Rest of Week 17 in the NFL

1 PM Games

Cincinnati Bengals (6-9, 1-6 on the road) at Miami Dolphins (1-14, 1-6 at home)
Last Week: Cincinnati beat Cleveland, 19-14; Miami lost to New England, 28-7.

This has been a lost season for the Bengals. Coming off a turbulent 2006 campaign, Cincinnati was looking to rebound. Unfortunately, this season was a disaster for them. The running game was poor, and the defense wasn't much better. Marvin Lewis is one coach on the hot seat. For now, at least, they should be able to handle the Dolphins. Miami will go down as one of the 10 worst single season teams of all-time.

Who will win: Cincinnati (15)

Buffalo Bills (7-8, 3-4 on the road) at Philadelphia Eagles (7-8, 2-5 at home)
Last Week: Buffalo lost to New York Giants, 38-21; Philadelphia beat New Orleans, 38-23.

Buffalo rebounded nicely from a nightmare start to their season. The future looks bright for the franchise, if you forget about the fact that the team's future in Buffalo is in jeopardy. The front office needs to decide who will be their starting quarterback moving forward - JP Losman or Trent Edwards. The Eagles could have the look of a different team in 2008. Franchise QB Donovan McNabb may be gone. Early rumors are that he could end up in either Minnesota or his hometown of Chicago. For the time being, he is involved in this meaningless game. I like Philadelphia because they're at home.

Who will win: Philadelphia (2)

Seattle Seahawks (10-5, 3-4 on the road) at Atlanta Falcons (3-12, 2-5 at home)
Last Week: Seattle beat Baltimore, 27-6; Atlanta lost to Arizona, 30-27.

Seattle is the dark horse team in the NFC. Dallas and Green Bay have gotten more publicity, but few players on either roster have much playoff experience. Many of the Seahawks veterans have been there before, not to mention coach Mike Holmgren has a Super Bowl ring. Atlanta is playing for roster spots next season.

Who will win: Seattle (11)

New Orleans (7-8, 4-3 on the road) at Chicago Bears (6-9, 3-4 at home)
Last Week: New Orleans lost to Philadelphia, 38-23; Chicago beat Green Bay, 35-7.

Somehow, the Saints are still mathematically alive in the NFC playoff race. It will not be an easy road, however, as they must beat Chicago and hope the Redskins and Vikings lose. Otherwise, they will be watching the postseason from home. New Orleans has had an up and down season. They started out the season by losing 4 straight, winning 4 in a row, losing the next 2, winning 1, losing 1, then winning 2 more before losing last week. Chicago had a miserable Super Bowl hangover in 2007. If you're a Bears fan, there's not much reason to go to this one.

Who will win: New Orleans (3)

Carolina Panthers (6-9, 4-3 on the road) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-6, 6-1 at home)
Last Week: Carolina lost to Dallas, 20-13; Tampa Bay lost to San Francisco, 21-19.

I'm just glad 2007 was the year where everyone finally stopped making excuses for the Carolina Panthers. When they sucked in the past, there were always excuses handy. By and large, they received a free pass for a pitiful 2006 season. The fact that they lost starting QB Jake Delhomme for the season should not have hindered them as badly as it has. He hasn't played at a high level since the 2nd half of Super Bowl XXXVIII. I'm just sad that this will be Vinny Testavede's last game. Anyway, Tampa Bay has nothing to play for, as they are already locked into a home wild card round game against the Giants. If the Bucs rest their starters, Carolina may be able to avoid a double digit loss total.

Who will win: Tampa Bay (4)

San Francisco 49ers (5-10, 2-5 on the road) at Cleveland Browns (9-6, 6-1 at home)
Last Week: San Francisco beat Tampa Bay, 21-19; Cleveland lost to Cincinnati, 19-14.

OK, the 49ers have looked way too competent in recent weeks. Where is that old team I loved, the one that was once sitting at 2-8? They've already killed any chance at my beloved Patriots getting a top 4 pick. I just hope the Ravens, Raiders and Chiefs all win so this doesn't get even more out of hand. The Browns need to win, then they need help. If the Titans beat the Colts, the Browns miss out on the playoffs. If the Titans lose and the Browns win, it will be Tennessee who misses out. You can count on the Browns playing well at home, and they should reach 10 wins for the first time since they were brought back in 1999.

Who will win: Cleveland (12)

Detroit Lions (7-8, 2-5 on the road) at Green Bay Packers (12-3, 6-1 at home)
Last Week: Detroit beat Kansas City, 25-20; Green Bay lost to Chicago, 35-7.

Through the first half of the 2007 season, the Lions looked like the league's Cinderella team. Safe to say the clock has struck midnight. Detroit still has a shot at a .500 record, and given the team's performance in recent years, that would be a huge step forward. Green Bay doesn't want to risk having any starters get injured, but they also don't want to go into the playoffs rusty.

Who will win: Green Bay (10)

Jacksonville Jaguars (11-4, 5-2 on the road) at Houston Texans (7-8, 5-2 at home)
Last Week: Jacksonville beat Oakland, 49-11; Houston lost to Indianapolis, 38-15.

This looks to be the most dangerous Jaguars team since the 1999 one that hosted the AFC Title Game. They should be favored in their playoff game next weekend. Should they advance, you know that the Colts and Patriots would prefer not to deal with them. The Texans have given the Jaguars headaches over the years. Gary Kubiak's team has made strides this year. If not for some big injuries and the fact that they play in a very tough division, the Texans could have been in the playoff mix themselves. I'd look for Jacksonville to have a strong performance in the finale.

Who will win: Jacksonville (5)

4 PM Games

San Diego Chargers (10-5, 3-4 on the road) at Oakland Raiders (4-11, 2-5 on the road)
Last Week: San Diego beat Denver, 23-3; Oakland lost to Jacksonville, 49-11.

Yes, the Chargers have reeled off 5 straight wins. Still, aren't you just waiting for their inevitable first round playoff exit? They always underachieved under Marty Schottenheimer, and Norv Turner is half the head coach that he was. You figure it out. Before they dissapoint their fanbase though, the Chargers need to dispatch the Raiders. That shouldn't be a problem.

Who will win: San Diego (14)

Kansas City Chiefs (4-11, 2-5 on the road) at New York Jets (3-12, 2-5 at home)
Last Week: Kansas City lost to Detroit, 25-20; New York lost to Tennessee, 10-6.

Talk about an unwatchable game. Kansas City started off 4-3, but the Chiefs haven't won since Week 7, due in large part to one of the league's most anemic offenses. 2007 has been a miserable year for the Jets as well. Eric Mangini's team never got into any sort of groove. 2 of their 3 wins came at the Dolphins' expense. I think the Jets are just a little more talented, and they're playing at home, so ...

Who will win: New York (1)

St Louis Rams (3-12, 2-5 on the road) at Arizona Cardinals (7-8, 5-2 at home)
Last Week: St Louis lost to Pittsburgh, 41-24; Arizona beat Atlanta, 30-27.

St Louis is clearly a better team then they showed in 2007. They still have talent on offense, and the defense can only get better. If you add a top 5 pick to this team, they could once again challenge the Rams for NFC West supremacy. The Cardinals have a shot at ending the season with a .500 record, which, by their standards, calls for a parade. I think the Cardinals have too much firepower for the Rams defense.

Who will win: Arizona (9)

Dallas Cowboys (13-2, 7-0 on the road) at Washington Redskins (8-7, 4-3 at home)
Last Week: Dallas beat Carolina, 20-13; Washington beat Minnesota, 32-21.

Dallas has everything locked up. The NFC's road to Super Bowl XLII must through Big D. Even though this game technically means nothing to them, the Cowboys probably won't simply lie down at home against their arch rivals, allowing them to secure the final playoff spot. Dallas will be without a few starters, but on the bright side, this game will mark the 2007 debut of receiver Terry Glenn. The Redskins should be able to pull away in the 2nd half once the Dallas reserves are in the game.

Who will win: Washington (8)

Minnesota Vikings (8-7, 3-4 on the road) at Denver Broncos (6-9, 4-3 at home)
Last Week: Minnesota lost to Washington, 32-21; Denver lost to San Diego, 23-3.

Minnesota missed out on a golden opportunity last weekend. They were at home, on prime time, and playing a Washington team they are competing with for a playoff berth. But the Vikings lost, and now they don't control their own destiny. Minnesota needs to beat Denver, and then hope that Washington loses their game. The wheels have completely fallen off for the Broncos. Mike Shanahan's team will be watching the playoffs from home for the second straight season. Denver has nothing to play for, while Minnesota is fighting to stay alive.

Who will win: Minnesota (7)

Pittsburgh Steelers (10-5, 3-4 on the road) at Baltimore Ravens (4-11, 3-4 at home)
Last Week: Pittsburgh beat St Louis, 41-24; Baltimore lost to Seattle, 27-6.

The Steelers have clinched the AFC North, but are not nearly as imposing after they lost star running back Willie Parker for the remainder of the season. The Ravens are just in an awful tailspin. They started out 4-2, but nothing has gone right for Brian Billick's team since. They even gave lowly Miami their only victory of the season. Pittsburgh should steamroll over the Ravens.

Who will win: Pittsburgh (6)

Sunday Night Game

Tennessee Titans (9-6, 4-3 on the road) at Indianapolis Colts (13-2, 6-1 at home)
Last Week: Tennessee beat New York Jets, 10-6; Indianapolis beat Houston, 38-15.

The Titans are in a great position to secure the last playoff spot in the AFC. That may sound odd, seeing as how they are playing on road against the defending Super Bowl Champions. But this is Week 17, which means the Colts will look to rest many of their starters. If the Titans can stay within striking distance until halftime, they should be able to come away with a victory. If they do that, they are in the postseason, while the Cleveland Browns will have to watch from home. For the Colts, future Hall of Fame receiver Marvin Harrison will play for first time since Week 7. If the Colts are to challenge for another title, they will need his services.

Who will win: Tennessee (13)