The final week of the NFL season here and 13 of 16 games have meaning for at least one team involved. The NFL has done well with making this week entirely divisional games. Only three total playoff spot have yet to be clinched, but two of them are divisional titles and their are still a lot of seeding implications. Here are the picks for all 16 games this week:
Lions at Packers – The only thing really at stake is the Lions’ seed. Win, and they get either Dallas or new York in a more winnable game in round one. Lose, and they get either San Francisco or New Orleans, who both beat them during the season. Green Bay has nothing to play for and will likely rest starters. Pick: Lions
49ers at Rams – The 49ers clinch a first round playoff bye with a win, while the Rams get the No .1 overall pick with a loss and a Colts win. That makes this one easy. Pick: 49ers
Jets at Dolphins – The Jets need a win and some help to make the playoffs, but they have consistently been the most overrated team in the NFL this season. Even last week Rex Ryan was talking about winning Super Bowls. Newsflash: You have to make the playoffs to win a Super Bowl. Pick: Dolphins
Bears at Vikings – Neither team has anything to play for and its a pick ‘em. The least game of consequence of the 2011 NFL season. Pick: Bears
Bills at Patriots – The Patriots can clinch home field advantage and they have payback for a loss to Buffalo earlier that is due. Pick: Patriots
Panthers at Saints – The Saints still have a chance at a bye, but they need a win and a loss by San Francisco. Pick: Saints
Redskins at Eagles – The second game of absolutely no consequence. Pick: Eagles
Colts at Jaguars – The Colts would be absolutely stupid to try in this game, as a loss gets them the No. 1 overall pick. Pick: Jaguars
Titans at Texans – The Texans are pretty much locked into the No. 3 seed, but they need some momentum heading into the playoffs. Tennessee still has faint playoff hopes as long as Cincinnati loses. Pick: Titans
Buccaneers at Falcons – Tampa is finishing the year as possibly the worst team in the league. Pick: Falcons
Ravens at Bengals – Baltimore is a fraud on the road, which makes this game more important for them so they can play at home. Cincinnati is in the playoffs with a win. Pick: Bengals
Steelers at Browns – Pittsburgh needs a win and a Ravens loss to win the division, but it so banged up with injuries that this will be a challenge. The Browns will start Seneca Wallace, and that means they might actually have an offense. Pick: Browns
Chiefs at Broncos – It is the Kyle Orton revenge game! He can knock Denver out of the playoffs after the way they screwed him over. Pick: Broncos
Chargers at Raiders – Oakland can still get in the playoffs as long as they win and get some help. Pick: Raiders
Seahawks at Cardinals – Nothing rides on this game, so I am going with the home team. Pick: Cardinals
Cowboys at Giants – Someday the media will realize what everyone already knows: The Cowboys suck. Pick: Giants
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