Week 17 NFL Preview

We Remember Reggie White

Before looking at the games for this week, it would be appropriate to remember The Great Reggie White, who suddenly left our midst a few short years ago on the anniversary of his passing. It is late December and the weather is cold and nasty, perfect weather for Reggie. He was a man of conviction and honor whose influence extended far beyond his tremendous exploits on a football field. He will always be remembered with fondness and great respect at this address.

So this is it, gang. For at least 16 teams, it’s sixty minutes ‘til next year. However, 20 of the 32 are “technically still alive”, though it would take some wild scenarios for certain teams to get in. In the NFC, a great deal depends on the outcome of the Giants’ game Saturday night. For teams like Detroit and Oakland, it’s a matter of who’s on the clock first come April. So many teams entered the year with such high hopes only to falter to injury or underachievement. Other teams overcame adversity and find themselves with a place in the January Tournament. But before the losers go home and the winners move on, there is still one more week of football to be played.

At Baltimore -9 Buffalo 34

The Bills’ season ends in Maryland where the Ravens are looking for a first-round bye. Buffalo had a good year in Coach Jauron’s first season, but it’s their ill fortune that they have to face a juggernaut to close things out. If there’s no doubt that the Ravens get the bye, there’s no great incentive for them to roll it up. It would be more prudent to let the starters take a few snaps and get ready for the playoffs with the second teamers out there. Buffalo will lie down for no one.

Projected Final Score: Ravens 24, Buffalo 16.

At Chicago -2.5 Green Bay 36

What better way to wrap up the year than a renewal of pro football’s longest running rivalry? And it's the Sunday Night Game of the Week, no less. Well it’s not quite Halas vs. Lombardi, it’s always entertaining when these two hook up. The Bears have homefield throughout the NFC Playoffs, so there’s not a great deal of incentive to push too hard. Besides, they’re banged up some on the D-Line. Is this Favre’s finale? No one knows for certain, but it would be nice to see him walk away on top.

Projected Final Score: Green Bay 19, Chicago 16.

At Cincinnati -6 Pittsburgh 43.5

This is a game that the Bengals absolutely must have. They’ve been the poster boys for undisciplined underachievers. The Steelers won’t simply play possum. It’ll be warm and rainy in the Queen City on Sunday, and Willie Parker will run the ball and the Steelers will grind it out.

Projected Final Score: Cincinnati 21, Pittsburgh 20.

At Dallas -12.5 Detroit 44

Dallas already has a seat at the table despite their deplorable play of late. Perhaps it’d be nice to see the cylinders clicking before pulling out the starters. There is no reason why the starters should be left in the whole way against the co-worst team in the NFL.

Projected Final Score: Dallas 24, Detroit 17.

At Houston -4 Cleveland 37.5

There’s no truth to the rumor that the Browns held open tryouts for the QB job for their final game, but they will be starting their third stringer. Houston’s probably still sky high after their win vs. Indianapolis last week, and ought to be looking to finish the year with a bang.

Projected Final Score: Houston 24, Cleveland 17.

At Indianapolis -9 Miami 42

Whether Indy wins by nine touchdowns or nine points is irrelevant. They’re already in and the Dolphins are out. Look for Manning to put up a few quick points before heading to the bench. They have more to lose than to gain in this one. The Cleo Lemon Era ends effective 12/31/06.

Projected Final Score: Indianapolis 23, Miami 16.

At Kansas City -2.5 Jacksonville 36

Somebody’s going home 8-8 while someone else’ll probably be going home at 9-7. Both of these teams are “still alive”, though the winner would need both Denver and the Jets to lose. It’ll be a rushing matchup of LJ vs. Jones-Drew in the rain in KC. Jags were roughed up pretty good at home against New England, but they are a tougher, more physical team than the Chiefs.

Projected Final Score: Jacksonville 24, Kansas City 23.

St. Louis -2 At Minnesota 43

Eeenie-meenie minie moe…out goes Y-O-U

Projected Final Score: St. Louis 24, Minnesota 20.

Carolina -2.5 At New Orleans 36

It’s hard to see why the handicappers are going with the Panthers. When it comes to disappointments this year, one would have to put the Panthers at the head of the class. The Saints have won the NFC South and have a bye, so there’s really not a lot to play for other than to enter the postseason having played consistently. The Panthers have already beaten the Saints earlier in the year, so the Saints may feel that it’s a matter of pride to even the score.

Projected Final Score: New Orleans 23, Carolina 21.

At Tampa Bay -3.5 Seattle 36

Seattle needs a consistent 60-minute tuneup before getting ready for the tournament. The Bucs provide the perfect sparring partner.

Projected Final Score: Seattle 24, Tampa Bay 13.

At NY Jets -12 Oakland 34

There will be no drama here. The Jets need to win to cement their wild card spot and shall. But the -12, as Don Corleone once said, “Is this necessary?” Once they’re comfortably ahead it’ll be time for the scrubs to get some extended garbage time action.

Projected Final Score: NY Jets 14, Oakland 3.

At Philadelphia -7.5 Atlanta 43.5

The Eagles have been THE story of the second half, after having been given up for dead. With the Falcons, it’s been a big disappointment. No matter the degree of internal dissatisfaction, how can a professional group consider being projected as more than a touchdown underdog without seething with rage? The Eagles are going to the postseason. The Falcons are playing for their jobs next year.

Projected Final Score: Atlanta 23, Philadelphia 20.

At Tennessee -3 New England 42.5

The Titans started the year 0-5 and are looking to win their eighth in a row. Kudos to Coach Fisher and his crew. The Patriots played very well on the road last week and pulled down another AFC East title. They’ve got the four seed in the tournament cemented, so there’s really no advantage to Brady took a cheap shot during last week’s game and news reports indicated that he didn’t take many snaps this week. Look for Matt Cassel at the helm for New England and look for the Pats to play their regulars for a quarter or so. Vince Young has another nice day as the Titans finish with a winning record.

Projected Final Score: Tennessee 24, New England 16.

At Denver -11 San Francisco 41

Denver is digging out from about ten feet of snow, not the most inviting climate for the ‘Niners to say the least. Denver needs to win to secure a wild card spot, and barring an unlikely set of circumstances are going to make the tournament. However, Denver’s not the sort of team that will overwhelm their opponents offensively; they win by beating up their opponents.

Projected Final Score: Denver 23, San Francisco 13.

At San Diego -13.5 Arizona 44

The best team in football comes into this one with nothing to gain. If Coach Chokenheimer leaves the starters out there for more than one series, it’s a big risk. Matt Leinart’s out for this one so the Immobile Kurt Warner gets the call. This would be a blowout but for the fact that there’s no incentive to decimate Arizona, all the Chargers need to do is win by one point, that’s all.

Projected Final Score: San Diego 27, Arizona 16.