December 28, 2005

NFL Week 17 Predictions

December 28, 2005, 9:42 PM | 0 Comments

Well, it’s been 16 weeks already, and there’s only one game left for the 20 teams who wont make the playoffs. Who those teams will be is mostly confirmed, except for a few teams that still have a chance.

The Cowboys have a slim chance at making it, but need to win their game and get some help (a loss or tie) from the Redskins. However, the Redskins are one of the few teams that have a “win and you’re in” situation, that I don’t expect they’ll squander. The Panthers and Steelers are the 2 other teams that can make the playoffs with a win this weekend.

Last week was a crazy week and I had a terrible time predicting the outcome of most of those games. I went 8-8 to bring my total up to 152-88.

ESPN Expert Picks: Last Week | This Week.

Here are my final picks for the regular season!

Denver Broncos (12-3) at San Diego Chargers (9-6) - With San Diego eliminated from playoff contention last week, all they have left to play for is their home crowd. Denver has already clinched a first round bye, so they don’t really have anything to play for either, and I’m not even sure if they’ll be playing their starters for the entire game either. I think that if Denver plays all their starters for the entire game, they’ll get the win. But I don’t think that’ll happen, if it does, my pick will change. Pick: Broncos.

New York Giants (10-5) at Oakland Raiders (4-11) - The New York Giants are a team that has really impressed me this year. Tiki Barber is easily their MVP, and Eli Manning has had a pretty good second season. The Raiders have been a big disappointment and have had to battle a lot of injuries. With a win or tie, the Giants can with the NFC East title, and I think they’ve got a good shot at getting it. Pick: Giants.

Cincinnati Bengals (11-4) at Kansas City Chiefs (9-6) - Cincinnati has been another impressive story this year, outdoing most expectations. The Chiefs can only clinch a playoff spot with a loss by the Steelers and a loss or tie by the Chargers. I don’t think there’s really enough chance of all those scenarios taking place. The Bengals will probably be able to beat KC, but I think it’ll be a close game. Pick: Bengals.

Arizona Cardinals (5-10) at Indianapolis Colts (13-2) - Indianapolis has had a rough couple of weeks, and most of it has been regarding off-the-field issues. Arizona has been a big disappointment this year, especially because many (including myself) thought that they really had a chance this year. Indy should win this game, no matter who plays. Pick: Colts.

Seattle Seahawks (13-2) at Green Bay Packers (3-12) - Seattle has clinched a playoff bye and home-field advantage, so it’ll be interesting to see weather or not they’ll play their starters for the entire game. The big question in Green Bay is, will this be Favre’s last game? I certainly hope not, and I don’t think it will be. If the Seahawks play their starters, they’ll probably win, if not, I’ll pick the Packers. Pick: Packers.

Baltimore Ravens (6-9) at Cleveland Browns (5-10) - Baltimore and Cleveland should be a fairly evenly matched game. I think Baltimore will get the win. Pick: Ravens.

Carolina Panthers (10-5) at Atlanta Falcons (8-7) - With Atlanta out of playoff contention, it’ll be interesting to see how this game plays out. I think the Panthers can and will win this game, but it probably wont be easy for them. Pick: Panthers.

New Orleans Saints (3-12) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-5) - The Buccaneers can win their division this weekend with a win. I think they’ll get it easily. Pick: Buccaneers.

Detroit Lions (5-10) at Pittsburgh Steelers (10-5) - The Steelers need to win this game to make the playoffs. That should be enough incentive in front of their home crowd. Pick: Steelers.

Buffalo Bills (5-10) at New York Jets (3-12) - Not much to say about this game really, I’ll take the Jets, just because. Pick: Jets.

Miami Dolphins (8-7) at New England Patriots (10-5) - While the Dolphins have been a great surprise this season and usually play well against the Patriots. The Pats are really rolling right now, and I don’t think the Dolphins have enough to win in New England. Pick: Patriots.

Houston Texans (2-13) at San Francisco 49ers (3-12) - Houston can lock up the number one pick in next year’s draft with a loss this Sunday. Honestly, I think most of Houston’s fans want that pick and are actually rooting for the 49ers to win this week. Pick: 49ers.

Tennessee Titans (4-11) at Jacksonville Jaguars (11-4) - The Jaguars should be able to beat the Titans, but sometimes I’m just not sure about them. I’ll still pick them, but if they play down to their competition’s level again, the Titans might have a shot. Pick: Jaguars.

Washington Redskins (9-6) at Philadelphia Eagles (6-9) - It’s been a rough year in Philly. The worst part is probably that they’re not even competing for their division crown that they’ve owned as of late. The ‘Skins can get into the playoffs with a win, and I think that’ll be enough motivation. Pick: Redskins.

Chicago Bears (11-4) at Minnesota Vikings (8-7) - The Bears have had a great year. The Vikings have had a pretty good season (all things considered). This game should be a good one, but I expect the Bears to come out on top. Pick: Bears.

St. Louis Rams (5-10) at Dallas Cowboys (9-6) - I’ll take the Cowboys for this one, but it could probably be a close one. Dallas will probably not make the playoffs, but they could get in with a win and a Redskins loss. Pick: Cowboys.

Picks Summary

AWAY - HOME - PREDICTION - RESULT
Broncos - Chargers - Broncos - Broncos √
Giants - Raiders - Giants - Giants √
Bengals - Chiefs - Bengals - Chiefs Χ
Cardinals - Colts - Colts - Colts √
Seahawks - Packers - Packers - Packers √
Ravens - Browns - Ravens - Browns Χ
Panthers - Falcons - Panthers - Panthers √
Saints - Buccaneers - Buccaneers - Buccaneers √
Lions - Steelers - Steelers - Steelers √
Bills - Jets - Jets - Jets √
Dolphins - Patriots - Patriots - Dolphins Χ
Texans - 49ers - 49ers - 49ers √
Titans - Jaguars - Jaguars - Jaguars √
Redskins - Eagles - Redskins - Redskins √
Bears - Vikings - Bears - Vikings Χ
Rams - Cowboys - Cowboys - Rams Χ

UPDATE: 11-5 this week to bring the regular season to a close. What a year it has been! Playoffs begin next week, go Colts!
Running total: 163-93.

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