I’ve got to quickly get my picks in for this week. Last week, I missed the Jets-Titans game in the rush to finish my picks before 1 p.m. ET.
Let’s get to them. Next week, I’ll compile my regular season record and winning percentage.
San Francisco at Cleveland – Fox, 1 p.m.
Cleveland let me down again last week. I thought no way could they lose to the Bengals knowing that winning would have put them in the playoffs, but no. They found a way to blow it again. They have to win today and get some help from Indianapolis tonight. They’ll beat the Niners today at home, 28-13, and then they’ll have to wait all day and night to see if they’re in. More on that later.
Seattle at Atlanta – Fox, 1 p.m.
Seattle will rest its players but still manage to beat the Falcons, 26-20.
Detroit at Green Bay – Fox, 1 p.m.
Green Bay pulled a stinker last week against Chicago. You can bet while the Pack will rest its players, they’ll beat Detroit, 31-21.
Carolina at Tampa Bay – Fox, 1 p.m.
Tampa Bay knows it will host the Giants next week, most likely in the early game on Sunday. Take the Panthers today, 21-19.
New Orleans at Chicago – Fox, 1 p.m.
The Saints can still sneak into the playoffs if they beat the Bears and get some help. The Bears still have some pride as seen last week when they blew out the Packers. The Bears will play spoiler again this week, 33-17.
Jacksonville at Houston – CBS, 1 p.m.
No one wants to play Jacksonville in the playoffs. They’re running attack is among the best in the NFL. The Texans want to get to 8-8 in the first time in their history. And Fred Taylor is not playing today to rest for next week. I’ll take the Texans today to win, 25-23.
Buffalo at Philadelphia – CBS, 1 p.m.
Both teams have been eliminated from the playoffs so they’re playing for pride. The Bills have set the future in motion and will be a contender in the AFC East for years to come. Philly? There are a lot of question marks including their QB. But right now, Philly will find a way to win today, 17-14.
Cincinnati at Miami – CBS, 1 p.m.
Again, this game is for pride. Now that Miami has won a game, I’ll pick them to win their second game today over the Bengals, 23-14.
Pittsburgh at Baltimore – CBS, 4:15 p.m.
Rivalry game. The Ravens were beaten badly earlier this season by the Steelers. Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer is reporting that coach Brian Billick has lost his team which is not a good sign. I have a feeling the Ravens will lose again badly today, 38-10.
San Diego at Oakland – CBS, 4:15 p.m.
San Diego knows its in the playoffs winners of the AFC West. The Chargers will probably rest players, but it doesn’t mean that Oakland can win, far from it. I’ll take the Chargers to win, 28-17.
Kansas City at New York Jets – CBS, 4:15 p.m.
The return of Herman Edwards to the Meadowlands means nothing. I don’t think Jets fans will want to watch this game as it means the end of the Chad Pennington era in New York. While the Chiefs will clean house except for Edwards, players will play for a job next season. Take the Chiefs today, 26-14.
St. Louis at Arizona – Fox, 4:15 p.m.
The Rams won’t win today. Take the Cards, 31-10.
Minnesota at Denver – Fox, 4:15 p.m.
Minnesota can still play itself out of the playoffs if it loses to Denver today and Washington beats Dallas. Denver can play spoiler if it can stop the run for once. Denver will have some pride and defeat the Vikings, 28-27.
Washington at Dallas – Fox, 4:15 p.m.
Dallas wants to rest its players, but it can do itself a tremendous favor by knocking out the Redskins with a win today. If the Cowboys win, the Redskins are out. But if the Redskins win and the Vikings lose, the Cowboys could potentially see Washington again in the Divisional playoffs. The Cowboys don’t want that, but at the same time, knowing they have home field, they want to use today and next week to rest. But I’ll say this will be close and the Cowboys will do the Vikes a favor and win today, 21-17.
Tennessee at Indianapolis – NBC, 8:15 p.m.
Can Tennessee win? Of course they can. Will they? Only if Peyton Manning doesn’t play the entire game. But Jeff Fisher will push the entire game and may even have his players try to knock out some of the Colts today. I have to root for the Colts because the Browns are my team. I’ll take the Colts, by a Adam Vinitieri figgy, 23-20.
That’s it. Just under the wire. Enjoy Week 17.
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