Week 17 Picks

It is amazing that we have hit the last week of the 2010 NFL season. No season goes faster then the NFL year, and as we hit Week 17 there isn't as much drama as we would normally see. Barring any major shakeups, the playoff picture is pretty much set. In the NFC, Atlanta will most likely get the 1 seed, Chicago already has the 2 seed, the Eagles have the 3 seed, the NFC West winner has the 4 seed, New Orleans most likely has the 5 seed, and Green Bay or the Giants will get the 6th seed with the Packers having the inside track because they face a Bears team with nothing to play for. Over in the AFC, the Pats have the 1 seed, either Pittsburgh or Baltimore will have the 2 seed, the Chiefs will probably get the 3 seed, the Colts should snag the 4 seed, the Jets and the Ravens/Steelers will get the wildcard spots. The AFC has a little bit of seeding to figure out, but in any event the playoffs are pretty much set. This brings me to my next point: How is Wildcard Weekend going to play out? I love trying to figure out the schedule for the playoffs-especially the first weekend. Last year, the NFL threw us a curveball and changed the rotational schedule around on Wildcard Sunday. Instead of giving CBS the late time slot on Sunday of Wildcard weekend, they gave it to FOX because the League gave NBC the marquee game of the weekend-Philly at Dallas. Will the NFL go back to a rotation and give CBS the late slot on Sunday? Will the League continue to throw NBC a bone and give them the best of the four games for Saturday Night? We will find out at about 8:00pm on Sunday Night, but it is always fun to speculate. My guess is that even if the NFL decides to give CBS the late slot on Sunday, NBC won't have as much of an influence this year. Here is how I see it all playing out on Wildcard Weekend:

Saturday 1/8

4:30pm-NBC

(5) New Orleans at (4) St.Louis

8:00pm-NBC

(5) Baltimore at (4) Indy

Sunday 1/9

1:00pm-CBS

(6) NY Jets at (3) Kansas City

4:00pm-FOX

(6) Green Bay at (3) Philly

We'll see what the NFL decides, but that would be the way I would do it, and I think the NFL could very well do it that way. Anyway, enjoy Sunday because it is the last time all 32 teams play the same week until next September. Onto the picks for Week 17.......

Last Week's Record: 7-9-0

Overall Record: 126-108-8

(HOME TEAM IN CAPS)

KANSAS CITY (-3) over Oakland: It is tough to see how KC will play this one with the AFC West already wrapped up. The Chiefs might want to win to preserve an undefeated record at home this season and stick it to their AFC West rivals. The Raiders are looking to finish 8-8. I'll take the Chiefs to win and keep their momentum going into the playoffs.

Miami (+4) over NEW ENGLAND: Another tough game to call because the Pats have nothing to gain from this game. I could see the Dolphins winning this game and going 7-1 on the road this year. Tough game to call, but I'l take the Fish in a meaningless matchup.

INDY (-7) over Tennessee: It's hard to pick against Peyton Manning and the Colts at home with a playoff berth on the line. No one wants to see Indy in round one.

HOUSTON (-3) over Jacksonville: Two words: Trent Edwards. With David Garrard out, the Texans will beat the Jags and Trent Edwards to knock the Jags out of the playoff hunt.

Pittsburgh (-5) over CLEVELAND: The Steelers need to win this game to secure the 2 seed, and they will get it done on the road. Eric Mangini likely won't be back in Cleveland next year, and the Steelers will take care of business and get a week off.

BALTIMORE (-7) over Cincy: The Ravens will win this game easily, but end up as the 5 seed. They will be a very dangerous wildcard team, and could be a tough out for anyone-including the Pats.

Minnesota (+3) over DETROIT: No way the Lions are winning four in a row, and the Vikings are playing to make sure Leslie Frazier is their coach next season.

New York Giants (-3) over WASHINGTON: The Giants will pull together and get the win on the road this week. They might not get in the playoffs, but Tom Coughlin should not lose his job after a 10-6 season.

GREEN BAY (-8) over Chicago: This a classic setup for the Packers. The Bears have already clinched the 2 seed, and the week off, and the Packers need to win a get in. Green Bay gets it done at home over their archrival to get the sixth seed.

Dallas (+7) over PHILLY: Kevin Kolb is replacing Mike Vick this week, and I just can't trust him or the Eagles right now. The Cowboys are playing to help Jason Garrett get the Head Coaching job in Big D next year, and I bet they play very well.

Buffalo (+3) over NY JETS: You don't know how much Mark Sanchez and the rest of the Jets starters will play this week with their playoff see already determined. With that uncertainty just take the Bills.

ATLANTA (-11) over Carolina: You would think the Falcons would come out and play lights out to secure the 1 seed right? Let's hope so. The Falcons make quick work of the Panthers.

NEW ORLEANS (-7) over Tampa Bay: The Bucs were overachieving all year long, but they will stop at nine wins this year. The Saints could still grab the 1 seed, but they need help from the Panthers. The Saints roll at home, but they will still end up as a wildcard.

Arizona (+7) over SAN FRANCISCO: Another NFC West matchup and another impossible game to pick. The 49ers will be starting over next year with a new coach, and the Cardinals are going to need a new QB. Take the Cards in this stinker.

St. Louis (-3) over SEATTLE: I love that NBC put this "Winner Take All" game as the SNF finale. The NFC West title is on the line as the Rams battle the Seahawks. What were the odds that this game would be flexed in Week 17? How many people saw the Rams and Seahawks battling for the NFC West title this year? I think there should be a new pool: At the beginning of the season, you get 16 people to pick each Week 17 game out of a hat. Whichever game gets picked for the SNF game in Week 17, that person who picked it gets the pot. I love this idea! Anyway, I can't believe how many people are picking Seattle this week. The Rams are a better team, and we can't have a 7-9 team make the playoffs, so I'm taking Sam Bradford and the Rams to win the NFC West.

San Diego (-3) over Denver: The Chargers are just better then Denver. Phillip Rivers owns the Broncos and the Denver defense just can't matchup. The Chargers will get after Tim Tebow all da................................You know what? Fuck it! It is Week 17, and what do I have to lose? After watching Tebow bring Denver back from 13 down in the fourth quarter last week, how could I bet against the guy right now?

DENVER (+3) over San Diego: It's TEBOW TIME Baby! Tebow has pumped some life in an otherwise miserable season for Denver. I'm taking the Broncos at home with Tebow. Let's go Broncos!!!!!

Final Score: Denver-23 San Diego-21