So it all comes down to this. Week 17! While most playoff spots are spoken for at this point, there's still a lot that can happen to shift things around, especially in the NFC.
Keep in mind: ALL games are on Sunday (New Year's Day!) this week. No Thursday, Saturday or Monday.
Here we go:
GAME OF THE WEEK - Green Bay Packers (9-6) at Detroit Lions (9-6), GB by 3.5 - This game isn't just for the NFC North title; it could potentially be the only chance either of these teams have to get into the postseason, depending on what Washington does earlier in the day. Who would have thought five weeks ago that the Packers would actually have a shot at running the table? Aaron Rodgers, apparently, who has put up MVP games for nearly three straight months after a slow start to the season. Simply put, the way these two teams have been heading, I don't see a scenario in which Green Bay loses this game. Right now, their offense is playing better than the vast majority of the other offenses in the league, Rodgers is in peak god mode right now, and they've been able to achieve balance in the running game. The Packers already demolished the Lions once this year. It'll be tougher on the road, but they will clinch their fifth division title in six years. Packers 30, Lions 20
Houston Texans (9-6) at Tennessee Titans (8-7), TEN by 3 - The Titans had to win last week to stay alive, but instead they lost Marcus Mariota and the game, ending their playoff hopes. Without Mariota, the Texans should be able to sneak out this game and get into the playoffs with at least a little bit of momentum, albeit not much. UPSET! - Texans 23, Titans 17
Buffalo Bills (7-8) at New York Jets (3-12), BUF by 3.5 - I don't know that I agree with the Bills' firing of Rex Ryan, but it's not particularly surprising. They're also benching Tyrod Taylor this week to avoid the chances of having to pay him a large injury settlement. So that doesn't sound great for the Bills... but they're also playing the hapless Jets. Bills 20, Jets 10
Baltimore Ravens (8-7) at Cincinnati Bengals (5-9-1), BAL by 2.5 - Tough year for the Ravens, who were oh so close at getting back to the playoffs, but tougher year for teh Bengals, who utterly underperformed with high expectations and will still be getting their coach back next year. I like the Ravens to finish with a winning record. Ravens 23, Bengals 20
New York Giants (10-5) at Washington Redskins (8-6-1), WAS by 8 - The Giants say they're not resting their starters, but really, they have nothing to play for here. They are fully locked into the 5 seed in the NFC, which means they're playing the winner of Green Bay/Detroit in round 1 of the playoffs. The Redskins will win, which means the Packers/Lions game is winner take all, loser stays home. Redskins 27, Giants 17
Jacksonville Jaguars (3-12) at Indianapolis Colts (7-8), IND by 4.5 - The Colts have been alternating wins and losses almost all season. This week it's victory time. Colts 34, Jaguars 20
Dallas Cowboys (13-2) at Philadelphia Eagles (6-9), PHI by 4 - Dallas has nothing to play for, and there's a good chance Mark Sanchez will see some not-insignificant playing time. The Eagles will get the win, but the Cowboys get the trip to the playoffs. Eagles 24, Cowboys 20
Chicago Bears (3-12) at Minnesota Vikings (7-8), MIN by 5 - What better way for the Vikings to complete their utter collapse than a season-ending embarrassing loss to a feisty Bears team at home? UPSET! - Bears 23, Vikings 20
Carolina Panthers (6-9) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-7), TB by 6 - In their loss last week against the Saints, the Bucs threw out their chances of a playoff berth. Playing at home against the Panthers, they're definitely in for a challenge, but should be able to stave off the defending NFC champions. Bucs 27, Panthers 20
Cleveland Browns (1-14) at Pittsburgh Steelers (10-5), PIT by 6 - Not much to play for here for Pittsburgh, which means the Browns have a shot at winning a second game this year. But I'll still give the nod to the Steelers, because Browns. Steelers 27, Browns 17
New Orleans Saints (7-8) at Atlanta Falcons (10-5), ATL by 6.5 - The Saints have the league's second-ranked offense but are likely going to finish the season with a losing record. Man, have they wasted Drew Brees since their Super Bowl run by not ever improving their defense. Falcons 30, Saints 24
New England Patriots (13-2) at MIami Dolphins (10-5), NE by 9.5 - The Dolphins have nothing to play for, as they are locked into a Wild Card spot. The Patriots, however, are still playing to clinch homefield advantage in the AFC. Even though the Pats have had issues in Miami over Brady's career, they should manage just fine here. Patriots 26, Dolphins 19
Arizona Cardinals (6-8-1) at Los Angeles Rams (4-11), ARZ by 6 - The Rams typically play their divisional opponents well, but with all the turbulence in LA right now and with an interim coach, they're ripe for the plucking. Cardinals 24, Rams 10
Kansas City Chiefs (11-4) at San Diego Chargers (5-10), KC by 5.5 - It would be the most Chargers thing ever to lose to the Browns, then come back out the next week and beat the Chiefs, so I'm really tempted to pick them. But this isn't your typical wishy washy chargers team. This is a team that knows the front office has given up on the city, and the city has given up on it. Chiefs 20, Chargers 13
Oakland Raiders (12-3) at Denver Broncos (8-7), DEN by 1.5 - Even without David Carr, I think the Raiders have what it takes to go into Denver and take down the Broncos. Trevor Siemian has looked terribad recently, and teams aren't getting as mystified by that Denver defense as they were in 2015. McGloin is certainly no Carr, but he's at least a capable backup. Now, do I think he can get the Raiders wins over teams like the Patriots or Steelers in the playoffs? Probably not, but we'll cross that bridge when we come to it. UPSET! - Raiders 20, Broncos 17
Seattle Seahawks (10-4-1) at San Francisco 49ers (2-13), SEA by 9.5 Lol. Seahawks 30, 49ers 6
