Week 17 Picks

By far this has to be the wackiest week for NFL spreads in history. At first glance, I was blindsided then you realize a lot of teams (more than usual for this week) are resting their starters for the playoffs. Its also sad that there are really only two games that matter this week for the playoff chase, and neither opposing team of the team in the drivers' seat are really go full throttle. So more or less, the playoffs are decided inevitably. At least the Patriots and Giants agreed to someoddly play a real game. The state of the union address of football games, because in NYC the game will be on channels 2, 4, 9, and NFL Network for those who have it. Four channels are carrying the game. If the Giants just roll over or the Patriots take a dive...Sen. John Kerry will look very foolish for forcing the NFL to putting this game on. I mean, the Patriots fans across America...come on, please. Give me a break. Patriots fans are confined to one area, New England. The rest of the country for the most part hates them. Yeah, you get your casual frontrunner and all, but still...they are not the Cowboys, they are not the 49ers, they are not the Packers, and they are not the Steelers....thousands upon thousands of these teams' fans travel to every game and live all throughout the nation. Sure, there will be a lot of Patriots fans at Giants Stadium tomorrow night, but they would probably not travel if the team were playing in oh lets say....San Diego.

With that we go on to the picks. Last week: 7-9 Season:119-110-11 (Lets get this over 130!)

GIANTS (+13.5) over Patriots

Yeah, the Patriots more likely than not will get their 16-0. Tom Brady will lead yet another crappy drive down the field, and Steve Gotskowski will kick a mediocre game-winning field goal that will go down as the greatest field goal ever made, on the greatest drive ever concocted. This reminds me of Pats-Panthers Super Bowl. Carolina was in control that 4th quarter, if that game went to overtime they had it. Then John Kasay kicks it out of bounds. Brady drives the ball 40 yards in a minute and a half. Pats win the Super Bowl. Its not that hard to do for a good NFL quarterback. The Panthers lost that Super Bowl on the kickoff. Not Vinatieri's field goal. Once again, God forbid sports fans ever criticize Tom Brady's clutch performances. I tell you I will laugh if they lose to Jacksonville, Indy, or San Diego in the playoffs. I mean, I literally think I might fall out of my seat and onto the floor if it happens.

Bengals (-3) over DOLPHINS

We go from the best team in the league to the worst team in the league. I just feel if your going to be craptacular go for the gold!

EAGLES (-7.5) over Bills

Well Donovan, I guess you heard that I was questioning your manhood here the last few weeks. Kudos, you still look like some gas (1/4) left in the tank. Other than that, the Bills have to be demoralized after that loss to the Giants last week. Eagles win big here.

Seahawks (+1) over FALCONS

I think that if I went out on the field with 22 of my friends split between offense and defense, that we could beat the Falcons. So why shouldn't the Seahawks second team be able to do so as well?

Saints (-2) over BEARS

Wow! You mean we get to see these two great teams...wait this isnt last year. NBC has to hate that this game has no meaning after last season. The Saints have come along quite nicely during the end of this season. I think I am more impressed with Drew Brees this year than I have with him in any other year of his career because he has no real running game and has been doing it with his arm by itself. He stepped up a notch this year. A notch just below truly elite (where he was last year, but he solidified himself there now).

Panthers (-3) over BUCS

Jon Gruden basically conceded the rest of the regular season last week against the 49ers. However, it was a win for the whole league because the 49ers now have almost gotten the Patriots out of the top of the draft.

BROWNS (-10) over 49ers

You tell me that nutcase Derek Anderson doesn't want to overcome last week's choke performance? Or perhaps its just signs of "Hey Brady Quinn is right behind me! I have to give him some sort of chance to start next season! Its the right thing for the franchise."

PACKERS (-4) over Lions

Sad that a team locked into a playoff spot is favored against a team that at one point should have been in the playoff picture. By the way, I think you would have to chain Brett Favre to the bench in order to keep him out of the game on Sunday. And still you would probably have to keep a security detail present with him to keep him there.

JAGUARS (+6.5) over Texans

The Texans are playing good ball, I just feel this game is closer than 6.5 because Quinn Gray is not half that bad.

Chargers (-8.5) over RAIDERS

Philip Rivers trash talks his way past a weak Raiders team. He will look at JaMarcus Russell and say to him "Hey kid...I was traded for the first pick overall, Im the man! You will never be me!" At this point, if Russell's arm is as strong as we think it is, an 80 mph right hook will land on Rivers' temple giving him a slight concussion.

JETS (-6.5) over Chiefs

This just seems right. Herm Edwards costs the Jets there shot at Reggie Bush in 2005 as Jets coach with a meaningless win over Buffalo in week 17, and now he will ruin our chance at getting Darren McFadden in 2008 as Chiefs head coach with letting us beat them in week 17. I really, really hate Herm.

Rams (-6) over CARDINALS

God will draft a new quarterback next season, and he will be the variety of a Catholic school product known as Matt Ryan. He will thank Kurt Warner though, by offering him a front office job in the Heaven football franchise organization.

COWBOYS (+9) over Redskins

Even the scrubs keep this rivalry brewing. Cowboys might not win, but they will keep it close.

Vikings (-3) over BRONCOS

The Vikings are just feening to get in, and don't think Coach Brad Childress won't keep the Redskins from watching the scoreboard if there game is close, and he lets Adrian Peterson loose to try and pass LT for the rushing title.

Steelers (-6) over RAVENS

Steelers slide into fourth slot in the AFC just in time to face the Jaguars and be one and done.

COLTS (-9) over Titans

I don't know why I picked this. There is something about Jim Sorgi that makes me feel like he is a cool guy and I just shouldn't pick against him.

COMING MONDAY: State of the Jets address. Review of the season and the sports year in general.

Till the flip side commeth,
The Conzz