NFL Picks - Week 17
Who will win, step up and get beat down in Week 17 of the NFL season...
These game predictions do not reflect the opinion of FFToolbox.com but just a solo fantasy writer who will still have preseason Super Bowl picks alive once Green Bay joins Baltimore in the postseason, though he does not expect either to actually make it there. Well ...As a reminder, email any questions, be it about lineup fantasy decisions, trades, strategy or free agents, to podcast@fftoolbox.com or send tweets to @benstandig and I will respond before the start of Sunday's action. Also do not forget to check out the weekly FFToolbox.com podcast - hosted by yours truly - every week or anytime via ITunes and that's where you will find this week's fantasy angles...
Home Team in CAPS
Last week: Straight (6-10), Spread (6-10); Overall: Straight (130-93), Spread (109-111-3)
Oakland 23 (+3) KANSAS CITY 21: My preseason AFC West winner got close yet ultiamtely got tripped with just enough QB confusion along the way to fall short. As a final reward for an improved campaign, the Raiders get the finale win against a Chiefs squad not totally invested in the outcome.
Miami 27 (+4.5) NEW ENGLAND 24: The Tom Brady portion of the game ends with the Pats up 17-10. When he leaves, the Dolphins rally with Brandon Marshall and Davone Bess scores.
INDIANAPOLIS 34 (-9.5) Tennessee 20: The Peyton's need to win, the Fisher's are playing out the string. Despite 120+ yards from Chris Johnson and a score from 2011 TE sleeper Jared Cook, the Titans cannot keep up with the Colts aerial assualt. Manning throws four scores with Tamme (2), Wayne and White finding the end zone.
HOUSTON 27 (-3) Jacksonville 20: Texans coach Gary Kubiak is expected back, gets a start on next year's overhyping of his squad behind two scores from Arian Foster and 285 yards from Matt Schaub.
Pittsburgh 24 (-5.5) CLEVELAND 13: Steelers clinch the AFC's number two seed, Eric Mangini reminds his household not to send out his laundry, just to be safe.
BALTIMORE 28 (-9.5) Cincinnati 14: The team nobody wants to face in the AFC playoffs takes down the team that nobody will recognize come next season.
DETROIT 31 (-3) Minnesota 24: Consistently solid offense from start to finish, Lions close out the season with a win and get the 2011 sleeper buzz kick started _ assuming Matthew Stafford is good to go _ with a win.
NY Giants 24 (-4) WASHINGTON 17: Simply put, the Giants win this game if they find a way to clear their head after two weeks of debacles. Ahmad Bradshaw and the ground game remove the fog with 150+ yards against the Redskins backups.
GREEN BAY 28 (-10) Chicago 17: Many a fantasy owner (at least this one) keeps wondering "what" if Aaron Rodgers does not get hurt in the second quarter of Week 14. With the win, the Packers faithful do not have to wonder about the NFL playoffs, they'll be in it.
PHILADELPHIA 27 (-6.5) Dallas 17: For this week, no Michael Vick means no problem. Kevin Kolb gets a final chance to show off is wares for his 2011 team, whomever that is.
Buffalo 20 NY JETS 17 (-1.5): Fred Jackson's running beats Shonn Greene's playoff audition effort.
ATLANTA 38 (-14) Carolina 10: Michael Turner has been bottled up the past two games and takes it out on the Panthers.
NEW ORLEANS 27 (-7.5) Tampa Bay 13: Bucs have not beaten a good team all season. Improved yes _ and Josh Freeman is the reald eal _ but playoff squad, nope.
Arizona 21 (+6) SAN FRANCISCO 20: The team with an actual head coach gets past the one figuring out the best new one to hire. Here's a hint. His name starts with Jim Harbaugh.
San Diego 41 (-3) DENVER 21: Just to annoy everyone that got behind the Bolts this season, the Chargers rock their division rival behind 40+ plus passes from Philip Rivers and 100+ total yards from Ryan "wasn't I a lock for the Rookie iof the Year award" Mathews.
St. Louis 21 (-3) SEATTLE 17: You think Steven Jackson finally gets this close to a playoff shot and doesn't go all Earl Campbell on the Seahawks? It would be great to see a 7-9 team make the posteseason and break the football portion of the internet, but S-Jax rocks and rolls his way to an eventual first round playoff exit.
Survivor Picks: Folks, like my recent picks against the spread, my Survivor calls have been, um, not good (being nice to myself). For the sake of anyone who might still be following me since I hooked you with wins the past two seasons, I'm done with these calls. If you want my direct input on this or any fantasy question, send your email to podcast@fftoolbox.com