2011 NFL Week 17 Predictions

Week 17, the week of Jim Sorgi and every old backup RB ever known. Some of us still have fantasy championships to conclude, good luck to everyone still playing for something. For others, this is the week to determine real life byes and division titles. So while I am actually debating Carson Palmer or Drew Brees (seriously), here are the week 17 predictions for you to chew on.

Ravens -2 over Bengals, 21-17

-A line over 3 would be too much, but the Ravens have tried SO hard to get the division title and a bye and it would hurt to beat the Steelers twice and STILL lose out on it. Ray Rice has a big game here.

Pats -11 over Bills, 37-13

-You couldn’t make this line high enough. The Pats haven’t lost at home in Gillette to Buffalo, ever. The Pats need this, the Bills have nothing to play for at all.

Panthers +8.5 over Saints, 27-31

-Scenario 1: Panthers just win. Scenario 2: Panthers win after Saints sit their regulars. Scenario 3: Panthers cover because the line is too big anyways. Result: Take the points.

CHI-MIN, not touching it.

Cowboys +3.5 over Giants, 31-30

-Take the points in a close game. And take the over. And don’t trust either of the QBs under any circumstances.

DET-GB, not touching it.

Colts +3.5 over Jags, 17-16

-Take the points because the Colts vets almost seem to not want the first pick.

Dolphins -1 over Jets, 20-13

-The Fins are a good team, very thoroughly mediocre and they take advantage of the mistakes by other teams. The Jets still have Mark Sanchez.

Steelers -7 over Browns, 24-10

-Browns cannot score so it won’t matter whether Ben plays or not.

SF-STL feels weird, but take the under.

Bucs +12.5 over Falcons, 13-21

-Falcons will probably sit starters for some or all of the game, so the point total covers it.

Titans +3.5 over Texans, 20-13

-Texans have nothing to play for; they are locked into the 3 seed. The Titans of course do have something to play for.

WAS-PHI, with Rex Grossman involved and this game not meaning anything, who knows.

Chiefs +3.5 over Broncos, 17-13

-Chiefs will win this game. Tebow and the Broncos are such a fraud, and they have a ton of injuries on top of that. The Chiefs love Romeo Crennel and I think they win this for him.

Raiders -3 over Chargers, 24-20

-Just because the Raiders need it and the Chargers are a week away from total organizational upheaval.

Cards -3 over Seahawks, 19-14

-Lynch gets 1 TD but the Cards play well at home and I believe in their defense and special teams. Larry Fitzgerald has a big game in this divisional pride game. I also strongly need the Cards defense to play well and may be biased because of this.

Record last week:

Straight Up: 8-4

By Spread: 3-8

Record this year:

Straight Up: 128-57

By Spread: 100-83

Lifetime record:
Straight Up: 373-190
By Spread: 309-261

BLISS