We triple dog dare you to read our NFL WEEK 17 predictions.

LAST WEEK’S RECORD:(11-5)

THURSDAY’S RECORD:(10-8)

FRIDAY’S RECORD:(1-1)

SATURDAYS RECORD:(2-0)

MONDAY NIGHT RECORD:(14-5)

SEASON RECORD:(160-80)

NFL WEEK 17 STRAIGHT PICK-EM

THE CHRISTMAS GAMES

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS(14-1) AT PITTSBURGH STEELERS(10-5)

The first Christmas game on the docket for week 17 we will find out if the Steelers are contenders or pretenders. The Chiefs are looking yet for another year of clinching the number one seed in the AFC with a win here. The Steelers last weekend lost to the Ravens and now have the same record in the division with the AFC North on the line. Patrick Mahomes is 22-5 all-time versus head coaches that have won a Superbowl. Mike Tomlin has did that/done that. This game I’m looking for a Miracle of 34th Street win by the Steelers who are at home and need to show me something. The Raiders took down the Chiefs last Christmas, so I’m hoping Kansas City continues that history. I’m not all Ye Faithful on this pick. I’m going for it.

OUR PICK: STEELERS

BALTIMORE RAVENS(10-5) AT HOUSTON TEXANS(9-6)

Lamar Jackson slayed his demons of getting in one better on the Steelers last Sunday. The Texans lost to the Chiefs and CJ Stroud paid a dear price losing another one of his top notch wide receivers for the year in Tank Dell. The Ravens knocked Stroud and the Texans out of the playoffs last year. The Texans will also play one of their old foes they are familiar with twice a year trying to stop running back Derrick Henry. For years, Henry walked all over the Texans as a Titan where he averaged 102.2 yards per game against Houston. The Texans are 2-12 all-time against the Ravens. I like the Ravens in this one which should come easy for them as the Texans have not played well in a very long time.

OUR PICK: RAVENS

THURSDAY NIGHT GAME

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS(8-7) AT CHICAGO BEARS(4-11)

The Seahawks’ only chance to make it to the post-season is winning out their remaining two games. They need major help as the Rams have to lose their last two games of the season. Meanwhile the Bears finally generated some first half points in last week’s loss to the Lions. The Bears have been shut out in the first half in multiple games as the losing streak has hit 9. With that 9 game losing streak, Caleb Williams is making history as he is tied for second in being a QB selected number one since 1950 to have lost this many game in a row. Troy Aikman is number 1 with 11 losses in a row. I can see the Bears making this a tough game for Seattle traveling this far to Chicago. The Bears have been a disaster and have gotten worse since they fired Matt Eberflus. Thomas Brown is not Head Coach material being the interim as he is in way over his head. Too much at stake in this one for Seattle who played well last week and were just beat by the Vikings at home. This Seattle team actually plays better on the road. Make it number 10 for Caleb.

OUR PICK:SEAHAWKS

THE SATURDAY DOCKET

LA CHARGERS(9-6) AT NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS(3-12)

The Chargers showed the NFL world they can beat a team over the .500 mark as they won a close one versus their division rival, Denver Broncos. The Patriots gave the Bills a battle last Sunday. Were the Bills just of sync in that one? The Patriots have now lost 5 straight. The Chargers will be flying across the country to try to clinch a playoff berth in Jim Harbaugh’s first season in LA. I like the way the Patriots quarterback, Drake Maye, has played so far this season. The Patriots have been in many games but one or two plays backfire and changes the entire game’s outcome for them. Justin Herbert is not asked to do it by himself any more for the Chargers so their running game in the clod will help LA control the clock. The Patriots weakness last week was the running game more than the pass attack. The Chargers defense should confuse Maye just enough. I like the Chargers getting it done on defense.

OUR PICK: CHARGERS

DENVER BRONCOS(9-6) AT CINCINNATI BENGALS(7-8)

Somehow the Bengals are still alive in week 17 looking to unlock the back door to get into post-season. The Broncos had a bump in the road that happened last Thursday facing their arch-rival, the Chargers, as they lost a close one. The Bengals have won three straight and need one win to get back to the .500 mark and getting a win vs the Broncos means they certainly will linger around another week. Broncos need one win & they would be in the post-season. The Bengals need to win both their games and rely on help. The Broncos are 1-6 versus winning teams this season. The Bengals are not a winning team, but Joe Burrow can cause you problems. The Broncos have a solid defense. But Burrow and that Bengals offense can score on any defense in the league. Bo Nix would become legendary in his rookie season if he can slay Burrow and the Bengals and stamp this team into the post-season. The Bengals defense sucks. Over the 3 games, this unit has to play better. Not lights out, but they will have enough to help this Bengals team live for another week.

OUR PICK: BENGALS

ARIZONA CARDINALS(7-8) AT LA RAMS(9-6)

It seems like week 2 of the NFL season was a long time ago in a galaxy far far away with these two teams. Back in week two the Cardinals plucked the eyes out of the Rams with a 41-10 beat down. It was looking like a season where the Cardinals were going to print off some playoff tickets. Arizona has fallen on hard times. Last Sunday the Carolina Panthers put the final nail in their coffin. The Cards head to LA with nothing to play for, only to spoil the Rams’ further holiday celebrations. The Rams have won 4 straight. They need one win to clinch the NFC West. The Cards have had a hard time converting touchdowns in the red zone. The Cards defense played well for a stretch of the season, but now have let teams do what they want to them. Sean McVay will have his team seeing red and the Rams will get their revenge from week two with a win at home, get the last laugh, and head to the post-season. I like the Rams offense because it’s rolling. Their young defense gives teams a challenge.

OUR PICK: RAMS

THE SUNDAY SLATE

CAROLINA PANTHERS(4-11) AT TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS(8-7)

Can the Carolina Panthers bring the Buccaneers home to the couch for the post-season? The Buccaneers had control of their own destiny until the hiccup last week versus the Cowboys snapped a winning streak. Now the Buccaneers need to beat the Panthers and hope the Falcons lose to the Commanders to get back their control of their own destiny. It was only a few weeks ago when the Buccaneers survived a game versus the Panthers that went to over-time. The Panthers have been better as Bryce Young has found his game in the NFL. I don’t think Young and this Panthers team have winning down yet just because they got by the Cardinals last week that went to over-time. Look for Baker Mayfield to be the gunslinger in this one using all the rounds from all the chambers of his gun to have that big game and lift this Buccaneers team off the ground from that Cowboys loss. It’s not like the Falcons are playing the Jaguars or Raiders.

OUR PICK: BUCCANEERS

DALLAS COWBOYS(7-8) AT PHILADELPHIA EAGLES(12-3)

The Cowboys surprised me with a win over the Buccaneers. Cooper Rush is looking like one of the better back up QB’s in the NFL. The Eagles would love to have him for this game. The Eagles lost their starter Jalen Hurts during the loss they took from the Commanders with a concussion. Will Hurts be able to go? The Eagles had the game in hand with their back up Kenny Pickett who threw the ball right into the chest of DeVonta Smith who dropped a sure thing. A first down. A play that could seale it for the Eagles. Commanders marched down, scored the winning touchdown, and took the game. The Eagles back up QB has a rib issue and it’s not the McRib sandwich returning for Mickey D’s. If Pickett or Hurts can’t go, it will be Tanner McKee or recently signed QB Ian Brook. Problems in Philly indeed. My gut tells me Pickett will get the nod and with running back Saquon Barkley, this offense will get the points they need to win this game and a better performance out of that defense. The Eagles will survive.

OUR PICK:EAGLES

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS(7-8) AT NEW YORK GIANTS(2-13)

The Indianapolis Colts playoff hopes still remain alive after a big win over the Titans last week. The Giants have lost now ten straight but have their sights on having the number one draft pick in next year’s draft. The Colts ran Jonathan Taylor who went off on the Titans defense for over 200 yards and three scores. Look for Taylor to have a big game. Drew Lock will get the start for the G-men which the Colts defense has to be licking their chops because this unit has forced a few turnovers in the last two weeks. Lock has thrown 4 interceptions to one touchdown pass in his last three starts. Lock has also fumbled the ball 4 times. Anthony Richardson who has played better will just need to feed the ball to Taylor to get the Colts back to the .500 mark and hope they get the help they need to live another week.

OUR PICK: COLTS

LAS VEGAS RAIDERS(3-12) AT NEW ORLEANS SAINTS(5-10)

The Saints were blown up by the Packers on Monday night. The Raiders snapped a very long losing streak with a win over the Jaguars. The loss to the Packers was the worst game the Saints had under their new interim coach, Darren Rizzi. It’s too bad Derek Carr will not play for the Saints as he would face his old team for the first time since leaving Vegas. Spencer Rattler was not good versus the Packers as the second stringer for the Saints has been up and down filling in for Carr. Aiden O’Connell gives me confidence for the Raiders that Rattler will not give me for the Saints. O’Connell did not make any mistakes last week as he had over 200 yards passing. The Saints are torn up by injuries. Give me O’Connell and that Raiders defense getting by this banged up Saints team. Raiders find their second win in a row and are winning at the wrong time of the season for draft positioning or even saving their head coach’s job.

OUR PICK: RAIDERS

NEW YORK JETS(4-11) AT BUFFALO BILLS(12-3)

I don’t even know why the Jets still are marching Aaron Rodgers out there. They will most likely move on from Rodgers next season. The Bills have slim chances to get the number one seed in the AFC, but the number two seed they need to clinch. With a win over the Jets, the Bills can clinch the number two seed and then rest their guys in the final week of the season. The Bills came out poorly last week versus the Patriots as Josh Allen banged up his hand late in that game. The Jets suffered another loss under Rodgers’ regime in New York. The Bills players hates this Jets team. They are at home. The defense played better last week getting some turnovers versus the Patriots, which this unit should be able to turn up the heat on Rodgers and force him into a few mistakes. I like the Bills getting out of the gates fast in this one and taking care of business right away,using the running game to wear out the Jets defense.

OUR PICK: BILLS

TENNESSEE TITANS(3-12) AT JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS(3-12)

Who really cares about this game? The Titans had a comeback last week but fell short versus the Colts. The Jaguars lost to the Raiders . I like the veteran back up QB Mason Rudolf around the holidays.

This Titans team has been falling down drunk the entire year. I like Rudolf to guide this Titans sleigh over a bad Jaguars defense. Right in Mason’s wheelhouse of teams he can beat. Plus Mac Jones is hot garbage behind center for the Jaguars.

OUR PICK: TITANS

MIAMI DOLPHINS(7-8) AT CLEVELAND BROWNS(3-12)

Have the Browns cashed in already their 2024 season and shifted to thinking about their off-season plans? How cold will it be for the Miami Dolphins in Cleveland? Miami will know by the time they play on Sunday: Will their post-season hopes be crushed or will they still have one of their nine lives remaining? The Browns have a defense and home field here. The Dolphins have feasted on the bottom of the barrel teams in the NFL. For the Browns, Dorian Thompson-Robinson does nothing for me at QB 1. Too many names is my knock on him besides not being a starter in the NFL. I did not think the Dolphins would get by the 49ers. I like Dolphins no matter what even if it’s saving the McGenius aka Mike McDaniels’ job.

Do they clone the same Head Coaches in the Miami sports landscape? The Heat coach Erik with a K Spoelstra looks like McGenius’ brother.

OUR PICK: DOLPHINS

GREEN BAY PACKERS(11-4) AT MINNESOTA VIKINGS(13-2)

This is for sure the game of the week to watch. All these teams in the NFC North, except the Bears, are must watch television. The last time these two teams met, the Vikings won 31-29 at the end of September. This game will come down to the end of regulation on whoever has the ball last wins. The Vikings still have a chance at the NFC North title as they’ve been right on the Lions’ back. The Packers were the first team this season to get a shut out which they did versus the Saints. The Packers have clinched a playoff spot but do not want to fall down to another spot in the seedings in the NFC. This game is a coin toss. The Packers have done very well with the medium opponents and below medium. Can they take out a bigwig? The Vikings seem to win every game by a few points. Is Sam Darnold for real? He saved this Vikings team this season. I like the Packers knocking off the Vikes with good defense. I like the Packers controlling the clock with the running game that features Josh Jacobs. I think Darnold stumbles in this one and Packers prevail in this one.

OUR PICK: PACKERS

THE SUNDAY NIGHT GAME

ATLANTA FALCONS(8-7) AT WASHINGTON COMMANDERS(10-5)

Can the Falcons ride the Michael Penix train all the way to post-season? Penix’s debut versus a bad Giants team was solid. Jayden Daniels had a very impressive drive as the Commanders knocked off the Eagles in the last minute of the game. Both teams need a win this match up. For Atlanta they need a win and Buccaneers loss to get in as the NFC South champion. For the Commanders they are still alive with a shot at the division. If they win they are in the playoffs. If they lose and the Buccaneers lose their game, they are in the playoffs. This game has a lot of pressure on Penix, only in his second game of his NFL career. The Commanders are much better than the Giants. I like Daniels to deliver in this one and get this Commanders team in the playoffs with a win in a pretty good game. Daniels was chucking it all over the field versus a solid Eagles defense. I like his chances to do the same thing versus this Falcons defense.

OUR PICK: COMMANDERS

THE MONDAY NIGHT GAME

DETROIT LIONS(13-2) AT SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS(6-9)

Does this game set any records for the most injured players in one game?

Santa would be looking at an injured list over a naughty or nice list. The Lions have something to play for. The 49ers are that typical team that suffers that hangover after losing in the Superbowl. The Lions offense is still firing on most of its cylinders, even though they are missing a part of their two headed monster at running back. The Lions win and they clinch the NFC North, and become the number one seed in the NFC. The 49ers may give the Lions a game for the first half, and then Detroit will bust this one out in the second half. The bye week will benefit the Lions next week with nothing to play for and first game bye the following week. Then they may get some these guys back in action.

OUR PICK: LIONS