NFL Predictions- Week 17
Hard to believe it but the NFL regular season is just about finished. It goes by so fast compared to the other sports. I’m hoping to close the year out strong this week after going 11-5 both straight up and against the spread. This week to me is always difficult because you almost have to throw a lot of the numbers out because teams sit players. I’ll still base everything off my efficiency numbers and keep my fingers crossed. Yearly record is now at 158-83 and 139-102. Happy New Year to all.
PACKERS(+1.5) over Lions- Definitely a line that is made because Aaron Rodgers is unlikely to see too much time on Sunday. I’m not sure the Lions will be really motivated either though. Lions are probably a year away but are a team that could pull off an upset in the playoffs. Packers 31 Lions 28
TEXANS(+2.5) over Titans- Houston has basically taken a nosedive since the miracle win in Cincinnati a few weeks ago and they need a big win. For it to happen the defense has to play well and they should be trying. Titans only 3-4 on the road this year. Texans 23 Titans 16
JAGUARS(-4.5) over Colts- I didn’t post my rankings last week, but Indianapolis has actually played well enough to climb out of the 32 spot and up to 31, which seemed impossible a few weeks back. Tougher game on the road though. Jaguars 21 Colts 14
Jets(+1.5) over DOLPHINS- Game could go either way. Jets will need either a defensive or special teams score to guarantee the win. Miami is really playing hard, but could have a tough time with the Jets corners. Jets 21 Dolphins 20
Bears(+0.5) over VIKINGS- Chicago really looked like they had a shot to make some noise in the playoffs until the QB got hurt. By all measures they should be a 10 win team, but the QB injury totally destroyed the team. They played better last week with the QB switch and maybe can get one more against their rivals. Bears 26 Vikings 21
Bills(+12.5) over PATRIOTS- Bills beat this team earlier in the season which might mean New England really looks to make this ugly, but their defense is so bad the Bills have a chance. Patriots have not been impressive lately and are kind of going through the motions. Patriots 34 Bills 23
SAINTS(-7.5) over Panthers- Unless New Orleans just decides to take a week off assuming they have no chance at the number 2 seed, they just have too much firepower for a team like the Panthers who will likely be one of the media darlings next season. Saints 37 Panthers 24
Redskins(+8.5) over EAGLES- Philly will play the game hard to look to finish on a high note despite being eliminated from contention last week. They have to find ways to keep Vick healthy to be a real contender in 2012. Redskins keep it close enough with the defense. Eagles 24 Redskins 17
49’ers(-10.5) over RAMS- The Rams just need to completely start over. They had a bad draw early and it seemed to destroy their confidence. Niners have a real chance this year. 49’ers 26 Rams 3
Seahawks(+2.5) over CARDINALS- A great finish for both these teams that were left for dead weeks ago. Arizona has a big decision to make about Kevin Kolb while the Seahawks can clearly compete if they find a QB next season. Seahawks 21 Cardinals 17
FALCONS(-13.5) over Buccaneers- Bucs have been blown out in their last 4 games and quit on Raheem Morris. He’ll be gone by Tuesday morning I’d imagine. Falcons 33 Buccaneers 14
Ravens(-2.5) over BENGALS- If the Ravens can’t win this game and then get eliminated before the Super Bowl there will be questions about the upside of the coaching staff. They have fumbled this division away a few times with bad losses but can’t afford another one here. Ill pull for Cincy in the playoffs if they make it though. Nice draft. Ravens 24 Bengals 17
Steelers(-6.5) over BROWNS- Steelers have a limited offense but I just don’t see the Browns scoring enough to stay with a TD. Maybe if the Ravens game ends early and the Steelers pack it in, but the Browns need major personnel upgrades to compete next year. Steelers 20 Browns 7
BRONCOS(-3.5) over Chiefs- Going to be either a 3 or 4 point game. Chiefs you know will play hard, but they just have no offense at all. Not that Denver has much of one either, but their running game is much better than anything Kansas City offers. Tebow to the playoffs. Broncos 20 Chiefs 16
Chargers(+2.5) over RAIDERS- Chargers ran into a buzzsaw last week, but are still the best team in the AFC West regardless of what the records say. Oakland needs this win desperately to make the ill advised trade for Carson Palmer look like it paid off. Probably wont get that. Chargers 27 Raiders 24
Cowboys(+2.5) over GIANTS- I know the Cowboys have really come up short in these situations before and they are going to hate the weather on a Sunday night in January, but Dallas can make big plays and the Giants big play defense is horrendous. Cowboys take the East in the highest rated game of the season. Cowboys 27 Giants 24
If your picks are correct Jet Nation will be either very excited or very pissed tomorrow. I sense a mixed bag among the fanbase, those that want to sneak in, and those that want to fail in hopes of wholesale changes via a reality check. I think the main question mark is Tennessee. If your Hou, do you lay down, rest starters, and run the risk of playing the same team that just beat you a week later? Or, do you play Andre Johnson the entire game and hope to get Yates and Johnson some chemistry? We saw how laying down worked for Cincy in 09/10....
With Bush out I think our defense will turn in a spirited performance and see the Jets pulling out the W.
Go Jets!
Steve
Oh well. I guess I can root for the Giants. Anyone but the Patriots and I'm happy.
1. the Jets D didn't look that great
2. Sanchez is inaccurate when making short/medium passes. If you told me he was the backup QB (because the starter was injured) I'd believe it.
3. Those interceptions were pretty boneheaded
The announcers were saying that Drew Brees was benched during his third season. This makes me feel better, since Sanchez will soon start performing as well as Drew Brees. I'm really looking for ward to having Brees like production for 6 years
The thing is - how do the Jets get a new QB? Not from this upcoming draft, unless they trade up, and even then they can't get a highly regarded prospect. Maybe Flynn from Green Bay?
Should the Jets stick with Sanchez? He is inaccurate when making short passes and that hasn't improved in 3 years.
Maybe Sanchez can improve under our new OC - come in Norv Turner!
Good bye to Jason Taylor, hall of famer.
Probably good bye to LT, maybe he will go to another team for a year.
While I am greatly disappointed with his attitude and lack of production, after getting a big contract, the Jets need good players. Its not like they can cut Holmes and save all that money and put it towards other good free agents.
Get Norv Turner as OC and keep Holmes and see how Turner does.