Is it really Week 17 already? You mean to tell me that this is it for regular season football. Well the season has flown by yet again and perhaps for some and their fantasy football pools it is coming to a merciful end. For others who remain in the hunt for office pool supremacy and continued bragging rights we look at our final installment in the weekly regular season pick em’.
Alright this is it, if you are a couple points out of first place in your pool and you are looking to be crowned the victor you will need to take some chances here. There are definitely some games that will split up your pools, pick them right and you could make up some ground.
For many teams heading into this week, week 17 signifies the start of the playoffs as bubble teams must win now and throughout as a loss would signify the end of the year. Many teams also control their own destiny as a win gets them in. There are the teams that don’t have anything to play for, they are either out of the playoff picture or their fortunes won’t change regardless of the outcome. The last week of the season can always be tricky as teams may or may not play their starters for the whole game or at all.
Last week I went 11-5 with my upset pick of the week in San Diego winning their game and my three lock picks of week winning in Green Bay, Denver and New England.
Green Bay Packers vs. Minnesota Vikings
The early games on Sunday kick off with this gem in Minnesota. For the Packers they can clinch a must needed first-round bye with a win while the Vikings hold their own destiny in their hands as a win secures them a playoff berth. The Packers looked explosive last week as they dropped 55 points on the lowly Tennessee Titans; Aaron Rodgers and Co. have been as good a second half team as anyone in the league as they have ripped off nine wins in their last ten games. For the Vikings they must play a clean game here to win meaning no turnovers. Clock management and a steady dose of Adrian Peterson could keep the Packer’s offense at bay. The difference maker for the Packers is Randall Cobb and he is hobbled a bit from an ankle injury. I’m going aggressive in this game and picking the home team to win and punch their playoff ticket. PICK: VIKINGS
Houston Texans vs. Indianapolis Colts
The Texans got stuffed like a Christmas turkey last week by the Minnesota Vikings. They need to rebound this week as a win secures them a first-round bye and the all important home-field advantage. For an inexperienced playoff team home-field advantage is a huge benefit as they have that much less to worry about in terms of travel, familiarity, practice times etc. This game is huge for the Texans and they should come out motivated for the win. For the Colts they can’t change anything win or lose and that has to be somewhat on the player’s minds. Returning sideline Head Coach Pagano has stated that the Colt’s starters won’t sit for this game; however, one has to think that the motivation might not be as high as if there was something on the line. PICK: TEXANS
Chicago Bears vs. Detroit Lions
The Chicago Bears are desperate for a win here as they need this road victory to salvage the season. Since starting the season at 7-1 the Bears have gone 2-5 and are on the cusp of missing out on the post season. Even with a win the Bears still need help from Green Bay in order to get in. One has to figure that Lovie Smith’s job is in serious jeopardy here and come Monday there is a very real chance of Smith being unemployed. For the Lions their real interest here is in sewering the bears playoff chances and getting Calvin Johnson to the 2000 receiving yard plateau. They will have to settle for the latter as Chicago will take this game. PICK: BEARS
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Tennessee Titans
Seriously, does this game even have to get played? Titans revenge the week 12 loss and win at home. PICK: TITANS
Miami Dolphins vs. New England Patriots
The Dolphins travel into Gillette Stadium to serve as the final tune up for the Patriots run at a championship. Ryan Tannehill will need to limit the turnovers in hopes of keeping the Patriots offense off the field. Tom Brady will have the troops ready for this game because a win gives them an outside shot at a first-round bye and home-field advantage. The league’s top ranked offense should make short work of the Fins en route to another impressive win. PICK: PATRIOTS
Carolina Panthers vs. New Orleans Saints
A disappointing season for the Carolina Panthers as Cam Newtonslumped and with him so did the offense. With the prospect of getting their tenth loss on the year after this game there is likely going to be some changes afoot in Carolina. This game will also serve as bitter end to the season for the New Orleans Saints as they missed out on the playoffs amid all the bounty-gate scandal. Drew Brees had a solid year as the Saints offense hardly missed a beat; unfortunately the defense was horrific all year and just couldn’t keep the Saints in ballgames when it counted. Expect a high scoring affair here in the Superdome. PICK: SAINTS
Philadelphia Eagles vs. NY Giants
He’s baaack! Michael Vick is once again under center for the Eagles in what is sure to be his swan song in Philadelphia. What is truly a shame is that this will be the last game for Coach Andy Reid as well and it isn’t likely going to be a positive experience. Here is my concern; Vick will be cut by the Eagles just as soon as possible right? So what is his motivation to put his body at risk for another head or rib injury that could cost him tens of millions of dollars on a new contract with the NY Jets. Vick will play a conservative pocket passing game and try not to get hurt. The NY Giants need to win this game and get a whole lot of help from around the league to qualify for the playoffs. Eli Manning will guide his team to victory here; however, the season will ultimately end in disappointment as the playoffs will remain out of reach. PICK: GIANTS
Cleveland Browns vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Oh dear! Things are going from bad to worse for the Cleveland Browns. Recently signed third-string quarterback Thaddeus Lewis is now thrust into the starters spot due to injuries. The Browns would normally be big underdogs going into Pittsburgh under the best of circumstances; under these circumstances this game could get ugly. The Steelers should want to finish out their disappointing season on a high note in front of their faithful fans so hopefully we see a decent effort out of this bunch come Sunday. PICK: STEELERS
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Atlanta Falcons
Neither the Tampa Bay Bucs nor the Atlanta Falcons have anything to play for here. Tampa Bay is out of the playoffs and Atlanta cannot change their seeding with a win or loss. A dangerous game to pick here, as the Falcons will likely rest some of their players as the game progresses. With home-field advantage and the division title all but assured the possibility of a letdown game is here. If you need to make up ground in your pool this could be another game where you could steal a point. I’m picking aggressively again and going with the Bucs. PICK: BUCCANEERS
NY Jets vs. Buffalo Bills
Mark Sanchez get back in there young man and show us exactly why we should be calling Michael Vick come Monday. I have no confidence in the Jets, they are a complete unmitigated disaster; mind you the Bills aren’t much better. For the Bills to have a chance here they will need to feed C.J. Spiller the football over and over and over again. I like the Bills to hold home field and grab the win here. PICK: BILLS
Baltimore Ravens vs. Cincinnati Bengals
This should be an interesting game as neither team really has anything to play for. Both teams are in the playoffs and do not want to risk injuries or worse yet tipping off the playbook before the playoffs. I just think that Baltimore’s Ray Lewis will want to jack up the intensity on defense and send a message as they prepare for the playoffs. PICK: RAVENS
Kansas City Chiefs vs. Denver BroncosOh no! This game is going to get ugly in Denver. The Broncos actually need a win here to clinch a first-round bye and you can bet that Peyton Manning wants that extra practice week to fine tune some offensive sets. The only reason this game doesn’t get completely out of hand is that the Broncos might pull Manning; which would be interesting considering Manning has played every snap at quarterback for the Broncos this season. PICK: BRONCOS
Oakland Raiders vs. San Diego Chargers
Terrelle Pryor is getting the last start of the year here on Sunday ahead of Matt Leinart; which pretty much sums up the Raider’s season. The Chargers have fared only marginally better that the Raiders this season and they look to get their seventh win on the year. I have to give the slight edge to Philip Rivers over anyone the Raider’s dress at quarterback; Rivers should be able to guide the Bolts to a season ending win here in front of a home-crowd. PICK: CHARGERS
Arizona Cardinals vs. San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco has a lot on the line this week. A win means they clinch the NFC West division, couple that win with a Green Bay loss (which I’m predicting) then they will also clinch a first-round bye. The 49ers have some injuries and could really use that extra week to heal and prepare. There is no reason why the 49ers should lose this game. PICK: 49ers
St Louis Rams vs. Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks have been dominant of late. They continue to have the league’s top ranked defense and have posted 150 points of offense in the last three weeks. Throw in the fact that the Seahawks need a win here to hold on to a slim chance of winning the division and getting some home-field playoff games; and the troops should be fired up for this game. Simply put the Seahawks don’t lose at home either and they will be looking to remain undefeated on the season at home. The Rams are a dome team who must now contend with the weather and noise that comes with playing in Seattle. PICK: SEAHAWKS
Dallas Cowboys vs. Washington Redskins
This game should captivate the Nation on Sunday night football. For the Cowboys they can actually still clinch the NFC East division title with a win here, while Washington is also looking to win the division title with a win here. Turnovers will be name of this game, as in whomever limits their turnovers will win this game. If Tony Romo is on-target and not overthrowing his receivers then the game should be close. If Robert Griffin III can play at 100% then it will make for a long day for Dallas’ defense. PICK: Redskins
UPSET PICK OF THE WEEK: Minnesota Vikings to beat the Packers and lock up a playoff spot.
LOCK PICK OF THE WEEK: Denver Broncos to beat the lowly Kansas City Chiefs in a convincing fashion.