Popular Bob's Week 17 NFL Forecast

As the NFL season enters Week 17, nine teams in each conference are alive for postseason play, but some just by a hair like Indianapolis and Detroit.

And there also are a handful of teams in each conference still holding out hope for a No. 1 seed. Among them Denver.

Now for a look at the games.

THURSDAY

---> Dallas Cowboys (6-8-1) at Washington Commanders (4-12), 11 a.m.

Cowboys -10 (50.5 O/U)

Forecast: Cowboys 41, Commanders 20

The line jumped three points Wednesday after the Commanders revealed third-string QB Josh Johnson would start in this rematch with the Cowboys, who won 44-22 in Week 7. Johnson, 39, a journeyman backup who has a 1-8 record, takes over for Jayden Daniels (elbow) and Marcus Mariota (quad/hand).

---> Detroit Lions (8-7) at Minnesota Vikings (7-8), 11 a.m.

Lions -7.5 (43 O/U)

Forecast: Lions 17, Vikings 13

Detroit has an offensive line ravaged by injury, with rookies playing at center and both guards. That led to the Lions totaling a league-low 15 rushing yards last week against Pittsburgh. Minnesota, meanwhile, will be without QB J.J. McCarthy (hand fracture) and will be replaced by undrafted rookie Max Brosmer. In his lone start, he had four INTs in a 26-0 loss at Seattle.

---> Denver Broncos (12-3) at Kansas City Chiefs (6-9), 11 a.m.

Broncos 13.5 (36.5 O/U)

Forecast: Broncos 30, Chiefs 7

Denver catches the Chiefs in full recoil after its upset loss at Tennessee last week. Now KC will be down to its third-string QB in Chris Oladokun.

SATURDAY

---> Houston Texans (10-5) at LA Chargers (11-4), 2:30 p.m.

Chargers -2 (39.5 O/U)

Forecast: Chargers 19, Texans 13

Both teams have been surging, but what's troubling for Houston is how its top-ranked defense allowed the league's worst-rated offense (Las Vegas) to score three TDs on drives of 61, 65 and 85 yards last week.

---> Baltimore Ravens (7-8) at Green Bay Packers (5-9-1), 6 p.m.

Packers -3 (40.5 O/U)

Forecast: Ravens 20, Packers 17

The quarterbacks for both squads took a beating last week and left early — Baltimore's Lamar Jackson (back) and Green Bay's Jordan Love (concussion). Both saw limited action at practice Tuesday and haven't been ruled out for Saturday as of midweek. One more thing: Green Bay didn't muster a sack last week in its first game without DE Micah Parsons (IR).

SUNDAY

---> Tampa Bay Bucs (7-8) at Miami Dolphins (6-9), 11 a.m.

Bucs -6 (45.5 O/U)

Forecast: Bucs 27, Dolphins 14

Despite having lost six of their past seven games, the getting-healthy Bucs can still win their fifth straight NFC South crown by beating Miami and then toppling current division leader Carolina next week.

---> Seattle Seahawks (12-3) at Carolina Panthers (8-7), 11 a.m.

Seahawks -7 (42 O/U)

Forecast: Seahawks 34, Panthers 13

Seattle, well rested after beating the Rams last Thursday, could use a victory here in its quest to retain the top seed in the NFC. For Carolina, one game ahead of Tampa Bay in the NFC South, the result here won't matter if TB beats underdog Miami. That would create a winner-take-all meeting next week for the South title no matter what the Panthers do here.

---> Pittsburgh Steelers (9-6) at Cleveland Browns (3-12), 11 a.m.

Steelers -3 (34 O/U)

Forecast: Browns 24, Steelers 19

If Baltimore loses at Green Bay on Saturday, the Steelers will have secured the AFC North title. But if Baltimore prevails, Pittsburgh would have to beat the Browns to avoid a must-win season-ending game against the Ravens for the division crown. No matter the scenario, the Browns are the choice against a visiting Steelers team without suspended WR DK Metcalf.

---> Arizona Cardinals (3-12) at Cincinnati Bengals (5-10), 11 a.m.

Bengals -7.5 (48.5 O/U)

Forecast: Bengals 35, Cardinals 19

---> New Orleans Saints (5-10) at Tennessee Titans (3-12), 11 a.m.

Saints -2.5 (40 O/U)

Forecast: Titans 28, Saints 27

---> Jacksonville Jaguars (11-5) at Indianapolis Colts (8-7), 11 a.m.

Jaguars -6.5 (48.5 O/U)

Forecast: Jaguars 24, Colts 21

It would be logical for Jacksonville to have a slight letdown after its upset victory in Denver and also because this is its sixth road game in nine weeks.

---> New England Patriots (12-3) at NY Jets (3-12), 11 a.m.

Patriots -13.5 (43 O/U)

Forecast: Patriots 27, Jets 7

The Patriots can just sit back and wait for Jets rookie QB Brady Cook to make mistakes. In three games he has thrown five interceptions inside the enemy 40.

---> NY Giants (2-13) at Las Vegas Raiders (2-13), 2:05 p.m.

Giants -1 (41.5 O/U)

Forecast: Giants 23, Raiders 10

Provided the Giants don't tank in an attempt to get the top draft choice, they'll have a built-in edge now that Raiders TE Brock Bowers will sit out with a knee issue.

---> Philadelphia Eagles (10-5) at Buffalo Bills (11-4), 2:35 p.m.

Pick 'em (44 O/U)

Forecast: Eagles 31, Bills 24

Philadelphia is expected to get back standout RT Lane Johnson, who should make it extra tough on a Buffalo defense that has yielded a league-high four 200-yard rushing games by teams this season.

---> Chicago Bears (11-4) at San Francisco 49ers (11-4), 6:20 p.m.

49ers -3 (52.5 O/U)

Forecast: Bears 23, 49ers 20

The 49ers have a scheduling nightmare of sorts by having to play on short rest after their Monday night game against Indianapolis, three time zones away from home. Plus, star TE George Kittle is questionable (ankle).

MONDAY

---> LA Rams (11-4) at Atlanta Falcons (6-9), 6:15 p.m.

Rams -9 (52.5 O/U)

Forecast: Rams 38, Falcons 24

LA's offense has totaled at least 500 yards in its past three games, even in its loss to Seattle last Thursday. It will be hard for Atlanta is to stay close.

Last week's forecast: 10-4-2 ATS; 12-4 straight up

Season total: 110-119-8 ATS; 139-78-1