Falcons over Rams - with a shot at winning the division still, Atlanta should destroy a St. Louis team just trying to get to cleaning out their lockers and taking a few months off.
Patriots over Bills - New England could become just the second team to win 11 games and miss the playoffs. They'll take care of business and then have to watch the Jets-Dolphins game to determine their fate.
Bengals over Chiefs - the inept Chiefs will find make sure to enhance their draft position with yet another loss against the almost equally woefull Bengals.
Packers over Lions - with an inability to break their 17 year losing streak in Wisconsin, Detroit will become the first ever 0-16 team and go down in history.
Colts over Titans - in another meaningless matchup between these two teams in Week 17 (it happened last year too), Jim Sorgi will play the stand in QB role a little better than Vince Young and the Colts will leave with a win.
Giants over Vikings - I'm breaking my trend here of picking the team with something to play for over the team with nothing on the line. But really, I have so little faith in NFC North teams that I just can't stand to pick the Vikes.
Panthers over Saints - Carolina needs this one to stage off a late comeback in the standings and hang on to the division. New Orleans will be gunning though for the both the win and for Brees to break Marino's passing yardage record, so this game should be fun to watch!
Dolphins over Jets - after watching New England beat the Bills, New York will know they have nothing to play for and they'll come out flat. Pennington will have his revenge and the Fish will be in the playoffs just a year after going 1-15. Maybe there is some far off hope for the Lions!
Cowboys over Eagles - in another scheduling twist, the NFL has given the Cowboys a distinct advantage in that Philly will know before the game begins that they've been eliminated from contention.
Steelers over Browns - the big question here isn't who will win, but rather will Cleveland manage to score an offensive touchdown again before the season ends. After all, it's been six weeks since their last one!
Bucs over Raiders - Tampa will keep their very slim hopes alive by at least taking care of their own business. Then they'll have to wait for some help.
Ravens over Jaguars - Baltimore controls their own fate here and I can't imagine them blowing it against a Jacksonville team that gave up playing hard a long time ago.
Texans over Bears - Despite the Minnesota loss I predicted above, I think that Chicago's offensive ineptitude ultimately will cost them the opportunity to win the division and get into the dance.
Cardinals over Seahawks - after winning an emotional one last weekend, I don't think Seattle will travel well this week. Arizona is desperate to get back on track before they go into their opening round playoff game. Their not going to get a playoff win, but I think they'll make the home fans happy one more time, anyway.
49ers over Redskins - with neither team truly playing for anything, I have to give this one to the home team.
Chargers over Broncos - finally, in the final game scheduled, Denver and San Diego will renew acquaintances in the Hochuli Bowl. If Ed Hochuli hadn't blown a call in week one that cost San Diego the game against Denver, the roles would be reversed with the Chargers having the division lead. They deserve to win this division more than Denver and I think fate will find a way to make things right. Ole Eddie sure hopes so, anyway!
Merry Christmas and enjoy the final week before the dance begins!
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