Week 17 – Meaningless Games!

I can’t ever remember a week 17 with such little to play for. Most of the seeding positions are locked up, including home field advantage and all the 1st-round byes. Only 2 playoff spots are open, and 2 teams have relatively winnable games to get into the playoffs, against teams with nothing to play for (Tennessee vs. Indy ; Washington vs. Dallas). Of course, the question becomes how hard the “resting” teams will play. Both of the “resting” teams are facing divisional opponents and could easily eliminate them if they exerted full effort… so it’s all a crapshoot this week!

Manwich Matchup of the Week
Dallas @ Washington – I’m guessing Washington will be able to get into the playoffs after all. Hooray for Todd Collins.
Pick: Washington

Upset of the Week
Tennessee @ Indy – Under Tony Dungy, the Colts won their last meaningless games in 2002, 2003, 2005 and 2006, but lost in 2004 (when they ended up playing Denver 2 consecutive weeks). Maybe history is on the Browns side? I can only hope. The Colts are currently 6 point underdogs. I realize this is a completely selfish pick at this point, but I’m ok with it.
Pick: Indy

New England @ Giants – They just announced that NBC and CBS will be simulcasting this game Saturday night. You know what? I’m not even that excited about it. While having a 16-0 season has never been done, if the Pats lose in the playoffs, no one will give one feces about their regular season accomplishment. With the Giants also probably resting their starters, getting to 16-0 won’t be a challenge at this point, it will be getting to 19-0 that will be interesting.
Pick: Pats

Buff @ Philly – It’s too bad this game didn’t take place about 4 weeks ago, when both were still in the hunt for the playoffs and had a lot to play for. Then again, McNabb seems to be playing better lately in some weird effort to “keep” his job. Transitioning from a very mobile QB to more of a pocket passer ain’t easy.
Pick: Philly

CAR @ Tampa – I’m guessing Tampa will be resting players, because they are locked in at the 4-spot. CAR could win, because this random rookie QB, Matt Moore, still needs another good game to be in the mix next season. I just found out Matt Moore is from Oregon State, just like Browns QB Derek Anderson. Odd. My biggest question for this game is whether Bruce Gradkowski will see playing time.
Pick: CAR

Cincy @ Miami – Eessh… I wouldn’t want to watch this one. The Browns almost won against the Bengals and that was with 4 turnovers.
Pick: Cincy

Detroit @ Green Bay – Not a clue what will happen in this game, once the backups start playing.
Pick: Green Bay

Jacksonville @ Houston – Okay, so this is the week the Texans get to win a game because they have more to play for against a team resting their players!
Pick: Houston

New Orleans @ Chicago – Who would have thought last year’s championship game would most likely be a meaningless game? Granted, the Saints still get in with a win and losses by the Redskins and Vikings, but it seems like a lot to ask for.
Pick: New Orleans

Pitt @ Baltimore – The Steelers still need to win this game to hopefully get the 3-seed and avoid the Jaguars. Of course, they also need San Diego to lose, but the Chargers aren’t playing until 4PM.
Pick: Pitt

Seattle @ Atl – Light at the end of the tunnel? With the Falcons finishing in last in the NFC South, this means they will probably win the division next season! Or, at least, that’s how the story has gone for 4 years now.
Pick: Seattle

San Fran @ Cleveland – A meaningless game unless Tennessee ties. So, it’s unclear what will happen, but the Browns shouldn’t hang their heads low, because it was still a very successful season, even if they can’t get in the playoffs and even if Tennessee has played terrible in the 2nd half.
Pick: Cleveland

St. Louis @ Arizona – It’s the Kurt Warner bowl!
Pick: Arizona

Minnesota @ Denver – The Vikings also blew a chance to take control of their destiny last week, just like the Browns.
Pick: Denver

San Diego @ Oakland – San Diego will get the job done and lock up the 3-seed.
Pick: San Diego

Kansas City @ Jets – It’s the Herman Edwards homecoming game! You play the game to win! Except in week 17, when you’re playing for a draft position.
Pick: jets

Last Week: 8-8
Season: 154-86
Manwich: 12-4 (The Redskins really took care of the Vikings.)
Upset of the Week: 8-8 (I was REALLY wrong about the Colts resting their players)