Week 17 Review/Wild Card Weekend Preview:

For the Week/Season:
vs. W/L: (9-7)/167-89
vs. ATS: (7-9)/128-128
vs. Aggregate:  (9-7)/138-118

vs. ATS:
CBS Judge 137-119-0
CBS Brinson 134-122-0
Postcards 128-128-0
CBS Freeman 124-132-0
CBS Richard 125-131-0
CBS Prisco 124-132-0
USAT Saraceno 123-126-7
Walter Football 121-125-12
ESPN Simmons 120-127-9

vs. W/L:
ESPN Accuscore 174-82
ESPN Pick 'em 172-84
USAT Nate Davis 171-85
USAT Tom Pedulla 171-85
USAT Jim Corbett 170-86
USAT Pete O'Brien 169-87
PFT Rosenthal 169-87
USAT Jarrett Bell 169-87
Postcards 167-89
ESPN Wickersham 167-89
ESPN Schlereth 167-89
USAT Jon Saraceno 167-89
USAT Gary Mihoces 163-93
ESPN Allen 165-89
USAT Robert Klemko 163-93
PFT Florio 162-94
ESPN Hoge 162-93
ESPN Golic 161-95
ESPN Mortensen 155-101
ESPN Schefter 150-90

The 2011 regular season was by far our best in predicting the outcomes of games, finishing at or above .500 for the first time in wins, ATS and the over/under. It’s a lot of fun beating the pants of the so-called “experts” who prognosticate and opine on the NFL for a living. Now we’ll look to employ some of the same winning strategies for the Playoffs.

At Houston

-3.5

Cincinnati

38

The Texans are coming off of a tough one-point loss to the Titans last week as the bloom has fallen off the rose regarding T.J. Yates. It’s very hard to see how a rookie third-string quarterback can get the better of a veteran Cincinnati defense. Last week, Yates got his brains scrambled leading the venerable Jake Delhomme to take over. Then again, Andy Dalton is a rookie as well and anything can happen. The Bengals likewise wrapped up the regular season in disheartening fashion by losing at home to the Ravens.

Projected Final Score: Houston 24, Cincinnati 21

At New Orleans

-10.5

Detroit

59

Last week, Matthew Stafford played the game of his life as the Lions and Packers traded touchdowns like great prize fighters throwing punches before the Pack ultimately prevailed 45-41. If you thought that that was the end of the offensive fireworks wait until this week. Both quarterbacks can light it up. Drew Brees shattered Marino’s single season yardage record in Week 16 and last week, the Saints also hung 45 points on the board in a blowout of Carolina. This week, there will be more fireworks but the Saints are at home where they’re darned near bulletproof.

Projected Final Score: New Orleans 37, Detroit 27

At NY Giants

-3.5

Atlanta

47.5

After last Sunday’s convincing win over Dallas, the G-Men host the Falcons, who had an easy time of things against Tampa Bay. Atlanta’s problem is they a markedly different team on the road than at home. The Giants’ problem is a lack of consistency at home.

Projected Final Score: NY Giants 27, Atlanta 24

Pittsburgh

-8.5

At Denver

34.5

The Steelers may be banged up on both sides of the ball, but what does it matter? They travel to Mile High to face a historically inept Broncos’ offense. Losers of their last three, the Broncs’ defense only allowed seven points last week but the offense could only muster a field goal. Since Big Ben has returned to the lineup, the offense hasn’t exactly set the world on fire though with a top notch defense Roethlisberger simply needs to manage the offense.

Projected Final Score: Pittsburgh 20, Denver 10