NFL Week 17

Last Week 6 – 9 – 0
Season 114 – 116 – 9

Due to the nature of the NFL in it’s final week, I will not be making picks against the spread. Many teams will undoubtedly play their 2nd and even 3rd string personnel this week and there is no way for me to know who is playing or how long they will play. Here are some thought going into the final week of the NFL regular season.

 The Giants need to look out for #1 and not worry themselves with beating the Patriots. Fifteen other weeks this year, teams have failed in beating the Pats and there is no good reason I have heard yet to warrant the Giants going full boar in hopes of derailing New England’s perfect season. With an undefeated regular season, the Pats must still win what will be two tough AFC playoff games and then the Super Bowl, assuming they make it that far. The Giants owe nothing to nobody but themselves and their playoff health. The thought of losing for the playoffs an injury prone Jacobs, a key O-line starter or a top defensive player is enough to convince me that the Giants should go with their second unit for most of the game and get ready for an underrated Buccaneer team next week. Furthermore, who really thinks the Giants will beat the Patriots with a full lineup anyway.

 I would like to see the Jaguars play their first string for the first half in their game against Houston. I would sit Fred Taylor for the game because of his past muscle ailments. The Jaguars are in a grove, showing great offensive rhythm that they will need next week in the Wild Card round. Houston’s tough and fast defense will be a great warm-up for next week against their probable opponent, the Steelers.

 Of the three teams, Washington, Minnesota and N.O., vying for the final NFC playoff spot, N.O would be the most entertaining and I will be rooting for them to make it in after starting 0-4.

 Tony Dungy has a history of resting his starters when he knows his playoff fate. He also has learned that too much time away from game action can cause rust and lack of offensive rhythm. Do not be surprised if he keeps Manning and the 1st unit in for the first half with the exception of Addai sitting out the entire game. There is also motivation to keep a divisional opponent out of the playoffs, which will happen if Cleveland beats S.F. and the Titans lose to the Colts.

 I am rooting for the Titans to make it over the Browns based on this: Romeo Crennel looks scared when the game is tight. Staying home last weekend, I got to watch Cleveland lose to Cincinnati and every time the camera panned over to Crennel, he looked nervous, yet expressionless. I do not see this guy having his team prepared for a road playoff game. Tennessee’s Fischer is a proven winner, a leader who has made his teams better with his coaching and will have his team ready to go next week if they make it there.

 Herm Edwards is back at the Meadowlands. Big deal.

 This could be the last game for McNabb in Philadelphia and I hope it is. This man gets no respect for doing so much in his career with so little to work with. Name me another QB who has been better than McNabb at bringing out the best in mediocre WRs. It is not a coincidence the year management gave him a competent WR, the Eagles went to the Super Bowl. I can’t wait for Philly fans to clamor for a new QB for the next 5 years as their team disintegrates. Hopefully I am wrong and Kolb turns into a stud QB, but a talent like Mcnabb’s only comes around once in a while and Philly never game him the recognition he deserves.