NFL Week 17 picks.....

Week 17 picks (Home team in CAPS)

Last week of the NFL regular season and the games can be just as difficult to pick as in week 1 because we just don't know which players will be playing, and which will be sitting it out. Four games involve teams with no playoff involvement, while three others have playoff teams for which the games will not change their seeding, while the other nine involve one or two teams that could still make the playoffs or at least change their playoff seeding. Not a bad slate for the final week of games.

Bears (-3) over LIONS
Chicago played well last Monday against Minnesota, and even though the Vikings came back on them, they showed something to hang on and win it in overtime. The Bears finish the season on a high note, and Detroit looks forward to 2010 and hopes the young roster get better.

Falcons (-2 1/2) over BUCS
Tampa Bay is on a two game winning streak, but the Falcons are looking for the franchise's first back to back winning seasons. Atlanta accomplishes the winning season streak and point towards a playoff return in 2010.

49ers (-7) over RAMS
The 49ers thought they would be looking at playing games in the post season this year, but it has not worked out like they anticipated. St. Louis is looking to wrap up the worst season this franchise has ever experienced.

Titans (-4 1/2) over SEAHAWKS
This game has two non-playoff teams, but it does have a history element involved as Chris Johnson runs towards 2,000 yards and an outside chance at Eric Dickerson's single season rushing record of 2,105 yards. The Titans self destructed on Christmas against San Diego and wiped out their playoff hopes at the same time, but with an 8-8 season in front of them after the 0-6 start and Johnson's pursuit of 2,000 yards, Tennessee puts it together and finishes the season on a high note.

BILLS (NL) over Colts
The Colts decided to give up their chance at perfection last Sunday against the Jets and will probably rest their players even more this week in a game with nothing at stake. With Indy disinterested, the Bills sneak out a victory to end a disappointing season on a good note.

PANTHERS (NL) over Saints
Saints locked up the #1 seed when the Vikings lost Monday night, so don't expect many starters to play much. The Panthers' management has stated that Coach John Fox will return in 2010 and the team has played well the last part of the season. Losing Steve Smith to the broken arm concerns me, but Carolina rides their momentum to another victory.

CHARGERS (-4) over Redskins
San Diego is playing the best football in the AFC and possibly the whole NFL. I still don't like their running defense, or their rushing offense, but the Redskins come cross country just looking to finish off a dismal season.

BROWNS (-1 1/2) over Jaguars
First game with playoff implications, but Jacksonville needs a ton of help along with their own win over the Browns. Cleveland is on a three game winning streak, may have found a running back in Jerome Harrison, and is trying to impress their new head honcho, Mike Holmgren. They win and knock Jacksonville from the playoff picture.

Giants (+9) over VIKINGS
Minnesota needs to win and have Philadelphia lose to Dallas to regain the #2 seed they relinquished in Monday Night's loss to Chicago. The Vikings have some problems and can use the week off. The Giants had a terrible effort against Carolina with their playoffs on the line and will come into this game without Brandon Jacobs, but I think they will put up a fight, and keep this close.

Chiefs (+13) over BRONCOS
Who would have thought after starting 6-0 that Denver needs help, win or lose, to gain a playoff spot? Denver came close last week against the Eagles, but in the end lost on a last minute field goal. The Broncos are the only team that can make the playoffs even with a loss on Sunday, but they will get the victory over Kansas City in a game that the Chiefs will keep close.

Ravens (-10 1/2) over RAIDERS
The Ravens win and they are in the AFC playoffs, and they will not let the opportunity slip away. While Oakland has played other playoff caliber teams tough, Baltimore will not allow the Raiders the chance to get the upset as they go on the road and bring home a playoff birth.

Patriots (+8) over TEXANS
Houston needs the victory and help to get into the playoffs, while New England can secure the 3rd seed with a win. Texans also secure their first winning season if they beat the Patriots. Even though New England knows they are playing next week, they play this game hard and at least keep it close, if not beat the Texans outright to spoil their playoffs and winning season hopes.

Steelers (NL) over DOLPHINS
The defending champions have life, but the pulse is weak as they must win and get victories by rivals to gain a playoff spot. Miami has lost two in a row and while they could still make the playoffs, the amount of help they need would fill another page. The Dolphins may be without Ricky Williams, so the task could be even more difficult, and that is not good when facing a tough Steelers team.

Packers (+3 1/2) over CARDINALS
Both teams are in the playoffs and could possibly face each other in Arizona again for the first round of the playoffs. The Cardinals have an outside chance at the second seed in the NFC and the week off, but with the possibility of the teams facing each other, this will be a "vanilla" game with neither team showing the other any of their tricks.

Bengals (+10) over JETS
The Jets got a huge break in the Colts pulling its starters and allowing New York to face their second team and get an important victory that puts them in a "win and in" position for this game. Cincinnati can only move up to the third seed if New England has lost earlier in the day, but they may not be too important to them as much as making sure they are healthy. These two teams also have a chance at facing each other in the first playoff weekend, so while the Jets need the win, the Bengals will do enough to keep it close.

Eagles (+3) over COWBOYS
This game means something for both teams as the winner gets the NFC East division title and a home playoff game. The Eagles secure the #2 seed with a victory, while the Cowboys could also move to the second seed with a win along with Viking and Cardinal losses. The Eagles have been playing the best football in the NFC and with the week off within their reach, they keep up the good play and get revenge for the Cowboys win in Philadelphia back in week 9.

Week 16 record (7-9)
2009 season (75-73-2)