Mattie T’s Week 17 NFL Predictions

The 17th & final Week of the season has hit us in the NFL, with up to FIVE teams still alive for two AFC Wild Card spots & an NFC East title still up for grabs (not to mention that very lovely #2 seed and a 1st-round bye).

If your fantasy football team still has a title to play for on Sunday, good luck! I went 2-1 in championship games last weekend & have 2 more teams fighting for a title win in Sunday. One is a 30 point underdog while the other is a 22 point favorite. Let’s get it in…

Week 16: 12-4

Overall: 151-89 (.629)

Indianapolis at Buffalo.

After yanking Peyton Manning & several other starters during Week 16, Jim Caldwell took some heat from the local press in Indianapolis as their perfect regular season came to an end during their 29-15 loss to the Jets.

In a rather meaningless regular-season finale, don’t expect for Manning, Reggie Wayne & Dallas Clark to play much, as Curtis Painter will see yet more action in just his 2nd career NFL game.

The Bills have hired Buddy Nix as their new general manager, so Perry Fewell would like to provide that 1st impression with a win to end his short 5-game intermin season as head coach.

I think Buffalo will do just that, as i’m picking them to prevail over Indianapolis’ backups on Sunday.

New Orleans at Carolina.

If the Saints plan on snapping their 2-game slide before the playoffs, they’ll have to do it without Drew Brees.

Sean Payton has decided to rest his star quarterback for Sunday’s regular-season finale, as Mark Brunell will start for the first time in over 3 years.

Carolina will most likely be without star running back DeAngelo Williams, who might not be needed if Jonathan Stewart continues the hot hand, as he’s rushed for 215 yards in the last 2 weeks & will face a New Orleans team that’s allowed close to 500 yards rushing over their last 4 games.

Stewart also needs 92 rushing yards to put him & Williams as the only dual set of backs to rush for 1,100 yards on the same team in a season.

Matt Moore seems to get stronger & stronger every week, as he’s gone three straight games without throwing an interception.

I like for the Panthers to deliver the upset in their home finale.

Jacksonville at Cleveland.

Don’t look now, but the Cleveland Browns are on a 3-game winning streak!

Most of it coincides with the late-season emergence of Jerome Harrison, who’s exploded for 434 rushing yards in the past 2 games.

Derek Anderson is also coming off his most successful game of the season, as he finished without a turnover during Cleveland’s 23-9 Week 16 win over Oakland.

Jacksonville is banged up on offense for their important season-finale, as wide receiver Torry Holt & tight end Marcedes Lewis will both miss Sunday’s game.

All signs point to the Browns winning their 4th straight game.

Chicago at Detroit.

After a fantastic overtime win against Minnesota on Monday night, the Bears will look to win their final game of the season of the season against another terrible Lions team.

Lovie Smith’s job could be jeopardy following Sunday’s game, but his  record of becoming the 3rd fastest coach (behind only Tom Coughlin & Andy Reid) to reach 50 wins might save his job for at least one more year.

Look for Chicago to give another inspired effort behind their head coach, as the Bears will provide a Motown Mauling over the Lions.

New England at Houston.

The Texans will shoot for their 1st winning season ever & try to keep their playoff hopes alive, but will Tom Brady have something to say about that?

It’s all up to Bill Belichick, as he’s been tight-lipped all week about how much playing time his starters will receive after clinching the AFC East title during their Week 16 win over Jacksonville.

Look for the Texans to clinch their 1st winning season in franchise history, but miss out on the playoffs.

Pittsburgh at Miami.

Miami’s playoff hopes are all but dead following their crushing home loss to Houston, while Pittsburgh’s still alive & will need major help to defend their Super Bowl championship.

The Dolphins will most likely be without the AFC’s 10th leading rusher in Ricky Williams, who has battled shoulder soreness all week & looks iffy for Sunday.

Look for the Steelers to ride the right arm of Ben Roethlisberger, who will have a big game & lead his team to another crucial win.

N.Y. Giants at Minnesota.

Perfect way for the Vikings to bounce back before the playoffs start, as they’ll get to face a Giants defense that’s been lifeless ever since winning their first five games of the season.

Luckily for Minnesota, they haven’t received much of a challenge in their last 4 home wins, which have all been blowouts.

I like for the Vikings to win & regain some confidence heading into the playoffs.

San Francisco at St. Louis.

This could provide as the final NFL game for Isaac Bruce, who helped the Rams win their first Super Bowl in franchise history 11 years ago & spent 12 seasons in St. Louis.

That will probably be the only thing Rams fans will get to cheer about, as Frank Gore should dash their poor run defense.

San Francisco to win here & finish at the .500 mark.

Atlanta at Tampa Bay.

Very important game for both teams, as Atlanta could finish with their 1st winning season in back-to-back years for the first time while Tampa Bay could finish a rather disappointing season in positive fashion with 3 straight wins.

Tony Gonzalez’s streak of 10 straight Pro Bowl invites came to an end last week, so i think he’ll use Sunday’s game as motivation.

Unfornautely for the Buccaneers, they haven’t been too competitive at home lately. I think the Falcons will win here to finish above .500 in consecutive seasons for the 1st time in franchise history.

Philadelphia at Dallas.

2nd straight year the Eagles & Cowboys meet in Week 17 with big implications on the line.

This time it’s for the NFC East title, as Philadelphia shoots for their 7th consecutive win.

The Eagles may have a bit of an edge here especially considering the well-timed return of Brian Westbrook, who missed the team’s Week 9 loss to Dallas with a concussion.

If you also throw in the fact that Donovan McNabb hasn’t been swept by the Cowboys since 2005, Philadelphia’s ready to play their best football of the season.

Eagles in a thriller to capture the NFC East crown & possibly lock up a 1st round bye.

Green Bay at Arizona.

Could turn out to be a rather meaningless game for both teams, depending on what Minnesota does.

Mike McCarthy could end up resting all, if not most of his starters if the Packers wind up playing on Saturday during the Wild Card round.

The Cardinals could end up resting starters as well, but look for their improved defense to pay dividends as Arizona prevails in a close game.

Kansas City at Denver.

Broncos are in serious trouble here, as they’ll be without star wide receiver Brandon Marshall on Sunday due to a recent spat with head coach Josh McDaniels.

Kansas City will make every effort to get Jamaal Charles to the 100-yard mark, as he needs 139 yards on Sunday to do it.

I look for the Chiefs to deliver the upset and knock Denver out of the playoff picture.

Baltimore at Oakland.

Ravens control their own playoff destiny, as they’re in with a win on Sunday.

Oakland will look to play spoiler, as they have already knocked off Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati & Denver this season.

Look for Baltimore to use a heavy dose of Ray Rice, Willis McGahee & Le’Ron McClain to smashmouth their way into the playoffs.

Washington at San Diego.

Even with Billy Volek behind center, i’d still take San Diego over a Washington team that’s shown little to no life on offense over the past couple of games.

Look for the Chargers to rip off their 11th consecutive victory on Sunday.

Tennessee at Seattle.

With Chris Johnson just 128  yards shy of becoming the 6th back in league history to rush for 2,000 yards, i’d look for Tennessee to give him every chance possible against a beleaguered Seattle defense.

Matt Hasselbeck’s lucky to still be starting after throwing 4 interceptions in each of his last two games. Seahawks fans should hope that he’s not that bad in their home finale.

Chris Johnson dashes for 2,000 as the Titans win.

Cincinnati at N.Y. Jets.

In their last ever regular-season home game at the Meadowlands, look for the Jets to come out with much-needed emotion after ending the Colts’ perfect season in Week 16.

It looks as if Thomas Jones & Shonn Greene will split carries against a tough Bengals run defense, but take note that Jamaal Charles got 100 yards on them just last week.

I think the Jets will edge out a close win to clinch the AFC’s final playoff spot.