It is the final week of football in the NFL, and more than half of the teams in the league have playoff expectations. We've seen some crazy finishes in Week 17 before, like when the Cleveland Browns had a lot of things go there way several years ago after they defeated the Atlanta Falcons in Week 17. And, the same case was true when the Packers made the playoffs a few years ago when the Minnesota Vikings lost on a last second touchdown catch in the corner of the end zone by the Arizona Cardinals' Nathan Poole.

Unfortunately for most of the contending teams in the NFC, their fate could be decided before they even play on Sunday. If the Giants defeat the Redskins on Saturday night, they will all but clinch the final playoff spot in the NFC, nearly rendering several of the Sunday games meaningless. I know that Giants fans don't want to hear this, but as a general football fan, I hope that their franchise's collapse continues against Washington. Meanwhile, several teams are still alive in the AFC for both wildcards. The Bengals really hurt their chances last week, and all they can hope for is a loss by the New York Jets. There are so many important games this week, but the Giants' game on Saturday is the one contingent on everything else. So, that will be our first game of the week...

FINAL CHAPTER OF A GIANT NIGHTMATE

New York Giants vs. Washington Redskins. The Giants have failed to capitalize on big games week after week after week. You can hear it on the sidelines, and you can see it on the field - this team has self-destructed. They still may have the most individual talent among the remaining wildcard contenders, but when you don't play as a team or have the respect of your head coach, you don't deserve to be in the playoffs. With that said, all it takes is one win for the Giants. If the Giants can put things together just long enough to squeak out one last victory in the regular season, anything can happen in the playoffs. I simply don't see it happening though.

At first, the Giants were collapsing in their games in the fourth quarter. Now, they simply can't even put anything together past the first quarter. You could see it last week again against the Saints - a wide open drop by Shockey, poor passes by Eli, and stupid 15-yard penalties at a record rate. The Giants won't be able to correct these issues in one week, because they've been happening all season long. Meanwhile, the Redskins are headed in the right direction despite a losing season. Unlike other clubs with losing records, guys like Jason Campbell, Ladell Betts, and several players on defense are making big plays to keep them competitive. It'd only be fitting if the Giants season ended on another tragedy - a Tiki Barber fumble for old times sake. Redskins 21, Giants 17

DICLAIMER: When I'm describing the remainder of my picks, I will be talking in a tense that is "contingent" on the assumption that the Giants will fall to the Redskins.

HOPING FOR THE MIRACLE

Green Bay Packers vs. Chicago Bears. Of the teams hoping that the Giants lose, the Packers have the best shot of taking advantage and capturing the wildcard. The only way they wouldn't make it with a win is if the Falcons lose, Panthers lose, and Rams win. In that case, the Rams would make the playoffs due to beating the Packers in a heart breaking game earlier this season. You have to believe that many people around the league believe the Packers can seriously make the playoffs, because NBC chose this game to be the final one of the season with hopes that it would have playoff implications. The Packers are facing the No. 1 seed in the NFC, but the Bears will probably bench most of their starters by half time.

If the Giants lose though, don't expect things to be a cakewalk for the Packers by any means. The Packers have struggled to defeat the "elite" teams this season, and it wasn't too long ago that they were blown out by the Patriots and the Jets. Also, when the Bears put in their backups on offense, it's not as if they are taking a big step down from their first unit. Many people want Brian Greise to be the team's starting quarterback already, while Cedric Benson was a first-round draft pick last season. The Bears defense has kept many teams in games the last several weeks though, such as the Rams, Buccaneers, and Lions. The Packers need Favre to hit on all cylinders, because another no touchdown performance won't get it done. Packers 20, Bears 17.

FAIRY TALE ENDING

New England Patriots vs. Tennessee Titans. The streak that the Titans have been on to close out the season has been simply incredible. They've already defeated teams like the Colts, Giants, and Bills during their streak, so why not one more fourth quarter comeback under Vince Young? Even with a win here though, the Titans would need a lot of help to make the playoffs. The Patriots won't be laying down for this game either, because they may want to sneak up to the third seed in the AFC if the Colts were to lose.

So, how have the Titans been winning? The thing that is so amazing about the Titans is that they can strike at any time during a game with any unit they put on the field. Heck, just last week, Young ran for a long touchdown right before the first half ended. When the play was over, there was only one second remaining on the game clock. The Patriots have seemingly redeemed themselves for about the third time this season after an overall convincing victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars. Based on what the Colts and the other wildcard contenders do, this game may not end up meaning a whole lot in the standings. On paper though, this looks like the most exciting match-up of the week. For the first time in awhile though, the Titans will fall. Patriots 24, Titans 16.

REST OF THE WEEK

Buffalo Bills vs. Baltimore Ravens. Some people may still question Dick Jauron's decision not to kick the field goal at the end of the Bills game last week, but regardless, the Bills have been one of the better teams in the AFC over the second half of the season. The Ravens' dominance during the second half of the season has been just a little more impressive though. It is absolutely ridiculous when you look at the team's sack differential in terms of allowing and recording over the past several games. The Ravens are still fighting for something too - a first-round bye. That is critical for the Ravens, who will have no reason to rest any of their starters in this one. The Bills may play the Ravens tough, but the Ravens will play the Bills tougher. Ravens 28, Bills 14.

Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Cincinnati Bengals. After being embarrassed by the Ravens twice this season, the Steelers hope that they can somewhat "redeem" themselves by officially eliminating the Bengals from playoff contention, just as they did last season. The Bengals have to hope for the Jets or the Broncos to lose their games if they want a shot at making the playoffs, but their mindset has to be focused on defeating the Steelers first. Carson Palmer missed open receivers down the field several times in Denver, and I expect him to correct that problem at home for the team's season finale. The Steelers hope to be motivated by this possibly being Bill Cowher's final game, but this simply is not their year. Bengals 28, Steelers 20.

Carolina Panthers vs. New Orleans Saints. The Saints have a full arsenal of weapons on their team, but this is another game in which the opposing team will have an advantage if the superior team decides to "pack it in". The Saints can do no better nor worse than the second seed, so there's no need to risk injury to someone like Drew Brees, especially with Julius Peppers coming off the edge all day long. The Panthers defense finally showed some spark in allowing just three points last week to the Falcons, and with the return of Jake Delhomme, they hope that Steve Smith and the offense can get back on track. Delhomme has really struggled in clutch situations this year, but with how this year has played out, Carolina could make the postseason after all. Panthers 17, Saints 7.

Cleveland Browns vs. Houston Texans. David Carr's future with the Texans is still unclear, but everyone in Houston had to be excited after defeating the Colts last week for the first time in history. The Texans ground game has gotten a lift in recent weeks with running back Ron Dayne, something they are bound to utilize against a worn down Browns team. Cleveland is so decimated with injuries that almost every starting position on their team is being occupied by a second- or third-string player. Ken Dorsey will get the start at quarterback for the Browns, and that doesn't spell a whole lot of excitement. If you're watching this game, you'd have to be a fan of either team, and nothing more. Texans 20, Browns 10.

Detroit Lions vs. Dallas Cowboys. Unlike other teams that have made the playoffs, the Cowboys have no reason whatsoever to pack it in. At the moment, they are suddenly back to being a wildcard game. Tony Romo and the Cowboys offense have struggled against some of the better teams in the NFC as of late, but they've had no problem coming out and dominating the lower competition. Unfortunately, a convincing win over the Lions won't matter unless the Eagles fall to the Falcons. Jon Kitna will offer a respectable effort early, but nothing much beyond that. Cowboys 40, Lions 14.

Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Kansas City Chiefs. Although both teams are still alive in the playoff race in the AFC, a win likely won't help either team unless they get a lot of help from other teams. The Jaguars nearly pulled off a comeback last week versus the Patriots, while the Chiefs were able to take care of business for once against the Oakland Raiders. Both teams still have their obvious faults, and a lot of their issues stem from the receiving position. The Chiefs have a run game that can grind out a game against almost anyone, and although they lost to Baltimore earlier this month, it's tough to win at Arrowhead if you're the opposition. Chiefs 17, Jaguars 9.

Oakland Raiders vs. New York Jets. Many teams in the AFC are hoping that the Jets lose to the lowly Raiders, while others are hoping they don't. The remaining AFC contenders need the Jets to lose if they want any chance of making it, but the "elite" teams in the AFC probably see the Jets as easy competition for the playoffs. The Raiders have so many flaws offensively that it is ridiculous, but their defense will not allow Chad Pennington and the Jets to come away with an easy one. The Jets won't win this game by offense - they'll need their defense to force the Raiders into their typical three to four turnovers a game. If their defense can't step it up, an upset just may occur. Jets 24, Raiders 14.

Seattle Seahawks vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Call me stubborn, but the Seahawks are still one of the most dangerous teams in the NFL in my opinion, contrary to what their record shows. The Seahawks nearly defeated the Chargers last week if it weren't for a late blown coverage touchdown given up to Vincent Jackson. Unfortunately, this is a tough game to pick. The Seahawks have nothing to gain by playing their starters, but Mike Holmgren stated that he wants to play his starters and allow them to gain confidence heading into the postseason. The Buccaneers have looked better under quarterback Tim Rattay, but overall, they still have too many weaknesses that Seattle should be able to exploit early in the game. Seahawks 28, Buccaneers 10.

St. Louis Rams vs. Minnesota Vikings. Based on my predictions, the Rams would already be ousted from the playoffs due to the Panthers win. However, you never know what'll happen. Based on what these two teams have done the past several weeks, their offenses could be on the furthest ends of the spectrum as possible. Marc Bulger and the Rams are on the right track after finally getting Steven Jackson involved in their gameplan properly. The Vikings only managed a pathetic three first downs last week, but their defense still almost won the game for them. With the Rams having their season on the line possibly, even they shouldn't get torched by Minnesota. Rams 20, Vikings 16.

Atlanta Falcons vs. Philadelphia Eagles. It's hard to believe that despite having a poor season offensively as a team, Michael Vick is having one of his best statistical seasons ever. One of the Falcons major problems has to lay in their running game, which has not been able to control the tempo of a game as they used to. The Eagles need a win if they want to play at home in the first round of the playoffs. Jeff Garcia is playing at the top of his game, and the Eagles defense is always blitzing at opportune times. That spells trouble for Vick, who is bound to be forced into mistakes on the road. Still, Vick should find some success offensively, similar to the way he did against the Cowboys a few weeks ago. Eagles 31, Falcons 24.

Miami Dolphins vs. Indianapolis Colts. The Ravens do not have a gimme game against the Bills this week, so the Colts will do everything in their power to try and win this game to capture a first-round bye. The Colts issues at defending the run were renewed last week when Texans running back Ron Dayne had a career day versus them, despite a solid offensive performance by Peyton Manning. The Dolphins will try to have the same success with Ronnie Brown, but honestly, if the Colts can't defeat a team with Cleo Lemon at quarterback, what chance do they stand in the playoffs? Colts 27, Dolphins 17.

Arizona Cardinals vs. San Diego Chargers. This could have been another game where you think "maybe the Cardinals will win when the Chargers rest their guys". That's not the case though, because the Chargers still need to lock up home-field advantage in the AFC. Sure, LaDainian Tomlinson probably won't play as often if the team gets an early lead, but there is no way they will allow themselves to let their guard down and be upset at home. The Cardinals will send out Kurt Warner, who is bound to take a beating behind his poor blocking offensive line. Chargers 34, Cardinals 17.

San Francisco 49ers vs. Denver Broncos. After the Jay Cutler project finally working out over the past two weeks, the Broncos can't assume that they are already "in" the playoffs. The 49ers have upset way too many teams this year - just ask the Seahawks. Don't automatically assume that the 49ers will lose their fire after being eliminated from the playoffs either. Mike Nolan has gotten his team to bring their "A" game this season, no matter who they are facing. Cutler has been impressive over the past few weeks though, and as much as I hate to say it, the switch from Jake Plummer may not have been a bad move when it's all said and done. Broncos 14, 49ers 13.

I lost my third straight survivor pick last week, mostly because I don't care about it anymore. Still, I'll take the Texans over the Browns, something that'll be a common pick this week for anyone who survived the first 16 weeks without a loss.

Predictions Record to Date: 148-92(If I don't reach 100 losses, I'll be happy.)
Last Week: 8-8(I better not have more than seven losses this week.)
Survivor Streak: Lost 3 (Phi over Hou, Bal over Oak, Was over Hou, Cle over Oak, NO over TB, Dal over Hou, Jac over Hou, Pit over Oak, Chi over Mia, Den over Oak, KC over Oak, Car over Was, SD over Buf, Sea over Ari, Min over NYJ, Atl over Car.)

It's the final week of the season, and if the Giants lose on Saturday night, it'll be an exciting Week 17 of football.

-Chris Pokorny