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NFL Picks Week 17: Expert Predictions Include Patriots, Steelers, Bengals, Broncos, Cardinals, Panthers

By Phillip Dengler
Published on: 17:08 PST, Dec 29, 2015

NFL picks for Week 17 of the season from the experts at CBS Sports are in, and there is a lot on the line for many teams that have already clinched playoff births. While making the playoffs is the first step in reaching the Super Bowl, clinching a first round bye, or more importantly home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, is the goal for every team. While the Patriots, Broncos, Panthers, and Cardinals have all clinched playoff births, scenarios exist for each of these teams to obtain home-field advantage throughout the playoffs in their respective conferences. For teams such as the Steelers, Texans, Colts, and Jets that have not yet clinched playoff spots, the results for Week 17 will decide their fates. All of the NFL Week 17 picks by the experts can be viewed at CBS Sports, but here are a few of the more important predictions.

New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins

As reported by the Inquisitr, Vegas Insider and seven out of the eight CBS Sports NFL experts picked the Patriots to beat the Jets in Week 16. Since the Patriots ended up losing in overtime, there is a chance that they will not be the top seed in the AFC playoffs. The good news for the Patriots is that they are playing the Miami Dolphins in Week 17, a team that is struggling mightily, and has a disappointing record of 5-10. While the Dolphins have given the Patriots problems in the past, all of the experts currently predict the Patriots will win the game. Vegas Insider agrees, and currently has the Patriots as high as 10-point favorites. Unless something unbelievable happens, the Patriots will win this game, and all of the NFL expert picks will be correct.

Seattle Seahawks at Arizona Cardinals

At this point in the season, there isn’t a hotter team in the league than the Arizona Cardinals. After recently dismantling the Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers, the Cardinals look poised for a deep playoff run. While the Carolina Panthers were undefeated up until last week, they are still at risk of losing the top seed in the NFC to the Cardinals. For Week 17, the Cardinals will take on the Seattle Seahawks, a team that has improved their play considerably in the second half of the year. Regardless, Vegas Insider has the surging Cardinals as high as seven-point favorites. All of the NFL experts at CBS Sports agree in their picks, and believe the Cardinals will win this crucial Week 17 game against their hated divisional rival. As seen in a tweet by NFL Total Access, the Cardinals still need the Panthers to lose to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in order to clinch home-field advantage in the NFC.

New York Jets at Buffalo Bills

In another important AFC East Divisional game, the Jets will face the Bills in a crucial Week 17 showdown in Buffalo. While the Bills are eliminated from playoff contention, nothing would make them happier than to spoil things for their hated rival. Vegas Insider has the Jets as only three-point favorites, so this is going to be a difficult matchup according to the odds makers. Five out of the seven NFL CBS Sports experts are picking the Jets to win the game, which is by no means a consensus. The result of this game is also going to have a huge impact on the Pittsburgh Steelers and their hopes, as they will make the playoffs with a win and a Jets loss.

More CBS Sports NFL Picks for Week 17

Falcons Over Saints

Giants Over Eagles

Lions Over Bears

Texans Over Jaguars

Steelers Over Browns

Bengals Over Ravens

Broncos Over Chargers

Chiefs Over Raiders

Rams Over 49ers

Panthers Over Buccaneers

Packers Over Vikings

How accurate were the experts on their NFL picks for Week 16 last week? Check out an analysis from the Inquisitr on which experts were right in their predictions, and which ones were wrong.

[Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images]

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