Week 17 predictions
So the last week of the regular season is here, and the playoffs are still to be decided, so who’s in and who’s out? I’ll give you some pre-warning here; I’ve gone for a couple of shocks this week…
Sunday 6:00pm
Detroit Lions 31-24 Green Bay Packers
The Pack have locked up number one seed in the NFC, and Aaron Rodgers won’t beat Marino’s record or be the top passer in the league this year. They also won’t want to show a potential playoff opponent too much. Detroit on the other hand, will be going all out, so Green bay lose at Lambeau.
Tennessee Titans 23-20 Houston Texans
If miracles occur, Tennessee can still make the playoffs, the Texans are already there. Tennessee haven’t been good against the run though, so Ben Tate could run all over them, even if Arian Foster doesn’t. This one could be tight then, but I’m going to side with Tennessee.
Indianapolis Colts 13-20 Jacksonville Jaguars
Maurice Jones Drew wants to win the rushing title, and the Colts won’t be able to stop him. This loss hands them the number one pick in the draft, and possibly a route back to AFC South dominance.
New York Jets 17-24 Miami Dolphins
The Jets can still make the playoffs, but with a QB like Mark Sanchez at the helm, they just can’t win anything, he is simply not an NFL calibre QB (abuse on a postcard please). The Dolphins revel in their spoiler role, and Reggie Bush is on fire at the moment.
Chicago Bears 23-26 Minnesota Vikings
The Bears looked better against the Packers last week, but Joe Webb has come in to replace Christian Ponder and has looked impressive for the Vikes. To be honest, without Adrian Peterson, the Vikings are a completely different side, and his injury has made this game difficult to predict, but I’ll go with the home team and Percy Harvin.
Buffalo Bills 27-38 New England Patriots
Tom Brady wants to beat Dan Marino’s record, and catch Drew Brees. That should be enough for the Pats to lock up no.1 seeding and a path through Foxboro in the AFC Playoffs.
Carolina Panthers 28-30 New Orleans Saints
The Saints will probably rest starters in this one, but Drew Brees will want to lock up his status as the best passer in the NFL first. So expect the Saints to forge ahead and make a big lead for themselves, but I just think that Cam Newton can make this close, very close.
Washington Redskins 16-33 Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles will be a force next year, they know where they need to strengthen, and I’m sure they will do that. This game will be a sneak preview of the team to expect next year, they’ll roll over Rex’s Redskins.
San Francisco 49’ers 20-17 St Louis Rams
The Niners could rest some starters and this could mean that Brandon Lloyd has a good day, but the Rams can’t defend anything at the moment, and San Francisco finish their regular season with a win.
Sunday 9:15pm
Seattle Seahawks 20-13 Arizona Cardinals
It’s hard to believe that Pete Carroll’s men will finish better than last season and not make the playoffs, but that’s going to be the scenario. Finishing at 8-8 represents a step in the right direction for the Seahawks, and with a couple of additions, they could be a Playoff team next year.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 17-41 Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons should still make the Playoffs despite their beating by New Orleans last week, and they will want to lay down a marker before they get to the post season, especially if, by kick off, they are locked into the 6th seed, and a trip to the Superdome.
Baltimore Ravens 20-16 Cincinnati Bengals
You would think the Ravens’ would win this one, but their focus has been questionable all season, with strange losses popping up here and there. The Bengals are a good football team, and any slip ups by the Ravens will be pounced upon by Dalton and AJ Green. But the lure of a possible no. 1 seeding should be enough for Baltimore to win this one.
Pittsburgh Steelers 30-10 Cleveland Browns
The Steelers are still in the hunt for that no. 1 seed as well, as with the Patriots currently sat there, there is no way that Roethlisberger and his starters will sit this one out. That means that Pittsburgh wins at the Browns, who really need to go and get some offense.
Kansas City Chiefs 19-14 Denver Broncos
Finally, the aura of invincibility around Tim Tebow has been thoroughly shattered, and Romeo Crennell’s Chiefs will continue that trend, with Kyle Orton getting a very sweet win indeed.
San Diego Chargers 28-20 Oakland Raiders
These are two teams that for one reason or another will miss out on the playoffs in a division that they both could have won. Philip Rivers is back in the stride now, and that should be enough for the Chargers to end the season on a positive note.
Monday 1:20am
Dallas Cowboys 28-24 New York Giants
This is a brilliant contest. Winner takes all at the Meadowlands, and it’s time for Tony Romo to step up. If he’s a franchise leading QB, then he can win this for Jerry Jones’ men. The Giants defense is questionable and Eli Manning has shown at times this season, that he can get rattled by pressure. If Rob Ryan can find a way for the Dallas defense to create pressure, and do something different, I fancy the Cowboys.
PREDICTED PLAYOFFS:
AFC:
1.New England Patriots
2.Baltimore Ravens
6.Cincinnati Bengals @ 3.Houston Texans
5.Pittsburgh Steelers @ 4.Denver Broncos
NFC:
1.Green Bay Packers
2.San Francisco 49’ers
6.Atlanta Falcons @ 3.New Orleans Saints
5.Detroit Lions @ 4.Dallas Cowboys