Hello readers! Another week of National Football League action is coming upon us yet again. The second to last week of the regular season is sure to bring some quality drama into the fold this week. I'm keeping an eye on the Chiefs-Bengals, Raiders-Colts, Cardinals-Cowboys and Vikings-Packers games this week. Let's get to work!
Playoff Picture
AFC
Seedings
1st seed: Kansas City Chiefs (11-4) Clinched AFC West
2nd seed: Tennessee Titans (10-5)
3rd seed: Cincinnati Bengals (9-6)
4th seed: Buffalo Bills (9-6)
5th seed: Indianapolis Colts (9-6)
6th seed: New England Patriots (9-6)
7th seed: Miami Dolphins (8-7)
Super Wild Card Weekend Matchups
Miami @ Tennessee
New England @ Cincinnati
Indianapolis @ Buffalo
In the hunt:
Baltimore (8-7), LA Chargers (8-7), Las Vegas (8-7), Pittsburgh (7-7-1), Cleveland (7-8), Denver (7-8)
Better luck next year:
NY Jets (4-11), Houston (4-11), Jacksonville (2-13)
Buffalo is ahead of New England because of division record. Indianapolis is ahead of New England based on head to head. Tennessee could clinch the AFC South with a win and a Colts loss or tie. Miami is ahead of Baltimore because of head to head.
NFC
Seedings
1st seed: Green Bay Packers (12-3) Clinched NFC North
2nd seed: Dallas Cowboys (11-4) Clinched NFC East
3rd seed: Los Angeles Rams (11-4) Clinched playoff berth
4th seed: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (11-4) Clinched NFC South
5th seed: Arizona Cardinals (10-5) clinched playoff berth
6th seed: San Francisco 49ers (8-7)
7th seed: Philadelphia Eagles (8-7)
Super Wild Card Weekend Matchups
Philadelphia @ Dallas
San Francisco @ LA Rams
Arizona @ Tampa Bay
In the hunt:
Minnesota (7-8), Atlanta (7-8), New Orleans (7-8), Washington (6-9)
Better luck next year:
Carolina (5-10), Chicago (5-10), Seattle (5-10), NY Giants (4-11), Detroit (2-12-1)
Week 17 Preview
The Seventeenth week of the National Football League's regular season won't have games this week in Thursday or Saturday. The week has a 16-game slate where all 32 teams will play. Week 17 had been traditionally the last week of the regular season but with the 17-game schedule that won't be the case. The week features nine early games, five late games, a Sunday night game and a Monday night game. No teams are on a bye last week. Let's get to the picks!
Week 17 Picks
Note: TW is me and CV is Cardinal Viking, my former roommate. All game times are US Eastern.
Jacksonville (2-13) @ New England (9-6) (CBS; 1:00 pm): TW: Patriots; CV: Patriots
The Jaguars lost to the Jets and the Patriots lost to the Bills last week. I honestly think the Patriots will have a bounceback game this week. Bill Belichick will get this team back on the right foot and get back to a winning way this week.
Atlanta (7-8) @ Buffalo (9-6) (FOX; 1:00 pm): TW: Bills; CV: Bills
The Falcons beat the Lions and the Bills beat the Patriots last week. Buffalo had probably its best win in a few months last week against their old bully in the Patriots. Atlanta has been having a better season than I had expected. I still think the Bills are a bit too much for a meager team like the Falcons.
Kansas City (11-4) @ Cincinnati (9-6) (CBS; 1:00 pm): TW: Chiefs; CV: Chiefs
Both teams won last week as the Chiefs beat the Steelers and the Bengals beat the Ravens. The Chiefs destroyed the Steelers last week and their offense looked spectacular. Cincinnati had a similar performance but the Ravens did have some starters injured. I think the Chiefs will take care of business as I don't feel good with the Bengals handling such success.
LA Rams (11-4) @ Baltimore (8-7) (FOX; 1:00 pm): TW: Rams; CV: Rams
The Rams beat the Vikings and the Ravens lost to the Bengals last week. Matthew Stafford didn't look that solid against the Vikings but I think he will have a rebound game against a really banged up Ravens team. Baltimore had looked good but after that loss to the Steelers, their resolve and morale sunk to a relative low. Doesn't help that Lamar Jackson or Tyler Huntley are out.
Las Vegas (8-7) @ Indianapolis (9-6) (FOX; 1:00 pm): TW: Colts; CV: Colts
Last week the Raiders beat the Broncos and the Colts beat the Cardinals. The Raiders have been an up and down team for the season and they could fall back to .500 with this game. They will have to rely on the fact that Carson Wentz can beat them and make him beat you. If they can stack eight men in the box then it could be a rough go for it. Jonathan Taylor has to be in the consideration for MVP this season and I think he could have a good game.
Miami (8-7) @ Tennessee (10-5) (CBS; 1:00 pm): TW: Titans; CV: Titans
The Dolphins beat the Saints and the Titans beat the 49ers last week. Miami has gone from 1-7 to 8-7 in a season span through 16 weeks. They have been somewhat impressive in getting back to fighting for a playoff spot. The Titans have had some roadblocks this season with the loss of Derrick Henry being a big factor. Tennessee is just hoping for the best that he gets back in time for the playoffs. I think the winning streak for the Dolphins ends.
NY Giants (4-11) @ Chicago (5-10) (CBS; 1:00 pm): TW: Bears; CV: Bears
The Giants lost to the Eagles and the Bears beat the Seahawks last week. Both teams are trending in the wrong directions. The Giants will likely get Joe Judge back for this season. For Chicago it is likely that Matt Nagy will get fired. Both teams are in terrible situations but I do like the Bears a bit more in the game as they do have a good running game.
Philadelphia (8-7) @ Washington (6-9) (FOX; 1:00 pm): TW: Eagles; CV: Football Team
The Eagles beat the Giants and the Football Team lost to the Cowboys. Washington really had a bad game as they were blown out. It was over by the end of the 1st quarter. Philadelphia has been trending in the right direction and they have a great shot to win against their NFC East rivals in the Washington Football Team. I think Jalen Hurts will remain to be the x-factor in this one.
Tampa Bay (11-4) @ NY Jets (4-11) (FOX; 1:00 pm): TW: Buccaneers; CV: Buccaneers
The Buccaneers beat the Panthers and the Jets beat the Jaguars last week. The Buccaneers achieved their first division title since 2007. The team has had its ups and downs but the defending champs are still in the drivers seat to make it back to a Super Bowl. For the Jets a familiar face comes back to haunt them as Tom Brady just casually strolls in and not give Jets fans PTSD of the last 20 years. I'll take the Bucs.
Houston (4-11) @ San Francisco (8-7) (CBS; 4:05 pm): TW: 49ers; CV: 49ers
The Texans beat the Chargers and the 49ers lost to the Titans last week. The Texans surprised some folks as they took down a good Chargers team at home. They will face a tough 49ers team that is looking to get back to a winning way and stay in the playoff hunt. Putting faith in Davis Mills seems like more of a high risk, low reward. I feel safe with the 49ers.
Denver (7-8) @ LA Chargers (8-7) (CBS; 4:05 pm): TW: Chargers; CV: Chargers
The Broncos lost to the Raiders and the Chargers lost to the Texans. Both teams really had a letdown last week. The Broncos were somewhat of a decent team going against the Raiders but obviously the Raiders felt were the better team. The Chargers should've beaten the Texans and they could stay in the playoff race in the AFC. I still like the Chargers in the matchup since they will have to face off against a Broncos team that won't likely have Teddy Bridgewater.
Arizona (10-5) @ Dallas (11-4) (FOX; 4:25 pm): TW: Cardinals; CV: Cowboys
The Cardinals lost to the Colts and the Cowboys beat the Football Team last week. Most of America will see this one as the Cowboys face off against the Cardinals in a battle for the 2nd seed in the NFC playoffs. The Cardinals have slowly fallen off the cliff and the loss of DeAndre Hopkins for the season will hurt but they still have a team that can take down the Cowboys. Dak Prescott and company had one of their best games in the Mike McCarthy era. They have a lot of weapons and I feel they will have a slight letdown this week. Just has bad vibes for me if I wanted to take the Cowboys.
Carolina (5-10) @ New Orleans (7-8) (FOX; 4:25 pm): TW: Saints; CV: Saints
Both teams lost last week as the Panthers lost to the Buccaneers and the Saints lost to the Dolphins last week. The Panthers fell off a huge cliff after starting 3-0 and going on a 2-10 run since then. The lack of a consistencey at the quarterback position has been one of the factors for this as they are a dysfunctional bunch. New Orleans is less so dysfunctional but they haven't had one of their better seasons. The Ian Book experiment failed as the Saints offense was bogged down. They will likely need to get a better start from him or get Trevor Siemian or Taysom Hill back to have a shot to win this one. I really don't think either team is great. I guess the Saints are worthwhile.
Detroit (2-12-1) @ Seattle (5-10) (FOX; 4:25 pm): TW: Seahawks; CV: Seahawks
The Lions lost to the Falcons and the Seahawks lost to the Bears last week. Detroit has had a rough season but they have played competitive football this year. Their fans can hang their hats on that at least. Seattle has had a rough season as well. They've likely lost Russell Wilson to free agency in the offseason. At this point I think the Seahawks are just trying to get something good out of this year as much as possible. I think it'll be a competitive game but I don't trust the Lions enough to give them the nod in this one.
Minnesota (7-8) @ Green Bay (12-3) (NBC; 8:20 pm): TW: Packers; CV: Vikings
The Vikings lost to the Rams and the Packers beat the Browns last week. Sunday night features the great rivalry in the NFC North. Minnesota has been in and out of the playoff picture and would like nothing more to get a win and a season sweep of the Packers and possibly secure a playoff spot. Green Bay has had much success this season and they would like nothing more than to beat their rivals at home in the cold of Green Bay. I think the Packers will take care of business and get back to a winning way.
Cleveland (7-8) @ Pittsburgh (7-7-1) (ESPN; 8:15 pm): TW: Steelers; CV: Browns
The Browns lost to the Packers and the Steelers lost to the Chiefs last week. Cleveland has a lot of questions going into this game and their offseason plans. Is Baker Mayfield the right choice to go for this game and into next season? I'm not hard pressed to say no that question. Ben Roethlisberger hinted that this could be his last regular season game at Heinz Field and possibly his last game ever at the football palace. Barring the Steelers making the playoffs of course. I think the emotions will be high for the Steelers as they try to get this game for their long-time quarterback. The Browns could play spoiler but I don't really see it happening.
Early & Late Game TV Pairings (courtesy of 506sports.com):
Note: Games in bold are being shown in my area.
CBS Single
Kansas City @ Cincinnati
Jim Nantz, Tony Romo
NY Giants @ Chicago
Spero Dedes, Jay Feely
Miami @ Tennessee
Kevin Harlan, Trent Green
Jacksonville @ New England
Andrew Catalon, James Lofton
Denver @ LA Chargers (LATE)
Ian Eagle, Charles Davis
Houston @ San Francisco (LATE)
Greg Gumbel, Adam Archuleta
FOX Early
LA Rams @ Baltimore
Kevin Burkhardt, Greg Olson
Philadelphia @ Washington
Adam Amin, Mark Schlereth
Las Vegas @ Indianapolis
Kenny Albert, Jonathan Vilma
Atlanta @ Buffalo
Kevin Kugler, Mark Sanchez
Tampa Bay @ NY Jets
Chris Myers, Daryl Johnston
FOX Late
Arizona @ Dallas
Joe Buck, Troy Aikman
Detroit @ Seattle
Gus Johnson, Aqib Talib
Carolina @ New Orleans
Brandon Gaudin, Matt Millen
2021 Pick'em Records:
My record:
Week 1: 7-9
Week 2: 10-6
Week 3: 10-6
Week 4: 9-7
Week 5: 12-4
Week 6: 11-3
Week 7: 10-3
Week 8: 7-8
Week 9: 7-7
Week 10: 5-8-1
Week 11: 8-7
Week 12: 8-7
Week 13: 10-4
Week 14: 10-4
Week 15: 13-3
Total: 137-86-1
Cardinal Viking's record:
Week 1: 6-10
Week 2: 12-4
Week 3: 13-3
Week 4: 10-6
Week 5: 10-6
Week 6: 12-2
Week 7: 10-3
Week 8: 7-8
Week 9: 8-6
Week 10: 5-8-1
Week 11: 10-5
Week 12: 9-6
Week 13: 7-7
Week 14: 9-5
Week 15: 10-6
Total: 138-85-1
Previous Picking Records:
2017: 167-89
2018: 156-98-2
2019: 151-104-1
2020: 163-92-1
Rest in peace!
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