2022 NFL picks, score predictions for Week 17

Indianapolis Colts (4-10-1)  at New York Giants (8-6-1)

Sunday, January 1, 1:00 PM ET

The New York Giants showed early on this season that they were going to be one of the NFL’s top turnaround stories in 2022. In the second half of the season, their fire has dwindled down to some burning embers, but the flame was stoked a bit when they beat the Washington Commanders to improve to 8-5-1. A field goal at the end of regulation ended up pushing the Giants down to 8-6-1 but they have a chance to really rebound here in Week 17 against a struggling Colts team.

The Giants are playing at home. Their defense is going to have to make sure that Nick Foles stays uncomfortable all afternoon and that their running game can dictate the pace of the game.

Saquon Barkley is up over 1,200 yards rushing on the season and the Giants need to find a way to lean on him in a game like this. At this point in the season, style points mean absolutely nothing. It’s not about making a statement, it’s about making sure you win a game. New York hasn’t been able to beat anybody but the Washington Commanders since mid-November when they took down the Houston Texans.

Perhaps another matchup against an AFC South team could be exactly what the Giants need to stay in the white-hot NFC playoff race.

But what of the Colts? The Colts have one foot in the door on this 2022 season and one foot out. They have been shuffling coaches and quarterbacks and have played their way into the top five of the 2023 NFL Draft.

I think the Giants are going to find a way to grind this one out at home here in Week 17 and stay on pace to be playing playoff football in a couple of weeks.

Prediction: Giants win 23-13