NFL week 17 open thread

The Pittsburgh Steelers kept their playoff hopes barely alive with a 23-20 win over the Baltimore Ravens last week, but they have to win in Miami today against the Dolphins and hope for some help to make it into the first round.  In order for the Steelers to keep playing this season, they have to hope that Houston and the Jets lose, or Houston and Baltimore loses, or that the Jets, Baltimore, and Denver lose.  First, though, they have to stop the Dolphins and their high-powered running game.  I’ll pick the Steelers to turn it around on the road, beating an inconsistent Miami team 27-20, but it won’t be easy for Pittsburgh.

Last week I went 3-3.  Who knew Indy would pull their starters with an undefeated record on the line?  Everyone has a loss now, and let’s see if I can’t pick them a little better this week and improve on my 58-32 record for the season:

• NY Giants at Minnesota – Minnesota has lost three of their last four games, but finally started putting together their offense in the second half of the loss to Chicago.  The Giants are out of the playoffs and not playing terribly well.  Minnesota can still get the second seed and a first-week bye with a win here and some help from the Cowboys.  Vikings win, 31-17.
• Baltimore at Oakland – Oakland has started to revive itself from the dead on the Left Coast, but I doubt they can put it together against Baltimore, even at home.  Today is one of the rare times when I’ll pull for the Raiders, but they’ll come up short against the Ravens in a low-scoring game, 17-13.
• New England at Houston – The Pats have started to gel again, and that’s bad news for the Texans.  27-17, New England.
• Cincinnati at NY Jets – The Bengals have had a tough couple of weeks with the death of one of their most popular teammates.  They need a jump start going into the playoffs, and Marvin Lewis will have them ready for the Jets.  Expect the Bengals to get back on the beam, 24-10.
• Kansas City at Denver – Denver’s playing for a wild-card spot, while Kansas City is playing to get to the end of the season.  This is a big rivalry, though, so don’t expect KC to just lay down for Denver.  Don’t expect them to win, either.  Broncos over the Chiefs, 21-14.