This hasn't been my best season with NFL picks. From anticipating upsets that didn't pan out to not expecting the ones that did, what I thought would happen in 2015 certainly did not. Even my AFC Super Bowl pick (the Colts) was way off. Fortunately, 2015 is over. Maybe 2016 will be different.
In Week 17, the final full week of the 2015 season and the first full week of action in 2016, there's still plenty to play for. Only Washington is locked into a playoff position with nothing to play for. The other five NFC spots are clinched, but that's all we know. As for the AFC, we know five of the six teams, but those seeds are a lot more fluid. We also still have one spot up for grabs. It'll go to either the Jets or Steelers, although my money's on the Jets to claim that final place in the postseason. (So, congratulations Steelers.)
Saints (6-9) at Falcons (8-7): Atlanta-Atlanta ended Carolina's chances at a perfect season last week, which is little consolation for the Falcons after that incredible start they had. But they're at least guaranteed no worse than a .500 record in Dan Quinn's first season. Which is more than I can say for the Saints. They've said that Sean Payton isn't going anywhere, but after two disappointing seasons in New Orleans, you'd have to think next year could be his last. I'll take Atlanta to get to 9-7, and wonder what might've been if they didn't have that long losing streak in the middle of the season.
Jets (10-5) at Bills (7-8): Jets-Everything worked out in the Jets' favor last week. They beat the Patriots and Pittsburgh, inexcusably, lost to Baltimore for the second time this season. As a result, the Jets control their fate heading into the finale, and a win locks up a wild card berth. Rex Ryan came out earlier in the week and apologized for his comments guaranteeing a playoff berth for a Bills team that's on 16 years and counting since "Forward Lateral" entered the vocabulary of all Buffalonians. The Bills won the first meeting, and you know Rex would like nothing more than knocking the Jets out of the playoffs. I don't see it happening, though. The Jets are playing too well.
Lions (6-9) at Bears (6-9): Detroit-While the playoff-bound Packers and Vikings play for the division title on Sunday night, the Lions and Bears fight for third/last in the afternoon. How about that turnaround for Detroit after Mrs. Ford's ultimatum when they were 1-7? Remember, Detroit was 0-5 until beating the Bears in overtime in Week 6. Now, if not for the Packers' "Miracle In Motown," they'd be playing for a 7-1 second half and .500 record. Still, after 1-7, a 6-2 finish to be 7-9 isn't bad, either.
Ravens (5-10) at Bengals (11-4): Cincinnati-Baltimore's not going to the playoffs, but they've sure influenced who will be there. If Pittsburgh misses out, the Ravens will be the team that kept them out. Anyway, Baltimore visits division champion Cincinnati to end the season, and the Bengals still have plenty to play for. It's not entirely in their hands (they need a Broncos loss regardless of what they do), but they'll do their part by beating the Ravens, then sit there and watch the late games to see if they get the other AFC bye.
Steelers (9-6) at Browns (3-12): Pittsburgh-Is this Mike Pettine's final game as head coach of the Browns? My guess is "Yes." Whether or not he's fired, he doesn't want to coach that team anymore. They probably need a loss and a Titans win to get the No. 1 pick, though, because the AFC North is stronger than the AFC South. Pittsburgh will need to keep an eye on the scoreboard on what's happening in Buffalo. If the Jets beat the Bills, it doesn't matter what the Steelers do.
Redskins (8-7) at Cowboys (4-11): Washington-Who would've thought, at any point this season, that the Redskins would be the only playoff team resting starters in Week 17? Certainly not anyone that saw them lose at home to the Cowboys on that Monday night a month ago. Turns out, that was the Redskins' only loss in their last five games. Dallas is favored to beat them again, mainly because Washington will be sitting most of its key players, but I'll still take the Redskins.
Titans (3-12) at Colts (7-8): Indianapolis-I'm still not really sure how, but it's still possible the Colts can win the AFC South (by clinching the strength of victory tiebreaker over the Texans). Anyway, it's likely Chuck Pagano's last game as Indy's head coach. The Titans will also have a new head coach next season, and they'll likely have the No. 1 pick, as well.
Patriots (12-3) at Dolphins (5-10): New England-We learned two very important lessons during the Patriots' overtime loss to the Jets: you can't defer in overtime, and you only get to pick one thing (kick/receive or side). Although, Matthew Slater's postgame interview was one of the best I've ever heard. He explained the whole situation very clearly. As a result of Belichick outthinking himself, the Patriots haven't clinched home field yet, and now they have to beat the Dolphins in Week 17 to lock it up. You think they'll even take the chance of waiting on the Denver result?
Eagles (6-9) at Giants (6-9): Giants-Chip Kelly is already out as Eagles coach, and this will likely be Tom Coughlin's final game with the Giants. His resignation/retirement seems inevitable. The only thing I'm left wondering is whether it was his decision, a Mara/Tisch "suggestion," or (most likely) a combination of the two. And, as bad as they've been for most of the season, I don't see the Giants letting themselves lose Coughlin's last game.
Jaguars (5-10) at Texans (8-7): Houston-Even though it seemed like a no-brainer they would, the Jaguars made it official that Head Coach Gus Bradley will be back next season. And he should. Jacksonville is leaps and bounds better than it was at the end of last season. As for the Texans, they've still got business to take care of. The get the win, don't have to worry about the Colts, and get ready for another home game next week against the Chiefs.
Chargers (4-11) at Broncos (11-4): Denver-Peyton's back. Well, sort of. He'll be in uniform as Brock Osweiler's backup for the season finale, which I have a feeling will be the last game ever for the "San Diego" Chargers. Denver's Monday night win over Cincinnati was huge. If they'd lost to the Bengals, they'd be staring at a wild card (at best). Now, they win and they get at least a bye, and maybe even home field. After last week, and with the Chiefs still capable of dropping down to a wild card, you know Denver's gonna come to play against an inferior opponent.
Raiders (7-8) at Chiefs (10-5): Kansas City-Now that the Panthers have lost, the two hottest teams in football are Arizona and Kansas City. The Chiefs will look to extend their winning streak to 10 games heading into the playoffs, and they can still technically win the AFC West, too. They'll be a very difficult out in the playoffs. Oakland, meanwhile, has had a very good first year under Jack Del Rio. They can spoil their rival's fun and wrap up their first non-losing season since 2011 before potentially moving back to LA next season.
Seahawks (9-6) at Cardinals (13-2): Arizona-The marquee game of Week 17 pits the NFC's two scariest teams against each other. Arizona hasn't lost since Week 6 and absolutely spanked the Packers last week. In my opinion, Carson Palmer is the MVP, and that offense is the best in the league by a wide margin. Seattle, meanwhile, was starting to look like the two-time defending NFC champions again before that loss to the Rams last week knocked them into a likely six-seed (unless they win and the Packers win), which means a trip to Green Bay or Minnesota instead of a likely win in Washington.
Rams (7-8) at 49ers (4-11): St. Louis-St. Louis is one of the most fascinating teams in football. They're 4-1 in the division (an NFC West that has two of the best teams in the league), which includes a sweep of the two-time defending NFC champs, but just 3-7 against the rest of the NFL. A win over the 49ers will make it 5-1 in the division and, more importantly, 8-8 overall. A nice way to wrap up their 20 years in St. Louis.
Buccaneers (6-9) at Panthers (14-1): Carolina-As the '72 Dolphins celebrated, the Panthers showed us just how difficult it is to go undefeated in this league. They lost to a Falcons team they crushed 38-0 just two weeks before. But getting the loss out of the way was probably a good thing. I'd rather be the '85 Bears' version of 18-1 than the '07 Patriots' version. Of course, losing last week means they haven't wrapped up home field yet, which also means their starters have to play in the season finale against Tampa Bay, which has set itself up to be a pretty serious contender next year or in 2017.
Vikings (10-5) at Packers (10-5): Green Bay-Playoff-bound Minnesota at playoff-bound Green Bay is the 256th and final game of the 2015-16 NFL regular season. To the winner goes the NFC North title and a home playoff game next week. The loser hits the road. The crazy thing is, if the Packers and Seahawks win, these two will do it again next week, again in Lambeau, in a wild card game. If we were judging them on last week's performances, Minnesota would win in a landslide. But fortunately for the Packers, we're not doing that. This is still Green Bay's division. Even though the loser could potentially have the better matchup (Washington instead of Seattle), you know the Packers want that home playoff game. And if it is Seattle, you know they want another shot at the Seahawks. Especially after last season's NFC Championship Game.
Last Week: 9-7
Season: 146-94
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