NEW YEAR’S PREVIEWS

DOLPHINS AT PATRIOTS – 10AMPT/1PM ET

This matchup not only means more to these rivaled teams’ playoff opportunity, but it also affects the rest of the teams below them. Teams that aren’t eliminated will be Patriots fans this weekend because a Dolphins win potentially solidifies the final AFC playoff spot. New England lost four of their last five games since Thanksgiving against tough competition in the latter of the 2022 regular season. Meanwhile, Miami failed to win a game in December and are staring at another elimination from playoff contention with possibly their first losing record in the Tua Tagovailoa era. The good news is that a Miami win could seal the last AFC seed barring other situation below them. The bad news is that they won’t have Tua for this matchup and Miami fails to win games without him. He’s 21-12 as a starter. It’s not eye-popping, but he’s key when healthy. The Patriots’ defense and hopefully the run game does enough to pull them through.

MY PICK: PATRIOTS

PANTHERS AT BUCCANEERS – 10AM PT/1PM ET

The Panthers are up for elimination from the division title and the playoffs in one foul swoop. Tom Brady and the Bucs aim to close out with a win, the division title, some much needed rest, and time to prepare for their fellow NFC East opponent (and both look for vengeance against Brady). Carolina and Tampa Bay are desperate for a win and a chance to win the division title with New Orleans trailing behind. Carolina is figuring things out without Baker Mayfield and Christian McCaffrey’s presence in the locker room. Winning four in their last six games means something’s brewing for the Panthers in the future. Meanwhile, Tom Brady’s Bucs trudges along but are struggling with wear and tear on the offensive line, putting Brady and company in tough spot. Defense hopes they find a way to play consistently on Sunday. The Bucs have a simple task this Sunday: win and they’re in. Simple. But the Scrappy Panthers won’t make it easy and will make the Bucs struggle and probably put them in another fourth quarter situation. Tom Brady and the Bucs should find ways to come through for the win as usual.

MY PICK: BUCCANEERS

VIKINGS AT PACKERS -1PM PT/4PM ET

Here is a matchup with another potential elimination game for the Packers, but this one is important. After being the only team to lose at the hands of Minnesota by double-digits on the Vikings’ entire schedule, Green Bay looks to equalize them in round two of this rivalry matchup. Minnesota avoids another inevitability after Greg Joseph kicked a 61-yard game-winner to stay alive for a potential overall NFC seed. They’re only two games away from capping off a great regular season, but how they keep escaping losses is beyond anybody. Green Bay is figuring out their offense a bit and are starting to play some Packers football again while winning three straight games in cold December. Rodgers is slowly finding trust in Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs (when both are healthy), but their defense are looking a bit better and will be important against the Vikings’ strong offense. Minnesota believes they could sweep Green Bay, but it’s a different ball game in 2023 for both teams since Week 1. Minnesota has yet to run away from opponents since Green Bay. Aaron Rodgers and company won’t allow that to happen again. They will keep the game close and either end the Vikings’ streak of close wins or be the fourth NFL opponent to blowout the Vikings this season.

MY PICK: PACKERS

SUNDAY NIGHT PREVIEW

STEELERS AT RAVENS – 5:20PM PT/8:20PM ET

Pittsburgh is hanging on by a thread and their road to the playoffs is possible, but difficult. They take on the Ravens that just clinched a playoff berth and are hanging with the Bengals to hopefully grab the division title without Lamar Jackson. Pittsburgh found new life after the bye week with five wins in their last seven games, while Baltimore continues onward through their schedule without Lamar Jackson for a little while longer. It’ll likely be another defensive battle with some scrappiness on both sides of the ball. Pittsburgh will play motivated to stay alive for a playoff spot and hopefully keep Mike Tomlin’s flawless positive .500 record per season afloat, but it probably won’t happen with Baltimore’s defense pressuring Kenny Pickett and stifling the offense.

MY PICK: RAVENS

MONDAY NIGHT PREVIEW

BILLS AT BENGALS – 5:30PM PT/8:30PM ET [ABC/ESPN/ESPN+]

This matchup of all matchups this week is for likely the overall seed in the playoffs, with a little help from the Broncos (if possible) to defeat the Chiefs one day prior. A Bills win secures the overall seed while a Bengals win gets them a week closer to an overall seed with other scenarios involving Kansas City and Baltimore. Josh Allen continues carrying his team as far as he possibly can to an overall seed. Cincinnati hasn’t seen an L after the beginning of November, and Ja’Marr Chase’s return during that stretch makes their higher seeding chances a little more realistic. Both teams have plenty to play for and the winner affects the loser’s and Kansas City’s AFC standings. However, Buffalo has more to lose than Cincinnati. The Bills have high expectations for the overall seed and will play very hard to obtain it. Cincinnati won’t make it easy and will pressure Josh Allen to the very end, but the Bills scrape through for the victory and the overall seed.

MY PICK: BILLS

MY TOTAL: 55

THE REST OF WEEK 17 NFL PICK’EMS

COWBOYS AT TITANS [THURSDAY NIGHT]

CARDINALS AT FALCONS

BEARS AT LIONS

BRONCOS AT CHIEFS

COLTS AT GIANTS

SAINTS AT EAGLES

BROWNS AT COMMANDERS

JAGUARS AT TEXANS

49ERS AT RAIDERS [THE GOLDEN GAMBLE]

JETS AT SEAHAWKS [ROBERT SALAH’S RETURN]

RAMS AT CHARGERS [BATTLE FOR L.A.]