Week 17 NFL Picks: Playoff Teams Sure to Build Momentum with Win in Final Week

December 30, 2012   ·   Joseph Zucker   ·   Jump to comments

If a lower-seeded NFL playoff team is to win the Super Bowl, it's imperative that it builds some much-needed momentum.
The Denver Broncos, Atlanta Falcons and New England Patriots will be among the favorites to lift the Lombardi Trophy. A loss in Week 17 won't do much to dampen expectations.
However, it can often be a Wild Card team or unheralded division winner that can provide the excitement come playoff time. A loss, though, hurts these teams much more.
Here's three teams that will greatly benefit from a win in Week 17.
 
Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals team that will meet the Baltimore Ravens this Sunday isn't the same team that played in the opening week of the season. Cincinnati were thoroughly outplayed, losing, 44-13.
It's been an up-and-down season for the Bengals. At one point they were 3-5, before they won six of their last seven.
Cincinnati is a much more balanced team than last season. The little playoff experience tha...

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