A strong 10-5 record last weekend has me grinning ear to ear and slapping high fives with strangers. Here’s an e-five. As always, week 17 is probably the toughest weekend to predict for a couple of reasons: teams that already clinch a spot in the playoffs may pull their starters, or not, and teams that are already out may decide to show up and play spoiler, or not.
Game(s) of the week
Bears @ Packers
Although the Bears already won the division, they still can clinch a bye with a win. Packers must win in order to get a wild card spot. They still can get in if both the Giants & Bucs lose, but that’s out of their hands. Both teams seem to be peaking at the right time: the Packers offense under QB Rodgers has become a machine and both teams’ defense has grown stronger. QB Culter got over the early season inconsistency and seems reliable. Surprise, surprise! But I’m picking the desperate team. Packers by 3
Rams @ Seahawks
Yes, this is a game of the week NFL flexed to Sunday night, where the NFC West title is on the line. QB Whitehurst is starting for the Seahawks and that should be all you need to know. The Rams are the best of a horrible division and should win handily. Rams by 13
Christ on a cracker
Dolphins @ Patriots
Even though the Patriots already clinched home-field advantage in the playoffs, they’re not known for pulling Indianapolis shenanigans in the past. Coach Belichick never gives his players a time off, and thus he has them prepared to annihilate their in-division rival. The Dolphins themselves have already checked out. It won’t be close. Patriots by 27
Steelers @ Browns
Safety Polamalu is still out and that is great news for QB McCoy. Tho the Browns are still playing hard for their coach, after stinkers this year the writing might be on the wall. The Steelers seem to play too conservative, in which their coordinator Arias doesn’t know how to use QB Roethlisberger and RB Mendenhall. But the Steelers are the #2 seed in the AFC and won’t take the Browns lightly. Steelers by 10
Raiders @ Chiefs
Even though the Raiders are eliminated from the playoffs, they will still play rough and hard. They have a great running game with RB McFadden but they stink on run defense, and KC has two excellent runners of their own in Charles & Jones. Plus their run defense is much better, so I expect a smash-mouth game with steady QB Cassell pulling it out in the end with clutch throws. Chiefs by 7
Panthers @ Falcons
After the Falcons gagged on Monday night, they’ll be more than eager to take it out on the hapless Panthers. Game will be called by halftime. Falcons by 30
Bills @ Jets
Bills will put up points while the Jets take this game off to prepare for the playoffs. Bills by 13
Bengals @ Ravens
The Bengals have won three in a row vs weak competition, and QB Palmer looks 100 times better without the two divas at WR, TO & Ocho Cinco. The Ravens still have a shot at the AFC Central title, if the Steelers lose, so they may show up at full strength and outclass the Bengals. It’s unlikely the Bengals will catch the Ravens off guard with their new weapon at WR, though, with S Reed sticking to him. Ravens by 7
Bucs @ Saints
Bucs gotta win this in order to have a shot at the second season. The saints don’t exactly have nothing to play for, because if the Falcons choke again to the worst team in the league, the Saints can steal the division. Chances of that are pretty long, so I wouldn’t count on it. Plus the Bucs are horrible versus teams over .500. The Bucs have been impressive all year behind QB Goodman but I’m going with the hot team here. Saints by 10
Giants @ Redskins
Giants are backed up at the edge of the cliff, and the Redskins can be the perfect spoiler by introducing them to the law of gravity. However, the Giants also need the Packers to lose to get in the playoffs. I’m not sure QB Grossman is the man to lead the Redskins to a major upset though. Giants by 13
Cowboys @ Eagles
What a shock. The Eagles belly flopped big time last Monday vs the Vikings, and lost a shot at a bye in the 1st round of the playoffs. Now they have to face a fired up Cowboys squad that’s chompin’ at the bit to play spoiler. However, the Cowboys are starting an unknown at QB, McGee. Lucky for QB Michael Vick the Cowboys are vulnerable to big plays, and the Eagles have pulled off plenty of big plays this year. Eagles by 3
Titans @ Colts
Titans have nothing but pride to play for, while the Colts haven’t sewn up a playoff shot. The Colts have pulled a 180 degrees turn after that mid season 3 game swoon, and QB Manning will not be denied. Colts by 13
Check in the nearest football rehab facility
Vikings @ Lions
The Lions don’t really care about their draft spot, and will compete. The Vikings OTOH are playing after a horribly short week (Tuesday vs the Eagles) and won’t have RB Peterson at full strength, if he suits up at all. Lions by 7
Jaguars @ Texans
Without RB Jones Drew, the Jags are a pathetic version of themselves. Last week QB Garrard exposed himself as mediocre without Jones Drew. Texans are playing slightly better, but they may have the worst passing defense in league history. Both teams are limping towards the finish line and it’s anybody’s game. PICK
Chargers @ Broncos
Despite being in the top 5 on defense and offense, the Chargers are going to watch the playoffs on TV. They have nothing to play for, and Coach Turner’s job is safe. The Broncos have a wild card in QB Tebow, who might lead a wild shootout over the Chargers. Broncos by 1
Sweet Fancy Moses!
Cards @ 49ers
Pick ’em.
