The Hail Mary - Week 17

It is the last week of the regular season and there are still division titles and playoff spots to be decided. Let's waste no time, on to my picks!

Carolina (2-13) at Atlanta (12-3), Atlanta favored by 14 1/2

The Falcons blew an opportunity to wrap up the NFC South and homefield advantage on Monday night against the Saints. Lucky for them, they get a reprieve as they finish at home against the worst team in football, the Panthers. This is John Fox's swan song and I expect the Panthers to at least put up a fight for him in his last game with the team.

Prediction: Atlanta 21, Carolina 10

Pittsburgh (11-4) at Cleveland (5-10), Pittsburgh favored by 6

The Steelers need a win to clinch the AFC North and earn a First Round bye in the playoffs. The Browns have been tough all season but come in losers of three straight and this is likely the last game as coach for Eric Mangini.

Prediction: Pittsburgh 24, Cleveland 14

Minnesota (6-9) at Detroit (5-10), Detroit favored by 3

Will he or won't he? That is always the question with QB Brett Favre. Will he play in what is likely the final game of his career, or will he be forced to sit out? I think somehow, some way Favre will end up starting. Vikings QB Joe Webb played well against Philadelphia on Tuesday, but the Vikings still need to be looking for a quarterback in the offseason. The Lions appear to be on the right tract, mostly because of that beast of a DT Ndamukong Suh.

Prediction: Detroit 27, Minnesota 20

Oakland (7-8) at Kansas City (10-5), Kansas City favored by 4

With a win the Raiders would set an ignominious mark, becoming the first team since the 1970 merger to go undefeated in their division, yet miss the playoffs. With the Chiefs having already wrapped up the AFC West, and having very little to play for, I think Oakland accomplishes (is that even the right word for this) that mark.

Prediction: Oakland 28, Kansas City 27

Miami (7-8) at New England (13-2), New England favored by 4

I would be shocked if Tom Brady plays more than a couple series. The 2010 Dolphins may be the strangest team in history, finishing 1-7 at home, and currently 6-1 on the road. Because of their road record, and the fact that the Patriots will probably be playing a lot of backups I am picking the upset.

Prediction: Miami 20, New England 17

Tampa Bay (9-6) at New Orleans (11-4), New Orleans favored by 7 1/2

The Saints still have an outside shot at the NFC South and homefield throughout the playoffs but most likely this game is pretty meaningless. The Buccaneers also have a slight prayer of making the playoffs but that is unlikely as well. Even when the Bucs lose this game, a 9-7 record for them is something to be proud of. QB Josh Freeman has shown himself to be a legit player and the Bucs future with stars LaGarrette Blount, Mike Williams, and Kellen Winslow is very bright.

Prediction: New Orleans 24, Tampa Bay 21

Buffalo (4-11) at New York Jets (10-5), No Line

Completely meaningless game, as the Jets are locked in as the 6 seed in the AFC playoffs. That means we will likely get to see old fossil Mark Brunell chucking it around.

Prediction: New York Jets 20, Buffalo 17

Cincinnati (4-11) at Baltimore (11-4), Baltimore favored by 9 1/2

Pretty shocking to think that the Ravens actually lost to the Bengals earlier in the season. More shocking was how proficient the Bengals and Carson Palmer were last week without Chad Ochocinco or Terrell Owens. I think that will be just a one week aberration.

Prediction: Baltimore 31, Cincinnati 14

San Diego (8-7) at Denver (4-11), San Diego favored by 3 1/2

Control your Tebowners Broncos fans, the team he lit up last week was the hapless Houston Texans, who have made every QB look like a Hall of Famer this season. That being said, I think he leads them another victory against a deflated Chargers team with nothing to play for.

Prediction: Denver 26, San Diego 24

Chicago (11-4) at Green Bay (9-6), Green Bay favored by 10

This game lost most of its luster with the Eagles loss to the Vikings, which guaranteed the Bears a First Round bye. The Packers win and they are in the playoffs, keeping alive my preseason NFC Super Bowl representative prediction. Despite Chicago likely playing most of their backups, last week taught us that you can never take for granted a team playing without motivation against a team with motivation. I think the Bears keep this one close.

Prediction: Green Bay 21, Chicago 13

Tennessee (6-9) at Indianapolis (9-6), Indianapolis favored by 10

A win and my preseason Super Bowl champion pick of the Colts will make the playoffs once again, and win another AFC South title. The Titans are playing like a team ready for their overrated coach Jeff Fisher to finally be gone.

Prediction: Indianapolis 31, Tennessee 17

Dallas (5-10) at Philadelphia (10-5), No Line

Stephen McGee vs. Kevin Kolb, feel the excitement! The Eagles know they are locked in as the 3 seed so they should rest as many of their guys as possible.

Prediction: Philadelphia 24, Dallas 21

Arizona (5-10) at San Francisco (5-10), San Francisco favored by 6

The 49ers made the right move in firing Mike Singletary. I was a big Singletary fan when he first took the job and liked his fiery approach. However, if you are going to take that approach you have to some substance behind it, and it became clear that Singletary was overmatched. This is likely Alex Smith's last game as a 49er, and all I can say is good riddance.

Prediction: San Francisco 17, Arizona 14

New York Giants (9-6) at Washington (6-9), New York Giants favored by 4

The Giants have suffered another December collapse and are likely to be on the outside looking in come playoff time. Their biggest flaw has been turnovers, with Eli Manning leading the league in interceptions, and RBs Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs having problems fumbling. The Redskins are still playing inspired, and Sexy Rexy has made a pretty decent showing for himself. Skins in an upset.

Prediction: Washington 19, New York Giants 17

Jacksonville (8-7) at Houston (5-10), No Line

The Jaguars will be without both David Gerrard and Maurice Jones-Drew. They shot themselves in the foot with back to back losses and will need a miracle to make the playoffs. They are playing the right team in the Texans, who seem like they are allergic to winning. How do you blow a 17-0 lead to the sorry Broncos? How do people still think Gary Kubiak should keep his job?

Prediction: Houston 27, Jacksonville 17

St. Louis (7-8) at Seattle (6-9), St. Louis favored by 3

It's the someone has to win the pathetic NFC West game! I think the Rams will end up being that team and it is really quite remarkable. QB Sam Bradford has made chicken salad out of chicken shit and should easily be the Rookie of the Year. Sure, the Rams are going to get destroyed by New Orleans in the Wild Card round, but them making the playoffs is a miracle.

Prediction: St. Louis 21, Seattle 10

Last Week Straight Up: 8-7
Overall Straight Up: 72-58

Last Week Against the Spread: 6-8-2
Overall Against the Spread: 65-62-5