NFL 2005 Week 17 Predictions

Well, another season comes to an end. I have the same mixed feelings I had at this time last year. Writing predictions for 16 games every week can be demanding, especially when there are many other things demanding of time. But it is still fun. I like what I wrote last year:

And so we come to the last week of the season, always a bittersweet time. We football fans still have an exciting month of playoff games, but then comes the great emptiness that is the offseason, a vast, barren wasteland stretching until next August.

Onto this week...

Broncos @ Chargers
This game looked to have major playoff implications, until the Chargers laid an egg in Kansas City and took themselves out of the hunt, and the Bengals laid an egg and handed the second seed to Denver. Now, it's a meaningless game. That means Denver rests its starters and San Diego goes out in style with its first string, and a win. Prediction: Chargers.

Giants @ Raiders
The Giants need a win to lock up a division title, and a visit to the lowly Raiders is a perfect matchup, and against the last quarterback to lead them to a division title to boot. The Raiders have been another disappointing team. Early in the season, they were much like the Packers: they lost way too many close games they had the chance to win. But as the season has worn on, they have faded and now lose quite comfortably. Prediction: Giants.

Cardinals @ Colts
We know the Colts will not play their starters too much in this game, though they maybe could use some time since they haven't looked quite right the last couple of weeks. But even Indy's second string is better than Arizona's first. Prediction: Colts.

Ravens @ Browns
The Browns have not won a single game this season in the AFC North. The team formerly from Cleveland is having delusions of being the team formerly from Baltimore. Well, they will wake from that dream this week, but are still better than Cleveland. Prediction: Ravens.

Bills @ Jets
I have to pick this one? Ugh. Two lousy teams. As bad as Buffalo is, their offense is better than New York's makeshift one. Prediction: Bills.

Panthers @ Falcons
I wash my hands of both teams. Carolina was my pick to win the NFC. They have, at times, looked like one of the top teams in the conference. They have taken the lead in the division multiple times, and have promptly thrown it away every time. Having squandered so many opportunities, they aren't even assured of a playoff spot right now. Amazingly, Atlanta still has not even assured itself a winning season, breaking their streak of never having back-to-back winning years. So both teams really need a win, and one team will come away disappointed. The flip side to Carolina's futility when in command is that they play very well after they've blown it. It looks like Atlanta's streak will continue. Prediction: Panthers.

Bengals @ Chiefs
The only things unclear for the Bengals is whether they will be the third or fourth seed in the playoffs. Kansas City is still alive for a wildcard spot. If both teams play their starters, this should be quite the offensive show. With Larry Johnson, the Chiefs can run all day, keep the Bengal offense on the sideline, and control the game. Cincy still needs some defensive play makers up front to really be a threat in the AFC. Prediction: Chiefs.

Lions @ Steelers
With a win, Pittsburgh secures the sixth seed in the playoffs, a long fall from last year's top seed, but still a playoff spot. The Lions just want the nightmare to be over, so they can start the preparations for next year's nightmare. Prediction: Steelers.

Dolphins @ Patriots
New England has a shot at moving up to the third seed in the playoffs, with a win and Bengal loss. Moving up a notch would pit them against Pittsburgh in the first round, but would avoid a showdown with the Colts in the second. Be that as it may, I expect Belichick to rest his starters for much of the game. With all the injuries they've had this year, and some key players (Bruschi, McGinnest) playing hurt, they need the rest and don't have the bye they've worked with the last two seasons. That opens the door for the Dolphins to steal a cheap win and finish 9-7. Prediction: Dolphins.

Saints @ Bucs
With a win, Tampa secures the NFC South title. They have certainly had quite a ride this year, a season which started with such low expectations. And with so many younger players at key positions, the future is quite bright for the Bucs, even though they share a division with the Panthers and the Falcons, who also have bright futures. The Saints are the anomaly in the division, and like the Lions they just want the nightmare to end so they can start getting ready for next year's nightmare. Prediction: Bucs.

Seahawks @ Packers
Could this be Brett Favre's last game? If so, who better to finish his career off against than Mike Holmgren, the coach who got his career going in the first place. And where better to finish but at a frosty Lambeau? Favre hasn't thrown a TD pass in over a month, though he has thrown 9 interceptions. He needs five TDs in this game to get 400 for his career. Against Seattle's backups, he will get some but not all five. Though the starters will rest most of the game, Shaun Alexander will get his chance to score a touchdown and set the record for most in a season. But after that, it's all junior varsity and the Packers should be good enough to beat them. Prediction: Packers.

Texans @ 49ers
Two more teams desperate for the nightmare to end. But San Francisco has some things to build on and I expect next year will see the beginning of a turnaround for the once proud franchise. Houston is even worse on the road than at home. Prediction: 49ers.

Titans @ Jaguars
The Jags may use this game as a tune-up for Leftwich to get back into the flow after being out with injury for a while. In a matchup of first string teams, Jacksonville is clearly the superior team. Prediction: Jaguars.

Bears @ Vikings
Another game that loomed large for a while, but now is meaningless. The Bears will be a dangerous team in the playoffs, particularly if Rex Grossman can generate more downfield passing and scoring. For that reason, I expect Chicago to play its varsity offense more than one might expect in such an empty game. Grossman needs as much work with the offense as he can get going into the playoffs. The defense should rest, though. Even with all the personnel moves last offseason and the resultant pre-season hype, the Vikings need a win to improve on last year's 8-8 record. Still, they managed to turn around a disastrous start to make a playoff run late. The hole was just too deep. If Culpepper can get his mojo back next year, these two teams will be at each other's throats. With the powerful Bear defense on ice for the week, the Vikings should salvage some pride. Prediction: Vikings.

Redskins @ Eagles
Washington has the potential to be a dangerous team in the playoffs, should they make it. They have it all: ferocious defense, power running, deep passing. Their midseason slump nearly doomed the season, but they appear to have just managed to pull it out. With a win, they secure a playoff spot. With a win and a Giant loss to Oakland, the Redskins would win the division, but that's not likely. Despite all their ability, they will be a sixth seed which means almost no chance of moving deep in the playoffs. But first things first. Prediction: Redskins.

Rams @ Cowboys
Dallas has tantalized football fans this year, looking very good at times. But it was all for naught as they appear destined for third place in the division, doomed by inconsistent play. Still they are better than the Rams. Prediction: Cowboys.

Last Week: 12-4
Season: 153-87