I'm still torn on this game. No, not on whether I think the Cowboys can win or not, but because I don't know if I want them to. On one hand, Dallas can take the NFC East title, a home playoff game, and a possible bye week with a win. On the other hand, I think it'd be smart to keep the momentum going and that means playing on wildcard weekend. Also, if they win, it increases the chance they'll end up playing the Eagles again the next week (if they Eagles win they automatically get the #2 seed and a 1st round by) and there's not many things harder than beating a team 3 times in one season (See the 2007 Cowboys). Its a weird spot. I mean, you always want your team to win, but some times its just not the best thing for them.
Screw it, I want to win. And you know what?? I think the 'Boys will win. Yes, I know they've lost 9 straight season finales, but this team it different. Not the players, but the feel, and the attitude. I like it. Cowboys winners, Eagles losers.
2) Packers (10-5) @ Cardinals (10-5)
Much like the Eagles-Cowboys game, this game could also be replayed next week in wildcard weekend. The Packers really have nothing to gain by playing their starters in this game because the Vikings have already clinched the division and they cannot move any higher than the 5th seed anyway.
On the Cardinals side of things, they actually still have a shot at the #2 seed and the bye week with a win and losses by both the Cowboys and Vikings. Needless to say, their starters will mostly play this game.
Its hard to guess because you don't know how much or for how long the Packers' starters will be playing, but the Cards actually have something to gain, so I give them the edge. Cardinals winners, Packers losers.
3) Steelers (8-7) @ Dolphins (7-8)
This was shaping up to be a prime time Week 17 match-up... then the Dolphins lost to the Texans last week. Now the Dolphins basically have nothing to play for and the Steelers still have a pretty decent shot at the postseason seeing they own the tiebreaker over the Broncos.
Ricky Williams likely isn't gonna go and Pittsburgh simply has more on the line at the end of the day. Steelers winners, Dolphins winners.
4) Patriots (10-5) @ Texans (8-7)
This would've been a nice match-up had it took place 5 weeks ago, but this game is now meaningless. New England is basically playing for the right to be either the #3 or #4 seed, and the Texans really have nothing to play for. Bill Belichick said Tom Brady is gonna play, but he's still hurt so there's no way he plays the entire game.
If the Pats can jump out to a nice sized lead, I think they coast, but I don't think that'll happen. Besides, the Texans have a knack for finishing 8-8 so I'll count this in their win column. Texans winners, Patriots losers.
5) Bengals (10-5) @ Jets (8-7)
I still can't believe the NFL flexed this game into the Sunday night spot. The Bengals have NOTHING to play for, meaning the Jets will play against back-ups have at least one half of this game. I know the Cowboys just played on NBC last week, but a game for the NFC East title isn't more exciting than this game??
The only thing I can think of as to why the Bengals may player their starters for longer than planned is because they have a chip on their shoulders after not having one player selected to the Pro Bowl. I'll still take the team I know will play the whole game though, Jets winners, Bengals winner.
6) Giants (8-7) @ Vikings (11-4)
The Giants have left the building! I think they thought last week was Week 17 and ended up shutting it down a bit early. Now in now way do I like the Vikes at this point, but the Giants have already checked out. Vikings winners, Giants losers.
7) Ravens (8-7) @ Raiders (5-10)
If you're looking for a blow out, this might not be your game. Out of the 5 wins Oakland has on the season, 4 of them have come against teams with over .500 winning percentages. Bottom line: this will be no walk in the park for the Ravens. If they win they're in, and I say they'll win. Ravens winners, Raiders losers.
8) Chiefs (3-12) @ Broncos (8-7)
How long ago was that 6-0?? Man, talk about falling off. And who is exactly is going to be suiting up for Denver's receiving corps?? Brandon Marshall has been benched by the coach, so has Tony Scheffler. Eddie Royal is hurt. Stick a folk in the Broncos, they're done. Chiefs winners, Broncos losers.
(Side note: Be on the look out for a possible flop by Kansas City in order to keep their position in the draft.)
9) Saints (13-2) @ Panthers (7-8)
The Panthers are rolling and Drew Brees and most of the Saints starters aren't going to play. Panthers winners, Saints losers.
(Side note: If the Saints do indeed lose this game, they will be the first team in NFL history to win their first 13 games and lose their last 3. You can't expect much from N.O. in the playoffs now because all of their momentum is gone.)
10) Jaguars (7-8) @ Browns (4-11)
Neither of these clubs has anything to place for in 2009, but with Mike Holmgren now the President of the Browns, their players will be auditioning or next season. That Jerome Harrison has been a monster these pass couple week and he'll probably roll right over a lifeless Jaguars defense. Browns winners, Jaguars losers.
11) Falcons (8-7) @ Buccaneers (3-12)
This game could probably go either, but Atlanta is the better team so I'll take them. Falcons winners, Bucs losers.
12) Bears (6-9) @ Lions (2-13)
If Jay Cutler can duplicate his performance from Monday night against the Viking, the Bears should roll. I think he will and Chicago will end the season on a high note. Bears winners, Lions losers.
13) 49ers (7-8) @ Rams (1-14)
There is no reason for the Rams to win this game. As of right now, they have the #1 pick in the 2010 draft, but if they win, that pick then falls to the Lions. St. Louis wants that pick so they'll roll over. 49ers winners, Rams losers.
14) Redskins (4-11) @ Chargers (12-3)
Phil Rivers is going to play, but probably on a half or maybe even a quarter. The Chargers will punch the Redskins in the mouth early and they will quit as they did last week against the Cowboys. Chargers winners, Redskins losers.
15) Titans (7-8) @ Seahawks (5-10)
The Seahawks are awful and the Titans want to get Chris Johnson his much-deserved 2,000th rushing yard. Should be a blowout. Titans winners, Seahwaks losers.
16) Colts (14-1) @ Bills (5-10)
On a scale of 1 to 10 (1 being retarded, 10 being a short bus full of retarded kids driven by Gucci Mane), what the Colts did like week is at least a 25. You go up by 5 and you start pulling starters?? How freakin' dumb is that?? No, seriously, what sense does it make?? I understand resting a few banged up guys, but what are the chances Peyton Manning actually gets hurt?? The guy hasn't missed 1 game in his whole career and has only been sacked 10 times this season! Per pass attempt (553), Manning has a .01808% chance of being sacked, leaving him in for another 30 minutes (or at least until you had a sizable lead) isn't exactly high risk.
Jim Caldwell's decision to rest guys also brings up this crucial question: How much rest do these guys need?? Seriously, if they only played 1 half last week, what will they play this week?? One offensive series? One snap? Either way, it won't be much. So add last week's rest, plus this week's rest, plus next week's rest, and you know what that equals?? Too much rest! Not only did the Colts lose their mojo and mystique when they laid down for the Jets, but now they're going to be at risk of being out of rhythm after when they do come back after nearly a month off.
And besides all of that, by conceding the undefeated season, the Colts actually ended up putting even more pressure on themselves because now they HAVE to win the Super Bowl. I mean, not only is their fanbase pissed (Did you hear about how GM Bill Polian had to end his weekly radio show early because of the steady stream of anger callers??), but football fans in general are pissed as well, so if this decision does not lead to a ring, there will be hell to pay. They've positioned themselves in a way that says, "The only way we can win the Super Bowl, is by giving up on the undefeated season." That's not true, but now they're going to have to back up the message moronically they've sent out. (Oh, and lets get one thing straight, winning a Super Bowl ring is nowhere near as impressive as being undefeated and winning a Super Bowl ring. One teams wins the Super Bowl every year, only one team has ever went undefeated all the way through.)
You know what I'd like to do?? I'd like to have a candid conversation with players in the Colts locker room. No media, no recorders, no mics, or laptops, just some guys talking. I wonder how many of them feel good about this?? Not only was the opportunity stolen from them, but now they have to hear about it from family and friends for who knows how long. Its funny, what was supposed to help the team, will most likely end up being their downfall.
Bills winners, Colts losers.
(Side note: The Colts WILL lose in the playoffs to either the Chargers or Patriots, whoever they face first. Book it. Too much bad karma around the Colts right now.)
This Week: 15-1 (.938)
Overall Record: 167-88 (.655)
Last Week: 10-6 (.625)
