NFL picks--Week 17

Last week: 12-4
Season record: 149-75

Well, it's come to this.  Week 17 and just a few playoff spots and seedings up for grabs, which is both good and bad.  Good because there are still some spots being played for.  Bad because it's going to render most of these games a snooze fest.  They are all on Sunday this week, and it's always fun watching Andrew Siciliano talk over all those split screens, which now include three across in which you can't see any of the action on the field.  Let's have a look at the slate....

Cleveland at Baltimore--The Ravens are still alive but do not control their own destiny.  I think the Browns are a sack away from starting me or you at QB.  Ravens 23, Browns 10

Dallas at Washington--I believe the Cowboys have an outside shot at a 2-seed.  So don't expect them to let off the gas here.  Yes, the Skins have always had their number but this Dallas team is steamrolling everyone.  Cowboys 27, Redskins 17

Indianapolis at Tennessee--The Colts have been exposed as a bit of a fraud so they need to have positive momentum by beating up on the NFL's biggest doormat.  Colts 31, Titans 17

New Orleans at Tampa Bay--How the mighty Saints, considered by many as a Super Bowl team, have fallen.  It's kind of breathtaking.  And it continues on Sunday.  Bucs 22, Saints 20

Philadelphia at NY Giants--The Eagles were eliminated with a shocking loss to the Skins on Saturday, and the Giants just keep winning and ruining their draft position for 2015.  Say what you will about Tom Coughlin, he plays every game to win.  Giants 30, Eagles 20

Buffalo at New England--The Patriots are literally playing for nothing as they have the 1-seed locked up, but don't think for a minute that they won't go all out here.  Patriots 29, Bills 16

Jacksonville at Houston--It's been a pretty good rebound year for Houston under Bill O'Brien.  Texans 23, Jaguars 10

San Diego at Kansas City--I think this is one of the few games with playoff implications for both teams.  The Chargers win and they are in and the Chiefs can win and get in with help.  I think.  Chiefs 24, Chargers 23

NY Jets at Miami--This is likely a curtain call for Rex Ryan.  Joe Philbin is still safe but the Dolphins will once again miss the playoffs.  Jets 19, Dolphins 16

Chicago at Minnesota--The Bears are in a horrible downward spiral.  Vikings 22, Bears 17

Oakland at Denver--The first of five (yes five!) late afternoon games.  Broncos 37, Raiders 10

Arizona at San Francisco--Likely the last of Jim Harbaugh's games coaching the disappointing Niners.  The Cards still have a shot at the 1-seed and they won't let up off the gas.  Cards 17, Niners 14

Detroit at Green Bay--This is no layup for the Pack, but in Week 17 at Lambeau they are about as safe a bet as any to win.  And this is for the division crown.  Packers 23, Lions 20

St. Louis at Seattle--There is no way Jeff Fisher's dirty...errrr, chippy Rams win in Seattle with the number 1 seed in the Hawks sights.  Seahawks 23, Rams 6

Carolina at Atlanta--This one is for the NFC South crown, with the winner being under .500 as a division champ and hosting a playoff game a la the 2011 Seahawks.  And the team getting shafted by this playoff format?  The Eagles, who may finish 10-6 and watch a team with a losing record take the 4-seed.  I'm a Giants fan, and this pleases me immensely.  Panthers 27, Falcons 24

Cincinnati at Pittsburgh--Both of these teams are flawed but dangerous.  And both are playing well, but I have to take the home team and Mike Tomlin, one of my favorite NFL coaches, to win the AFC North.  Steelers 22, Bengals 19