NFL Week 17: Hart’s Picks

For Week 16 of the NFL season, Mile High Report’s Christopher Hart picked 10 of 16 games correctly. Here are his straight up picks for Week 17.

Happy Holidays!

For my Week 16 slate of picks, I picked 10 of 16 games correctly. That’s my worst performance in a while, but still pretty good. Through 16 weeks, I’m at 166-75. I’m just a shade under 69-percent accuracy for the season now. This week is another full slate of 16 games over the holiday. I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season and enjoy all the football that is coming your way!

Let’s see how I do in Week 17. Without further ado, here are my picks.

Christmas Day Football (Early Game) — Kansas City Chiefs at Pittsburgh Steelers

This game will certainly have some implications when it comes to final seeding in the AFC. The Chiefs can win the first seed and secure a first-round bye, and the Steelers need a win to keep their shot of winning the AFC North. With that in mind, I’m picking the Chiefs on the road.

Winner: Chiefs

Christmas Day Football (Afternoon Game) — Baltimore Ravens at Houston Texans

The Texans and Ravens have already clinched their playoff spots. Houston are kings in the AFC South and Baltimore is trying to reign supreme in the AFC North—currently tied with the Steelers at 10-5. The Texans will be without Tank Dell, who suffered another horrible injury this past weekend. Overall, I’m giving the edge to the Ravens in this one.

Winner: Ravens

Thursday Night Football — Seattle Seahawks at Chicago Bears

At 8-7, the Seahawks aren’t out of it yet, but they’ll have to win on the road against Chicago and next week versus the Los Angeles Rams to take the NFC West. With everything on the line, I think the Seahawks rise to the occasion on the Windy City to stay alive in the playoff hunt.

Winner: Seahawks

Saturday Football (Early Game) – Los Angeles Chargers at New England Patriots

The Chargers beat the Denver Broncos last week on Thursday Night Football and need just one more victory to earn a playoff berth. The Patriots fought valiantly last week but eventually lost to the Buffalo Bills. I’m certainly hoping the Chargers lose, but I think they take care of business in this one.

Winner: Chargers

Saturday Football (Afternoon Game) – Denver Broncos at Cincinnati Bengals

The Broncos have two more games to earn their tenth victory. Win and they are in. It’s that simple to secure a playoff berth. With my pick above, the Chargers have already punched their ticket. Can the Broncos earn a must-win victory on the road and do the same? I think so. Well, I hope so!

Winner: Broncos

Saturday Football (Evening Game) – Arizona Cardinals at Los Angeles Rams

The Cardinals are officially out of it. However, they have a chance to play spoiler and make the path to the playoffs harder for the Rams. Regardless, I think that Sean McVay and his squad take advantage at home and get the big victory.

Winner: Rams

Sunday Football (Early Game) – Indianapolis Colts at New York Giants

The Indianapolis Colts held on to defeat the Tennessee Titans last week and kept their slim playoff chances alive. They are hoping for the Chargers and Broncos falter. I expect them to win this one and keep the Giants at the first overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Winner: Colts

Sunday Football (Early Game) – Las Vegas Raiders at New Orleans Saints

The Raiders winning last week might snuff out their shot at the top pick in next year’s draft. It also appears the Saints will be in the market for a rookie in next year’s draft, because Spencer Rattler sure isn’t it. He didn’t look good on Monday Night Football at all. Don’t know why, but I’m taking the Raiders here.

Winner: Raiders

Sunday Football (Early Game) — Tennessee Titans at Jacksonville Jaguars

I don’t really have anything fun to say about this one. It will probably be one of the least watched games of the week and means absolutely nothing relative to the postseason. I guess I’ll take the Jaguars at home.

Winner: Jaguars

Sunday Football (Early Game) — New York Jets at Buffalo Bills

A division rivalry game and a playoff tune-up matchup for the Bills. Buffalo struggled a little last week against the Patriots and need to get some kinks out if they want to make it to the Super Bowl. Buffalo at home.

Winner: Bills

Sunday Football (Early Game) — Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles lost to the Commanders, but Jalen Hurts went out early in the game due to a head injury. If he is back and cleared to play for their game against the Cowboys, it should be an easy W for them.

Winner: Eagles

Sunday Football (Early Game) — Carolina Panthers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tampa Bay needs this won in order to not lose any ground on the Falcons. The Panthers have shown some grit as of late and won last week, but I think the Buccaneers win this divisional matchup and keep their playoff hopes in reach.

Winner: Buccaneers

Sunday Football (Afternoon Game) – Miami Dolphins at Cleveland Browns

The Browns continue to turn the ball over on offense regardless of who is playing quarterback. The Dolphins can keep their slim playoff hopes alive if they come away with a victory on the road. I fully expect them to take advantage of that and win on the road.

Winner: Dolphins

Sunday Football (Afternoon Game) – Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings

Another top-notch matchup. These longtime rivals both are in the playoffs, but the Vikings still have a shot at the NFC North crown. I haven’t picked against the Vikings often since they got really hot, but for some reason I think Green Bay toughs it out on the road.

Winner: Packers

Sunday Night Football – Atlanta Falcons at Washington Commanders

This should be a really fun matchup watching Michael Penix Jr. and Jayden Daniels go head-to-head. A lot is on the line for both teams. The Falcons are atop the AFC South and if they win out, they earn the division title outright and punch their ticket to the postseason. The Commanders can achieve a playoff berth with a victory. I expect them to stay hot and beat Atlanta.

Winner: Commanders

Monday Night Football – Detroit Lions at San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers are officially out of the playoffs, but the Lions are still playing for the NFC North title and a first-round bye. It’s crazy how big of a game this is for Detroit sporting a 13-2 record, but who could have guessed the Vikings would be right there with them?

Winner: Lions