NFL Playoff Push is Heating Up New Year: Week 17 Preview & Predictions
Playoff football is heating up as the calendar turns to a New Year. Of course this will be another postseason without the Jets and Giants as both teams are once again playing out the string.
Still for those teams that are challenging for an appearance in Super Bowl LVI, there is a lot at stake. Let’s take a look.
In the AFC, the Buffalo Bills (9-6) can clinch a playoff berth if they win their game against Atlanta and get plenty of help with losses by the Patriots, Dolphins, Chargers and Raiders. Buffalo can not clinch the AFC East this week. That will have to wait until next week against the Jets.
The Cincinnati Bengals (9-6) clinch the AFC North with a win over the Chiefs, or a loss by the Baltimore Ravens and a tie by the Browns and Steelers.
The Indianapolis Colts (9-6) clinch a playoff berth with a win or losses by Miami, New England and Baltimore.

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – OCTOBER 10: Quarterback Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs warms up prior to the game against the Buffalo Bills at Arrowhead Stadium on October 10, 2021 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
The Kansas City Chiefs (11-4) who already clinched the AFC West last week, can secure home field throughout the playoffs with a win over the Bengals, plus a Tennessee Titans loss to Miami.
The New England Patriots (9-6) clinch a playoff berth with a win this week and losses by either the Raiders or Dolphins.
The Tennessee Titans win the AFC South with a win over Miami or an Indianapolis Colts loss to the Raiders.
Confused yet? No? Great!
Now the NFC Playoff picture is as follows:
The Packers, Cowboys and Buccaneers have all clinched their respective divisions, however seeding in the playoff bracket is still at stake with two weeks to go.
One thing is clear, the Green Bay Packers (12-3) clinch home field throughout the playoffs if they win against the Vikings on Sunday night and the Dallas Cowboys lose to the Cardinals.
Meanwhile the LA Rams can win the NFC West with a win or tie in their Week 17 game over Baltimore and a loss by the Arizona Cardinals.
The Philadelphia Eagles (8-7) and San Francisco 49ers (8-7) could clinch playoff berths with wins this week and losses by the Vikings and Saints.
Mike Cohen’s Week 17 Fox Sports New Jersey Pick Six
Last Week: 5-1
Season: 44-22
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (11-4) @ NY Jets (4-11): On paper the Jets are overmatched in this one going up against the defending Super Bowl Champion Buccaneers. This could be the final time the Jets face their allegorical tormentor: Tom Brady, who is 30-8 all time against the Jets, including the playoffs. Brady has almost always had the Jets number, and of course were it not for Gang Green, Brady’s career never gets started in New England. After 20-plus years can the Jets finally leave Brady with an ‘L’? Not likely. This is also a revenge game of sorts for Buccaneers Defensive Coordiantor Todd Bowles, who was fired by the Jets after four underwhelming seasons as head coach from 2015-18. Look for the Bucs D to pin their ears back against rookie quarterback Zach Wilson. PICK: BUCCANEERS 34 – JETS 17.

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – DECEMBER 26: Line judge Brian Bolinger #40 (L), field judge Michael Banks #72 (C) and head coach Joe Judge of the New York Giants speak during a game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the New York Giants at Lincoln Financial Field on December 26, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
NY Giants (4-11) @ Chicago Bears (5-10): Since we are in the midst of Bowl Week, they might as well call this one the “Snooze Bowl.” The only thing interesting about the Giants and Bears at this point is what will happen on Black Monday. Will Giants General Manager David Gettleman be fired or resign? Will John Mara stick to the reports that Head Coach Joe Judge is safe? Will Bears Head Coach Matt Nagy get fired? As for this contest, the Giants inability to move the football hinders their chances in the Windy City. PICK: BEARS 17 – GIANTS 10.
Kansas City Chiefs (11-4) @ Cincinnati Bengals (9-6): Huge battle in the AFC. A lot at stake as described above. The Chiefs are riding an eight game winning streak and can lock up the AFC if they take care of the Bengals on Sunday. As much firepower as the Bengals posses from Joe Burrow to Ja’Marr Chase, and they should win the AFC North this year, it will be tough to slow down the KC train as Patrick Mahomes and company are really starting to get on a roll. Would love tos ee this match-up again in the playoffs. PICK: CHIEFS 27 – BENGALS 24.
Miami Dolphins (8-7) @ Tennessee Titans (10-5): Yes, the Miami Dolphins are hot. They have won seven in a row, but it’s not like they are beating world beaters here. They put this winning streak together off wins against the Jets, Giants and Saints, who were starting a third string quarterback on Monday. There is a lot to learn about how good this Miami team really is, especially quarterback Tua Tagovailola who has to show what he can do when the chips are down. Keep in mind this is a revenge game for Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill, who would nothing more than to put a crimp in the playoff hopes of his former team. PICK: TITANS 28 – DOLPHINS 14.
LA Rams (11-4) @ Baltimore Ravens (8-7): When this game originally scheduled, it was easy to contemplate whether it would be a Super Bowl preview. That is how far the Ravens have fallen. Lamar Jackson is still hurt, and there is legitimate question if he will miss another week of action. If he does, the Ravens should just shut him down for the season. Baltimore’s season has spiraled out of control in recent weeks. As for the Rams, they have won four in a row and control the NFC West. Look for the likes of Aaron Donald and Von Miller to wreck havoc on the Ravens offense in this one. PICK: RAMS 26 – RAVENS 20.
Arizona Cardinals (10-5) @ Dallas Cowboys (11-4): Are the Cardinals going to figure this thing out or what? Zona has lost three in a row, and do not resemble the team that started 7-0 this year. This is a huge game for the Cardnials. Kyler Murray needs a big game to not only help this team clinch a playoff berth, but to get the heat off head coach Kliff Kingsbury. As for the ‘Boys, they can keep pace with Green Bay for home field if they win. Expect Dallas to find a way late against a desperate Cardinals team. PICK: COWBOYS 33 – CARDINALS 28.