Week 17 NFL Predictions

New England at New York Giants
Line: Patriots by 13.5
Even though conventional wisdom suggests the Giants rest their starters, I can't help but think they'll be using this as a tuneup for playoff competition. The key is not to be so emotionally expended that they'll flame in round 1. The Pats' trek to an undefeated season has gotten a little rocky and the GMen will give them everything they have. Patriots 27, Giants 20

Buffalo at Philadelphia
Line: Eagles by 7.5
The Birds have nothing to gain by winning, just optimism going into next year. A strong finish means you'll probably see another year of McNabb. Philly just needs to get playmakers at receiver and they're a playoff team next year. Eagles 27, Bills 14

Carolina at Tampa Bay
Line: Panthers by 2.5
Tampa's got a nice little team, I just don't see them getting any further than the second round this year. Panthers 24, Buccaneers 20

Cincinnati at Miami
Line: Bengals by 2.5
They were so dangerously close to making history, but even if the Pats break their mark, at least the Fins didn't get skunked this year. That's cause for a little optimism, right? Bengals 24, Dolphins 10

Dallas at Washington
Line: Redskins by 9
I have to give major props to the Redskins. The fact they made the playoffs after Taylor's tragic death and Gibbs's ill-timed brainlock is a tribute to their character. Redskins 23, Cowboys 3

Detroit at Green Bay
Line: Packers by 5
The one concern the Packers should have going into the postseason are their last two losses against Dallas and Chicago. Favre displayed the wildness that has led to some recent Packer meltdowns in postseason play. Packers 27, Lions 17

Jacksonville at Houston
Line: Texans by 6.5
OK, so they didn't make the playoffs, but hey, the first .500 season in Texans' history is as good as a lock as the Jags tune up for their first round rematch with Pittsburgh. Texans 24, Jaguars 14

Chicago at New Orleans
Line: Saints by 1.5
Maybe this week the Bears try the Devin Hester experiment. We've seen them struggle enough with the forward pass, why not line him up under center? Who else did you have in mind? Urlacher? Saints 21, Bears 10

Pittsburgh at Baltimore
Line: Steelers by 3
Chuck Batch returns! Too bad he won't have most of the starters with him. Somehow I think Pitt's coasting through this one. They're screwed in the playoffs though without Parker. Ravens 10, Steelers 3

Seattle at Atlanta
Line: Falcons by 2.5
For Seattle to make their mark in the postseason, Alexander has to dig down deep and find his 2005 mojo again. Falcons 20, Seahawks 14

Cleveland at San Francisco
Line: Browns by 11.5
There's no nice way to put it, Cleveland blew their one chance to be more than a chronic failure. Next year, the schedule gets tougher and playoffs are no guarantee in the deep AFC. Browns 31, 49ers 10

Minnesota at Denver
Line: Vikings by 3
Another team that made a whole bunch of noise for nothing. At the end of the day, the same thing that everyone was worried about, erratic QB play, turned out to be the Vikes' achillies heel. Vikings 38, Broncos 21

San Diego at Oakland
Line: Chargers by 8
Is there any doubt that Sapp quit on the season when he got tossed last week? Oh, and thank God for parity. Oakland made a miraculous turnaround from 2-14 to...4-12. Chargers 28, Raiders 24

St. Louis at Arizona
Line: Cardinals by 6
Nothing, not even them being the Cardinals, can stand in the way of a .500 season. Not on Mr. Brenda Warner's watch! Cardinals 20, Rams 17

Kansas City at New York Jets
Line: Jets by 6
I know Herm took a lot of crap in NY, but lets be honest, the Jets would be better than 3-12 if he were coaching there. Mangini (and Weis for that matter) owe every dollar they've made to Belicheck. Jets 13, Chiefs 10

Tennessee at Indianapolis
Line: Titans by 6.5
Hey, gotta give the Titans credit. They hung in there when everyone thought they'd collapse and snatched away Cleveland's playoff spot in the last couple weeks. No way they lose when Jim Sorgi's playing a half and Marvin Harrison's only playing a series. Titans 24, Colts 10

Week 16 vs spread 8-8
Season vs spread 119-116-9
Week 16 straight up 10-6
Season straight up 149-75