Fraser's Favorites Week 17

San Francisco at St. Louis
A game that has relatively little impact on the playoff scene, barring a major upset by the Rams, suddenly has huge implications. If the Rams lose this game, which they will, and the Colts end up beating the Jaguars, the number one pick of next years draft falls into St. Louis’ hands. This was an incredibly disappointing season for the Rams. A team with playoff expectations as the season began is now in position to earn the one or two pick in the draft. The complete lack of an offense is solely to blame for the Rams woes. They score 11.1 points per game on average and have the leagues third worst passing attack. After getting shut out last week by the second best defense in the league in the Steelers, the Rams welcome the leagues best defense, the 49ers. Another shut out this week will end a truly pathetic season and all of St. Louis will become Indianapolis Colts fans.
San Francisco- 20
St. Louis- 0

Washington at Philadelphia
With a win this week against the Redskins, the Philadelphia Eagles could end the season on a four game win streak to improve their record to .500. While this team failed to meet exceedingly high expectations and the “superstars” of the team failed to mesh early this year, the Eagles could be scary in 2012. The momentum of a four game win streak will certainly carry over into the offseason and early next season. In order to attain that winning streak, the Eagles must defeat their NFC East rival Washington Redskins this week. In their last four games, the Redskins are giving up an average of 27 points per game, and have given up 30 points or more in three out of those four games. A rejuvenated Eagles offense will put up forty points on Washington this week illustrating what to expect of Philadelphia next year.
Washington- 24
Philadelphia- 42

Detroit at Green Bay
While the Lions are finally back into the playoffs, this game is extremely important for them. The difference between the 5 and 6 seed in the NFC is tremendous. That difference means playing either the NFC East champion or the New Orleans Saints in the SuperDome. Nobody wants to play the Saints in the playoffs. Meanwhile, the Packers have achieved all they could have thus far this season and have clinched home field advantage throughout the playoffs. With relatively nothing to play for, the Packers should rest their starters. As Aaron Rodgers sits, Matt Flynn will step in. Flynn will be auditioning for a starting role for another team for next season. At home, on a New Years Day where the forecast is snow, wind, and 32 degree weather, the Packers will gain the season sweep over the Lions.
Detroit- 17
Green Bay- 21

Tennessee at Houston
It is important to not only have talent going into the playoffs, but also momentum. Right now, the Houston Texans are going backwards. They have lost their last two games to two teams with sub .500 records. There are now questions again about the effectiveness of rookie quarterback T.J. Yates and the abilities of this Texans offense. However, the Texans did not come this far this season because of an explosive offense, but rather a superior defense. The absence of defensive coordinator Wade Phillips has clearly impacted this teams success over the last two games. His return should serve to motivate this team. A victory against the Titans could provide the momentum necessary for the Texans to succeed in the playoffs.
Tennessee- 13
Houston -23

Indianapolis at Jacksonville
There are several questions be answered as this game is played on: Do the Colts lose to get the number one pick in the draft or do they play hard like they have in their last two wins? Do the Jaguars lose on purpose to ensure Andrew Luck and the number one pick don’t fall into their own division? Will Jacksonville trade to get Andrew Luck because Blain Gabbert is that bad? No, of course the Jaguars won’t do that, but this game will determine the future of the Colts franchise. There is no way the Colts should play to win this game. Granted, professional athletes don’t like to (and hopefully don’t) lose on purpose to gain a draft pick, but this year its exceptionally important. The players should realize that the future of the frachise is more important than pride. The Colts should not, and will not, win this game for all of the right reasons.
Indianapolis- 14
Jacksonville- 17

N.Y. Jets at Miami
A season filled with ups and downs for the Jets (two game win streak, three game losing streak, three game winning streak, two game losing streak, three game win streak, and two game losing streak) will end with another down. The Jets will miss out on the playoffs and will finish their season with a loss to the Miami Dolphins. Finishing the season with an 8-8 record and missing out on the playoffs is not what head coach Rex Ryan expected coming into the season. Last week’s loss to the New York Giants was a microcosm of the Jets season. There were plenty of opportunities for the Jets to succeed, but a lack of consistency and a lack of execution doomed them. In a city that demands success, the Jets have to reconsider their roster for the future, specifically at quarterback.
NYJ- 18
Miami- 25

Chicago at Minnesota
After a fast start to the season, the Chicago Bears were victims of injuries to their starting quarterback and starting running back. The ineffectiveness of backup quarterback Caleb Hanie ultimately destined this team for failure. The Minnesota Vikings also suffered a significant injury as star running back Adrian Peterson tore his ACL last week against the Redskins. The Vikings still remained explosive on offense last week despite losing Peterson. The Bears struggles will continue as they travel to Minnesota in the final game of the season.
Chicago- 24
Minnesota- 31

Buffalo at New England
An interesting stat concerning the subtraction of Albert Haynesworth from the Patriots roster and the addition of him to the Bucs roster. When Haynesworth was with the Patriots, the team went 5-3. Since the team has released Haynesworth, the team is 7-0. As soon as the Patriots released him, the Buccaneers scooped him up from waivers. Since the Buccaneers have had Haynesworth they are now 0-7. Now we see why there were such problems with him last year on the Redskins…Nonetheless, the Patriots have their sights on home field advantage throughout the playoffs but first have to defeat the Buffalo Bills. Earlier in the season, the Bills completed a miraculous come from behind victory in an upset to defeat the Pats in Buffalo. Bill Belichick and Tom Brady don’t forget. That humiliating loss to the Bills will be avenged this week. Bradys “injured” shoulder will soon be forgotten as he too will break Dan Marino’s former record for passing yards in a season.
Buffalo- 23
New England- 42

Carolina at New Orleans
Sean Payton will be keeping a close eye on the scores from other games around the league. As soon as the 49ers jump out to a comfortable lead over the Rams, Chase Daniels could see a substantial amount of playing time. At that point, the Saints will have nothing to play for and will want to keep Drew Brees healthy. That gives Cam Newton and the Panthers the opportunity to defeat their division rival and show the Saints what to expect from them next season. Another top ten pick coupled with the defense getting healthy again could make the Panthers a serious playoff contender next year.
Carolina-35
New Orleans- 31

Tampa Bay at Atlanta
Despite the final score of the game against the Saints, Atlanta was not completely blown out in the game. The Falcons were down 12 points with about nine minutes left when Matt Ryan completed a pass to Julio Jones. Jones fumbled and a Saints defender picked up the ball racing into the endzone for a Saints touchdown. That defensive touchdown knocked the Falcons out of the game, and made what was a close game, seem like a blowout. This week the Falcons will play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers who are on a nine game losing streak. Atlanta needs to win this game and hope for a Lions loss to avoid traveling to New Orleans again to take on the Saints in the playoffs. An easy win this week against the lowly Bucs will leave their playoff seed’s fate in the hands of the Lions-Packers game.
Tampa Bay- 17
Atlanta- 35

Baltimore at Cincinnati
The Bengals were supposed to be one of the worst teams in the league. They had no answer at quarterback. Their head coach was on the hot seat. Their team was supposedly a mess. And now they are in position to win the final game of the season and make the playoffs. Andy Dalton has shocked the league and has been one of the best rookie quarterbacks the league has ever seen. They have competed in arguably the toughest division in the NFL. And they have one of the leagues better defenses. The Bengals will have to be at their best this week when they welcome the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens, who need this win to secure the AFC North division title, have been known for their hiccups on the road this season. In this matchup, a young, motivated Bengals team at home will get the necessary victory to vault them into the 6th seed in the playoffs.
Baltimore- 21
Cincinnati- 24

Pittsburgh at Cleveland
With the Baltimore Ravens traveling to Cincinnati, the Steelers have an opportunity to win the AFC North. Big Ben is reportedly considering playing on an injured ankle. Big Ben doesn’t have to play in this game. Coming off of a shutout against the Rams, the Steelers defense is playing fast and motivated again. The Steelers will hold the Browns to under ten points in what will be a division clinching victory for Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh- 27
Cleveland-9

Seattle at Arizona
The Arizona Cardinals are an Early Doucet false step away from completing yet another come from behind victory. Six out of the seven Cardinals victories have been fourth quarter comebacks. A fourth quarter comeback is impossible when Marshawn Lynch is the opposing running back. As the Seahawks gain a lead in a hard fought game, Lynch will allow the Seahawks to win the time of possession and eliminate any Cardinals hopes of a comeback.
Seattle- 23
Arizona- 20

Kansas City at Denver
Kyle Orton had no chance of surviving Denver. From the time that Tim Tebow was drafted by the Broncos, all of Denver wanted Orton out and Tebow in. Orton had to hear about it everywhere he went. There were billboards begging John Fox to put Tebow in. At every game, fans would chant for Tebow. Now, Kyle Orton returns to Denver as the starting quarterback of the Kansas City Chiefs and has an opportunity to spoil the Broncos playoff hopes. Not only will the Chiefs signal caller be motivated, but so will the rest of the team playing for interim head coach Romeo Crennel. A motivated Chiefs defense will contain Tim Tebow placing the playoffs hopes of the Broncos in the hands of the Raiders. However, with a Raiders loss, the Broncos will back into the playoffs.
Kansas City- 24
Denver- 20

San Diego at Oakland
With the addition of Carson Palmer, the Raiders had expectations of playing deep into the playoffs. In week 17, they will need help to make it in. The Chargers have already been eliminated from the playoffs and have to be extremely disappointed with their play this season. The talent on this roster should make them an immediate contender in not only the AFC West, but for the conference championship as well. A failure to meet their potential means the blame falls on head coach Norv Turner. As the Chargers travel to Oakland, Turner will earn a win in his final game as head coach in San Diego.
San Diego- 33
Oakland- 28

Dallas at N.Y. Giants
The playoffs are starting early this year in the NFL. After 16 weeks, the only champion in the NFC East is the mediocrity of the teams that make up the division. The winner of the division, either the Dallas Cowboys or New York Giants, will take over as the number four seed in the playoffs and will play either the Falcons or the Lions. In the first game these two teams played, there were numerous defensive mistakes as receivers were left wide open for easy touchdowns. This game will be determined by the defense that can limit those big plays. The New York Giants will be the beneficiary of an injured Tony Romo, defeating the Dallas Cowboys, vaulting them into the playoffs as the NFC East champion.
Dallas- 27
New York Giants- 33