NFL Week 17 Predictions, Playoff Teams and Writing Recap

Part of me wishes the NFL regular season was not ending today, while some part of me is ready to move on to the playoffs.

This Week’s Articles

Captain Comeback Week 16: Steelers’ Meltdown Complete – Cold, Hard Football Facts

Pittsburgh came up a drive short to beat the Bengals, who are headed to the playoffs for the second straight season after Ben Roethlisberger threw another late-game interception. At home, Roethlisberger was a perfect 40-0 when the Steelers allowed 17 points or less in his career. Elsewhere the Cowboys had another great comeback to force overtime, but the Saints came away with the win. Andrew Luck joined the list of 11 seasons in which a quarterback led 7 game-winning drives.

Pittsburgh Steelers’ 2012 Season in Review: Where Did It All Go Wrong? – Bleacher Report

An in-depth review of where it all went wrong for the 2012 Pittsburgh Steelers, starting with the offseason plan that failed, the lack of an offensive identity, and the identity fraud of a defense that can no longer get takeaways.

Following a Legend: Andrew Luck Week 16 at Kansas City Chiefs – Colts Authority

Andrew Luck led his 7th game-winning drive, the Colts overcame a record 352 rushing yards from the Chiefs in a win, and clinched a playoff spot at 10-5. Luck went 0/10 at one point in the second half, but as always, here is the play-by-play account of what really happened. Luck’s game-winning touchdown pass was his 4th this season, which is another rookie record.

The Thinking Man’s Guide: NFL Week 17 Predictions – Bleacher Report

This week we have the biggest game in Matt Schaub’s career, not the biggest game in Tony Romo’s, why Christian Ponder needs to be more of the MVP on Sunday if Minnesota wants to make the playoffs, and why a 2,000-yard season for Calvin Johnson would not be as impressive as it sounds.

It’s Do-Or-Die For Some in Week 17 – NBC Sports

A handy guide to what to watch for in Week 17, including playoff scenarios and NFL records on the line.

NFL’s New Overtime System Requires New Strategies for Coaches and Teams – Cold, Hard Football Facts

There have been 22 overtime games this season; the third most ever in one NFL season. With the new rules, combined with the kickoff rules increasing touchbacks, new strategies must be formed. Only 3/22 teams have taken the opening-drive kickoff for a touchdown, and it was always an 80-yard drive. A look at what might be the optimal strategy in the new OT, and it’s not the kind of gutsy decision-making you might have expected.

2012 NFL Week 17 Predictions

I always hate picking Week 17 games because of some teams treating it like preseason.

Winners in bold:

• Buccaneers at Falcons
• Jets at Bills
• Ravens at Bengals
• Bears at Lions
• Texans at Colts
• Panthers at Saints
• Eagles at Giants
• Browns at Steelers
• Jaguars at Titans
• Chiefs at Broncos
• Packers at Vikings
• Dolphins at Patriots
• Raiders at Chargers
• Rams at Seahawks
• Cardinals at 49ers
• Cowboys at Redskins

Season results:

• Week 1: 12-4
• Week 2: 11-5
• Week 3: 4-12
• Week 4: 10-5
• Week 5: 10-4
• Week 6: 5-9
• Week 7: 12-1
• Week 8: 10-4
• Week 9: 11-3
• Week 10: 9-4-1
• Week 11: 11-3
• Week 12: 10-6
• Week 13: 8-8
• Week 14: 11-5
• Week 15: 11-5
• Week 16: 12-4
• Season: 157-82-1 (.656)

With my final picks, here is the playoff field I’m predicting:

AFC

• 1. Houston
• 2. Denver
• 3. New England
• 4. Baltimore
• 5. Indianapolis
• 6. Cincinnati

NFC

• 1. Atlanta
• 2. Green Bay
• 3. San Francisco
• 4. Dallas
• 5. Seattle
• 6. Chicago