Week 17 NFL Prime Picks: Prelude to the Playoffs

In Week 17, some games will have no meaning, while others will fight for their playoff lives.

New Orleans cruises into the playoffs as the number one seed in the NFC. They will play Carolina in the final week, and most likely, rest starters in the second half. I still think New Orleans wins this one.

On the other hand, Minnesota has the Giants, fighting for legitimacy, in Minnesota. Minnesota,  resting players big time before the playoffs, might not be into this game at the level they should be. Take the Giants in this one.

Indianapolis will keep on trucking, and finish the regular season with one loss.. This will be a sleepwalk for Buffalo in coaching limbo, and wanting to go on vacation from this uninspired season.

Pittsburgh will finish off the Dolphins, and give them about the record everyone expected after looking at the schedule for 2009. That would be 7-9 for the Dolphins.

New England should also play well enough to beat a disappointing Houston Texan team that did not live up to expectations this season. Take the Patriots at home, maybe in the snow.

Chicago also finishes up a bad season with a win against Detroit and a 6-10 record most likely.

Atlanta will handle the sad case of the Tampa Bay Bucs with a final week win and it looks like a 9-7 record. They, however, will not make the playoffs.

I like Philadelphia to show why it was close to the Super Bowl last season. They have added some youth and speed to the offense, and the defense is adequate, as usual.

Does 10-6 get a wild card for Dallas? Dallas clinches with a win against Washington.  

 San Francisco will finish the season at 8-8 most likely, and a small improvement over last season. They need a quarterback, linebacker help, and a defensive big time player.

Jacksonville should handle Cleveland in the finale of the season and improve over last season also. It looks like 8-8 for the Jags.

Cincinnati will beat the Jets.  But if they  don't, the Jets make the playoffs.     

San Diego will play the starters in the first few series, and then bench everyone. The Redskins will enjoy the weather in San Diego as we say farewell to the Jim Zorn experiment. Oh, take the Chargers in this one.

Mike Shanahan may get this mess in some order next season. You might see a quarterback change here. San Diego is the second seed in the AFC and will play Indianapolis for the AFC Title.

Baltimore will handle Oakland and should have a wild card ticket to the playoffs, unless the Steelers spoil the party in Week 16.

Denver holds court at home, and must win to have any shot at the playoffs. They will beat Kansas City by a field goal, most likely. If they lose to Philadelphia in week 16, they might be having a problem.

Arizona plays a pretty hot Packer team, with both teams at 10-5 it looks like, heading into the final week. If Green Bay can protect Rodgers from the improved defense of Arizona they have a chance in this one.

Arizona may also throw in the towel in this one, as they have the division and a playoff game at home. Let's take Green Bay in this one, just for fun.

Tennessee will finish this down and up season, with a win against Seattle to get to 8-8. Chris Johnson will be number one on my draft list for next season's fantasy football leagues.

There's a few teams that may have a chance to sneak into the playoffs, ahead of Denver or Baltimore. Week 16 is key, and Week 17 might create key situations not in Denver or Baltimore's favor.

Good luck to all your teams and Happy New Year.

Thomas [NFL Mikee] Moreland.