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2022 NFL picks, score predictions for Week 17

By Sayre Bedinger

NFL picks; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) drops back with the ball before attempting a pass against the Miami Dolphins during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
NFL picks; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) drops back with the ball before attempting a pass against the Miami Dolphins during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /
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NFL picks; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) runs with the ball against the New York Jets during the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports /

Jacksonville Jaguars (7-8) at Houston Texans (2-12-1)

Sunday, January 1, 1:00 PM ET

Well how about that? The Jacksonville Jaguars are now leading the AFC South with a record of 7-8 heading into Week 17 after a surprise victory by the Houston Texans over the Tennessee Titans in Week 16.

Could the Jaguars actually pull this off? I think just about every NFL fan (besides maybe Titans fans) hopes so.

Trevor Lawrence is playing great football at the perfect time. Doug Pederson has rallied this team from being 3-7 a handful of weeks ago to now being 7-8 and in control of their destiny with just two games to play. The Jaguars also are getting the Houston Texans at the perfect time.

The Texans have shown some tremendous fight in recent weeks, so they’re not to be completely written off in this situation, but the Jaguars would certainly prefer this matchup to having to play the Chiefs or Bills or Bengals right now. Getting another win on the board could propel this Jaguars team to the postseason for the first time in years, and it would be such a great sign of progress for Lawrence and this offense.

It took winning on a short week in New York this past weekend for the Jaguars to get to this point. Although the Jets’ offense is horrendous with Zach Wilson at the helm, beating Robert Saleh’s defense is no easy task.

Now, the Jaguars have to face Lovie Smith’s defense in Week 17 but this is a matchup they should definitely win on paper. For this week’s NFL picks, I think this is a gimme.

Prediction: Jaguars win 24-17

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