Every week, American football aficionados are left awestruck by the unimaginable occurrences that take place in the NFL. With that said, here’s a look at 10 bold predictions for the Week 17 festivities.
Timothy Downs is a Senior Writer for www.RantSports.com. You can ‘like him’ on Facebook add him on Google or follow him Twitter @Tidow1212
10. Rex Ryan Dumbfounded By Offensive Juggernaut New York Jets
Brad Penner-USA TODAY SportsThings haven't gone swimmingly for Rex Ryan in his first season as head coach of the Buffalo Bills, so you just know he's salivating at the chance to knock his former team, the New York Jets, out of the playoffs. Unfortunately for Ryan, these aren't the same offensively deprived Jets that he coached for six seasons. The Jets have looked like an offensive juggernaut at times this season, and they will expose Buffalo's overrated defense in the flats, down the seams, across the middle and seemingly anywhere else their heart desires. By the end of this one, Ryan will experience a number of uncomfortable emotions as the Jets cement a playoff berth with a 10-point win.
9. Bill Belichick Runs Up Score On Floundering Miami Dolphins, New England Wins By 20
Getty ImagesBill Belichick is notorious for showing zero mercy on opponents no matter what the situation is. The New England Patriots will have no trouble defeating the floundering Miami Dolphins in Week 17, but that won't be enough for Belichick. In efforts to make one final regular season statement, Belichick will intentionally construct a gameplan that will embarrass Dan Campbell's bunch, and Tom Brady and Co. will run roughshod in Miami. Expect a 20-point road win from the Patriots as they head into their well-deserved bye week.
8. Carolina Needs Overtime To Cement No. 1 Seed
Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY SportsThe Carolina Panthers have been the best team in the NFL in 2015, but they finally showed they're human by losing to the Atlanta Falcons in Week 16 and now need a win to ensure they get the No. 1 overall seed in the NFC playoff picture. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are no pushover, and they will give the Panthers fits in this one, ultimately sending the game into overtime. However, Carolina will persevere as Cam Newton leads his team on a game-winning drive in overtime to the delight of the Bank of America Stadium faithful.
7. Minnesota Shocks The Masses, Wins NFC North By Manhandling Green Bay
Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY SportsThe NFL has a dream matchup scheduled for Sunday night, as the Minnesota Vikings travel to the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field to take on the Green Bay Packers with the NFC North division title on the line. Unfortunately for cheeseheads nationwide, the Packers have overachieved this season and are not capable of winning a big game for all the marbles. After being dominated on the ground by RB Adrian Peterson, QB Teddy Bridgewater will cut Green Bay's suspect secondary to ribbons. This will put too much pressure on QB Aaron Rodgers, as he constantly plays from behind. In the end, Minnesota will secure a 10-point victory, and the Packers will head into the postseason without much hope.
6. Arizona Exposes Seattle's Overrated Defense
Getty ImagesThe Seattle Seahawks' defense had a rough first half of the 2015 season, but they have looked much better over the past six weeks in particular. However, in Week 17, Carson Palmer and Co. are going to deliver this overrated unit a rude awakening by defeating them by 17 points. The Seahawks will be dazzled by RB David Johnson throughout all four quarters of this one, putting Palmer in a position to run roughshod (300 yards, three TDs). It will be clear to the masses that Seattle won't be going far in the playoffs after witnessing this epic beating.
5. Pittsburgh Defeats Cleveland, Misses Playoffs Anyway
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY SportsUnfortunately for the Pittsburgh Steelers, nothing they do matters in Week 17 if the New York Jets defeat the Buffalo Bills. The Steelers' Week 16 loss to the lowly Baltimore Ravens will prove to be the turning point in their season, so despite managing to defeat the floundering Cleveland Browns, their playoff aspirations will come to a halt right after the game as they learn the Jets took care of business in Western New York.
4. Drew Brees Electrifies, New Orleans Obliterates Atlanta In Front Of Fed-Up Georgia Dome
Getty ImagesThe New Orleans Saints are going to obliterate the Atlanta Falcons in their own building on Sunday. New Orleans' substandard defense will look like the '85 Chicago Bears by the end of this one, and Drew Brees will lead the Saints down the field like a heard of savages on their first drive, ultimately setting the tone for how the contest will play out. In the end, the Saints will be heading back to New Orleans with a 14-point win, and Falcons head coach Dan Quinn will be left to wonder what happened to the team that started the campaign 6-1 in his first year on the job.
3. Baltimore Plays Spoiler For Second Straight Week
Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY SportsDespite being absolutely ransacked with injuries, the Baltimore Ravens dealt the Pittsburgh Steelers a devastating blow in Week 16 when they needed a win the most. In Week 17, John Harbaugh's scrappy bunch has a chance to play spoiler against the Cincinnati Bengals, who need a win and some help to cement a first-round bye in the AFC playoff picture. Unfortunately for the Paul Brown Stadium faithful, Ryan Mallett will outplay AJ McCarron and the Ravens will head back to Baltimore having upset yet another division rival's hopes and dreams.
2. Washington Embarrasses Dallas Despite Already Being In Playoffs
Getty ImagesDespite already having the NFC East locked up, the Washington Redskins will embarrass the Dallas Cowboys in Jerry World in Week 17. Washington's final regular season tune-up will bode well for their playoff run, which will include a home game next week.
1. Blaine Gabbert Torches St. Louis, San Francisco Wins By 14
Getty ImagesThere's a solid chance Blaine Gabbert will not be the San Francisco 49ers' starting quarterback in 2016, so this could very well be his last start in the NFL for quite some time. Gabbert, ever the opportunist, will electrify against the St. Louis Rams, tallying over 300 yards and three TDs. This game will seal Rams head coach Jeff Fisher's fate, as he'll be fired after being embarrassed by Gabbert and Co. in front of the smallest crowd of the 2015 season at Levi's Stadium.
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