Richard Graves makes his NFL predictions against Sky Sports' Paul Merson

It was week 16 victory for Sky Sports' NFL reporter Richard Graves, as he saw off the Colts fans and recorded just his sixth triumph of the season.

Ten correct predictions were enough to give Richard the edge against the Indianapolis UK fanbase, although like most of the watching world, both parties were undone by the Browns' shock victory over the Chargers.

Only four teams have made it to the play-offs with a losing record but, as a true competitor, Richard will be playing until the very end. This week he goes up against Sky Sports weekly Premier League prediction expert and New York Jets fan, the Magic Man Paul Merson.

Play-off places, seeded spots and pride are at stake in the final week of the regular season while for us Merson will be out to impress and Graves to prove that he knows his onions!

Richard's 2016 Results

Richard UK Fan Base Season Record
v Jaguars 10-6 11-5 0-1
v Bengals 10-6 7-9 1-1
v Redskins 5-11 9-7 1-2
v Raiders 8-7 8-7 1-2-1
v Vikings 9-5 10-4 1-3-1
v Eagles 9-6 9-6 1-3-2
v Patriots 8-7 7-8 2-3-2
v Bills 8-5 (OT loss) 8-5 (OT win) 2-4-2
v Giants 8-5 10-3 2-5-2
v Panthers 9-5 8-6 3-5-2
v Seahawks 10-4 9-5 4-5-2
v Steelers 12-4 14-2 4-6-2
v Bears 9-6 11-4 4-7-2
v Broncos 12-4 10-6 5-7-2
v Dolphins 12-4 13-3 5-8-2
v Colts 10-6 8-8 6-8-2
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NFL Week 16 Grades

The Browns chalk up a well deserved high grade for week 16

New England Patriots @ Miami Dophins, Sunday 5:30pm, Sky Sports 2

Merse: The Patriots are rolling now, and it's hard to look past them for the whole thing. Miami did what they had to do in Buffalo, which is not an easy thing to do, but the Patriots are a different class, and I fancy them to win by at least 10 points. Patriots

Image: Tom Brady and New England are looking to lock up the No 1 seed in the AFC

Richard: Both teams have locked up a post-season berth but there are still seeding positions to play for. Victory for New England would ensure the No 1 seed and home field advantage, while a win for Miami could see them gain the No 5 seed. 

Rarely do the Patriots find a trip to Miami an easy task but this should be an intriguing clash between the league's third-ranked rushing defence against a Dolphins team who've come to rely on their ground game. Jay Ajayi recorded his third 200+ yard rushing game in last weekend's win over Buffalo. This will be the key to the game if the Dolphins are to upset their AFC East rivals. 

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Image: Jay Ajayi has enjoyed a breakthrough season for the Dolphins and will look to carry that form into the post season

For New England, QB Tom Brady is once again in the running for the league's MVP award - despite missing the first four games of the season. They also have the thunder and lightening attack out of the backfield, now that Dion Lewis is fit again to complement the bruising running style of LaGarrette Blount. 

Ultimately, the Patriots are the better team and it would be big surprise if Miami are able to derail their quest to be the No 1 seed in the AFC. Patriots

New York Giants @ Washington Redskins, Sunday 9pm, Sky Sports 2

Merse: The Giants are in the play-offs now, what is the point in sending a team? In the NFL, you can't play half-heartedly, and if you do, you're not going to win. When you see the injuries in week 16, New York can't afford to take that chance. I wouldn't even let them travel, so for me the home side have to be 10-point favourites here. Redskins

Image: Will the Giants rest their star men like Odell Beckham Junior?

Richard: The Giants are locked in as the No 5 seed in the NFC but their defeat in Philadelphia last weekend confirmed concerns surrounding their anaemic offence. Trailing 14-0 early to the Eagles, it proved to be too steep a mountain to climb and ultimately left them cheering a New Orleans win over the Buccaneers to secure their play-off place. 

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In contrast, the Redskins were cheering on NFC East rivals, the Dallas Cowboys, to maintain their chances of playing in the post-season. Unless the Packers and Lions encounter ends in a tie, the equation for Washington is simple - win and they're in! The Redskins already have the confidence of a victory over the Giants earlier this season and last weekend's win over the Bears will have further raised belief as QB Kirk Cousins looked sharp, aligned with a strong ground attack. 

Image: Kirk Cousins form will be key to Washington making the play-offs

However, the Giants defence in week 17 is a much-improved unit compared to that which the Redskins faced in their week 3 success. If CB Janoris Jenkins (bruised back) is deemed fit to play that'll be a huge plus for the Giants secondary; however, without him, the Redskins have the offence to put points on the board.

Every NFC East clash is a hard-fought affair and this should be no different but with little more than pride to play for and just a week ahead of the play-offs, it would be no surprise if the Giants took the cautious approach with their star players. If that's the case, it's advantage Redskins. Redskins

Green Bay Packers @ Detroit Lions, Sunday 1am, Sky Sports 2

Merse: If the Redskins can win, this game becomes absolutely massive! I have to go with the team in form - Green Bay have won five straight, while Detroit have lost their last two. I think the Lions have been punching above their weight a little bit, and with Rodgers and Nelson in form, momentum will carry Green Bay to the NFC North title. Packers

Image: Aaron Rodgers has led the Packers to a five-game winning streak and the brink of another play-off place

Richard: For the second straight year, the Green Bay Packers have a season finale, for all the marbles. Twelve months ago, the Vikings came out on top - claiming the NFC North crown. Now Green Bay, riding a five-game winning streak, head to Detroit with both teams knowing, if they win, they are in the play-offs. Lose and their season is over.

There is a third equation though - a tie will see them both playing in the post-season. Given the history and rivalry between these two, that seems incredibly unlikely. 

Despite an erratic start to the season, the Packers did beat the Lions in their week 3 meeting but over the last month Aaron Rodgers has rediscovered his best form on the way to turning around a 4-6 record into their current 9-6 standing. Aligned with WR Jordy Nelson looking back to his best and the surprise success of makeshift running back Ty Montgomery, this is once again one of the more potent offensive units in the NFL. 

Image: Matthew Stafford has been one of the most underrated performers this season

Several weeks ago Detroit held a two-game lead in the division but back-to-back defeats have seen that disappear and the manner of their second half capitulation in Dallas on Monday night is a cause for concern. CB Darius Slay missed that defeat with a hamstring injury but has returned to practice this week and he may well hold the key to Detroit's hopes in this game. 

That being said, it's tough to ignore the recent upturn in the Packers' form and with memories of last season's dramatic Hail Mary win at this venue sure to be at the forefront of the build-up, it would take a brave man to back against Aaron Rodgers this weekend. Packers

Week 17 Predictions

Richard Merson
Ravens @ Bengals Ravens Bengals
Texans @ Titans Texans Titans
Panthers @ Buccaneers Buccaneers Buccaneers
Browns @ Steelers Steelers Steelers
Cowboys @ Eagles Cowboys Eagles
Bills @ Jets Bills Jets
Bears @ Vikings Vikings Vikings
Jaguars @ Colts Jaguars Colts
Patriots @ Dolphins Patriots Patriots
Chiefs @ Chargers Chiefs Chiefs
Cardinals @ Rams Cardinals Cardinals
Raiders @ Broncos Broncos Broncos
Giants @ Redskins Redskins Redskins
Seahawks @ 49ers Seahawks Seahawks
Saints @ Falcons Falcons Falcons
Packers @ Lions Packers Packers

Join us on Sky Sports this Sunday for the final round of the regular season, we are live on Sky Sports 2 from 5.30pm while Redzone on Sky Sports Mix will have all the touchdown action from 6pm.

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