GERRY DULAC’S WEEK 17 FORECAST
Steelers ( 8- 7) at Baltimore Ravens ( 13- 2): 4: 25 p. m. … The Steelers find themselves in a situation nearly identical to a year ago when they need a victory and outside help to make the playoffs. The Ravens will not be using their regulars, but that might not matter. Prediction: Ravens, 19- 13
New York Jets ( 6- 9) at Buffalo Bills ( 10- 5): 1 p. m. … The Bills are locked into the fifth seed in the AFC and could be a problem in the postseason because of their defense, even though they have to play on the road. The Bills were 6- 2 away from their neighborhood home during the regular season. Prediction: Bills, 17- 9 New Orleans Saints ( 12- 3) at Carolina Panthers ( 5- 10): 1 p. m. … The Saints are one of three NFC teams with a 12- 3 record, so the No. 1 seed is still in play. They should have an easy time staking their claim after averaging 35.3 points in their past six games. Prediction: Saints, 35- 21
Cleveland Browns ( 6- 9) at Cincinnati Bengals ( 1- 14): 1 p. m. … After all that preseason nonsense about being a potential Super Bowl contender, the Browns are still one win shy of matching their victory total from last season. And they might not even reach that. Prediction: Bengals, 23- 20
Green Bay Packers ( 12- 3) at Detroit Lions ( 3- 11- 1): 1 p. m. … Crazy to think the Lions were once 2- 0- 1. Not only did the Packers prove their worth last week by being the first team to win in Minnesota this season, but they can still get the No. 1 seed in the NFC. Prediction: Packers, 34- 17
Los Angeles Chargers ( 5- 10) at Kansas City Chiefs ( 11- 4): 1 p. m. … They don’t have any outdoor ice in Los Angeles, but if they did it would be thin and Chargers coach Anthony Lynn would be skating on it. The Chiefs are back looking like the Chiefs. Prediction: Chiefs, 33- 9
Chicago Bears ( 7- 8) at Minnesota Vikings ( 10- 5): 1 p. m. … Despite their record, three of the Vikings’ losses have been to division teams, including the Bears in Week 4. The Vikings have clinched a playoff spot and appear to be locked in as the sixth seed, no matter what happens here. Prediction: Vikings, 19- 16
Miami Dolphins ( 4- 11) at New England Patriots ( 12- 3): 1 p. m. … The Patriots can secure a first- round bye with a victory against the Dolphins, who haven’t won in New England since 2008. They showed with last week’s 24- 17 victory against the Bills they can still survive must- win games. Prediction: Patriots, Seth 30- 13 Wenig
Atlanta Falcons ( 6- 9) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers ( 7- 8): 1 p. m. … Tampa Bay’s late- season, albeit whimsical, push for a playoff spot was derailed with last week’s loss to the Texans. The Falcons are trying to make it look good by winning three in a row and five of their past seven. Prediction: Buccaneers, 34- 31
Tennessee Titans ( 8- 7) at Houston Texans ( 10- 5): 4: 25 p. m. … Even though they have lost their past two games, the Titans have taken control of what happens to the final playoff spot in the AFC, not the Steelers. But the Texans are planning to play their starters, so that could be a problem. Prediction: Texans, 28- 21
Oakland Raiders ( 7- 8) at Denver Broncos ( 6- 9): 4: 25 p. m. … The Broncos have won three of their past four. The Raiders are hoping for a three- team parlay to sneak into the postseason. It’s possible, of course, but don’t be surprised if they forget one important element — winning. Prediction: Broncos, 24- 21
Washington Redskins ( 3- 12) at Dallas Cowboys ( 7- 8): 4: 25 p. m. … The Cowboys blew their chance to clinch the NFC East. Now they have to beat the Redskins and hope the Giants can beat the Eagles. Otherwise, that’s the end of their season and, likely, the end of Jason Garrett. Prediction: Cowboys, 24- 13
Indianapolis Colts ( 7- 8) at Jacksonville Jaguars ( 5- 10): 4: 25 p. m. … If the Steelers and Titans lose, the Colts could hold one of the keys for the Steelers still making the playoffs. If they beat the Jaguars, that would increase the Steelers strength of victories and give them a tiebreaker over Tennessee. Prediction: Colts, 23- 19
Arizona Cardinals ( 5- 9- 1) at Los Angeles Rams ( 8- 7): 4: 25 p. m. … Any team that can go into Seattle and blow out the Seahawks can go into the Coliseum and do the same to the Rams. But rookie QB Kyler Murray might not play because of injury. It has been a big fall for the Rams. Prediction: Rams, 38- 35
Philadelphia Eagles ( 8- 7) at New York Giants ( 4- 11): 4: 25 p. m. … The Eagles somehow keep finding ways to scrape out victories and put themselves in position to win the NFC East. The only thing standing in their way is the Giants, against whom they needed OT to beat a few weeks ago. Prediction: Eagles, 23- 20
San Francisco 49ers ( 12- 3) at Seattle Seahawks ( 11- 4): 8: 20 p. m. … The NFC West is at stake for the Seahawks. The division and a first- round bye is at stake for the 49ers. Seattle won the first meeting and would own the tiebreaker with a victory. They are banged up, but Russell Wilson isn’t. Prediction: Seahawks, 27- 24