The Ravens can win the AFC North and formally personal the AFC’s No. 1 seed this week. But when they do not, the Browns may sneak nearer to stealing it away by common season’s finish. Listed below are our predictions for Week 17.
New York Jets (6-9) at Cleveland Browns (10-5): Ever since QB Aaron Rodgers went down in Week 1, the Jets’ quarterback play has been painful to look at. Zach Wilson has given them the most effective probability to win, however he is already been ruled out of Thursday evening’s recreation with a concussion. Which means it might be one other dominant evening for the Browns protection, which is permitting the fewest whole yards per recreation (260.3).
New York’s protection has been enjoying nicely too, permitting the third fewest whole yards per recreation (294.8), however QB Joe Flacco has given new life to the Cleveland offense, throwing for 1,307 yards and 10 touchdowns over the previous 4 video games. Cleveland all the time performs higher at house, with a 7-1 document in comparison with its 3-4 away document. Count on one other tally within the win column for the Browns as they appear to maintain the division race shut.
PREDICTION: Browns, 24-16
Miami Dolphins (11-4) at Baltimore Ravens (12-3): The Ravens put the remainder of the league on discover with their dominant 33-19 win over the 49ers in Week 16 and now they’ve an opportunity to lock up the No. 1 seed. It will not be straightforward, because the Dolphins boast the league’s greatest offense in whole yards per recreation (411.5) and factors per recreation (30.9). But when Baltimore’s protection, which is permitting the fewest factors per recreation (16.3), shut down San Francisco’s loaded offense, it could cease anybody.
QB Lamar Jackson can also be placing collectively one other MVP-type season with 4,143 yards and 24 touchdowns. He’ll probably proceed to construct upon his case this week in a recreation that has all of the makings of a shootout. With a win, the Ravens will win the division and personal the AFC’s No. 1 seed, giving them the chance to relaxation their starters over the subsequent couple of weeks.
PREDICTION: Ravens, 31-28
Pittsburgh Steelers (8-7) at Seattle Seahawks (8-7): QB Mason Rudolph might have been the most important shock of Week 16 as he threw for 290 yards and two touchdowns within the Steelers’ dominant 34-11 win over the Bengals. Now it appears he’ll get one other probability to begin as head coach Mike Tomlin mentioned Rudolph is “scheduled to be the quarterback this week,” barring any important well being enhancements by Kenny Pickett, who’s recovering from ankle surgical procedure.
It could not matter who’s beginning at quarterback for Pittsburgh, nonetheless, because the Seahawks are permitting 163.6 dashing yards per recreation over the past five games. That units up operating backs Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren to have huge roles Sunday. Nonetheless, it stays to be seen which Steelers group will present up this weekend, which is why Seattle will get the nod on this one.
PREDICTION: Seahawks, 21-20
Cincinnati Bengals (8-7) at Kansas Metropolis Chiefs (9-6): Following QB Jake Browning’s four-game tear, he was lastly humbled in Week 16, throwing for 335 yards, one landing and three interceptions. That does not imply Browning is instantly going to begin struggling, however it does show the Bengals aren’t going to be hoisting a Lombardi Trophy by season’s finish and should even miss the playoffs. Cincinnati’s protection has additionally been struggling, permitting the second most whole yards per recreation (383.4) within the league.
A protection that hasn’t been struggling is the Chiefs’. Kansas Metropolis is permitting the second fewest whole yards per recreation (287.3) and factors per recreation (17.7). However its offense appears misplaced and not using a dependable receiver outdoors of ageing TE Travis Kelce. Patrick Mahomes continues to be, nonetheless, the higher quarterback on this one and can discover a solution to win after shedding three of the final 4 video games.
PREDICTION: Chiefs, 23-17