NFL Pick 'Em, Week 17

[Figrin D'an]

Sunday, Early

NY Jets at St. Louis
San Francisco at New England
Cincinnati at Philadelphia
Minnesota at Washington
New Orleans at Carolina
Miami at Baltimore
Cleveland at Houston
Pittsburgh at Buffalo
Green Bay at Chicago
Detroit at Tennessee


Sunday, Late

Atlanta at Seattle
Tampa Bay at Arizona
Kansas City at San Diego
Indianapolis at Denver
Jacksonville at Oakland


Sunday Night

Dallas at NY Giants


Picks must be made by 1PM ET on Sunday

[Figrin D'an]

I thought I would put up information about the playoff scenarios as they stand headed into this coming weekend, either just for kicks or for anyone to use as they pick their games this week.


AFC Playoff Seeding

1. Pittsburgh (x)
2. New England (x)
3. Indianapolis (x)
4. San Diego (x)
5. New York Jets
6. Denver
--------------------------
Buffalo
Jacksonville
Baltimore

NFC Playoff Seeding

1. Philadelphia (x)
2. Atlanta (x)
3. Green Bay (x)
4. Seattle
5. Minnesota
6. Carolina
--------------------------
St. Louis
New Orleans

(x) = playoff seeding locked, will not change regardless of what happens in Week 17



AFC Scenarios

Jets - Control their own destiny. A win in St. Louis will put them into the playoffs as the #5 seed. If they lose, they must hope either Denver or Buffalo loses.

Broncos - Also controls their own destiny. A win at home against the Colts will put them in. If they lose, they only get in if Buffalo, Jacksonville and Baltimore all lose.

Bills - They must win at home against Pittsburgh, and hope that either the Jets or the Broncos lose to get in.

Ravens - Baltimore must beat Miami at home, and hope that Buffalo, Denver and Jacksonville all lose.

Jaguars - They must win at Oakland, and both the Bills and Broncos must lose.



NFC Scenarios

Seahawks - Seattle has already clinched, at worst, a wild card spot. If they beat Atlanta, they'll win the NFC West, and go in as the #4 seed. If they lose, their seeding will depend upon the outcome of the Jets/Rams game. If the Rams win, Seattle would be a wild-card team. If the Rams lose, Seattle would still win the NFC West.

Vikings - Controls their own destiny. A win at Washington puts them in. If they lose, they must hope that either Carolina or St. Louis lose.

Carolina - The Panthers must win, and get some help (a Vikings loss, a Rams loss, or a Seattle win). If Carolina loses to the Saints, they're out.

New Orleans - The Saints also must win, and get help (a Rams loss, or both Seattle and Minnesota wins). If they lose to the Panthers, they're out.

St. Louis - The Rams can still win the NFC West if they beat the Jets and Seattle loses to Atlanta. If Seattle wins, the Rams can get in as a wild card only if they win and the Vikings lose. If the Rams lose, they're out.

[Syren Wyssholt]

Sunday, Early

NY Jets (W) at St. Louis
San Francisco at New England (W)
Cincinnati at Philadelphia (W)
Minnesota (W) at Washington
New Orleans at Carolina (W)
Miami at Baltimore (W)
Cleveland at Houston (W)
Pittsburgh (W) at Buffalo
Green Bay (W) at Chicago
Detroit (W) at Tennessee


Sunday, Late

Atlanta (W) at Seattle
Tampa Bay at Arizona (W)
Kansas City at San Diego (W)
Indianapolis (W) at Denver
Jacksonville (W) at Oakland


Sunday Night

Dallas (W) at NY Giants

[Sarr Koon]

Sunday, Early

NY Jets (W) at St. Louis
San Francisco at New England (W)
Cincinnati at Philadelphia (W)
Minnesota (W) at Washington
New Orleans at Carolina (W)
Miami at Baltimore (W)
Cleveland at Houston (W)
Pittsburgh at Buffalo (W)
Green (W) Bay at Chicago
Detroit (W) at Tennessee


Sunday, Late

Atlanta at Seattle (W)
Tampa Bay at Arizona (W)
Kansas City at San Diego (W)
Indianapolis (W) at Denver
Jacksonville at Oakland (W)


Sunday Night

Dallas at NY Giants (W)

[Jedieb]

NY Jets
New England
Philadelphia
Minnesota
Carolina
Baltimore
Houston
Buffalo
Green Bay
Tennessee


Sunday, Late

Atlanta
Tampa Bay
San Diego
Indianapolis
Jacksonville

Sunday Night
NY Giants

[Jedieb]

Thanks for the playoff breakdown Fig. :cool

AFC
I think it'll be the Jets and the Bills. I think Buffalo will upset the Steelers. They're in Buffalo and Cowher will probably start resting starters at some point in the second half, maybe earlier. I expect the Bills will keep it close or take an early lead. Without Rothstillcantspellaburger and possibly Burres and a few other starters I think things are perfect for the Bills. It just doesn't make sense for Cowher to risk Burress, Staley, or other banged up players for a game that means next to nothing for the Steelers, but everything for the Bills. As for the Jets, they got embarrassed last week. But the Rams are the Rams. Martz will find a way to screw it up and have yet another player threaten his life. Putz. Sorry Ravens and Jags, but you had your chances. The Bills need the Broncos to lose and I expect they will. Indy is in the same situation that the Steelers are, but I expect Plummer to be the difference maker. Indy's D gives up yards, but they get turnovers and no one delivers those quite like Jake.

NFC
It makes me sick to see my Bucs flounder so badly, especially when the conference is in such bad shape. Anyway, the Vikings should be able to win and get in at Washington. I expect the Panthers to join them. They'll beat the Aints and the Rams should go down in flames to the Jets. So, here are my playoff picks:

AFC
1. Pittsburgh (x)
2. New England (x)
3. Indianapolis (x)
4. San Diego (x)
5. New York Jets
6. Buffalo

NFC
1. Philadelphia (x)
2. Atlanta (x)
3. Green Bay (x)
4. Seattle
5. Minnesota
6. Carolina

Hey, how about some extra points for picking the playoff teams? We need something to make this last week interesting!!

[jjwr]

Those pretty much mirror my thoughts as well. Vikings are almost a virtual lock with Portis & Arrington out for the Redskins.

I can't see the Bills losing, I know the Steelers don't want to go into the playoffs on a losing streak but as tough as the Bills are playing right now and on the road how they can risk too much?

Rams suck, sadly that means the Jets will make it.

Oddly enough if the Jets & Bills win early the Colts can then decide which team they want to play in the first round. If both teams win the Jets would be 5 and the Bills 6 which means the Colts would get the Bills which would not be a cakewalk. A much easier game for them would be the Bronco's who have a softer defense to exploit then the tough Bills. So they can watch the early games and if the Bills win they can sit back a lot of starters and let the Bronco's take the game against their 2nd string to make it easier on them.

[JMK]

Imagine 3 teams from the AFC east getting in? That's a tough division....

[jjwr]

That would be pretty amazing, with the new division system I didn't think you would see three teams from one division making it but it is definetly a possibility.

[Nathanial K'cansce]

Sorry about not getting my picks up last week, but the lack of internet at my brother's house put a damper on it.


Sunday, Early

NY Jets
New England
Philadelphia
Minnesota
Carolina
Baltimore
Houston
Buffalo *hopes*
Green Bay
Detroit


Sunday, Late

Seattle
Tampa Bay
San Diego
Indianapolis
Jacksonville


Sunday Night

NY Giants

[Jedieb]

I would not want to face the Bills in the first round. Hell, I'd throw the game if I were the Colts and I had to face them.

[Jedi Master Carr]

W NY Jets at St. Louis
San Francisco at New England W
Cincinnati at Philadelphia W
W Minnesota at Washington
W New Orleans at Carolina
Miami at Baltimore W
Cleveland at Houston W
Pittsburgh at Buffalo W
W Green Bay at Chicago
W Detroit at Tennessee


Sunday, Late

Atlanta at Seattle W
Tampa Bay at Arizona W
W Kansas City at San Diego
W Indianapolis at Denver
W Jacksonville at Oakland


Sunday Night

W Dallas at NY Giants

[Cyrel Annat]

Sunday, Early

NY Jets (W) at St. Louis
San Francisco at New England (W)
Cincinnati (W) at Philadelphia
Minnesota (W) at Washington
New Orleans at Carolina (W)
Miami at Baltimore (W)
Cleveland at Houston (W)
Pittsburgh at Buffalo (W)
Green Bay at Chicago (W)
Detroit at Tennessee (W)


Sunday, Late

Atlanta at Seattle (W)
Tampa Bay at Arizona (W)
Kansas City at San Diego (W)
Indianapolis (W) at Denver
Jacksonville (W) at Oakland


Sunday Night

Dallas (W) at NY Giants

[Figrin D'an]

Sunday, Early

NY Jets (W) at St. Louis
San Francisco at New England (W)
Cincinnati (W) at Philadelphia
Minnesota (W) at Washington
New Orleans at Carolina (W)
Miami at Baltimore (W)
Cleveland at Houston (W)
Pittsburgh at Buffalo (W)
Green Bay (W) at Chicago
Detroit at Tennessee (W)


Sunday, Late

Atlanta at Seattle (W)
Tampa Bay (W) at Arizona
Kansas City at San Diego (W)
Indianapolis at Denver (W)
Jacksonville (W) at Oakland


Sunday Night

Dallas at NY Giants (W)

[Yog]

Sunday, Early

NY Jets (W) at St. Louis - Jets are just better
San Francisco at New England (W) - hahahahaha
Cincinnati (W) at Philadelphia - Eagles taking it easy until playoffs begin
Minnesota (W) at Washington - Vikings gonna clinch it
New Orleans at Carolina (W) - Carolina is potentially the best team
Miami at Baltimore (W) - should be a nasty game
Cleveland at Houston (W) - impressive victory last week
Pittsburgh at Buffalo (W) - Bills are just big and mean like a steam engine train
Green Bay (W) at Chicago - Chicago will once again struggle finding the endzone
Detroit at Tennessee (W) - a toss up. Depends on Volek


Sunday, Late

Atlanta at Seattle (W) - Atlanta got nothing to play for
Tampa Bay at Arizona (W) - season ends with an offnote for Bucs, unfortunately
Kansas City at San Diego (W) - tough game, but Chargers got better defense
Indianapolis at Denver (W) - I fear Broncos will clinch it, although I hope Colts win
Jacksonville at Oakland (W) - upset special


Sunday Night

Dallas at NY Giants (W) - sooner or later, Eli got to lead his team to victory, and I feel this is the game

[jjwr]

Sunday, Early

NY Jets at St. Louis(W)
San Francisco at New England(W)
Cincinnati(W) at Philadelphia
Minnesota(W) at Washington
New Orleans at Carolina(W)
Miami at Baltimore (W)
Cleveland at Houston (W)
Pittsburgh at Buffalo (W)
Green Bay(W) at Chicago
Detroit(W) at Tennessee


Sunday, Late

Atlanta at Seattle(W)
Tampa Bay(W) at Arizona
Kansas City(W) at San Diego
Indianapolis(W) at Denver
Jacksonville at Oakland(W)

Sunday Night

Dallas at NY Giants(W)

[JMK]

Sunday, Early

NY Jets at St. Louis (w)
San Francisco at New England (w)
Cincinnati (w) at Philadelphia
Minnesota at Washington (w)
New Orleans at Carolina (w)
Miami at Baltimore (w)
Cleveland at Houston (w)
Pittsburgh at Buffalo (w)
Green Bay (w) at Chicago
Detroit at Tennessee (w)


Sunday, Late

Atlanta at Seattle (w)
Tampa Bay at Arizona (w)
Kansas City at San Diego (w)
Indianapolis at Denver (w)
Jacksonville (w) at Oakland


Sunday Night

Dallas at NY Giants

[JMK]

Gimme the Giants for Sunday night. I forgot to pick that game today.

[Yog]

What an exciting game in St Louis that was!

[JMK]

Great finish in New York tonight. Congrats to Eli and Tiki.

Does anyone else see Julius Jones becoming one of the, if not THE best running back in the league sooner rather than later? Dallas' offense was done all on the backs of Jones and Witten tonight.

[Yog]

So, here is how the playoff race concluded:

AFC
1. Steelers-*
2. Patriots-z
3. Colts-z
4. Chargers-z
5. Jets-x
6. Broncos-x

NFC
1. Eagles-*
2. Falcons-z
3. Packers-z
4. Seattle-x
5. Rams-x
6. Vikings-x

* -- clinched division and homefield advantage
z -- clinched division title
x -- clinched playoff berth


..and here is how the first round of the playoffs look like:

Wild-card matchups
AFC
New York Jets at San Diego Chargers, Saturday, 8 ET
Denver Broncos at Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, 1 ET
First-round byes: Pittsburgh Steelers, New England Patriots

NFC
Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers, Sunday, 4:30 ET
St. Louis Rams at Seattle Seahawks, Saturday, 4:30 ET
First-round byes: Philadelphia Eagles, Atlanta Falcons

Divisional Playoffs
Saturday, Jan. 15

AFC Divisional -- 4:30 ET, CBS

NFC Divisional -- 8 ET, FOX

Sunday, Jan. 16

NFC Divisional -- 1, FOX

AFC Divisional -- 4:30 ET, CBS

Conference Championships
Sunday, Jan. 23

NFC Championship -- 3 ET, FOX

AFC Championship -- 6:30 ET, CBS

Super Bowl XXXIX
Sunday, Feb. 6, 6 ET FOX

[Yog]

Originally posted by JMK
Does anyone else see Julius Jones becoming one of the, if not THE best running back in the league sooner rather than later? Dallas' offense was done all on the backs of Jones and Witten tonight.

I have been thinking that for a long time. Dallas would have been an absolute catastrophe in the end season had it not been for Julius. Suddenly, they had a running game, and it has made a lot of difference.

[Jedi Master Carr]

I think the NFC has gotten predictable. I don't think Minnesota can beat Green Bay at Green Bay and Seattle and St. Louis have horrible defenses and will be a sacrificial lamb for Philadelphia. Right now it looks like Philly will again make it to the NFC Championship game, only the Falcons and Packers have any chances of beating them. In the AFC I am not sure about upsets at all now. With Buffalo I thought they could knock a team off. Maybe the Jets if they get hot, I am not sure about the Chargers. The Broncos will be a quick out again.

[Figrin D'an]

Week 17 Results

Syren Wyssholt: 7-9
Sarr Koon: 7-9
Jedieb: 7-9
Nathanial K'cansce: 7-9
Jedi Master Carr: 7-9
Cyrel Annat: 8-8
Figrin D'an: 10-6
Yoghurt: 10-6
jjwr: 7-9
JMK: 13-3


Updated Season Totals

Yoghurt: 174-82
Cyrel Annat: 165-92
jjwr: 162-94
Figrin D'an: 161-96
Jedieb: 160-96
Nathanial K'cansce: 154-86
Syren Wyssholt: 154-102
Jedi Master Carr: 152-89
JMK: 149-94
Ryan Pode: 130-94
Darth McBain: 78-68
Lilaena De'Ville: 64-53
Sarr Koon: 63-45
Darth Sauron: 11-5
Reaperfett: 11-5
Lucian Belial: 11-3



Congrats to Yog, who is the regular season winner. We'll continue this coming weekend with the playoffs, which will be added into the season totals to determine an overall winner. Check the new thread for details.

[Yog]

Wooohoooo! :rollin

[Jedieb]

Congrats Yog! Yet another impresive run. Truly, the Dark Side is stronger. :evil

[JMK]

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=whitlock/050106

A really scathing article about the divas emerging in the NFL, and how the league is becoming more and more like the NBA with its cry baby stars. This is all thanks to Randy Moss (again). There's a few really poignant lines in there, it's worth the read.

[TieFighterPilot181st]

anybody here think that Denver has a chance of beating Indianapolis? I think the Eagles will make it to the NFC championship game but they will lose again because with T.O out they're not really different from the team that lost the championship game three times in a row. The AFC will likely win the superbowl as their teams are far better i.e. New England, Indianapolis, Pittsburg.

[JMK]

Denver has NO chance to win in Indy. Not going to happen unless Manning loses a limb.

[Jedi Master Carr]

Who knows anything is possible this day and age. Right now I say no unless Manning just plays terrible. About your comment JMK before about the stars, well I think it has always been that way in sports. Sports breeds that type of player probably going back to the old days. The NFL is in a lot better shape than the NBA. It has labor peace, and the games are more enjoyable. I say the NFL is in the best shape of the major pro sports.