NFL Week 17 picks, predictions: Will Giants handle their business against the Colts?

Dec 29, 2022 - 1:00 PM

Will Sunday end with a playoff celebration for the New York Giants and their fans at Metlife Stadium? Or will it end in disappointment, with the Indianapolis Colts denying the Giants a playoff-clinching victory, and maybe wrecking their playoff dreams altogether? Let’s see how your Big Blue View staff views the game, and the rest of our Week 17 NFL picks.

Nick Falato

“The Giants can secure their first playoff berth since 2016. I expect them to do so against an inferior team in turmoil, although they shouldn’t take the opponent lightly.“

Pick: Giants

Chris Pflum

“The Giants *should* win this game — and pretty comfortably. The Colts’ defense is definitely better than the Vikings, but their offense has just been bad this year. That said, the Giants also should have beaten the Jaguars, Seahawks, Lions, and Texans handily. The Colts might be the most unpredictable (and not in a good way) team in the NFL right now, and the Giants are a team that can have stunning upsets or disappointing losses. Still, though, the Giants should win if they play a clean game.”

Pick: Giants

Tony DelGenio

“How can a playoff opportunity game be a trap game? When you are the 2022 Giants. The Giants have not beaten anyone by more than 8 points. The Colts have been mostly bad, but they beat KC, had PHI beaten until the last minute, and put 33 up in one half vs. MIN. The Colts have a better defense overall than the Giants, but the Giants catch a break with the injury to starting CB Isaiah Rodgers. They should target his replacement and stay away from Stephon Gilmore. They will go back to the run and use a quick passing game to keep the Colts’ pass rushers (Ngakoue, Buckner, Odeyingbo, Paye) off Daniel Jones. The Colts’ OL is not what it used to be, not even Quenton Nelson. The Giants’ D should attack the right interior of that OL with the pass rush and try to make life miserable for Nick Foles, who can beat the Giants’ secondary, which rarely intercepts a pass, if he has time to throw. Even without Jonathan Taylor the Colts will run the ball, because everyone runs on the Giants. I’m picking the Giants to win a close one, but this is far from the mismatch many people think it will be.“

Pick: Giants

Valentine’s View

“As every Giants fan knows, this is a ‘win and in’ game for New York. Win it, they are in the playoffs. Lose it, lots of different scenarios could unfold. The Giants are at home. The Colts aren’t good. I just can’t see the Giants falling on their faces here.”

Pick: Giants