Week 17 Picks: Baltimore over Cleveland - Baltimore likely extinguished their playoff hopes last week when they got dumped by Houston. I suppose, theres still a Lloyd Christmas-style chance. So, theyll beat Cleveland. After playing inspired for most of the season, the Browns have drifted back to their typically dysfunctional ways. Dallas over Washingon - I dont think the Cowboys will play their starters all the way through, but I dont think theyll have to either. Dallas could wrap this one up by halftime. Indianapolis over Tennessee - Well, the Colts look about as limp as a playoff team can look. The Titans look about as bad as any team can look. So, Indianapolis should regain some confidence at the expense of Tennessee. Thats not much of a momentum builder though. Houston over Jacksonville - You have to like the way the Texans have played down the stretch, especially after plucking quarterbacks up off of the street. You shouldnt like anything happening in Jacksonville. San Diego over Kansas City - I originally picked Kansas City here, and then Alex Smith ruptured his spleen. Youd think that would mean a healthy dose of Jamaal Charles, right? Well, wouldnt you assume that if Alex Smith was your quarterback in the first place, youd want to ride Jamaal Charles? Instead, Andy Reid seems content to only give the ball to his best player about 10 times a game. Make no mistake, the Chiefs are where theyre at, because Andy Reid is incompetent. Thats not a news flash either, roster mismanagement is vintage Reid. Who cares though? Im sure they love him in Kansas City. In any event, the Chargers should back into the playoffs for the second consecutive year at the expense of the Chiefs. Miami over N.Y. Jets - Its the end of the the Rex Ryan era in New York. It should be the end of the Joe Philbin era in Miami too. I guess, the latter has gotten a vote of confidence from ownership. So, the Dolphins should flounder around that 8-8 mark for at least another year. They should beat the Jets for a 9-7 mark this season. Which, is about is good as its going to get under Philbin. Minnesota over Chicago - The Vikings are quietly headed in the right direction. The Bears have been floating around the bowl for a while now. Its time to plunge that mess and flush it out of its misery. New England over Buffalo - The Patriots dont have anything to play for. So, they likely wont be taking this all that seriously. Still, its the Patriots and the Bills, and I just cant imagine picking Buffalo. N.Y. Giants over Philadelphia - All of the Chip Kelly hype has finally met reality, and the Eagles are scuffling. The Giants could be playing to save Tom Coughlins job. Which they should. It would be hard to find a better coach than Coughlin. Lets face it though, the real reason to take interest in this game is Odell Beckham Jr. New Orleans over Tampa Bay - I feel a little hesitant to even pick the Saints to go over Tampa Bay. Atlanta over Carolina - This game will decide the wretched NFC South. Both teams are very messy, but I like the Falcons based on their superior offensive capabilities. I think, barring a highly unlikely trip to the Super Bowl, Mike Smith will get the hook. Atlanta, to me, seems like the perfect landing spot for Rex Ryan. They already have the makings of an elite offense, so Ryan wouldnt have to worry about that. Which is good, because hes inept in that area. Theyve already altered their defense to 3-4 personnel, so that fits Ryans scheme. The pieces fall together quite nicely. Plus, he could hire his brother Rob, whod be motivated to beat Sean Payton twice a year. Green Bay over Detroit - Detroit hasnt won a game at Lambeau field in 23 years! 23 years! They play there every season! Thats startling stretch of futility. Twenty. Three. Years. Wow! Anyway, you could probably argue that the Lions are overdue. Still, it would be foolish to pick against the Packers at home. Especially against a team that hasnt won there in... Twenty. Three. Years. Wow! Hows that even possible? Denver over Oakland - The Raiders have won their last 3 home games. They followed the previous two victories up with a lousy showing on the road. The Broncos are regressing rapidly, and look like theyll have problems in the playoffs. The regression hasnt quite reached the point that the Raiders will knock them off at Mile High...unless they do...but I wouldnt bet significant cash on it...unless I would...I guess stranger things have happened. Like the fact that the Lions havent been victorious in Green Bay for... Twenty. Three. Years. Wow! San Francisco over Arizona - I think the 49ers will send Jim Harbaugh to Michigan in style. Mostly, because the Cardinals offense has been so inept lately, its hard to imagine them winning a game. In that case, maybe the Cardinals will be the ones sending Jim Harbaugh to Michigan in style. Seattle over St. Louis - If the Seahawks win, home field advantage goes to Seattle. Thats bad news for other NFC hopefuls. If the road goes through Seattle, the Seahawks will be back in the Super Bowl. Wait...theres more bad news for the NFC. The Rams offense has been atrocious lately...just pitiful...and now theyre facing the leagues premier defense. Pittsburgh over Cincinnati - If these teams were consistent, theyd be mentioned in some elite conversations. I think that the Steelers have found their footing recently. They laid the Bengals out in Cincinnati a few weeks back, and theyll do the same in Pittsburgh. I think the Steelers are gearing up to make some noise in the playoffs. The Killer Bs could be a handful for any AFC team.
Posted on: Sun, 28 Dec 2014 13:34:16 +0000
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