Week 17 is always a difficult week to predict, as many teams will be resting starters and preparing for the playoffs and others have little to play for, meaning it’s hard to judge who’ll really be ‘up’ for a game.

The six playoff bound NFC teams are all decided, though there are seedings to play for. The top 4 AFC teams are set, and the Jets and Ravens are set to ‘win and in’ but have a bunch of teams chasing them.

So… predict we must, as that’s what we’re here to do! Here we go…

Indianapolis Colts @ Buffalo Bills
A – The Colts are sure to rest players as they literally have nothing to play for. Don’t be surprised to see Painter in the first half, and all but the Line on the side. The Bills too, have nothing to play for in real terms but will want to end the season strongly. I can see them taking this one.
C – As the guys have said, the Colts will surely be resting people and i’d think that the Bills team are better than the Colts secondary. Bills are at home too, and will be looking to finish strong so i’m going for a home win.
G – The Bills will be looking for a win here as Fewell looks for a good ending for his impressive stint as head coach. I am not sure if it will be enough, but it looks like the safer pick here.

New Orleans Saints @ Carolina Panthers
A – Like with the Colts, the Saints have the #1 seed wrapped up and good to go. Unlike the Colts though, they’ve been struggling recently and are coming off two straight home losses. Sean Payton will be torn between resting his starters (though he does have the wildcard weekend) against finishing strongly against a divisional rival to take some momentum into the post-season.
The Panthers have been showing us all what a good team they can be, and I think I fancy them to continue that here.
C – I’m going for a Panthers win this week. The Saints are beatable (I’m sure i said that when they were undefeated ) and the Panthers have looked good as of late.
G – I think the Saints will look to steady the ship with a win here.

Jacksonville Jaguars @ Cleveland Browns
A – Probably like the players, I can’t get that excited for this one. But I expect the Browns to finish the stronger of the two teams.
C – Browns all the way. They’ve looked good the last few weeks so i can’t vote against them.
G – I think the Browns should just edge it.

Chicago Bears @ Detroit Lions
A – With the pressure off towards the end of the season, many teams are showing us their potential, and the Bears did so last week with an impressive showing against the Vikings. It remains to be seen if they can take this into the 2010 season. The Lions have also shown us a lot this year; they’ve played well, battled for every game and kept their morale and unity. But I think the Bears will see them off here.
C – I’m going for a Chicago win. Last weeks win against the Vikings would have done wonders for them, Cutler especially with his great performance.
G – This game will mean as much to the Lions as any other this year and I think that will make them the hungrier of the two teams. Lions win.

New England Patriots @ Houston Texans
A – For the Pats, winning the division and booking a playoff spot is paramount, and after missing out (on 11-5!) 2008 they’re in already at 10-4. They can’t catch San Diego for the #2 seed, but could be overtaken by the Bengals for #3… something they won’t want to happen. Who they’ll face next week – whether they’re the 3rd or 4th seed obviously isn’t known yet, but lose this one and it could be the Texans. For that reason, I see a strong side staying out as long as it’s possible to do so rather than giving momentum to a team that could be coming to Foxboro next week.
All that said, I’d really like to see the Texans win. Not only would it give them a winning record for the season, but it gives them a chance of the playoffs and the fan in me wants to see that.
The pundit in me – such as it is – says the Patriots will win this one.
C – I really want a Texans win. They’ve played well all year (albeit a bit hit and miss). I’ve yet to see them play an entire game though. If they do get through to the playoffs then they need to play for the full 4 quarters. Not just turn up for one half. If they can do that then expect a Texan win. Unfortunately, i haven’t seen any evidence they will do this, so i’m going for a Pats win.
G – Both teams have actually been hard to call this year. I expected one thing and they both delivered something else. I am backing the Texans.

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Miami Dolphins
A – Mathematically the Dolphins are hanging in there, and just need 5 other teams to lose to sneak in as the 6th seed. The Steelers need to win and then check other results, but it’s not favourable, and yet again we’re looking at the current Superbowl winning Steelers not making the playoffs. They’ll be back.
It’s all over for the Dolphins though, and I expect the Steelers to finish strongly here.
C – I think the Steelers will edge this one. They want to and need to finish strong.
G – It has not been a shabby year for the Dolphins, but it has been let down by not picking up the ‘easier’ wins. For the reasons above it should end up being a good even game. Dolphins win.

New York Giants @ Minnesota Vikings
A – Giants to win this one as the Vikings coast into the playoffs.
C – The Vikings loss last week will be hurting, as will the Giants giant loss (see what i did?) so i’m expecting a battle. I think the Giants will come out on top.
G – Vikings win for me.

San Francisco 49ers @ St. Louis Rams
A – It was going so well for the 49ers, eh Graham? Still, there are worse ways to end the season that by visiting St. Louis… 49ers to win.
C – Funny Graham, my sources say the 49ers at Wembley too I reckon they’ll finish strong and destroy the Rams. They’d better, i have Alex Smith and Vernon Davis in my dream team!
G – Yes, I had high hopes for the 49ers this year and to be fair they have improved. I kind of hope we get to see them at Wembley in 2010….in fact that is my tip Oh, and a win this week too.

Atlanta Falcons @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
A – The Falcons can look back ruefully at the two close losses that have kept them at home this January and look forward to next year.
The Bucs have been getting better as the season goes on, but this has still been very much a rebuilding year. Coming off two wins, it’s easy to fancy them for this game but I think Atlanta will have enough to see them off.
C – I fancy Tampa to win this week too. They’ve definitely improved lately and that win against the Saints will do them wonders.
G – Tampa have really been turning it on. I fancy them at home this week.

Philadelphia Eagles @ Dallas Cowboys
A – Currently seeded 6th, the Cowboys could rise to 2nd with a win and some results going their way. In any case, with a win they’ll go above the Eagles thanks to sweeping them this season. With a win, the Eagles will be resting next week so look for them to play hard, even if the Vikings (who play earlier) have lost.
I think they’re a better team than the Cowboys, so will pick them but this one could really go either way.
C – Definitely a hard game to call. However, my gut is telling me an Eagles win so that’s what i’m going for.
G – Hard game to call, but I am going with the Cowboys.

Green Bay Packers @ Arizona Cardinals
A – Seeded 5 and 4 currently, the Pack cannot catch the Vikings but the Cards can improve their position. Both teams will want to finish strongly as the chances are that they’ll be a repeat of this match next week.
Therefore a very hard game to predict, but I like the Packers more so will pick them here.
C – This week (as most weeks) i’m going for a Packers win.
G – The Cardinals at home are always tough to beat and for that reason alone I am backing them.

Kansas City Chiefs @ Denver Broncos
A – The Broncos are within touching distance of the post-season after their strong start and troubling middle to the season. They need at least one other result to go their way, but it has to start with a win here and I think they’ll have enough to get past the Chiefs.
C – I can’t look past the Broncos here. Everything to play for so expect a full assault on the Chiefs.
G – Broncos for me too.

Baltimore Ravens @ Oakland Raiders
A – Like we mentioned above, the Ravens are ‘win and in’. Whilst there’s no knowing which Raiders team will show up, I have to think the Ravens will be motivated – and ultimately too good – for the Raiders.
C – Ravens all the way baby
G – I am backing Baltimore here.

Washington Redskins @ San Diego Chargers
A – I don’t think even the Chargers resting a lot of players will be enough here. I think we’ll give them a game, but will be disappointed. Again.
But who cares! I’m not going to catch Graham and this is my team. So Redskins to win.
C – As Graham said, i can’t see the Chargers losing here. The Skins have indeed been battling hard but it won’t be enough.
G – I can’t really see the Skins upsetting the Chargers here. Chargers win.

Tennessee Titans @ Seattle Seahawks
A – This has been a very disappointing season for both of these teams. I’m sure both will be back next season (though the Titans are a much surer bet). Hard to say which team will be more up for this, but maybe Chris Johnson only 128 yards from 2000 will be enough to fire the Titans past the ‘Hawks.
C – Titans win and CJ to get the 2000 yards to top his fantastic second year.
G – Titans should have more than enough here.

Cincinnati Bengals @ New York Jets
A – Like with the Packers/Cards game, this could be repeated next week if New York win. For them, they have to win or they are out. The Bengals are already safe, so may rest-up, but I think it’s more likely they’ll look to finish strongly against a team that could well be visiting them next week.
But if they do rest key players, then the Jets will have been handed a post-season place on a plate… I don’t think they’ll have earned it.
Bengals to win.
C – Jets win. The Bengals have been dire lately where-as the Jets have played hard and looked pretty good.
G – The Jets will be riding a high after last week. I can see them picking up a win here. Jets win.

	Andrew	Graham	Craig		Offical MAC Prediction
Indianapolis Colts @ Buffalo Bills
New Orleans Saints @ Carolina Panthers
Jacksonville Jaguars @ Cleveland Browns
Chicago Bears @ Detroit Lions
New England Patriots @ Houston Texans
Pittsburgh Steelers @ Miami Dolphins
New York Giants @ Minnesota Vikings
San Francisco 49ers @ St. Louis Rams
Atlanta Falcons @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Philadelphia Eagles @ Dallas Cowboys
Green Bay Packers @ Arizona Cardinals
Kansas City Chiefs @ Denver Broncos
Baltimore Ravens @ Oakland Raiders
Washington Redskins @ San Diego Chargers
Tennessee Titans @ Seattle Seahawks
Cincinnati Bengals @ New York Jets

Image Credit: Big Terp