The last week of the NFL regular season is here and that means the playoffs are right around the corner. The AFC still has two open playoff spots while the seeding in the NFC is largely undecided.
Of the teams left vying for a playoff berth, who will succeed with their season goals and who will go home to watch the games on television?
Here are the predictions for Week 17 of the 2009 NFL season along with five must see games.
Philadelphia Eagles at Dallas Cowboys
The NFC East championship is the last division title unclaimed and both the Eagles and Cowboys are ready to take it. The Cowboys enter this game with revenge on their mind for the Eagles knocking them out of the playoffs last year during the final week.
The Eagles are guaranteed a playoff berth even with a loss so do not expect them to take this game lightly. A win will give them a chance at a first round bye.
Do not expect a low scoring contest like their first meeting. Quarterbacks Donovan McNabb and Tony Romo look to light up the scoreboard with both units scoring more than 24 points on 15 different occasions.
Though the Cowboys have proved the critics wrong in December, the Eagles are still one of the top teams in the NFC and will show why on Sunday.
Prediction Philadelphia 35 Dallas 28
Pittsburgh Steelers at Miami Dolphins
The Steelers and the Dolphins will face off in what promises to be one of the best games of the weekend. Both teams are in need of a win along with some help from the rest of the AFC if they want to earn a wildcard berth.
The Steelers offense has been clicking in recent weeks but will need wide receivers Santonio Holmes and Mike Wallace to step up for the injured Hines Ward.
The Dolphins need to find a way to start the game off quick and avoid the slow starts that have plagued them in recent weeks. They can not win this game with another Chad Henne comeback attempt.
While the Dolphins do pose a threat to the Steelers with their pass rush, the Steelers offense has been running smoothly.
Prediction Pittsburgh 24 Miami 21
New England Patriots at Houston Texans
The Texans staged another late season comeback and are attempting to make the playoffs for the first time in team history. One thing standing in their way is Tom Brady and the New England Patriots, who clinched another AFC East division championship last week.
Even if the Patriots were not resting any of their banged up starters, the Texans offense would have no problem carving up their defense. Their real concern is the Texans defense led by rookie Brian Cushing and Mario Williams.
In the match up between wide receiver Randy Moss and Andre Johnson, Johnson will break 100 receiving yards easily as the Texans come away with another late season win.
Prediction Houston 28 New England 20
Green Bay Packers at Arizona Cardinals
The mere fact that both of these teams have a strong chance of playing next week has helped land them in the must watch category even though there is a good chance both coaches will pull their starters by halftime.
The Cardinals should be more eager for a win because they can clinch a number two seed if the Vikings and Eagles lose. The Packers have the tendency to rest their starters when there is nothing on the line, something to keep in mind with all of the injuries they have suffered this year.
The Cardinals will take an early lead and hold on to it for their eleventh win of the season.
Prediction Cardinals 21 Packers 14
Cincinnati Bengals at New York Jets
The New York Jets need to win if they are going to reach the NFL playoffs as a wild card team. Standing in their way is the AFC North champion Bengals who want to enter the playoff push at full steam.
The must see part of this game deals with the off the field jawing between the Bengals’ Chad Ochocinco and the Jets’ Darelle Revis. It will be interesting to see how things will play out on Sunday after their friendly banter on Twitter.
The Jets defense has been impressive, but people have been sleeping on the talented Bengals’ cornerbacks. Ochocinco will score a touchdown and the Bengals will earn another win.
Prediction Bengals 17 Jets 14
The Rest of the Schedule
Indianapolis Colts at Buffalo Bills
After what happened last week, there is no reason to expect the key starters of the Colts to even take the field this week against the Bills. While the Colts are making the wrong decision, the Bills will benefit. Their underrated defensive unit will take over and shut down an ineffective Colts offense for their sixth win of the season.
New Orleans Saints at Carolina Panthers
The Saints head coach Sean Payton doesn’t want to end the season on a three game losing streak so don’t expect the Saints to take this game lightly. The Panthers have fought hard in recent weeks, but will be without their stud wide receiver Steve Smith. The Saints will bounce back and show why they are the top seed in the NFC.
Atlanta Falcons at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers are going to be riding the momentum of a win over the Saints while the Falcons are trying to post back to back winning seasons for the first time in team history. The Bucs will rely heavily on their running game to make things easier for rookie quarterback Josh McNeil. The Falcons Matt Ryan will continue to rebound from a sub par season and help led them to a victory.
Jacksonville Jaguars at Cleveland Browns
Even though the Jaguars have slim hopes for a playoff berth, history has proven this team never shows up for the games against teams they should beat. Enter the Cleveland Browns, who have been playing like a real football team as of late. The Browns will run the ball effectively to earn their fifth win of the season.
Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions
The Bears showed signs of life last week when they surprised the Vikings by winning in overtime. Things should continue when they visit Detroit this week. Even though the Lions defense has been playing better, their offense is in shambles. The Bears will earn a close win on the road to finish the season.
New York Giants at Minnesota Vikings
The Giants were downright awful last week and the Vikings failed to take advantage of a Saints loss. The Giants have taken a beating in the media this week and should show up ready to play, especially their defensive unit. This game will be closer than many expect and in the end the Giants will come away with a win.
San Francisco 49ers at St. Louis Rams
The Rams have been fighting hard for another win and the 49ers are one win away from ending the season with a .500 record. The only offensive scoring in this game will come from the 49ers side as their defense will shut down a Rams offense that has been lackluster all season.
Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos
The Broncos are somewhere they did not expect, potentially out of the AFC playoff picture. The Chiefs have shown some offensive firepower while riding the back of Jamal Charles. The Chiefs will give the Broncos a hard fought match to the end, but it will not be enough to knock the Broncos off at home.
Baltimore Ravens at Oakland Raiders
The Ravens control their own destiny and the Raiders are the perfect team for them to play. The weak Ravens’ secondary is still a concern, but the front line should put enough pressure on the Raiders and help push them into the playoffs with an easy win.
Washington Redskins at San Diego Chargers
The Chargers have locked up the second seed in the AFC and have little to prove against the Redskins. While the starters for the Chargers may not play the entire game, numerous Redskins players will be fighting for a job in 2010. Even so, the Chargers will come away with a victory at home.
Tennessee Titans at Seattle Seahawks
Titans running back Chris Johnson will try to become only the fifth man in NFL history to reach 2,000 rushing yards in a season against a Seahawks defense that has failed to show up in recent weeks. Johnson will be fed the ball constantly until he hits the magic number. Expect an easy Titans win.
Year to Date 128-68
No interest in the Green Bay vs. Arizona game maybe if they meet up down the road that will be a good one to catch, but not tomorrow.
Yeah as the hours have ticked by it seems more than likely that the Packers will be sitting some of their starters. Shame, I wanted to see Rodgers and Warner go head to head two weeks in a row.
Damn you Moon Dog, I hate it when your wrong
- Coach Fatty
Eh tough week, especially when some of the teams were resting players. I should have done better than 11-5 this week.