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Week 17
12/30/05
Denver at San Diego (-11)
4:30 p.m
Not much in this one for Denver this week. With everything
wrapped up and no chance for home field they will sit most of their
starters. Plummer will play very little while Mike Anderson has
already been ruled out. Tatum Bell may be a good start as he needs
131 yds to reach 100o yards. Denver would be the first team since
1985 to have two 1,000-yard backs.
The Chargers were embarrassed last week. Those of you out there
that had LT had to be disappointed in his performance. He didn’t
get in the end zone and only ended up with 49 rushing yards for
the game. Bad news folks. As a matter of fact most of the SD players
were MIA last week. They will be looking to right the shop this
week and end of a high note. LT might not get that much playing
time with his injury so Turner might be an excellent start.
Final Score: Chargers 30, Broncos
13
N.Y. Giants (-9) at Oakland
8:00 p.m.
While most of you have already had your Super Bowl, some
leagues do come down to the final week, when many starters sit and
stud owners get angry. I’m not going to argue the merits of
a week 16 final as compared to a week 17 finish, but I will say
that none of those issues should matter in this game.
The Giants could get a division title and a home game with a Week
17 win. They’re already in the playoffs, but beating Kerry
Collins is enough of an incentive to play tough this week. If you’ve
still got games, go with Manning, Burress and Barber. The Raiders
usual suspects should be okay to go, including Collins, Moss and
Porter. With Jordan out, I wouldn’t start an Oakland RB against
the Giants.
Final Score: Giants 24, Raiders
20
Arizona (+7) at Indianapolis
1:00 p.m
I really don’t know how the Colts win this with everyone
on the bench. It looks as though Manning will only play a series
along with James and Harrison will not play at all. That will
leave us with Sorgi and Rhodes with the latter having a chance
to have a good game stat-wise. A shout goes out to Tony D and
his family, as that was a terrible tragedy.
Whether it is Warner or McCown this offense just keeps on rolling.
They have two #1 receivers on their team in Fitz and Boldin. If
you are in a keeper league you might want to give these two a
look. Next year this young team will be better. They are already
better with a good Warner at QB. They will win this game out-right
and the Colts could care less.
Final Score: Cardinals 28,
Colts 20
Baltimore (-3) at Cleveland
1:00 p.m
With Boller playing well and Big Bill getting the extension the
Ravens are looking much better. However Boller’s rise is
a delusion and don’t expect him to be the answer long term.
But I think the Ravens will give him a hot again next year. Jamal
Lewis will be somewhere else as I think they are tired of his
act and the fact he came in without being in game shape. But with
the right team next year he will be good.
Cleveland got run over by the Steelers and must feel like they
have a long ways to go. Frye took a step back and must learn to
take some chances downfield when you are getting the crap kicked
out of you. It also doesn’t help when you give up 200 yards
on the ground. They didn’t run the ball well, which is what
happens when you are down 40 points. They get kicked around again
this week. They should be better next year.
Final Score: Ravens 30, Browns
17
Buffalo at N.Y. Jets
(+1.5) 1:00 p.m
I don’t know why this strikes me as a game the Jets can
win but the Bills suck so maybe that is why. They really played
the Patriots ok for about 1Q. They really need to do more on offense
and the Bills D may provide the medicine for that. Look for them
to run the ball with Blaylock and Houston and take some chances
down the field. Coles should have a good one.
Buffalo fans should not bring signs into the stadium that they
pay taxes on that criticize management. They will not but up with
it. Crazy as it sounds that is what is happening. If the Bills
management is so worried about it then do a better job at picking
coaches and players. That JP pick is really working out for them.
It only cost them two first round picks. Well, one was a high
2nd. Idiots. They won a game from the Bengals that looked as though
they were not interested in winning. Go with Holcomb, you have
a better chance.
Final Score: Jets 22, Bills
13
Carolina at Atlanta (+4)
1:00 p.m
What has been for the Falcons? Haven’t they won 6 of 7 against
the Panthers? I think they have their number and are pissed off
they didn’t make the playoffs. They have a chance to possibly
send the Panthers home for the playoffs. Look for Vick and Dunn
to have good games. This defense will have their hands full with
the Panthers
I was surprised at their effort at home against the Pokes. They
allowed the Cowboys to come in and steal the game away with 24
seconds left. Steve Smith was a no-show last week and got himself
a $15K fine for acting stupid. Look for them to try and run the
ball to set up the down field pass. Look for a letdown because
of the psyche. I think they are really lost right now.
Final Score: Falcons 27, Panthers
24
Cincinnati at Kansas
City (-7) 1:00 p.m
These games usually come down to one thing. One team needs it
the other team doesn’t. Many times this leads to many mismatches,
which will be the case here. Look for the Chiefs to run the ball
right down the Bengals throat. Especially with some of their starters
getting limited playing time. Play the man-child Johnson and go
for it.
Was that the Bengals I saw last week or the Bungals? I mean I
know you don’t need the game but gosh you would expect more
effort than that. I think they come to play this week but still
will come up short against a team that is desperate. But you have
to play all the offensive players for Cincy.
Final Score: Chiefs 28 Bengals
17
Detroit (+13.5) at Pittsburgh
1:00 p.m.
With a win over the Lions, the Steelers are in the playoffs. Don’t
think the Lions don’t now that. The Steelers should run
over Detroit this week like the Falcons did on Thanksgiving, which
means start every Steelers position player, including Big Ben,
who is probable. I really like Parker and Ward, of course, so
play them with confidence. The Lions, at this point, have just
one viable options in fantasy leagues - Roy Williams. Don;t overthink
this one.
Final Score: Steelers 31, Lions
17
Miami (+5.5) at New England
1:00 p.m.
New England has won six of seven and already has clinched its
third consecutive AFC East title. A victory on Sunday coupled
with a Cincinnati loss at Kansas City would give the Patriots
the No. 3 seed in the AFC. With that said, the Dolphins are playing
good football and have only Ronnie Brown on their injury list,
meaning more carries and yards for Ricky Williams. Chambers is
also a great option. The Patriots still have some injuries, and
Brady is probable again, like 20 of the past 40 weeks. He’ll
play, the Pats will scrape together a win, and they’ll be
tough heading into the postseason.
Final Score: Patriots 23, Dolphins
20
New
Orleans (-13.5) at Tampa Bay 1:00 p.m.
The Saints may suck, but the Bucs are on the verge of clinching
the NFC South title and claiming their first playoff berth since
they won the Super Bowl three seasons ago.
It looks like the Saints may never be back to the Big Easy, with
Hurricane Katrina putting a tragic stamp on a relationship that
never seemed to work out. For New Orleans, it will be hard to
find starters, so stay away. The Bucs offense has gotten to where
it needs to be heading into the playoffs, and Simms, Williams
and Galloway are all solid options.
Final Score: Bucs 30, Saints
13
Seattle
(-3.5) at Green Bay 1:00 p.m.
Let’s roll back the clock to last year, when Shaun Alexander
blew up and tore into Mike Holmgren after coming up one yard short
of the NFL rushing title. He was pissed off because Holmgren took
him out when the Seahawks were at the Falcons 1-yard line and
quarterback Matt Hasselbeck snuck in for the touchdown.
This year, Holmgren is playing mum and Alexander can get both
the rushing title and NFL TD record for a single season. I like
Alexander getting his, but watch out for the rest of the Seahawks.
My brother-in-law has been telling me this is a classic late-season,
non-essential trap game, especially considering the odds. The
Packers should get some numbers from Favre, who will undoubtedly
leave it all out on the field.
Final Score: Packers 33, Seahawks
31
Tennessee (+3.5) at
Jacksonville 4:05 p.m.
Byron Leftwich returned to practice on Wednesday for the first
time since suffering a broken left ankle against Arizona in late
November. But I think Jack Del Rio would be silly to start him
in an essentially meaningless game. Go with Garrard, Taylor, and
Smith., The Titans have little to get excited about, and it would
be silly to waste time discussing their options. Matt Mauck? Please.
Final Score: Jags 24, Titans
13
Chicago
(+4) at Minnesota 4:15 p.m.
The Bears are the No. 2 seed in the NFC and have a bye to the
divisional round and have Grossman healthy. After missing the
first 13 games with a broken left ankle and making a relief appearance
against Atlanta, Grossman threw for 166 yards, one touchdown and
one interception in his first start, a 24-17 win on Christmas
Day over Green Bay that clinched the division title and a sweep
of the Packers for the first time since 1991. I like Grossman,
Peterson and Muhammad, but be careful as they won’t be in
the lineup long.
The Vikes are up against a tough defense that may be missing Urlacher
and will feature a few second stringers. It’s just that
the Bears have something to prove and I don’t think Minnesota
has much to go with here. Stay away from their starters, since
they can’t make the playoffs and offensive production will
be undoubtedly low.
Final Score: Bears 20, Vikings
13
Washington (-7.5) at
Philadelphia 4:15 p.m.
A win Sunday gives Washington a postseason berth, and could mean
an NFC East title if the Giants lose Saturday night to Oakland.
If the Redskins lose Sunday, they would still make the playoffs
if Dallas loses to St. Louis in the Sunday night game. Philly
obviously is a team with no heart, as they couldn’t even
get a win last week against the Cards. As a Cowboy fan, I’m
pinning my hopes on a team I despise, and it truly saddens me.
Go with all the Redskins offensive starters, Brunell, Portis,
Moss and Cooley, and start zero Eagles.
Final Score: Redskins 31, Eagles
17
Houston at San Francisco
(+1.5) 4:05 p.m
The “Reggie Bush” Bowl will begin at 4:05. These two
teams will be battling it out for the right to take the most exciting
player out of college since Barry Sanders. I think that it will
be hard-pressed for the 9ers to choke at home. They apparently
own the Rams again after really having problem with them in the
past. They won the season series last week and really ran the
ball well with Gore. I don’t know if he or Hicks will get
the majority of the carries this week so take a look before you
start either one.
I will tell you one dude that will be motivated to run like the
wind. His name is Davis. He can put all the Bush rumors to rest
with a 200-yard effort to bring home the victory this week. If
not, then he might want to look up a good mortgage broker because
he will be the odd man out with Bush in the lineup. Davis is a
good RB but he will be no match for the excitement of Bush and
the fact that the brass for the Texans will want to market the
crap out of him.
Final Score: 49ers 23, Texans
20
St. Louis at Dallas (-12)
8:30 p.m
No way you can bet against the Boys in this one. They are scratching
for their playoff lives and must win this one and hope for some
help to get into the playoffs. The prize is big and stakes are
high. It looks like Jones is back on track with a 190-yard effort
against a good defense on the road. With Julius back on track
it makes the Dallas offense much more potent. They just have to
hope their injured secondary can hold up against the likes of
Holt and Bruce.
It’s all about pride for the Rams. They got beaten by an
average 49ers team last week but moved the ball well. They will
need to throe often as the weakness this week for the Cowboys
will be the secondary that is banged up. Look for Holt to have
a good one but other than that you have one team needing it and
the other team looking at next year.
Final Score: Cowboys 30, Rams
17
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