Guaranteed Picks for NFL Week 17

Indianapolis Colts (14-1) at Buffalo Bills (5-10)

You got the feeling as you saw Peyton and Reggie Wayne on the sidelines that they weren’t all that happy with the decision to surrender.  It’s a safe bet, then, that they will be riding pine against the Bills.

Prediction: Bills 31 Colts 14

New Orleans Saints (13-2) at Carolina Panthers (7-8)

This could be a tough one.  The Saints suddenly may need to win to keep home field after their inexplicable loss to the Succaneers.  Even in a straight up game this one would be a tough call, with the Panthers playing very well.  You know the Saints coaches will be watching the scoreboard, and the starters could be pulled if the Vikings are losing convincingly.  We’ll assume they’ll have to play the whole game.

Prediction: Saints 31 Panthers 28

Jacksonville Jaguars (8-7) at Cleveland Browns (4-11)

Jags would be an easy Pick if they weren’t still (sort of) playing for the post season.

Prediction:  Jags 31 Browns 13

Philadelphia Eagles (11-4) at Dallas Cowboys (10-5)

Two NFC East foes, last week of the Regular season, Division Title goes to the winner… does it get any better than this?

Prediction:  Cowboys 27 Eagles 24

Chicago Bears (5-9) at Detroit Lions (2-13)

Two NFC North foes, last week of the season, not even pride on the line… does it get any worse than this?

Prediction:  Lions 23 Bears 21

New England Patriots (10-5) at Houston Texans (8-7)

Pats playing for seeding, Texans playing for their meager Playoff lives… this one could be interesting as well.

Prediction: Texans 27 Patriots 21

Pittsburgh Steelers (8-7) at Miami Dolphins (7-8)

The ‘Fins should be disappointed; shooting themselves in the foot over and over this year kept a team that by all rights should be in the post season out.  The Champs are playing for a miracle, but it is the Champs.

Prediction: Steelers 24 Dolphins 21

New York Giants (8-7) at Minnesota Vikings (11-3)

Assuming they beat the Bears on Monday, the Vikings are suddenly in line for the top seed.  That doesn’t bode well for the G Men.  If the Saints run away early against Carolina, or if Favre chokes against the Bears, it’ll be a rest day.

Prediction:  Vikings 31 Giants 24

Cincinnati Bengals (10-5) New York Jets (8-7)

Again, a game that will likely be directly affected by other games.  The Jets are suddenly a genuine Playoff contender, so they’ll have a lot more on the line.

Prediction: Jets 27 Bengals 17

San Fransisco 49ers (7-8) at St Louis Rams (1-14)

Another game no one’s going to watch.

Predictions: The Rams win the Detroit memorial trophy as the NFL’s worst team.  49ers 31 Rams 13

Atlanta Falcons (8-7) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-12)

Had injuries not decimated the Falcons this year, they would probably be in the playoff discussion right now.  The Bucs have suddenly learned to play football… ending the season on a three game winning streak is something to build on.

Prediction:  Bucs 28 Falcons 24

Green Bay Packers (10-5) at Arizona Cardinals (10-5)

Another game that no one quite knows what to guess.  With the liklihood that these teams will meet next week in the playofs, it could be a vanilla game all around.

Prediction: Packers 31 Cardinals 27

Kansas City Chiefs (3-12) at Denver Broncos (8-6)

You have to like the Broncos at home in the cold for the playoffs.

Prediction: Broncos 34 Chiefs 17

Baltimore Ravens (8-7) at Oakland Raiders (5-10)

The Ravens really needed to beat the Steelers; now they have to beat the Raiders.

Prediction: Ravens 35 Raiders 21

Washington Redskins (4-11) at San Diego Chargers (12-3)

The Chargers will bring the second batallion for this one.

Prediction: Redskins 24 Chargers 14

Tennessee Titans (7-8) at Seattle Seahawks (5-10)

They may have just missed the playoffs, but you have to admire the remarkable turnaround.  The Titans are a better team now than some who will be in the post season.  Seahawks will just be glad to see this disappointing year end.

Prediction: Titans 42 Seahawks 10

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