Joe's Opening Drive: Week 17

Happy New Year everyone! The NFC is all about seeding this Sunday, with all of the players at the table. In the AFC, the two wildcard spots will be hotly contested with the Ravens and Jets owning the inside track. Let's not waste time, here's the Opening Drive of week 17 in the NFL! *sniffle* It goes by so fast!

(8-7) Pittsburgh Steelers at (7-8) Miami Dolphins

Well they need help, but the Steelers aren't eliminated from post-season play yet. However, every scenario that finds the Steelers defending their title requires at least two teams in front of them to fall plus an obvious Pittsburgh win. After a late rally against the Texans last week, the Dolphins will be focused on getting to 8-8 but will need Chad Henne to play near-perfect along with a large dose of Ricky Williams (who may not play). Even on the road without Troy Polamalu, I like Pittsburgh to win. Though any Steeler (lookin' at you LaMarr Woodley) or Steeler fan who thinks the Colts or Patriots are resting players because they don't want to see the Steelers in the playoffs is delirious. Maybe you shouldn't have lost five straight?

(10-5) New England Patriots at (8-7) Houston Texans

If the Texans are going to make their first ever playoffs, they need losses from two of the following three teams: the Jets, Ravens, or Broncos. Matt Schaub has taken great strides to become a top signal-caller this season and he'll be staring at a weak New England secondary today.  The real question is how long the Patriots will feel like playing. Tom Brady says he expects to play the entire game, but I'm not convinced. Perhaps a half, but anything beyond that would be foolish. Bill Belichick's Pats aren't playing for anything other than the 3 or 4 seed, so unless they prefer to play San Diego I don't envision more than a half for Brady, Welker and Moss. Houston should get the win unless Belichick has a second coach-fart this season. 

(8-7) Baltimore Ravens at (5-10) Oakland Raiders

If the Ravens win, they're in. That may be tougher than it sounds if the Raiders decide to try for one of their upset-specials. However, as Bruce Gradkowski is still out at QB, JaMarcus Russell will get the start. Russell can't be mediocre if the Raiders are going to play spoiler. Since I don't believe he can do that for four quarters, the Ravens should win.

(10-5) Green Bay Packers at (10-5) Arizona Cardinals

After the Saints, the NFC playoff picture gets awfully muddled. The only team that can't jump up to the two seed is the Packers. Thanks to two losses to the Vikings this season they're locked into one of the two wild card spots. Arizona could get the other first round bye with losses from the Eagles and Vikings, but their defense must pressure Aaron Rodgers to slow down the Packers' dynamic pass offense. Most NFC scenarios include these two squads meeting in the wild-card round, so there could be some vanilla in the play-calling mix from Green Bay. Cardinals may have more to play for, but I like the Packers.

(11-4) Philadelphia Eagles at (10-5) Dallas Cowboys

Easily the best game of the weekend, there's no drama missing from this match-up. Not only are the Cowboys and Eagles division rivals, but the division championship is on the line in their afternoon meeting. Beyond that, Philly lambasted Dallas at the end of last season, knocking them out of the playoff hunt. If Dallas wins they have a chance a the 2 seed, but they need a load of help. Philly has the inside track on that slot, needing only a win to take a week off. Don't miss this one. I'm mixed, but I'll take Dallas.

(3-12) Kansas City Chiefs at (8-7) Denver Broncos

Yep, this has all the makings of an ugly game. Neither offense is exactly explosive, but the real dynamite will be missing from the Denver sideline. Receiver Brandon Marshall and tight end Tony Scheffler will be benched for disciplinary reasons and won't be allowed near the field. Sophomore wide-out Eddie Royal is likely to miss today's dame as well, so Josh McDaniels will lean heavily on his running attack and the short passing game. Even at 3-12, I like the Chiefs to pull of the upset over their AFC West rival.

(10-5) Cincinnati Bengals at (8-7) New York Jets 

For the second straight week, Rex Ryan's Jets could be the beneficiaries of an opponent resting their starters. While I'm sure Bengals players would love to show what they can do against the league's top defense, there's a strong likelihood that these two teams will play again next week if the Jets win. Carson Palmer should not be out there for more than a half. If Mark Sanchez doesn't throw four interceptions against an underrated Bengal secondary, the Jets get this win.

Enjoy the last week of the NFL regular season everyone!