NFL: Week 17 Predictions

The final week of the regular season is upon us with just a few playoff spots left. Here are my predictions for the rest of the games this weekend (* denotes Game of the Week):

Carolina at New Orleans: Prez Bush finishes an inconsistent, but above average rookie regular season with a big game as the Saints "Brees" into the playoffs, while the Panthers finish off the season an overall disappointment. Saints win 27-17.

Cleveland at Houston: The Texans have gained a lot of confidence and win in the finale will be a catalyst for next season. With Ken Dorsey starting for the Browns don't look for too much offensive output. Texans win 17-14.

Detroit at Dallas: The Cowboys are in desperate need of momentum as they enter the playoffs. Look for this game to give them that. This one might be a close one, but the 'Boys hold off the Cowardly Lions 28-24.

Jacksonville at Kansas City: Both teams will be playing hard with a possible playoff birth on the line (key word there is possible...they both need a lot of help). Look for Herm to pump his guys up, but the Chiefs sputter in the 2nd half. Jags run offense too hot to handle, down the Chiefs 27-21.

New England at Tennessee: Vince Young's Rookie of the Year campaign rolls on in Nashville. With a division title and a playoff berth wrapped up, look for the Pats to play conservative. Although I'm hesitant to pick the Titans, I feel that Young causes match-up problems for Belichick scheming defense simply because he can run out of bad situations. Titans take down the Pats, 27-20.

Oakland at New York Jets: The Jets control their own flight path. Simply put, a win gets them into the playoffs. Even with Oakland's tough D, look for Chad Pennington to air the ball out and tune up that offense for the wild card round. Oakland's offense needs some Colon Blow, Jets help the Raiders complete a winless season on the road, 34-10.

Pittsburgh at Cincinnati: With questions swirling all week about Coach Cowher's possible retirement, look for the Steelers to come out flat. The Convicts, like the Panthers, have had a downer of a season and rightfully so. Their football karma is about as low as these two guy's careers.

(Two Tri-State area garbage men during happier times)

This one is a toss-up, but solid quarterback play will be the difference in this one. Carson Palmer leads Warden Lewis to victory, 34-27.

Seattle at Tampa Bay: The Seahawks don't look too much like a playoff team, and they are going to need this one as a tune-up. What's even more remarkable about their season is that they even won the powerhouse NFC West. Tim Rattay is making his second start for the Bucs, so don't count on seeing the previously billed Battle of the Bald Quarterbacks. 'Hawks win 27-14.

St. Louis at Minnesota: The NFL is finally witnessing the power of Steven Jackson's dreadlocks. Look for 3rd year back Steven Jackson to add some more yardage on his Pro Bowl season and for Marc Bulger to help lead the Rams high octane offense to a win over a Vikings team that is currently being quarterbacked by a rookie in Tarvaris "Ta-Ta" Jackson. Rams win big 35-14.

(Steven Jackson or Bob Marley?)

Hotlanta at Illadelphia: Mr. Mexico leads his (for the time being) Falcons into Philly to face off against a closer version of a Mexican in Jeff Garcia. Vick proves to be pesky, but Philly has been playing way too well to squander another victory. Look for Garcia do a Hat Dance (or some other kind of feminine thing) and kick the Falcons out of playoff contention, Eagles win 27-20.

The rest of the 4:15 games will be posted after I get some sleep.