Woah, there were a ton of important games during Week 16 of the NFL season. The NFC’s playoff picture got just a little bit murkier thanks to wins by Philly and Detroit combined with a loss from the San Francisco 49ers. There were vintage performances from guys like Joe Flacco and Amari Cooper, and we are watching a shocking collapse from the Kansas City Chiefs. This week has a great slate so buckle in. Here are our Top 3 2023 NFL Games Week 17.
Detroit Lions vs Dallas Cowboys
Well, this game got a whole lot more interesting thanks to the Niners loss to the Ravens on Monday Night Football. The Lions are now in the hunt for the NFC’s 1-seed and can clinch it by winning out combined with a loss from the 49ers during the final two regular season games. This offense is once again hitting it stride as rookie Jahmyr Gibbs has had a breakout season at the running back position coupled by Jared Goff having an MVP like season under center. The Cowboys are coming off back-to-back losses to the Dolphins and Bills and the schedule just doesn’t get any easier. They have fully lost control of their running game and Dak Prescott seems on his own at this point. This is a must-win for Dallas if they want a shot at the NFC East title. Prediction: Lions 30 Cowboys 23
Miami Dolphins vs Baltimore Ravens
How lucky can we get with these top teams battling this late in the season? Last week, we saw the Fins and Cowboys and the Ravens and Niners. Now we have the two top teams in the AFC who are battling it out for the top seed in the conference. The winner of this game gets the 1-seed if they both win in Week 18. The Ravens are coming off maybe the NFL’s best win of the season as they dominated the 49ers and absolutely shut down Brock Purdy, picking him off four times. Their offense is legit and Lamar Jackson made some incredible plays with his legs. It took the entire game, and the offense never really found their groove, but the Dolphins had a solid win over the Cowboys where the kicker had to get the job done on his own. I trust the Ravens more than anyone else at this point. Prediction: Dolphins 24 Ravens 35
Green Bay Packers vs Minnesota Vikings
If the playoffs began today, both the Packers and Vikings would be out of the postseason. Both teams are 7-8 entering Week 17 and have Los Angeles, Seattle, and Dallas blocking their paths. The Cowboys have already clinched a playoff spot, so the NFC North foes are hoping that the Rams and Hawks slip up in these final two weeks. Whoever loses this game basically punts their chances of making the postseason. Green Bay has found a groove with Jordan Love while the Vikings have pretty much floundered once the Josh Dobbs magic wore off. The Packers offense has looked nice with a talented young receiver core at the top of their game right now. Prediction: Packers 28 Vikings 23