Well folks, after a long season, it all comes down to week 17. Milehigh and I are battling it out for the top picks champion. A late season surge by Milehigh (and collapse by yours truly) has Milehigh in the lead by 4 games. But there are plenty of games in contention this week. On the flip side, Guru Ganu and Mr. X (retiring after this season) are battling to get out of the cellar. We’ll be picking the playoffs as well but for now, let’s get the regular season sorted out.
Here we go with the Week 17 Picks. If you want to see how well the experts here at SC stack up against the competition, check out this excel file.
Week 17 Picks
| MATCHUP | Vegas Vinny | Mile High | Guru Ganu | Mr. X |
| Bengals-Eagles | Eagles | Bengals | Bengals | Eagles |
| Browns-Texans | Texans | Texans | Texans | Texans |
| Lions-Titans | Titans | Lions | Lions | Titans |
| Packers-Bears | Packers | Packers | Packers | Packers |
| Dolphins-Ravens | Ravens | Ravens | Ravens | Ravens |
| Vikings-Redskins | Redskins | Vikings | Vikings | Redskins |
| Saints-Panthers | Panthers | Panthers | Panthers | Panthers |
| Jets-Rams | Jets | Jets | Jets | Jets |
| Steelers-Bills | Bills | Bills | Bills | Bills |
| Niners-Patriots | Patriots | Patriots | Patriots | Patriots |
| Falcons-Seahawks | Seahawks | Seahawks | Seahawks | Seahawks |
| Bucs-Cards | Bucs | Bucs | Bucs | Cards |
| Colts-Broncos | Broncos | Broncos | Broncos | Broncos |
| Chiefs-Chargers | Chargers | Chiefs | Chargers | Chargers |
| Cowboys-Giants | Cowboys | Giants | Giants | Cowboys |
| Prev Week | 7-9 (.439) | 13-3 (.813) | 9-7 (.563) | 8-8 (.500) |
| LOCKS | 12-4 | 9-7 | 6-10 | 6-10 |
| Overall | 151-89 (.629) | 155-85 (.646) | 147-93 (.613) | 144-96 (.600) |
Locks of the Week
Mile High: Carolina just misses being the feel good story of the year for the 2nd year running (losing to San Diego). But John Fox has them revving on all cylinders. People are starting to forget Steve Smith, Stephen Davis, and DeShaun Foster. The Panthers are winners and there is no quit in this team. On the other side of the ball they play the exact opposite in the ‘Aints. How are they even still in it? Oh yeah, the NFC is weak (save the Eagles). Deuce McCallister has probably already got his angry scowl on his face that he usually has when he’s quit in the 2nd quarter. Take Carolina (-8) in this one and enjoy their incredible run at trying for another trip to the Super Bowl.
Guru Ganu: What a week. What are there two games that matter? I have been abysmal at locks this year, so I will try to set the tone for ’05 this week by taking Miami and the 11 points at Baltimore. 11 points seems like a lot to give to a team with no playoff hopes a terrible offense and a QB that dates Tara Reid.
Mr. X: Well – this one is interesting. I’ve done terrible all year and now I make my final regular season pick. Give me the Redskins to pull another shocking upset of the Minnesota Vikings and win outright. But for purposes of this game, call it covering 3.5 points for sure. Washington 27 Vikings 19.
Vegas Vinny: There is absolutely nothing to pick this week. I was leaning towards Seattle because Atlanta has nothing to play for but since that’s the late game, Seattle might have already won the division by the time they take the field – hardly a time to give 6 points.
So let’s take a look at what many are calling the “lynch pin” game to the playoff picture. The Rams are 3 point favorites. This is the same team that basically slept walked through their Monday night game against the Eagles with their playoff hopes in the balance. For the record, the Eagles were playing with people who were trying out for next year’s… NFL Europe team. Or perhaps the Niners, I can’t be sure. In any case, this Rams team is a joke. Take the Jets to win out right.
