NFL Week 17 Preview
It all comes down to this, the final week of the of the 2010-11 NFL season. Some teams will have the season wrapped up while others will still be fighting for a postseason bid or will have totally been eliminated all together. Here I take a look at Week 17 giving you some early insight that will help make your NFL wagers winners.
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SUN, JAN 2 TIME (ET)
Carolina at Atlanta 1:00 PM FOX – Atlanta will look to rebound after their loss to New Orleans in an effort to clinch the division. The Panthers can expect to see a healthy dose RB Michael Turner as the Flacons, barring a complete collapse are going to “run” away with this one
Pittsburgh at Cleveland 1:00 PM CBS – Well this rivalry has seen better days. This one will be significant to the Steelers, as they are challenging Baltimore for the division. Cleveland will be tough to beat at the Dawg Pound, but beatable.
Minnesota at Detroit 1:00 PM FOX– You would have thought Minnesota would have been resting their starters by this point, but they have failed to make the postseason. For the Lions, this game that could illustrate the improvement the club will have made over the season.
Chicago at Green Bay 1:00 PM FOX – For the Bears have already clinched the division, but for the Packers a win at Lambeau to finish the regular season will have playoff implications as they try to grab the NFC wildcard.
Tennessee at Indianapolis 1:00 PM CBS – Could this be the game where the Titans knock the Colts out of playoff contention? With Jacksonville in tow, Indy cannot afford to lose this one at home.
Oakland at Kansas City 1:00 PM CBS – Arrowhead is always a tough place to play and the January chill can make it even worse. The Chiefs have already clinched the division, so this one could be for home-field advantage.
Miami at New England 1:00 PM CBS – The Pats have clinched the division and the Fins are playing for pride. New England has the distinct advantage here, as Miami must travel north to play in Foxboro in January. However, the Fins did knock off the Patriots 22-21 at Gillette Stadium last December as the Wildcat dismantled the Pat’s defense. Maybe? Not. 
NY Giants at Washington 1:00 PM FOX –With a wild card still be up for grabs the Giants still have something to play for while the Skins can only hope to stay ahead to the basement Cowboys.
Cincinnati at Baltimore 1:00 PM CBS –This could have been one of the better games wrapping up the last week of regular season action, as it could of easily be a three-horse race between Cincy, Pittsburgh and Baltimore for the division crown. The Ravens defense will get a chance to show how good they are, shutting down the Bengals offense.
Jacksonville at Houston 1:00 PM CBS –This is a must win if Jacksonville wants to catch the Colts. They should be able to double dose Drew-Jones against the ailing Texans who are already out of contention.
Tampa Bay at New Orleans 1:00 PM FOX –If the Saints pull an Indianapolis Colts from 2009, the Bucs could snatch an upset to end their admirable season with 10 wins. New Orleans lost the reversal of this match up last year 20-17 in overtime at the Big Sombrero.
Buffalo at NY Jets 1:00 PM CBS –The Bills will not even be able to play spoiler in this one as the Pats have clinched the division and home-field advantage. New York will probably be resting their starters in this final game of the regular season; a win by the Buffalo will be meaningless. Unless you’re a Bills fan.
Dallas at Philadelphia 1:00 PM FOX – The Eagles already have a first place finish sewn up, but that won’t change the fact that the Cowboys will have to venture east to the freezing cold and hostile environment of Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles will still be playing to win, so Vick and Co. will not be beaten.
Arizona at San Francisco 4:15 PM FOX – The Cards and Niner’s will fight it out as the loser receives the NFC West’s ass-handers award. I expect a surging Westbrook to rip up the Arizona front seven.
St. Louis at Seattle 4:15 PM FOX –Leaving USC despite NCAA sanctions might appear to have been a bad decision by this point for Seattle coach Pete Carroll. The Rams have made mass improvements over the year with young gun Sam Bradford under center. And with a little dose of RB Stephen Jackson, should be able to end the season with a road win.
San Diego at Denver 4:15 PM CBS – The Broncos need to use this final game as a gauge to how bad they have become over the past several months and where their 2011-12 success will likely come from. A strong win at Mile High could bolster spirits and gain fan patience.
Matt Martz is a freelance writer located in Central California. Blessed is the gambler who expects nothing, for ye shall not be disappointed.
