The Week 17 Picks

And so we’ve reached the end of the regular season, and this weekend’s games are peppered with playoff implications, resting starters, and of course, the Reggie Bush Bowl between Houston and San Francisco (which could actually play out more like a lottery, as up to five teams could be tied for the worst record in the league). This is always one of the toughest weeks to pick, just for the record. Also, look for the first annual “Season Preview Review”coming next week. Read on, and Happy New Year to you!

The Match-up: Denver (+10.5) @ San Diego
The Skinny: The Broncos are locked into the #2 spot in the AFC, thus many of their regulars will be on the sidelines in baseball caps. San Diego, loaded as they are, should be playing for more than pride against a division rival.
Straight up: San Diego
Against the Spread: San Diego

The Match-up: New York Giants (-9.0) @ Oakland
The Skinny: Typically, I steer clear of Eli Manning on the road. However, this is a must-win for the Giants to lock up the NFC East, and Oakland shouldn’t be much of a spoiler.
Straight up: New York Giants
Against the Spread: New York Giants

The Match-up: Cincinnati (+7.5) @ Kansas City
The Skinny: Not much intrigue here other than Larry Johnson looking for his 9th straight 100-yard game. I know the Chiefs are technically still alive for the playoffs, but that’s only if Pittsburgh loses to Detroit (and that’s not going to happen).
Straight up: Kansas City
Against the Spread: Kansas City

The Match-up: Miami (+5.5) @ New England
The Skinny: The Pats still have an outside chance at the #3 seed, which would mean a home game in Foxboro and avoiding the Colts in the second round.
Straight up: New England
Against the Spread: New England

The Match-up: Buffalo (-1.5) @ New York Jets
The Skinny: The Jets are one of the teams with an outside chance at the #1 pick. I had an inclination to take them this week, but then I’ve remembered past hunches about this team and getting burned. So, I’m reluctantly taking the Bills.
Straight up: Buffalo
Against the Spread: Buffalo

The Match-up: Carolina (-4.0) @ Atlanta
The Skinny: The Panthers need a win to clinch a playoff berth, so they’ll pull out all the stops. One problem – they have lost seven straight in Atlanta and are 1-9 all time in the Georgia Dome. Atlanta may not spoil the Panthers’ season, but they’ll give them a game.
Straight up: Carolina
Against the Spread: Atlanta

The Match-up: Detroit (+13.5) @ Pittsburgh
The Skinny: See “Cincinnati (+7.5) @ Kansas City”
Straight up: Pittsburgh
Against the Spread: Pittsburgh

The Match-up: Baltimore (-3.0) @ Cleveland
The Skinny: The Browns look to bounce back from last week’s 41-0 embarrassment at the hands of the Steelers. Baltimore, meanwhile, has players and coaches fighting for jobs next season.
Straight up: Baltimore
Against the Spread: Baltimore

The Match-up: New Orleans (+13.5) @ Tampa Bay
The Skinny: The Bucs control their own destiny in terms of winning the NFC South.
Straight up: Tampa Bay
Against the Spread: Tampa Bay

The Match-up: Seattle (+4.5) @ Green Bay
The Skinny: Shaun Alexander has a chance to break the single-season touchdown record, so he’ll start. Chances are he’ll score early to clinch the record, then join the other Seattle starters on the bench.
Straight up: Green Bay
Against the Spread: Green Bay

The Match-up: Arizona (+6.5) @ Indianapolis
The Skinny: Welcome back, Coach Dungy.
Straight up: Indianapolis
Against the Spread: Indianapolis

The Match-up: Houston (-1.0) @ San Francisco
The Skinny: If the Texans end up with the #1 pick, guys like Domanick Davis and Johnathan Wells could end up on the trading block (Note to Texans front office – grab some offensive linemen).
Straight up: San Francisco
Against the Spread: San Francisco

The Match-up: Tennessee (+3.5) @ Jacksonville
The Skinny: Jacksonville is the #5 seed, win lose or draw, and they’re 3-1 behind David Garrard, with that one loss at the hands of the mighty Colts. So why all the talk about Byron Leftwich suiting up this week?
Straight up: Jacksonville
Against the Spread: Jacksonville

The Match-up: Chicago (+4.0) @ Minnesota
The Skinny: Normally, I would advise that the Bears sit Rex Grossman. But he’s been out for so long, and developing chemistry with the offense wouldn’t be a bad thing. Plus, if the worst happens and Grossman gets hurt (again), Kyle Orton waits in the wings, and he did a solid job as a starter in Grossman’s absence.
Straight up: Chicago
Against the Spread: Chicago

The Match-up: Washington (-7.5) @ Philadelphia
The Skinny: For the Redskins, it’s simple – win and they’re in. The Eagles would love nothing more than to spoil Washington’s hopes.
Straight up: Philadelphia
Against the Spread: Philadelphia

The Match-up: St. Louis (+12.5) @ Dallas
The Skinny: There actually will be a perfect record in the NFL this season…16 times the Dallas Cowboys took the field, and 16 times I’ve picked against them. No playoffs for the Cowgirls, and another retirement for Bill Parcells. Good riddance, Tuna.
Straight up: St. Louis
Against the Spread: St. Louis