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The final week of the regular season is pivotal for several teams, including the Ravens. Baltimore will have to beat the Cleveland Browns who are on a three-game winning streak to secure the AFC North title. Baltimore Beatdown readers enter Week 17 with the lead, so vote in the polls at the end of this article to keep the number one spot!
Current standings:
- Readers (152-86)
- Kyle A. (150-88
- Frank and Vas (148-90)
- Jake, Sage and Logan (144-94)
- Kyle B. (141-97)
- Zach and Dustin (136-102)
An analysis of the Baltimore Beatdown staff picks
The drought is over?
Baltimore has been no stranger to Week 17 heartbreak, most recently against the Bengals last season. Still, seven out of nine writers believe this year will be different (BAL -5.5). With the defense playing at a league-leading level and Lamar Jackson’s unconventional offense causing problems in a pass heavy NFL, the Ravens could make legitimate noise in the postseason if they can get past Baker Mayfield and the Browns.
Consensus winners
The Patriots look to secure a playoff bye with a win over the Jets (NE -13.5)
Despite the dramatics in New England, the Patriots are still on track to lock in a playoff bye. While there have certainly been ugly losses in 2018, the AFC East remains under the thumb of Bill Belichick.
The Saints extend their win streak against the Panthers (NO -7.0)
Carolina has the longest losing streak in the NFL, while the Saints have risen to the top of the NFC. With the teams traveling in opposite directions, New Orleans will look to rest its stars and still enter the postseason with positive momentum.
The Eagles keep their playoff hopes alive by defeating the Redskins (PHI -7.0)
Nick Foles continues to play the hero in Philadelphia, keeping the Eagles in contention for the final wild card spot. Matched up against a Washington team that has been sunk since Alex Smith’s injury, the stage is set for an easy victory.
The Chiefs ease into the postseason with a win over the Raiders (KC -14.0)
Despite losing in Seattle, Kansas City is still one of the favorites to win the Super Bowl. The Chiefs defense could be their down fall, but will get a favorable matchup against Oakland in the regular season finale.
The Steelers stay in the hunt by beating the Bengals (PIT -14.5)
Pittsburgh seemed to be trending in the right direction when they finally defeated Tom Brady and the Patriots in Week 15. However, Week 16 left the Steelers on the outside looking in, forced to rely on the Browns to break into the playoffs. Still, the Bengals are simply too decimated to put up a real fight.
The Chargers get back on track against the Broncos (LAC -6.5)
Baltimore’s defense exposed weaknesses in the Charger’s offense last week. However, Los Angeles has the fire power to make a real run. Denver enters Week 17 on a three-game losing streak after briefly having a chance at the playoffs.
The Rams continue their NFC West dominance by defeating the 49ers (LAR -10.0)
The 49ers season ended the moment Jimmy Garoppolo went down. The Rams, who once looked untouchable, have looked vulnerable in the later parts of the regular season.
The Seahawks are able to rest up against the Cardinals (SEA -13.0)
Seattle has had a roller coaster year, but secured a playoff berth with a signature victory over the Chiefs in Week 16. In contrast, Arizona has been predictably awful and will likely have the first pick in the 2019 draft.
The Colts take the Titans out of the wild card race (IND -3.5)
Indianapolis and Tennessee face off in a virtual playoff game to secure either the AFC South (with a Texans loss) or a wild card spot. With Marcus Mariota continuing to battle injuries, Andrew Luck and the Colts will look to make his comeback year a true success.
‘Lone wolf’ picks
In the final week before the playoffs, Kyle B. is the only writer to go against the rest of the staff, selecting the Lions to beat the Packers (GB -8.0). While both teams are out of contention, the Packers are still fighting for pride after a derailed season, most recently defeating the Jets in a come from behind victory in Week 16.
All writers’ picks can be found in the table below.
NFL Picks Week 17
| Games | Kyle A. | Frank | Vasilis | Jake | Sage | Logan | Kyle B. | Zach | Dustin | BB Readers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Games | Kyle A. | Frank | Vasilis | Jake | Sage | Logan | Kyle B. | Zach | Dustin | BB Readers |
| Browns at Ravens | Ravens | Ravens | Ravens | Ravens | Ravens | Browns | Ravens | Browns | Ravens | Vote |
| Dolphins at Bills | Bills | Dolphins | Bills | Bills | Bills | Bills | Dolphins | Bills | Bills | Vote |
| Lions at Packers | Packers | Packers | Packers | Packers | Packers | Packers | Lions | Packers | Packers | Vote |
| Jaguars at Texans | Jaguars | Texans | Texans | Texans | Texans | Jaguars | Texans | Texans | Texans | Vote |
| Jets at Patriots | Patriots | Patriots | Patriots | Patriots | Patriots | Patriots | Patriots | Patriots | Patriots | Vote |
| Panthers at Saints | Saints | Saints | Saints | Saints | Saints | Saints | Saints | Saints | Saints | Vote |
| Cowboys at Giants | Cowboys | Giants | Giants | Cowboys | Cowboys | Giants | Giants | Cowboys | Cowboys | Vote |
| Falcons at Buccaneers | Buccaneers | Falcons | Falcons | Buccaneers | Falcons | Buccaneers | Buccaneers | Falcons | Falcons | Vote |
| Eagles at Redskins | Eagles | Eagles | Eagles | Eagles | Eagles | Eagles | Eagles | Eagles | Eagles | Vote |
| Raiders at Chiefs | Chiefs | Chiefs | Chiefs | Cheifs | Chiefs | Chiefs | Chiefs | Chiefs | Chiefs | Vote |
| Bears at Vikings | Bears | Bears | Bears | Bears | Vikings | Vikings | Bears | Bears | Bears | Vote |
| Bengals at Steelers | Steelers | Steelers | Steelers | Steelers | Steelers | Steelers | Steelers | Steelers | Steelers | Vote |
| Chargers at Broncos | Chargers | Chargers | Chargers | Chargers | Chargers | Chargers | Chargers | Chargers | Chargers | Vote |
| 49ers at Rams | Rams | Rams | Rams | Rams | Rams | Rams | Rams | Rams | Rams | Vote |
| Cardinals at Seahawks | Seahawks | Seahawks | Seahawks | Seahawks | Seahawks | Seahawks | Seahawks | Seahawks | Seahawks | Vote |
| Colts at Titans | Colts | Colts | Colts | Colts | Colts | Colts | Colts | Colts | Colts | Vote |
| Week 16 Record | 12-4 | 11-5 | 11-5 | 9-7 | 10-6 | 12-4 | 11-5 | 8-8 | 10-6 | 13-3 |
| Season Record | 150-88 | 148-90 | 148-90 | 144-94 | 144-94 | 144-94 | 141-97 | 136-102 | 136-102 | 152-86 |
Vote in the polls below for the winner of each Week 17 matchup: