This is it. Week 17 of the 2012 season is here, and there are still
playoff spots up for grabs in the NFC. The AFC teams are all set, now
we just need the seedings. Some of the NFC seedings are good, but many
games await to decide the rest of the field. This is one reason why the
NFL is so great, but on the other hand there are also many games that
are meaningless, but that is the way it goes. Some of these games are
hard to determine because some teams rest players if they have nothing
on the line. But, as always, I will do my best to achieve the best
possible results. Let's get to it.
As always, home team in CAPS.
SEATTLE 10 1/2 St. Louis
The Seahawks are still flying, and I can't figure out how. But I don't
have to. They are in the playoffs, and could be a very dangerous team.
They do have something on the line though, because their seeding has
not been determined. But by the time they play, it could be.
Seahawks 45-13
Chicago 3 DETROIT
The Bears need to win and get some help. They don't deserve the post
season though. The Lions are basically useless. I'll take the Bears.
Bears 20-14
PITTSBURGH 6 1/2 Cleveland
Surprisingly this game is useless, like most of my picks.
Steelers 23-17
Green Bay 3 1/2 MINNESOTA
This is a huge game, more for Minnesota than Green Bay. The Packers
will likely be the second seed no matter what, but the Vikings need to
win or get some help. I think the Packers will rest some starters
eventually in this game. I'll take Minnesota. They need it more.
Vikings 27-24
NEW ENGLAND 10 Miami
There is a good chance the Patriots will know their seeding by the time
they play, so this game could mean nothing. Still, the Patriots need
the work and Miami will likely let them have it. Since the game could
be meaningless, I'll take the Dolphins to cover.
Patriots 29-21
ATLANTA 4 1/2 Tampa Bay
This is a nothing game for the Falcons as they have the number one seed
locked up. Look for the reserves very early in this game. The Bucs have
been disappointing and I wonder if Josh Freeman is in fact the answer.
He might not be.
Falcons 24-10
INDIANAPOLIS 5 Houston
Chuck Pagano returns as Head Coach for the Colts, but the problem is
this game is meaningless to them as they are locked in as the number
five seed. The Texans desperately need to win to get a first round bye
and home field. I would think the Colts would want to win for Pagano,
but risking injury doesn't make a lot of sense, plus Houston really
needs to win. I like the Texans.
Texans 30-20
NEW ORLEANS 5 Carolina
Ho hum.
Saints 35-28
TENNESSEE 4 Jacksonville
Yawn, even in Tennesee and Jacksonville.
Titans 16-10
DENVER 15 1/2 Kansas City
The Broncos are rolling, and they likely will remain the number two
seed. Many are saying the Broncos are overrated because of their soft
schedule. No they are not, and they will be extremely dangerous in the
playoffs.
Broncos 40-14
CINCINNATI 2 1/2 Baltimore
Both teams are headed to the post season, but oddly this game is still
pretty meaningless. The Bengals are locked in as the sixth seed, and
the Ravens are the fourth seed barring some stunning losses by other
teams. Both teams will likely rest players. I'll take the home team.
Bengals 23-20
SAN FRANCISCO 16 Arizona
The 49ers actually need to win to get a better seeding, plus they got
crushed last week so they could use a tune up. Enter Arizona, and the
49ers are now tuned.
49ers 36-13
NEW YORK GIANTS 7 Philadelphia
The Giants need to win and get a ridiculous amount of help, so they are
out of the playoffs. They don't deserve it anyway. And it is likely
goodbye to Eagles Head Coach Andy Reid. He has been great, but it has
gotten stale in Philadelphia and a change needs to be made. I expect
one.
Giants 26-17
BUFFALO 3 New York Jets
Welcome to the circus known as the New York Jets, the league's biggest
laughingstock right now. Goodbye Rex Ryan, Mike Tannenbaum and Tim
Tebow. It was nice knowing you, and I would be surprised if any of
those three remain. I am not sure about Mark Sanchez, but he really
needs a change in one capacity or another.
Bills 17-13
Game of the Week
WASHINGTON 3 1/2 Dallas
Who would have thought that this game would be for the NFC East title
at the beginning of the year, especially in Washington. Dallas must win
to get into the playoffs, but the Redskins can still make it with a
loss but they need a lot of help. It won't matter. I don't see the
Redskins losing, and they could be an interesting team in the post
season. Speaking of interesting, watch the offseason in Dallas. That
could be entertaining.
Redskins 26-20
Stinker of the Week
SAN DIEGO 4 Oakland
Bye Bye Norv.
Chargers 21-14
Record For Week 16: 9-7 ( 9-7 without the spread )
Record Through Week 16: 109-116-4 ( 130-99 without
the spread )
Game of Week Record: 6-10
Stinker of Week Record: 6-10
Jim Poore has been a long time contributor to
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