NFL Week 17 picks and predictions

Here are Don Banks of Sports Illustrated’s picks for Week 17 of the NFL season.

The final week of the NFL season is upon us and just a few teams are looking to lock up their playoff spots. All season long, Don Banks of Sports Illustrated has teamed up with ScoreBig to predict ever game of the NFL season.

Banks’ hot pace cooled off in Week 16, going 8-8, and he is looking to finish the season out on a strong note. Entering Week 17, Banks has been remarkably accurate with an overall record of 152-88.

Let’s see how Banks predicts Week 17 unfolding.

The Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints once ruled the NFC South, but the two franchises have slipped in recent years. Banks is picking the Falcons to edge the Saints in a close game that could be a toss up.

The New York Jets can lock up an AFC Wild Card berth with a win against the Buffalo Bills. It won’t be easy, but they should be expecting to win this game.

The battle of the lowly NFC North teams isn’t necessarily a clear pick, but Banks is giving the Bears the edge over the Lions.

The Bengals are looking to close out the season on a high note and clinging to hope for a first-round bye to give Andy Dalton more time to heal and come back. Banks has the Bengals taking care of bussiness at home.

The Steelers have been enjoying back-t0-back weeks of playing struggling teams in the AFC North. They should easily get the win over the Cleveland Browns and will have to hope that the New York Jets falter to get a spot in the AFC Wild Card round.

The Redskins have locked up the NFC East but that doesn’t mean they will falter against the Cowboys in the season finale. Banks has the Redskins beating the Cowboys, who have struggled all season.

The Houston Texans are looking for a win to lock up the AFC South and they couldn’t be happier to be playing the Jacksonville Jaguars. Seems like an easy pick.

A game between two struggling teams without starting quarterbacks, woof. This game will be ugly, but Banks has the Colts edging the Titans.

The Patriots have been rolling this season and the Dolphins present an opportunity to close out the season on a high note.

Who can tell up from down at the bottom of the NFC East. Banks is picking the Giants to beat the Eagles who just fired Chip Kelly and are in turmoil.

The Kansas City Chiefs are rolling and Banks isn’t betting on the Raiders beating them.

The Carolina Panthers aren’t dealing with the pressure of a perfect season anymore, but they should still be looking to get a win against an imperfect Tampa Bay team.

Banks is high on the Cardinals and says that Arizona would be his pick to win the Super Bowl.

The Chargers have been awful this year and there isn’t much of a chance that they get past the Broncos who have been dominant defensively and resilient.

The battle of the bottom of the NFC West, but it is clear who is at the bottom rung. Banks is picking the Rams to get the win, possibly their last in St. Louis.

Perhaps the most intriguing matchup of the week is the NFC North title clash. Can the Vikings hold off the Packers? Banks doesn’t think so.