Watt can cleanse the record book of Favre's disgrace (inset).
As far as Week 17s go, you couldn’t ask for much more excitement.
There are still quite a few games to be played that have at least the possibility of having serious playoff ramifications. Even in the AFC, where all four division winners and both wild cards have been decided, none of the division leaders have secured their playoff seeding. As for the NFC, there are so many combinations and permutations at play, it almost makes the head spin. Only four of six playoff teams are set, the NFC West title is still up for grabs, four different teams still could end up as the sixth and final playoff team, and atop it all sit the Atlanta Falcons, locked in as the least-feared number one seed in recent memory.
Before I get to the picks, here’s a look at what’s at stake:
NFC
The Packers will probably have to win to secure the two seed and a first-round bye. The 49ers jump to a two seed with a win and a Packers loss, but would slip to a five seed with a loss and Seahawks win. The Seahawks will do no worse than a fifth seed, but could switch places with the ‘niners. Washington, the Cowboys, and the Vikings all face win-and-you’re-in scenarios; Washington and the Cowboys will play for the East crown (and fourth seed) and the Vikes claim the sixth spot with a win. Washington and Minnesota could still lose and make the playoffs, Washington if the Vikes and Bears lose, and the Vikings if the Bears lose, and the Giants and Cowboys lose or tie. The Bears can make it with a win, and a Vikings’ loss. The Giants need to win, and for the Vikings, Bears, and Cowboys to lose. Oddly enough, the Cowboys can win their division, but there’s no scenario by which they can be a wild card.
AFC
The Colts and Bengals are locked in as the wild cards and fifth and sixth seeds, respectively, which leaves all the intrigue with the division winners. The Texans’ path to the number one seed is the least complicated, as they claim it with a victory no matter what else happens. The Texans would drop to number two with a loss coupled with a Broncos win, and could fall to third if they lose and the Broncs and Patriots win. The Broncos are number two with a win, number one with a win and a Texans loss, and number three with a loss and Pats win. If the Patriots win, they will jump past the Broncos or Texans if either loses, or both if both lose. If the Pats lose, they could slip to number four if the Ravens win. The Ravens can go no higher than number three, and only with a Patriots loss.
Of course, because of game times, some teams playing later will have more of an idea of what they’re playing for. As always, the best way for a team to prepare is to handle its own business, as they have no control over what happens in the other games.
Eagles at Giants
A lot of people, myself included, have been waiting for the Giants to wake up and do that “Giants” thing they do, where they suddenly start playing like champs. They’re still alive, but they just don’t seem to have it. The Eagles haven’t looked like they’ve had it all year. There’s certain to be a lot of upheaval in Philadelphia after this season concludes, and the Eagles are a last-place team, but they can still go out in a blaze of glory, and with a bit of relevance by eliminating the division-rival Giants. I see Michael Vick’s likely Philadelphia swan-song (Eagle-song?) as a spectacular one. He’s going to let it all hang out, and the result will either be that some team will make the mistake of signing him in the offseason, or he’ll make some serious mistakes and blow the game or perhaps even get himself seriously hurt. Winner: Eagles
Jets at Bills
Ugh! Mark Sanchez is getting another chance to start in this most meaningless of games. Does that mean that my personal moratorium from laughing at him can end? These two teams will be undergoing serious changes after this season. Since it doesn’t really matter, I’ll pick the team with the best player, and that would be C.J. Spiller. Winner: Bills
Ravens at Bengals
The Ravens blew their shot at a first round bye, and can now do no better than a third seed. The Bengals are coming off a big win over the Steelers, and would love to cap off their regular season with a win over another divisional rival. Cincy’s locked into the number six seed, so they should be loose. Winner: Bengals
Browns at Steelers
Nothing’s at stake here. The Browns start Thaddeus Lewis at QB. Who? Winner: Steelers
Texans at Colts
Indy, like the Bengals, is locked into their playoff seeding, and should be loose. A Texans loss would likely cost them a first round bye, as the Broncos and Patriots are heavy favourites in their games. Expect the Colts to play hard, but the Texans need to bounce back after a rough outing against the Vikings last week. JJ Watt has a shot at breaking Michael Strahan’s single season sack record, the one that was tainted when some a-hole laid down for him to let him break Mark Gastineau’s record. I hope Watt gets it; he’s been the best defensive player in the NFL this season, and deserves serious consideration as league MVP. Winner: Texans
Jaguars at Titans
Of the meaningless games this week, this one has to be the dud of duds. I wonder how many of each team’s fans even care about this one. Winner: Jaguars
Bears at Lions
This game is early, so the Bears will still be in the playoff hunt. They should be able to handle their business against the Lions. There’s little that I can say about the Lions that I haven’t already said. They should fire head coach Jim Schwartz and defensive Coordinator Gunther Cunningham before some really good talent gets wasted any further. Winner: Bears
Panthers at Saints
The Panthers, and Cam Newton, have been playing better of late, but they’ll end the season on a sour note when they get blown out by angry Saints. Winner: Saints
Buccaneers at Falcons
The Bucs’ play has really dropped off towards the end of the season. The Falcons have nothing to play for, but certainly would like to end the season with a win. Atlanta’s high-powered passing attack should shred the Bucs’ defence. The Falcons, with a first round bye, can afford to play hard, but they will have to be careful, as a serious injury to Julio Jones, Roddy White, or Tony Gonzales would be disastrous to their chances for success in the playoffs. Winner: Falcons
Cardinals at 49ers
San Fran got their heads handed to them by the Seahawks last week, and will take it out on the Cards this week, who are starting their fourth different QB this season, Brian Hoyer. Winner: 49ers
Packers at Vikings
This is a great matchup with lots at stake. The Vikes have the defence to give Green bay all it can handle, plus they have Adrian Peterson. This is a big game, and I can’t pick against the best QB in the NFL with so much on the line. Winner: Packers
Dolphins at Patriots
By the time this one starts, the Pats should know where they stand in the playoff seeding. The Dolphins always play the Patriots tough, but this one won’t be close. Winner: Patriots
Raiders at Chargers
With Carson Palmer starting at QB, I’d give the Raiders the edge. Terrelle Pryor will get a look behind center for Oakland, though, and with nothing at stake, it should be an interesting debut. The Chargers under Norv Turner excel in meaningless games. Winner: Chargers
Chiefs at Broncos
With a win, the Broncos assure themselves of no worse than the second seed and a first round bye. It would have been nice to see Denver face some stiffer competition for their closer, especially since their winning streak, while impressive, has been fattened by a lot of weak teams. For example, this will be their second win against the Chiefs, and fifth against inferior AFC West opposition, since the streak began. Winner: Broncos
Rams at Seahawks
Seattle will know whether they have a shot at the NFC West title, or whether they’re locked in as the number five seed. Either way, they won’t have much trouble dispatching the Rams. Winner: Seahawks
Sunday Night
Cowboys at Washington (D.C.)
Once again, the Cowboys are in the final game of the season in a game they have to win. Washington will enter the game knowing either that they have secured a playoff spot, or that they need to win. Either way, they’d much prefer to win the division and start the playoffs at home next week. I’ve gone back and forth over this one. The key for me is baggage. The Cowboys carry all kinds of baggage, with their reputation (earned) of coming up short and making mistakes in big moments. Washington QB Sir Robert Griffin the Third has performed spectacularly this season, coming up huge again and again. He has no baggage. I think that a prime time game, the last of the season, is the perfect place for this season’s biggest new star to shine his brightest. Winner: Washington (D.C.)
There are still quite a few games to be played that have at least the possibility of having serious playoff ramifications. Even in the AFC, where all four division winners and both wild cards have been decided, none of the division leaders have secured their playoff seeding. As for the NFC, there are so many combinations and permutations at play, it almost makes the head spin. Only four of six playoff teams are set, the NFC West title is still up for grabs, four different teams still could end up as the sixth and final playoff team, and atop it all sit the Atlanta Falcons, locked in as the least-feared number one seed in recent memory.
Before I get to the picks, here’s a look at what’s at stake:
NFC
The Packers will probably have to win to secure the two seed and a first-round bye. The 49ers jump to a two seed with a win and a Packers loss, but would slip to a five seed with a loss and Seahawks win. The Seahawks will do no worse than a fifth seed, but could switch places with the ‘niners. Washington, the Cowboys, and the Vikings all face win-and-you’re-in scenarios; Washington and the Cowboys will play for the East crown (and fourth seed) and the Vikes claim the sixth spot with a win. Washington and Minnesota could still lose and make the playoffs, Washington if the Vikes and Bears lose, and the Vikings if the Bears lose, and the Giants and Cowboys lose or tie. The Bears can make it with a win, and a Vikings’ loss. The Giants need to win, and for the Vikings, Bears, and Cowboys to lose. Oddly enough, the Cowboys can win their division, but there’s no scenario by which they can be a wild card.
AFC
The Colts and Bengals are locked in as the wild cards and fifth and sixth seeds, respectively, which leaves all the intrigue with the division winners. The Texans’ path to the number one seed is the least complicated, as they claim it with a victory no matter what else happens. The Texans would drop to number two with a loss coupled with a Broncos win, and could fall to third if they lose and the Broncs and Patriots win. The Broncos are number two with a win, number one with a win and a Texans loss, and number three with a loss and Pats win. If the Patriots win, they will jump past the Broncos or Texans if either loses, or both if both lose. If the Pats lose, they could slip to number four if the Ravens win. The Ravens can go no higher than number three, and only with a Patriots loss.
Of course, because of game times, some teams playing later will have more of an idea of what they’re playing for. As always, the best way for a team to prepare is to handle its own business, as they have no control over what happens in the other games.
Eagles at Giants
A lot of people, myself included, have been waiting for the Giants to wake up and do that “Giants” thing they do, where they suddenly start playing like champs. They’re still alive, but they just don’t seem to have it. The Eagles haven’t looked like they’ve had it all year. There’s certain to be a lot of upheaval in Philadelphia after this season concludes, and the Eagles are a last-place team, but they can still go out in a blaze of glory, and with a bit of relevance by eliminating the division-rival Giants. I see Michael Vick’s likely Philadelphia swan-song (Eagle-song?) as a spectacular one. He’s going to let it all hang out, and the result will either be that some team will make the mistake of signing him in the offseason, or he’ll make some serious mistakes and blow the game or perhaps even get himself seriously hurt. Winner: Eagles
Jets at Bills
Ugh! Mark Sanchez is getting another chance to start in this most meaningless of games. Does that mean that my personal moratorium from laughing at him can end? These two teams will be undergoing serious changes after this season. Since it doesn’t really matter, I’ll pick the team with the best player, and that would be C.J. Spiller. Winner: Bills
Ravens at Bengals
The Ravens blew their shot at a first round bye, and can now do no better than a third seed. The Bengals are coming off a big win over the Steelers, and would love to cap off their regular season with a win over another divisional rival. Cincy’s locked into the number six seed, so they should be loose. Winner: Bengals
Browns at Steelers
Nothing’s at stake here. The Browns start Thaddeus Lewis at QB. Who? Winner: Steelers
Texans at Colts
Indy, like the Bengals, is locked into their playoff seeding, and should be loose. A Texans loss would likely cost them a first round bye, as the Broncos and Patriots are heavy favourites in their games. Expect the Colts to play hard, but the Texans need to bounce back after a rough outing against the Vikings last week. JJ Watt has a shot at breaking Michael Strahan’s single season sack record, the one that was tainted when some a-hole laid down for him to let him break Mark Gastineau’s record. I hope Watt gets it; he’s been the best defensive player in the NFL this season, and deserves serious consideration as league MVP. Winner: Texans
Jaguars at Titans
Of the meaningless games this week, this one has to be the dud of duds. I wonder how many of each team’s fans even care about this one. Winner: Jaguars
Bears at Lions
This game is early, so the Bears will still be in the playoff hunt. They should be able to handle their business against the Lions. There’s little that I can say about the Lions that I haven’t already said. They should fire head coach Jim Schwartz and defensive Coordinator Gunther Cunningham before some really good talent gets wasted any further. Winner: Bears
Panthers at Saints
The Panthers, and Cam Newton, have been playing better of late, but they’ll end the season on a sour note when they get blown out by angry Saints. Winner: Saints
Buccaneers at Falcons
The Bucs’ play has really dropped off towards the end of the season. The Falcons have nothing to play for, but certainly would like to end the season with a win. Atlanta’s high-powered passing attack should shred the Bucs’ defence. The Falcons, with a first round bye, can afford to play hard, but they will have to be careful, as a serious injury to Julio Jones, Roddy White, or Tony Gonzales would be disastrous to their chances for success in the playoffs. Winner: Falcons
Cardinals at 49ers
San Fran got their heads handed to them by the Seahawks last week, and will take it out on the Cards this week, who are starting their fourth different QB this season, Brian Hoyer. Winner: 49ers
Packers at Vikings
This is a great matchup with lots at stake. The Vikes have the defence to give Green bay all it can handle, plus they have Adrian Peterson. This is a big game, and I can’t pick against the best QB in the NFL with so much on the line. Winner: Packers
Dolphins at Patriots
By the time this one starts, the Pats should know where they stand in the playoff seeding. The Dolphins always play the Patriots tough, but this one won’t be close. Winner: Patriots
Raiders at Chargers
With Carson Palmer starting at QB, I’d give the Raiders the edge. Terrelle Pryor will get a look behind center for Oakland, though, and with nothing at stake, it should be an interesting debut. The Chargers under Norv Turner excel in meaningless games. Winner: Chargers
Chiefs at Broncos
With a win, the Broncos assure themselves of no worse than the second seed and a first round bye. It would have been nice to see Denver face some stiffer competition for their closer, especially since their winning streak, while impressive, has been fattened by a lot of weak teams. For example, this will be their second win against the Chiefs, and fifth against inferior AFC West opposition, since the streak began. Winner: Broncos
Rams at Seahawks
Seattle will know whether they have a shot at the NFC West title, or whether they’re locked in as the number five seed. Either way, they won’t have much trouble dispatching the Rams. Winner: Seahawks
Sunday Night
Cowboys at Washington (D.C.)
Once again, the Cowboys are in the final game of the season in a game they have to win. Washington will enter the game knowing either that they have secured a playoff spot, or that they need to win. Either way, they’d much prefer to win the division and start the playoffs at home next week. I’ve gone back and forth over this one. The key for me is baggage. The Cowboys carry all kinds of baggage, with their reputation (earned) of coming up short and making mistakes in big moments. Washington QB Sir Robert Griffin the Third has performed spectacularly this season, coming up huge again and again. He has no baggage. I think that a prime time game, the last of the season, is the perfect place for this season’s biggest new star to shine his brightest. Winner: Washington (D.C.)
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