Silver Dragons Week 17 Picks

It’s the final week of the regular season, Week 17! Some teams have their playoff positions all wrapped up, others have a playoff berth, but are still working with scenarios to their playoff position, and yet others are still hoping to hold on to a playoff spot or sneak into one. Teams in the running are in need of a win to better their seeding, and teams that have been eliminated have nothing to loss and the part of spoiler to gain. It’s bound to be a week of upsets and heart break.
Quickly recapping my stats to date, I went an unimpressive 8-8 in Week 16 and have now put my totals at 141 of 240 or 141-99 (.587). So let’s get started with Week 17.

Saturday, December 30, 2006

8:00pm
Washington Redskins(5-10) Vs New York Giants(7-8)
Giants hold onto hopes of a playoff berth
After the dominating defeat they suffered last week at the hands of New Orleans, the Giants still hold onto their hopes of a playoff spot. They need the win and they need to win big in hopes of winning the Strength-of-victory tiebreaker with Green Bay should they go on to win this week. Eli Manning needs to settle down into the pocket and complete his passes, Tiki Barber will get his yards as he tends to do, but he needs to punch them into the endzone. If Tiki falls short of the endzone, Brandon Jacobs needs to pick up the slack. The receivers Plaxico Burress and Jeremey Shockey must have big plays to show the dominance this star studded team should have been displaying all year.

Sunday, December 31, 2006

1:00pm
Dallas Cowboys(9-6) Vs Detroit Lions(2-13)
Cowboys bounce back with a win and hold on to their hopes
Looking like they were going to take the NFC East, the Cowboys find themselves in danger of falling into a wild card spot after their loss to Philadelphia. Even with the win here however, I think Philadelphia will win out and take the NFC East. Detroit is out, but don’t look to spoil anything as the Cowboys are in regardless of this outcome. Not wanting to go into the off season with injuries, and probably hoping for the first pick in the draft, Detroit will play, but no like wounded animals and the Cowboys will dominate.

1:00pm
Kansas City Chiefs(8-7) Vs Jacksonville Jaguars(8-7)
Jacksonville steals the Chiefs playoff hopes
Before I even hear it from the Chiefs fans, I do realize that this game is in Kansas City, and as a Broncos fan, I know how difficult it is to play in that stadium. Both these teams are fighting for an elusive playoff spot this week. Both teams need a win, but the Jaguars defense will rise to the occasion on this game. Trent Green hasn’t been getting it done, and Larry Johnson can’t do it all by himself. David Garrard will maintain a descent passing game while Maurice Jones-Drew goes off on the Kansas City defense showing the league that he is looking to have the starting position by next year.

1:00pm
New York Jets(9-6) Vs Oakland Raiders(2-13)
J.E.T.S., Jets, Jets, Jets!!!
I went against them last week and should have known better. Well inside the playoff picture, the Jets look to defeat the Oakland High Raiders. The Raiders on the other hand, are looking for that first round pick that will help them make the trip back to play caliber of Pro Football teams. Jet’s win and hold onto their wild card spot.

1:00pm
Tennessee Titans(8-7) Vs New England Patriots(11-4)
Titans take the victory in their hunt for a playoff berth
The Patriots have clinched the AFC East and have nothing to gain or loss in this matchup. The Titans on the other hand are on the outside looking in with a need for a win to even remain in the hopes. Played in Tennessee and fueled by some impressive wins this year, Vince Young and Travis Henry will both rack up the rushing yards. Young will even several passes to keep the defense of New England on their toes.

1:00pm
Cincinnati Bengals(8-7) Vs Pittsburgh Steelers(7-8)
Bengals win in hopes of a playoff spot
Steelers are eliminated and can dash all hopes of a Bengals post season, but it won’t happen. Playing at home, the Bengals will hold on to the win in hopes of getting back on the inside of the playoff race. The Steelers may not dash the Bengals playoff hopes, but after the win, the Bengals will still need help to make the playoffs. Hopes that will be crushed in this heartbreaking season.

1:00pm
Houston Texans(5-10) Vs Cleveland Browns(4-11)
Texans win at home
With no playoff hopes, and no spoiler possibilities this game looks to be one without interest. Mark this one up to the home team.

1:00pm
Minnesota Vikings(6-9) Vs St. Louis Rams(7-8)
Vikings crush the Rams playoff hopes
The Vikings have been eliminated while the Rams are on the outside looking in with a slim hold on a possible playoff spot. Agreed that the Vikings haven’t looked good over the last several weeks, and quarterback Tarvaris Jackson hasn’t shown starter qualities. But this is one of my somewhat upset picks, although I don’t see either team as a more dominating team this year.

1:00pm
New Orleans Saints(10-5) Vs Carolina Panthers(7-8)
Saints upset the Panthers hopes of a post season
Saints are in and have nothing to lose or gain at this point, but I don’t think they will be sitting out any starters. With that thought, Drew Brees will have a big game to finish out the regular season with the help of Marques Colston and Terrance Copper. Deuce McAllister will have a good game and Reggie Bush will continue to show everyone why he was the biggest talk of the draft…Houston is kicking themselves!!!

1:00pm
Tampa Bay Buccaneers(4-11) Vs Seattle Seahawks(8-7)
Seahawks finally break losing streak in last game
Seattle has clinched the NFC West, but has done so in poor fashion. Having dropped their last three straight, they limp into the playoffs looking to be a one-and-done team. Although this game has no playoff implications for the Hawks, they desperately need this win to get out of this funk before it’s lose and go home.

4:15pm
Denver Broncos(9-6) Vs San Francisco 49ers(6-9)
Broncos solidify their playoff position
Having stumbled in their last few games with Jake Plummer and then fought through some of the growing pains of Jay Cutler, the Broncos still hold their destiny in their own hands. A heart stopping win over Cincinnati last week has put Denver in a good position. Playing at home and currently looking at the playoffs from the inside. Denver looks to continue Jay Cutlers growth into their star quarterback with a victory to end the regular season. With the likes of Javon Walker, Rod Smith, Brandon Marshall, and Tony Scheffler, Jay Culter has an entourage of receivers to throw too. Back that up with the running of Tatum Bell and Mike Bell…The Broncos get it done.

4:15pm
Indianapolis Colts(11-4) Vs Miami Dolphins(6-9)
Colts win in hopes of clinching a first-round bye
By all intents and purposes I think the Colts should win this game at home, but I’d be lying if I said I felt confident in this win. After a humiliating loss to Houston, the Colts have proven to have many flaws. With the like of Jason Taylor and Zach Thomas on the Dolphins Defense, there is no guarantee that Peyton Manning will lead the Colts to a victory. However, playing at home and no doubt upset with their recent loss, I expect the Colts to play a tough game.

4:15pm
Philadelphia Eagles(9-6) Vs Atlanta Falcons(7-8)
Eagles clinch the NFC East with a victory
Jeff Garcia has been getting it done on the field and I had picked the Eagles to defeat the Cowboys this past Monday Night. I’ve been convinced they would make the run for their division title and I’m holding strong to that belief. Brian Westbrook will run down the Atlanta defense and Correll Buckhalter will smash threw for the short yardage plays and goal line situations. Donte’ Stallworth, and L.J. Smith will continue to be prime targets for Garcia.

4:15pm
San Diego Chargers(13-2) Vs Arizona Cardinals(5-10)
Chargers solidify their home field advantage
Chargers are hot and playing at home. They may have already clinched the AFC West and a first round bye, but Marty Schottenheimer knows how dominate the Chargers have been on their home field and looks to stay at home throughout the playoffs. Don’t expect to see any starters sitting in this game until the lead is comfortable enough to be sure of a win.

4:15pm
Baltimore Ravens(12-3) Vs Buffalo Bills(7-8)
Ravens wrap up their own home field advantage
Although their not undefeated at home like the Chargers, they do still dominate at home and look to keep that dominating factor alive in the playoffs. Still having something worth fighting for, the Ravens offense will need to put points on the board against the Bills defense, and the Ravens defense will most likely be a thorn in Buffalo’s side throughout the game.

Sunday Night Football

8:15pm
Chicago Bears(13-2) Vs Green Bay Packers(7-8)
Packers look to hold on to any playoff hopes
The Bears have it all wrapped up. Having Clinched the NFC North, first round bye, and home field throughout I would expect to see all the starters watching from the sidelines in this game. Stay healthy, stay safe the Bears will relax in this game and a more desperate Brett Favre and his Packers will steal away with a win and some playoff hopes.

And that wraps up the Week 17 picks. Last regular week of the season, but don’t worry, I’ll be continuing my picks through the Superbowl, so we still have four more weeks of sporting analysis.

All times are Eastern Standard Time.

Good Luck and have a Happy New Year!

Silver Dragon