NFL week 17 picks

I started last week down 6 and after taking four games from Loren, I'm not only down two. Let's see if I can make up more going into the playoffs.

Tampa bay at New Orleans

Loren – New Orleans. As I said on our upcoming show, the Bucs haven’t beaten a good team this year. Things won’t change this week.

Derek – New Orleans. Tampa Bay might be the surprise team of the year but I don’t think they’re going to beat a Saints team whose playing well in the Superdome.

Jacksonville at Houston

Loren – Houston. Don’t see the Jags winning this one on the road without Garrard and probably missing MJD, too. Doesn’t matter since Indy (see below) will win and get in.

Derek – Jacksonville. Andrea Johnson isn’t going to play in this one and I think the Jags D will score and hold Houston down enough to get the big win.

Dallas at Philadelphia

Loren – Philadelphia. Both teams will be playing without their starting QBs (and the Cowboys will be on their third stringer), and the Eagles might sit McCoy. Doesn’t matter, I’ll take Andy Reid over Wade Phillips. Yeah, Cowboys fans, it’s okay to cry. I’d cry too if Wade was my coach.

Derek – Philadelphia. I’m not sure if Loren knows Phillips was fired weeks ago. Anyway The Eagles are at home and you can’t trust a third stringer.

Chicago at Green Bay

Loren – Green Bay. Yeah, Chicago’s starters might start, but it sounds like they won’t play the whole game. I’m taking Green Bay here. They control their path to the playoffs and I like the way Rodgers responded last week in the beat down at New York.

Derek – Green Bay. I think Chicago will be locked into the 2 seed when this game starts and they’ll rest some of their players. Couple that with a Packers team that needs to win and playing at home and you can see the Pack will take it.

Tennessee at Indianapolis

Loren – Indianapolis. I like Indy’s chances in a “win and in” scenario, especially facing an inconsistent team like the Titans. Manning will put the team on his back and deliver under pressure.

Derek – Indianapolis. Really, Manning isn’t going to let this team lose and miss out on the playoffs.

St. Louis at Seattle

Loren – St. Louis. Seattle is prepping Charlie Whitehurst at QB for Sunday. Meanwhile, Bradford attained the record last week for most completions by a rookie QB. The difference maker, though, might be Steven Jackson. He deserves to make the playoffs after being the lone bright spot on this team for several seasons.

Derek – Seattle. What? I know I can’t believe I’m picking them, Whitehurst is terrible but I think the Seahawks will play inspired and have the home field advantage.