TheAOSN.com picks through week 16: 142-83
The end of the regular season is upon us, and all 32 teams will take the field on Sunday with games of some significance at both ends of the spectrum: some of week 17’s matchups will decide playoff qualifying or seeding in both conferences, and draft positions will be affected as well.
TheAOSN.com’s official picks for week 17 are as follows:
Carolina has been surging, and traditionally plays well in December. Even though the Georgia Dome is a tough road venue, it is not one that Carolina will be unfamiliar in. Keep an eye on Greg Olsen in particular, as Atlanta gives up generous yardage to tight ends.
With the #4 seed wrapped up and no chance of improving their position, Indianapolis is locked in, and we may not see much of the likes of Andrew Luck or T.Y. Hilton. On the flip side, Tennessee is still in the running for the #1 overall pick, and a win does them no favors here.
This one is pretty straightforward for San Diego: win, and they’re in. Kansas City will need a win and some help, and may feel less motivated to go all-out, depending on score updates from Baltimore, who has the easier matchup. Philip Rivers should easily outplay Chase Daniel here.
Two of the most embattled head coaches face off to close their respective seasons, and with both teams out of the running for anything of consequence, this could devolve into an NFC South throwback matchup if Michael Vick and Matt Moore end up facing off.
After struggling early, Teddy Bridgewater has improved steadily and will be eager to lay down a marker to give fans something to look forward to in 2015. In Matt Asiata, he has a backfield partner who will not blow anyone away with his speed, but is a dependable power back with a shot at finishing the season with double-digit rushing TDs.
This will be a pretty straightforward win for New England, to the point that we should see Jimmy Garoppolo by the third quarter, if not sooner.
With not much more to play for other than pride for both teams, look for New York to summon up a little something extra to give the home fans something to cheer about. Odell Beckham, Jr. has a favorable matchup here.
Improbably, New Orleans is still mathematically alive for a playoff spot, and if there is any chance at all of the Carolina/Atlanta game ending in a tie, Drew Brees will want to put the nightmarish inconsistency of the first 16 weeks of the season behind him and push his team forward.
Tony Romo has been playing with a chip on his shoulder all season long, and has gone a long way towards exorcising the demons of choke jobs past. With a home playoff game already guaranteed, Dallas’ hopes of a first-round bye are still alive with a win here.
Cleveland is reeling and will be starting their 3rd-string QB. Even though this should be a fairly easy one for Baltimore, Joe Flacco and co. will be scoreboard-watching to keep an eye on the score from Kansas City, as they will need a San Diego loss to advance.
Behind the superlative play of J.J. Watt this season, Houston could still end up in the playoffs should Cleveland and Kansas City both win as well. That a 2-win team from 2013 is this close to the playoffs is tribute enough for this team, but they will not be looking for any consolation prizes here.
Pity Oakland this week, who has to face Peyton Manning the week after a 4-INT performance.
Most of the NFL might have Detroit to thank for waking up the sleeping giant that was Green Bay, as Aaron Rodgers has led his team to 10 wins out of 12 ever since losing at Ford Field in week 3.
One of the most overlooked stories of the season has been how Arizona has performed, but the QB injuries have been crippling, and with Ryan Lindley looking as lost as he did last week against Seattle, it is hard to favor their chances against a physical San Francisco defense.
Seattle appears to be peaking at the right time, and this improving St. Louis team should be a good tune-up before a first-round bye.
Of all the matchups this final week of the regular season, this one probably carries the most implications. A.J. Green‘s status will have to be monitored closely, and even if he is unable to play, Jeremy Hill will be leaned on to spark the Cincinnati offense. On the other side, Le’Veon Bell could end up with a big night, as it will be a tough matchup for Antonio Brown and Martavis Bryant.