NFL Week 17, 2024: Sorry to all of the 4-day teams but Merry Christmas anyway.

I'm in Japan. So it's Christmas for me. I'm a day ahead. Merry Christmas to all.

Dec 24, 2024

Merry Christmas to all! Enjoy your family today.

NFL Quick Hitters:

Eagles - Well, you lost some ball players. You’ve been cruising along without too many injuries, piling up the wins, and you hit a stumbling block. Just like all NFL teams do throughout the seasons. The champions overcome. Jalen Hurts should be fine. Maybe he misses another game. Maybe you should hold him back another game regardless. You’ll need him. Hand the ball off to Saquon. Rest your guys. And get ready for the playoffs. That’s what a championship team would do.
Texans - Tough loss. And some bad injuries. Still got a shot at the playoffs. Pick yourself up and get going. And next year, draft some offensive linemen. You can’t win the big games without them.
Christmas games - we never had Christmas games when we were growing up. It’s ok if Christmas falls on a Saturday, or a Sunday. I’ll even give you Friday or a Thursdays. But c’mon, a Wednesday. That’s asking too much and putting player health at risk. Merry Christmas to you too.
Chiefs - Steelers need the win desperately. Ravens are coasting in with an easy schedule. If the Chiefs get it they lock in the #1 seed. They’ll rest their players the last week. It’ll be the extended break they need to rest up for the playoffs. If they get it? They will have a shot at a three-peat. If not, the odds are even longer and perhaps not possible.

NFL Games: Week 16

Last week’s totals: 12- 4: Should’ve been even higher. Shooting for a perfect weekend at least once before the playoffs. Season’s totals: 162 - 61

Survivor pick/Lock of the week: (current streak 13) Colts - Man, what a bad season for the Giants. They’re on the wrong side of a survivor pick in week 17. They just don’t have any talent. They’ve made bad personnel decisions. Coaching hasn’t kept the team together. And the fans are going to rip them. All adds up to another lost year - one of many to come as they rebuild - and perhaps a new coach, a new General Manager, and a new QB.

(Oh, and if you use these picks - or the fantasy lineup at the bottom - to gamble do so at your own risks. I’m a ‘gut feel’ type of picker. I don’t do a computer analysis.)

Week 17: Christmas Day Games

Chiefs vs. Steelers - Chiefs on the road on a non-existent week. Neither team probably had a full practice this week. Lots of walk-thru’s. If the Chiefs win - even though the Steelers need it more - they lock up the #1 seed. That’s big motivation. Chiefs win.

Ravens vs. Texans - Wow, tough spot for the Texans. They just lost some key players and an emotional game. Then they get the physical Ravens. No one cares in the NFL. Still gotta play. Still gotta be professional. Texans fight but… Ravens win.

Thursday Night Game:

Seahawks vs. Bears - Must win to salvage any slim playoff hopes. Bears are looking towards next year. Seahawks win.

Saturday Games:

Chargers vs. Patriots - Chargers romp. Patriots are working hard towards the future but don’t have enough dogs for this fight. Chargers win.

Broncos vs. Bengals - This is a tough, tough game. Bengals are still alive. Maybe one year soon they’ll start a season with a win. Bengals win but it’ll be close and tough. Bengals win.

Cardinals vs. Rams - Can’t predict anything about the Cardinals. That’s not good. Means they play when they want and exert little effort when they are in a funk. Rams are on a little run. Rams win.

Sunday Games:

Colts vs. Giants - Please go away Giants. Get your shit together. Better luck next year. The NFL would certainly like a NY team that is fun to watch. It’s not you Giants, not this year. Colts win.

Jets vs. Bills - Bills keep the pressure on the Chiefs. They’re a little more focused this week. They’ll handle the Jets. No prob. Bills win.

Titans vs. Jaguars - Ugh, game of the week. Two teams that continue to find a ways to lose. They’ll be plenty of mistakes in this game. Last mistake losses. Titans win.

Raiders vs. Saints - Well, Saints have quit. So, Raiders win.

Panthers vs. Bucs - Panthers are growing up a little. Not sure Bryce Young is the long term answer but you have to respect what he’s done since he was benched. But Bucs bounce back. Defense rules. Bucs win.

Cowboys vs. Eagles - Interesting game. Cowboys played loose and hard last week. And this is a rivalry and a divisional game. Doesn’t mean much to the Eagles from a playoff seating spot but they hate the Cowboys. Cowboys are playing for pride and perhaps to keep the coaching staff. This’ll be close. But the Eagles are at home. If Hurts doesn’t play it could be a problem. If the Eagles lose two in a row watch out. it could be a one and out in the playoffs then. Eagles win.

Dolphins vs. Browns - In Cleveland. It’ll be cold. Very cold. We’ll hear the whole Dolphins can’t win in the cold thing again. This week? The thermals work. Dolphins win.

Packers vs. Vikings - Game of the week. Strap it up. Packers are on a roll. Vikings just don’t seem to lose. Vikes are at home. Vikes win.

Philadelphia vs. Steelers - I’m going with the home team here. If it was in Pittsburgh, Steelers win. But warning; if Steelers win watch out for another Eagles collapse. Eagles win.

Falcons vs. Commanders - Big, big win last week for the Commanders. It locked up the ROY award for Daniels. He is the real deal. Commanders don’t look past the Falcons. Commanders win.

Monday Night Games

Lions vs. 49ers - This was suppose to be a game of the week and a clash between two physical teams. 49ers limp in with slim playoff hopes. Lions are still fighting for the #1 seed. Lions win.

My FanDuel lineup: No FanDuel in Japan. I’ll have to wait until I get back to get results and pick a new team. I don’t think it was a good week though. (Flop week, - $15: score 91.89, Derek Henry let me down.) Week 16: Allen, Robinson, Bigsby, Williams, Shakir, Thielen, Pitts, Addison, Buccaneers

Season score: +$90

Brain-Slap

Discussion about this post