Week 17: All or Nothing

All it takes is one win -- one measly victory sometime in the last couple of weeks and the Vikings, Broncos, Jets, Cowboys, Dolphins, Buccaneers, Eagles, and Patriots don't find themselves hoping against hope (and against some other teams) to make the playoffs -- but none of those teams could put up one more 'W' and now it's all or nothing.

Whatever the football gods have in store for us tomorrow it should be quite the treat. New England may finish 11-5 and miss out of the playoffs, Chad Pennington's homecoming to New York could have Jets fans everywhere making love to the whiskey bottle, and for the third time in six years Minnesota can be eliminated from playoff contention in week 17.

Whether your team dies trying or lives another day tomorrow will reveal quite possibly one of the most exciting regular season weeks in NFL history. Let us take a look into the glass ball and see what the future holds*...

*last week the glass ball was 10-6...not too shabby, but not playoff caliber.

The One O'clockers:

Atlanta @ St. Louis: Amazingly the high flying Falcons can steal the number 2 seed in the NFC if they beat the Rams, and Carolina falls to New Orleans. Look for Matt Ryan and the young 'Dirty Birds' to take this one, 24-10.

New England @ Buffalo: Could the Patriots finish 11-5 and not make the playoffs? Unfortunately for Bill Belichick's crew it looks like a very disheartening possibility -- but at least they'll do their part to finish the season on a high note -- Patrtiots leave no doubt they are playoff caliber with a 42-17 win.

Kansas City @ Cincinnati: The most intriguing headline in this lackluster game (5 total wins combined) is not what will happen on the field but the sideline, will Marvin Lewis and Herm Edwards return for an '09 campaign or will they be packing up and moving elsewhere? Cincy takes this one 20-10.

Chicago @ Houston: It would look like the Bears have the inside track to the NFC North crown -- but don't count out the Texans who have nothing left to play for other than pride -- Houston in the upset 27-21.

New York Giants @ Minnesota: The Vikings need this win to avoid another week 17 melt down, while the Giants have nothing left to play for. Minnesota is favored as the Giants starters may be looking ahead to their week off. Vikes 27-17.

Carolina @ New Orleans: Again the Saints have not lived up to par, while their division counterpart has surpassed everyone's expectations. The Panthers routed New Orleans 30-7 back in week 7, and with a first round bye on the line look for Jake Delhomme to have a big game. Panthers 35-24.

Cleveland @ Pittsburgh: The Steelers could not come up with any last minute heroics against Tennessee last week, but not to worry they shouldn't need to conger up tomorrow any against a dismal Browns team. Even with their backups expected to play, the Steel Curtain takes this one 17-9.

Tampa Bay @ Oakland: The Bucs suffered a possible season ending loss last week when they fell to the Chargers 41-24. Oakland showed signs of offensive life in a 27-16 win over the Texans. Tampa wins this one, but still falls short of the playoffs, Bucs 24-18.

Tennessee @ Indianapolis: Both teams have clinched the 1st and 5th seeds respectively so it will be interesting to see how much time the starters see -- we know Vince Young will play (for what it's worth) -- for what it's worth the Colts take this one 32-22 in what may be Tony Dungy's final regular season game.

Detroit @ Green Bay: The Lions are calling this "their Super Bowl," and cornerback Travis Fisher said if they win he'll WALK back to Detroit! The Packers are wonderful at collapsing in the fourth quarter and struggled with the Lions back in week 2. For nothing other than to give Lion fans some hope, the Motor City wins their Super Bowl 28-27.

The four fifteeners:

Jacksonville @ Baltimore: Yes the Dolphins are the turn around story of the year, but the Ravens have sure made their case. From 5-11 to possibly 11-5 and back to the playoffs. If Joe Flacco stays hot ( an 87.8 passer rating his last 10 games) nothing should stop Baltimore from doing damage in the postseason. Ravens 21-14.

Seattle @ Arizona: Ken Whisenhunt announced his starters will play Sunday, that's nice because they sure haven't been playing in the last couple of weeks. Cardinals drop this one to Seattle in Mike Holmgren's finale, 24-20.

Washington @ Seattle: Jim Zorn was the toast of our nation's capital just a few weeks ago, now he's the scape goat for a team that has fallen faster than stock in Ford Motor Company. Mike Singletary has had his team playing like they should've been all season long -- this one will be close -- but the Redskins finish on top 16-10, for what it's worth.

Miami @ New York Jets: What more can you ask for? Favre v. Pennington, division rivalry, everything on the line for a shot at the postseason. This game is going to be so good the NFL moved it to 4:15. Favre rebounds, throwing two touchdowns, the Wildcat formation puts up a couple of their own, and in the end the Jets take this one 20-17.

Dallas @ Philadelphia: The Dallas Soap Opera takes their show on the road to the most hostile environment in all of the NFL this Sunday. Both teams are coming off heartbreaking losses and whoever falls again this week could very well be out of all playoff contention. Dallas on top 38-31.

How the West Was Won...

Denver @ San Diego: The Broncos have had had their share of opportunities to put this division away, but inconsistent play has doomed them into a winner take all for the AFC West. On the other side of the ball the Chargers have not looked anything like the 'Super Bowl Bound' powerhouse everyone thought they were.

This is the most intriguing game of the week becuase it is the only matchup where there are no other scenarios to get into the playoff. Winner plays Indianapolis next week, the loser cleans out his locker. The Broncos may have been saved by an Ed Hochuli call in week 2, but they'll need more to get them out of this jam and avoid an epic collapse. San Diego at home 34-28.