The Crystal Ball - Pool Picks - Week 17
In week sixteen, we turned in a reasonable 11 – 4 result, against the spread, the results were also rather good at 10 – 6. The season record is 166 – 74 straight up and 132 – 104 – 4 against the spread assuring an above average result there. (Line results are taken against the line available to me on Tuesday evening when I make my final choices.)
This is always a tough week to pick because it is hard to determine which teams are going to phone in the last game of the season. Right now there are a number of teams who might and one or two who already have so this will be more of a guessing game than usual.
I participate in a pick’em league and these choices reflect the picks for my league selections; for my league I can make changes until the first game kicks off and will (rarely) based on last minute injury information. These are for amusement value only; please do not confuse these choices with the picks this site makes for betting purposes. I do not gamble on football for what seems like obvious reasons.
Atlanta at Tampa Bay – Tampa Bay is not a team that will be quitting before the season is over but lack of talent is the issue. Atlanta will also play through the end, their injuries have been a problem but they seem to have the depth, Falcons win 24 – 14.
Indianapolis at Buffalo – The Bills may not quit but their ability to score points even against the players they are going to see on defense this week is questionable. Assuming Indianapolis plays their starters for the first half (there are some player milestones involved) it should be enough, Colts win 21 – 20.
New Orleans at Carolina – Carolina has been playing well but Steve Smith breaking his arm limits their offensive options too severely. New Orleans is not playing for anything and may choose to rest players but will be looking to go into the playoffs on a positive note, Saints win 24 – 20.
Chicago at Detroit – Detroit did not have a lot of talent when the season started and injuries have further restricted their options. Chicago took some injuries on Monday night and they are not a good team but they are good enough this week, Bears win 24 – 14.
Jacksonville at Cleveland – Cleveland may have discovered a running game but they still have a bad defense and no passing game to speak of. Jacksonville is technically in the playoff hunt and are likely looking for a win to avoid a losing season, Jaguars win 24 – 21.
New England at Houston – Houston is in theory still in the playoff race; while the offense is formidable, the defense is still inconsistent. New England is a team that never seems to let up though a win here really will not impact their playoff position, Patriots win 24 – 21.
Pittsburgh at Miami – The Dolphins are another team technically in the playoff hunt but need miracles at this point starting with a win here. Pittsburgh has been doing their part to get into the playoffs but need help, they must win here though to have any chance, Steelers win 28 – 17.
New York Giants at Minnesota – The Giants have been up and down all season with issues on both sides of the ball. Minnesota will be trying to win to assure a first round bye with a possible shot at home field advantage throughout, Vikings win 31 – 24.
San Francisco at St Louis – St Louis has a stranglehold on the first pack in the draft that they will not be putting at risk here particularly with Jackson ailing. San Francisco is playing for average, which is a step up from their recent history, Forty-niners win 24 – 10.
Green Bay at Arizona – Green Bay looks like they will be playing this game in consecutive weeks, which gives them no reason to expose their playbook. The same argument applies to Arizona in a game that will essentially be a scrimmage before the real event, Cardinals win 21 – 17.
Baltimore at Oakland – Oakland has been very dangerous at home to east coast teams but the offense depends on the running game, which does not match up well here. Baltimore simply needs to win to make the playoffs; they should manage that, Ravens win 24 – 14.
Philadelphia at Dallas – The Cowboys are playing well but the offensive line is not back to full health and Romo has issues with pressure. Philadelphia has big play potential on any play and an active defensive scheme that matches well here, Eagles win 28 – 24.
Kansas City at Denver – The Chiefs have an opportunity to knock a division rival out of the playoffs but that seems unlikely based on their talent level. Denver has to win and will need some help for the playoffs, a loss would reprise last season’s collapse, Broncos win 24 – 21.
Washington at San Diego – Washington has not played which much focus, their offensive line is makeshift and the offense lacks weapons. San Diego should win this game even though they rate to be resting starters early and often, Chargers win 20 – 10.
Tennessee at Seattle – Seattle has problems with their pass defense and the offensive line is bad but there has also been poor effort here. Tennessee has some problems in the defensive secondary as well but effort is not one of their issues, Titans win 24 – 10.
New York Jets at Cincinnati – The Bengals are unlikely to have anything to play for here a win is unlikely to help them much but a loss might and this could be their first round playoff opponent. For New York, it is win and in the playoffs, Jets win 21 – 17.