Week 17 - Season's End

Well, it’s been a long wacky season as usual. I still think we are in the era where any year, your team can be truly great, or truly terrible. The Chargers went from worst, to contenders. Granted, we still have a couple teams that do well each and every year, (Pats & Eagles). I really cannot remember a year though where most of the teams have their playoff position secured with nothing to play for. 7 teams have secured their seed and have nothing to play for this weekend. NOTHING! This will certainly create mass confusion when the playoffs starts, especially for teams that haven’t had to play hard in about 3 weeks.

Manwich Matchup of the Week-
New Orleans @ Carolina-
From 1-7 to 8-8 and the playoffs. The Panthers are unbelievable. They had 13 guys on IR by week 6 (the Browns didn’t get to 13 until like week 9, and then just gave up). They almost beat the Falcons to win out the season. This would definitely be the best 8-8 team ever to make the playoffs. Am I discounting the Saints by not even speaking of their strengths or weaknesses? Your damn right I am!
Pick: Carolina

Manwich Matchup of the Week, Part 2 (NO Upset of the week this week)-
NY Jets @ St. Louis-
How funny would it be if the Jets lost this game and didn’t make the playoffs? Apparently, the Jets would be the odd team out in a possible 3-way tie with Denver and Buffalo. The Rams have a lot to play for, considering a wildcard and/or division title is within their reach. I’m giving the edge to the Jets, simply because Martz is insane. 2 weeks ago, a reporter asked Martz why Steven Jackson did not play, and Martz said, “I didn’t realize that.” Martz made up for it by letting Jackson rush for 150 yards on Monday night.
Pick: Jets

Minnesota @ Washington-
As always, I’m picking the Vikings. Washington is missing Portis, so I’m actually using some reason this week.
Pick: Minnesota

SUPER 7
The following 7 games involve teams with nothing to play for.

Pittsburgh @ Buffalo-
Lucky: Buffalo is playing a team that does not need to win.
Unlucky: Buffalo still needs help from either Denver or the Jets.
Pick: Buffalo

Indy @ Denver-
The Broncos are in the best spot. Indy is likely to rest everyone. They have the 3-spot locked up, nothing to gain or lose. Broncos may still salvage the playoff spot after all!
Pick: Denver

Cinci @ Philly-
Locked in at NFC #1, Andy Reid may play center for fun. He may also eat a Cornerback for a snack.
Pick: Cinci

Atlanta @ Seattle-
Atlanta is locked in at NFC #2. My fantasy sleeper Michael Jenkins may get some serious playing time. I still think they’re saving his “coming out” party for the playoffs. A 6-5 guy with speed who’s rated off the charts in ESPN football and in Madden?
Pick: Seattle

Green Bay @ Chicago-
GB has nothing to play for. Local Clevelander Tony Fisher may get more time to shine.
Pick: Chicago

San Fran @ New England-
New England has nothing to play for. World Football League MVP Rohan Davey will toss some balls around to both teams for a calistenic workout. This is the one game I have a problem with. I really don’t have the courage to pick San Fran even though New England has nothing to play for.
Pick: New England

KC @ San Diego-
Marty Schottenheimer returns to the playoffs! Unbelievable how well their defense came together after sucking it up for so long. But they’ll save all the surprises for after the playoffs.
Pick: KC

Miami @ Baltimore-
Baltimore only needs to win and hope for Buffalo, Denver, and Jacksonville to lose. I’m just happy they’re not going to the playoffs. The main reason- choking in week 1 to the lowly Cleveland Browns!
Pick: Baltimore

Jacksonville @ Oakland-
All the Jags had to do was win against Houston, and they would have held all of the tiebreakers. Instead, they laid a big, fat egg and lost by 21 points. I think the “oops I crapped my pants excuse” does not hold up very well in the National Football League.
Pick: Jacksonville

Cleveland @ Houston-
The Houston Texans were my surprise team. One more victory and they get to 8-8. That really was not too bad, considering how pathetic their defense was and how Carr got sacked so often. The biggest problem is that they are in the AFC South with the Colts, Jags, and Titans. Believe me, next year will not be any easier.
Pick: Houston

Tampa Bay @ Arizona-
You do realize, Arizona would be right in the playoff mix. One problem, they got swept by the 49ers!!! This normally would not be a big deal except that the 49ers only have 2 wins, which are both against Arizona. Meanwhile, Brian Griese sold his soul to the devil to re-discover his groove. The movie’s coming out next year, “How Griese Got His Groove Back.”
Pick: Tampa Bay

Dallas @ NY Giants-
This will be the second straight year that the Giants lose out the season. Last year, they started 4-4 and lost 8 straight to get to 4-12. This year was a little better, they started 5-2, only to lose 9 straight. Actually, I’m not sure which one is better.
Pick: Dallas

Detroit @ Tennesee-
This game means nothing. Anything can happen. I’m going to stick with Kevin Jones. K-money!
Pick: Detroit

Last Week: 13-3 (2 of the 3 losses were Manwich and Upset!)
Season: 145-97
Manwich Matchup: 7-9 (The Vikings make me a loser once again)
Upset Special: 7-9 (Picking against the Steelers again did not work out so well)