. This could be the last game for Eli Manning as a Giant, so I think they will send him out a winner.

Carolina (+7) over NEW ORLEANS: The Saints locked up the #1 seed in the NFC last week, so they have nothing to play for here.

NY Jets (+14) over NEW ENGLAND: The Pats need to win to get the #2 seed in the AFC, and I think they will win, but I could see Sam Darnold and the Jets keeping it closer than people expect and getting that backdoor cover.

GREEN BAY (-7) over Detroit: Both teams are playing out the string, and I think GB gets to 7-8-1.

HOUSTON (-6) over Jacksonville: The Texans will win and finish 11-5, after a 0-3 start, but they will end up as the #3 seed in the AFC after NE wins.

ATLANTA (-1) over Tampa Bay: The Falcons will win to finish 7-9 on the year.

BUFFALO (-3) over Miami: The Bills will finish the year 6-10 while the Dolphins will finish 7-9.

KANSAS CITY (-13) over Oakland: The Chiefs will win the AFC West and the #1 seed by virtue of knocking off the Raiders in Arrowhead.

Philly (-6) over WASHINGTON: Nick Foles leads the Eagles to win and a 9-7 finish but they will just miss out of the playoffs.

MINNESOTA (-4) over Chicago: The Vikings will win and finish 9-6-1 and get the #6 seed in the NFC, while the Bears will finish 11-5 and the #3 seed.

SEATTLE (-12) over Arizona: The Seahawks will rout the Cards and finish 10-6 and the #5 seed in the NFC.

LA RAMS (-9) over San Francisco: The Rams will win and be the #2 seed in the NFC.

Cleveland (+6) over BALTIMORE: I'm going to have some fun and I predict the Browns will upset the Ravens in Baltimore and knock the Ravens out of a potential playoff spot. The Browns finish 8-7-1, and that sets up.....

PITTSBURGH (-12) over Cincy: The Steelers take care of their business and win the AFC North by virtue of the Ravens loss and the #4 seed in the AFC.

Indy (-3) over TENNESSEE: Game #256 of the regular season concludes with the Colts beating the Titans on the road and getting the #6 seed in the AFC.


Based on my Week 17 predictions, here is what I think the Wild Card Weekend Schedule will look like:

Saturday 1/5

(6) Indy at (3) Houston-4:30pm (ESPN/ABC)
(6) Minnesota at (3) Chicago- 8:00pm (NBC)

Sunday 1/6
(5) LA Chargers at (4) Pittsburgh (CBS)
(5) Seattle at (4) Dallas (FOX)

To go further, I think this will be the set up for the Divisional Round the following week:

Saturday 1/12
at New England-4:30pm (NBC)
at New Orleans-8:00pm (FOX)

Sunday 1/13
at Kansas City-1:00pm (CBS)
at Los Angeles Rams-4:00pm (FOX)