Week 17 Panel Picks: Ravens and Chiefs Favored in Huge AFC Matchups
Just like the NFL season which features 24 teams whose playoff hopes are still alive, the panel is getting spicy. Just when it looked like a two man race at the top between George and Theo, I continued what has been an excellent December with a panel-leading 13-4 week 16 which catapulted me just four games back of the lead with plenty of season left to play. Elsewhere in the standings, Josh had another tough week with a few heartbreaking last-second losses by Dallas, New York, and Tennessee, putting Rahul in the clear of last place for the time being.
This week, expect the locks to play a factor—six teams were deemed unlockable after being favored by at least seven points, so there was no obvious lock at hand. Check out the standings and this week’s picks below.
Primetime Games
Early Window
Late Window
Most alike picks: Ray/Rahul, George/Jackson, and George/Theo all picked 14 of the 16 same results
Least alike picks: Josh picked a whopping nine different results from Theo and I. It’s all or nothing time for him.
Most upsets picked: George, Theo, and I only picked two upsets each.
Fewest upsets picked: Incredibly, Josh picked nine upsets.
Most picks with majority: Rahul was in the majority in 15 out of 16 games.
Most picks against majority: Josh was against the majority seven times.
What Stands Out?
The Rams have the most locks (eight) of any team in the last three weeks. They also have 20 of 21 votes in the last three weeks. I have them in the top 10 in my power rankings. Despite an 8-7, the Rams are undoubtedly one of the more dangerous teams in the NFL.
Although the Dolphins had their best win of the year last week against the Cowboys, they are only receiving one vote from the panel vs the Ravens. Jaylen Waddle and Raheem Mostert’s absences could be playing a factor in the lack of faith in Miami.
If only the Bears and Raiders caught momentum a few weeks earlier. Both teams are favored this week by the panel, and rightfully so. Both are playing like playoff-caliber teams right now in their respective conferences. Las Vegas and Chicago are technically still alive, but it might be too little too late.
Even with the Cowboys’ win over Detroit on Saturday night, George still has a path to tie Theo at the top of the standings after week 17. That path consists of Buccaneers, Panthers, and Rams wins. Reminder: playoff games will count for double, and the Super Bowl will count for triple.
The Steelers have won three straight week 17 games. Two years ago, they kept their slim playoff hopes alive with a win against the Browns to improve to 8-7-1. Last year, they were a road underdog against the Ravens and won to get to 8-8. This season, they are in an eerily similar position against Seattle, but only received two votes.
Playoff Picture
Let’s pretend our majority pick in each matchup won this weekend. Here would be the playoff matchups on Wild Card Weekend if that were the case.
AFC
(1) Baltimore Ravens vs BYE | A win this week would lock up the 1 seed for the Ravens.
(2) Miami Dolphins vs (7) Houston Texans | Miami and Houston can clinch the 1 seed and the playoffs, respectively, by winning out.
(3) Kansas City Chiefs vs (6) Buffalo Bills | This would be the third time in four years that KC and Buffalo play a playoff game at Arrowhead.
(4) Jacksonville Jaguars vs (5) Cleveland Browns | In their only other playoff appearance int he last 20 years, the Browns won a wild card game on the road.
NFC
(1) San Francisco 49ers vs BYE | The 49ers can clinch the 1 seed this week with a win and a Cardinals win vs the Eagles.
(2) Philadelphia Eagles vs (7) Seattle Seahawks | San Francisco has own five straight meetings with Seattle by an average of 15.2 points.
(3) Detroit Lions vs (6) Los Angeles Rams | Jared Goff’s last playoff game was with the Rams in 2020.
(4) Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs (5) Dallas Cowboys | The Buccaneers are the second hottest team in the NFL right now with a winning streak of four games.