Bodog NFL Week 17 Picks

And - in what the NFL might consider the perfect storm - the possibility remains that all of these teams could lose this weekend, putting a 7-9 team in the playoffs for the first time in league history.

Call it competitive balance or the reward of mediocrity. But in either instance, the product remains highly engaging - nearly two-thirds of the league is playing for something in the final week of the regular season. Even the sad-sack Pack, a team left for dead after its 1-4 start, is within striking distance of a postseason berth.

Packers vs. Bears is supposed to be a big deal, regardless of what (if anything) is on the line. Aside from the divisional rivalry and a healthy hatred that dates to the earliest days of the NFL, this latest installment of the Green Bay-Chicago feud holds special significance. In what may amount to the swan song for Brett Favre, the Packers have a shot at giving the ol' gunslinger one more shot at playoff glory, if they can win and:

1. NY Giants win
2. NY Giants lose or tie plus a St. Louis loss or tie
3. NY Giants lose or tie plus a Carolina win
4. NY Giants lose or tie plus an Atlanta win

It'll be a tall task for the Packers, who've already been embarrassed by the Bears earlier this season (a 26-0 loss at Lambeau). But with Chicago having already clinched a first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs, the Bears could be in cruise control with precious little to play for.

Can the Pack do the business? Or will Chicago write a sour ending for the book of Favre? The chapter will be closed Sunday evening, as the tale of 2006 comes to a halt.

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Compiled by Bodog Nation Contributing Writers

The Giants have been beat up by opponents (they’ve lost six of seven), injuries (Michael Strahan, Luke Petitgout and Chad Morton were all placed on IR on Tuesday) and the media (“It’s Tom for Coughlin to Go”: the never-can-resist-a-bad-pun New York Post). Yet, Big Blue makes the playoffs with a win and a bit of help. That’s the good life of the NFC. Of course, the “with a win” part is the challenge. The Redskins have been decent this month and aren’t going to lay down for a division foe. -AB

With miracles seemingly a regular occurrence for Tennessee, the Titans will be praying for one more on Sunday. Quarterback Vince Young and the Titans need to beat the Patriots, and then have Cincinnati, Jacksonville and Denver all lose. With the AFC East all tied up, New England may sit its starters in this contest. But with a defensive scheme that has confused the likes of Peyton Manning, don’t expect beating the Patriots to be an easy task for the Titans’ rookie quarterback. - CR

Finally! A Week 17 game without playoff implications. Despite the NFC West being all locked up, and quarterback Matt Hasselbeck still nursing various injuries, you shouldn't look for Seattle to sit many of its starters. The 'Hawks just aren’t playoff ready. Tampa Bay should be a solid tune-up for Seattle; the Bucs have three of their four wins at home. - CR

The Jets' AFC wild-card berth is served up on a silver-and-black platter - all they have to do is take it. It would make for a great upset if the Raiders were to pull off the win, but as of late their one strength - defense - hasn’t been any good. The Raiders have allowed an average of 22.2 points during their last five games, all losses. -CR

With New Orleans already having clinched the NFC South, Carolina will hope to see nothing but backups. The Panthers will also hope to see the return of Jake Delhomme, who – despite his shaky play this season – is a much better option than backup and current starter Chris Weinke. He is 2-16 as a starter. - CR

Like seemingly everyone outside of Arizona in the NFC, the Rams needs a “W” in order to give themselves a shot at a wild-card spot. The Rams will need their defense to step up despite the fact they’re facing an offense ranked 26th in the NFL. St. Louis has allowed 29.3 points in losses, only 18 in its victories. - CR

The Jaguars have lost two straight while the Chiefs beat up on the Raiders last week to snap a three-game skid. When you consider the slim point spread and the feeling the Jaguars have to be lethargic after their disappointing loss to New England, Kansas City at Arrowhead seems like a sharp play. Both teams like to run, so expect to see some big numbers for Larry Johnson and rookie star Maurice Jones-Drew. - AB

The Texans shocked the Colts last week, beating Indy for the first time in their history. Although the Texans are 0-2 straight up as a favorite this year, they’re facing a team that has some sobering resolutions to make come 2007. The Browns have lost three straight and will use the coming weeks to re-evaluate their coaching staff and roster. The outcome of this game is essentially meaningless to them. - AB

Since their Thanksgiving Day rout of Tampa Bay, the Cowboys are 2-2 (1-3 against the spread) and have allowed an average of 28.3 points. Their floundering defense ranks 22nd against the pass, a vulnerability that the lowly Lions could exploit to keep this game close. Jon Kitna has Detroit averaging 236.2 pass yards per game (sixth in the league). So the Cowboys’ Roy Williams (safety) should see more than he likes of the Lions’ Roy Williams (receiver) on Sunday. - AB

The Steelers wrecked the Bengals’ hopes in the first round of the playoffs last year. They look to do the same this weekend. A Pittsburgh win and Cincinnati is on the outside for the AFC playoffs. Despite their poor showing last week against Baltimore, the Steelers are still a late-season force. No Bengals fan should be making premature party plans for next weekend. - AB

It's been 26 long years since the Chargers have entered the playoffs as the No. 1 seed in the AFC - and that should provide all the motivation necessary for San Diego to clinch top billing this week against the Cards. One win is all it'll take, but it won't be a cakewalk against an Arizona team that has won four of six after a terrible 1-8 start. Some have said the late-season surge could save Dennis Green in the desert, while others figure this is his last game. Be sure to tune in to see how it goes. - MH

In what seems to be an annual occurrence in San Fran, the Niners are looking to build momentum for next year. They'll try and put a big notch in their belt this weekend in Denver, hoping to defeat a team with a winning record for the first time in 2006. Yes, you read it right - all six of the 49ers' victories have come against teams below .500. They'll be looking to play spoiler against a Broncos team seemingly destined to make the playoffs - only a mathematical miracle involving a loss at home and a litany of strange AFC results can keep them out. - MH

The hottest team in the NFC will look to score their sixth consecutive victory on Sunday, as the Eagles host the Falcons in the battle of the birds. While Philly is riding high, Atlanta is sinking low - owner Arthur Blank suggested that another 8-8 finish would be "unacceptable" while coach Jim Mora is busy removing his foot from his mouth. The Falcons need one of those crazy "we win and three other teams lose" scenarios to play out just for a wild-card berth - a tall order against a white-hot Eagles squad looking to clinch the NFC East. It looks like another long offseason is coming in Hotlanta. - MH

Although the Colts have closed out their fourth straight AFC South title and have posted an impressive 11-4 record, things couldn’t be shakier in Indy. Their run defense is still terrible, ranking dead last in the NFL, and continues to be exploited on a regular basis. They’ll be looking to fix it against RB Ronnie Brown and the Dolphins, but with the Houston Texans able to run all over the Colts last week with running back reject Ron Dayne, expect Indy to give Brown a career day on the ground. - CR

The Ravens want home-field advantage and this isn’t an easy way to get it. The Bills are 5-3 in their past eight and the three losses have been by a combined five points. It’s tough to say how long they will hang with Baltimore. The Ravens dismantled the hot Steelers last week and are geared up for a Super Bowl run, so a letdown shouldn’t be anticipated. - AB

PHOTO: Brett Favre's swan song? We'll find out this weekend. (AP Photo)

Note: All NFL lines subject to change.

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