It's been a heck of a ride this season, and there's been plenty of surprises along the way. It turns out I haven't been quite as good at predicting the results of games this season as I thought I would be, but I still did a pretty decent job - I've gotten 154 right to 86 wrong (11-5 last week), for a score of 64.2 %. Not bad for my first full season, doncha think?
And now, without further ado, my picks for the final week of the season:
Lions over Packers
- With the NFC's top seed locked up and no perfect season to play for, the injury-riddled Packers will probably take it easy this week. The Lions have already clinched their first playoff appearance in over a decade, but still need a win or a loss by the Falcons to take the fifth seed and avoid a trip to New Orleans or San Francisco in the first round.
- It's interesting how Houston, which is locked in as the AFC's third seed, could have somewhat of a role in determining which team they will face in first round of the playoffs. Tennessee needs a win for a playoff appearance to even be a possibility. The Texans, who blew a lead to the Colts on a last-minute touchdown last week for their second loss in a row, must decide whether they need to rest their players or try to build momentum heading into the playoffs.
- What kind of Gatorade have the Colts been drinking lately? Can you believe they've actually won two in a row? If I didn't know any better, and hadn't seen them lose their first thirteen games of the season, I'd say Indy was just as much of a playoff contender as anyone. Regardless, MJD and the Jags will give them a fresh taste of reality - and with it, the top draft pick - this week.
- Tough break for the 'Fins last week against New England, but at least they looked like they still had some fight in them. The same can't be said for the Jets, who have just looked pitiful the last few weeks.
- It's been a disappointing season for Chicago, but they'll end it on a good note against the Vikes, who will once again be without Adrian Peterson. Though I gotta say, Joe Webb might merit some consideration for a starting quarterback position with another team next season, if not in Minnesota.
- Where these two teams are at now is a far cry from what we saw the last time these two teams met. Though if the Bills play anything like they did against Denver last week, it could make for a very interesting playoff situation as far as the Pats are concerned.
- This one's pretty tough to call, since we don't know if the Saints will start Drew Brees at quarterback or rest him for a likely playoff game next week. If the Saints' 2009 season is any indication, I'd say Brees probably won't be playing on Sunday. On the other side, Cam Newton has given Panthers fans a lot to look forward to next season, having already broken Peyton Manning's rookie record for passing yardage. How about that... we might see a battle of two record holders... or not. We'll see...
- Typical Rex Grossman - shows some flashes of brilliance, then just goes right back to losing. The Eagles could've been contenders with the way they've been playing lately, but it's just too little too late for them.
- Niners clinch a first-round bye. Nothing to see here, people. Movin' on...
- Seven wins won't get you the NFC West this year. But this should still be an interesting game to watch, as both of these teams have been on a roll lately. I can't believe Seattle RB Marshawn Lynch didn't make the Pro Bowl with the season he's having.
- Like the Lions, Atlanta is also locked into a wild-card spot and is only playing for position. I don't think that will help Tampa any.
- A battle of two teams that are about evenly matched on both sides of the ball, with a lot at stake for both sides. Baltimore can clinch the AFC North with a win, while a Bengals victory would give them the last wild-card spot in the AFC. The Ravens have struggled in Cincy the last few years, but when there's been playoff implications involved, they've gotten down to business. Expect nothing different from them on Sunday, though the Bengals will no doubt make this a game worth watching - even if you're a Steelers fan just catching glimpses of it during commercial breaks.
- There's talk that Big Ben might be back under center for the Black and Gold on Sunday. I'm still not sure if that's a good idea, but if he can practice without too much trouble, I guess he can play, though they should give him time to heal while they still have it. There's no guarantee that Baltimore will give them the division and the first-round bye that comes with it. As far as the game goes, all the Steelers need to do is run the ball, and they'll be fine.
- Losing to the Patriots, I can understand. But losing to the Bills? Looks like the magic may have finally run out for Tim Tebow and the Broncos, and it'll take a lot more than prayer to beat the Chiefs' stingy defense.
- The Chargers are a hard team to figure out. You look at the way they dispatched Baltimore, and then you look at the way they got shredded by the Lions, and you're not sure what kind of team you're going to see this Sunday. Other than in rushing offense, San Diego has the advantage over Oakland both offensively and defensively, but then you look at the Raiders' success on special teams - an area that's still a trouble spot for the Chargers - and you change your mind. I think this one's going to be a matter of who wants it more, and from what I saw from both teams last week, I have to give this one to Oakland.
- Give Tony Romo credit for the job he's done this season, but there's only so much you can do with all those injuries - especially his bruised hand from last week. Eli Manning leads yet another fourth-quarter surge to give the G-Men the win and the NFC East crown.
AFC Wild Card: Bengals over Texans, Steelers over Raiders
NFC Wild Card: Saints over Falcons, Lions over Giants
AFC Divisional: Bengals over Patriots, Ravens over Steelers
NFC Divisional: Packers over Lions, 49ers over Saints
AFC Championship: Ravens over Bengals
NFC Championship: 49ers over Packers
Superbowl XLVI: Ravens over 49ers
Stay frosty, y'all, and have a happy and safe New Year! Remember, know your limits, wear your seat belt, and don't drink and drive!
*<B-)_@
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