NFL Picks: Week 17

Last week: 9-7
Season record: 142-98

Well the regular season is coming crashing to a close, which is good for all of us who are tired of playoff scenarios. But it's not good if you love football, and especially with the uncertainty hanging over the 2011 season. Anyway, here are the Week 17 prognostications....

Carolina at Atlanta--The Falcons are mostly lethal at home and here they get to beat up on their little brother division rival. Look away from the TV, folks. Falcons 31, Panthers 10

Cincinnati at Baltimore--Do you get the feeling Carson Palmer was auditioning for his next job last week? Ravens 20, Bengals 16

Pittsburgh at Cleveland--Do you get the feeling Eric Mangini is auditioning for his next job this week? Steelers 30, Browns 20

Minnesota at Detroit--The Vikings have a brighter future because of two people--Leslie Frazier (assuming the ownership does the right thing), and Joe Webb. Vikings 21, Lions 17

Chicago at Green Bay--If the Falcons win, and you can't possibly argue that they won't, the Bears will be locked in to the 2 seed. But they have a chance here to knock the Packers out of the postseason party, and they have to want to do that. Right? But they won't. Packers 24, Bears 20

Jacksonville at Houston--The Texans' defense makes me scratch my head. I know Mario Williams is on IR, but you have Brian Cushing and Amobi Okoye, and yet you can't seem to tackle anyone. Heads are gonna roll. Jaguars 27, Texans 20

Tennessee at Indianapolis--This is probably Jeff Fisher's last game as HC of the Titans. That's a shame, but wouldn't it be funny if he beat Indy going away? Colts 34, Titans 17

Oakland at Kansas City--The Chiefs have clinched the AFC West but can move up to the 3-seed. Pick your poison, the Ravens or Jets. Yikes. Chiefs 28, Raiders 14

Miami at New England--The Dolphins are world beaters away from home (6-1), but the Pats are not likely to take their foot off the gas. Patriots 27, Dolphins 13

Tampa Bay at New Orleans--The Bucs have an outside shot at making the playoffs, if the Giants and Packers both lose and they win. The Saints are already the 5 seed. Hmmm. Bucs 23, Saints 20

Buffalo at NY Jets--The Jets get a playoff tune-up, and you know their fans expect them to do it right. Jets 19, Bills 16

Dallas at Philadelphia--The Eagles are locked in to the 3-seed in the NFC, but they sometimes struggle against Dallas, even when Dallas isn't good. Still....Eagles 31, Cowboys 26

NY Giants at Washington--The Giants, no matter how bad they look at times, just seem to have the Skins' number. Giants 23, Redskins 20

San Diego at Denver--How the mighty have fallen. Broncos 27, Chargers 20

Arizona at San Francisco--Blech. Cardinals 16, Niners 13

St. Louis at Seattle--This is the Sunday night game and the regular season finale. And it's blasphemous that the 6-9 Seahawks can win the division and the 4-seed in the NFC with a win. But there it is. Then again, the Rams might have something to say about that. Rams 24, Seahawks 21

Happy New Year everyone!