rayonsports.com

For the second straight week, rayonsports.com was at the .500 mark in picking games, going 8-8. The season record is now 144 right and 95 wrong. The goal going into the final week of the regular season is to try to keep the “loss” column out of triple figures, but that’ll be difficult since the last week is always the hardest to predict, with losing teams either running for the bus or rising to the occasion, and winning teams resting players for the playoffs. Here are the week 17 choices:

Buffalo at New York Jets – my gut feeling is the Jets will be playing to not get anybody hurt, and the Bills want to get rid of the bad taste of their turnoverfest against New England last week. Buffalo wins in their first game at the new Meadowlands Stadium.

Carolina at Atlanta – there’s no way the Falcons blow the top seed in the conference against the lowly Panthers at home. They’ll be fired up after losing a game they could’ve won against the Saints last week and will win in a rout.

Cincinnati at Baltimore – to their credit, the Bengals, with their season down the tubes, gave a great effort in upsetting San Diego last week. They won’t do the same on the road in a hostile environment against a team with a lot to play for. The Ravens win this game.

Pittsburgh at Cleveland – the Browns have been giant killers and this game, with a chance to be spoilers against a bitter division rival, will be their Super Bowl. I believe the veteran Steelers will weather the storm and pull out a close win to wrap up the AFC North crown and a playoff bye.

Minnesota at Detroit – the Vikings were very impressive in upsetting Philly on Tuesday night. I say they will win this game also, and continue to build a case for interim coach Leslie Frazier to keep the job full time going into next season.

Oakland at Kansas City – the Chiefs have a lot to play for in this game. A win gives them the #3 seed, and they avoid having to play at New England if they survive the wild card round. The Raiders will put up a fight but I’ll go with KC at home.

Miami at New England – Pats have the top seed wrapped up, but Bill Belichick is the type of coach who will want to keep his team’s momentum high, and Tom Brady is the type of player who will fight being rested in any game. The Patriots win at home.

Tampa Bay at New Orleans – the young Bucs have had a great year, but they haven’t risen to the occasion in games against quality opponents, so I’ll take the Saints at home.

San Diego at Denver –  the Broncos are fighting hard for interim coach Eric Studesville, and the Chargers just don’t strike me as a team that will give it all they have in a meaningless game for coach Norv Turner. Denver wins at home.

Chicago at Green Bay – the Bears are a threat to go all the way to the Super Bowl, but Green Bay needs this game badly and will win at home to secure a playoff spot.

Jacksonville at Houston – the Jags can still get into the playoffs with a win, so they’ll be motivated, and the Texans have apparently already quit on the season, so Jacksonville seems like the choice. But the wild card is that Trent Edwards will most likely start at QB for injured David Garrard, so I’ll pick Houston to win.

Tennessee at Indianapolis – the Titans are another team whose season has fallen apart, and coach Jeff Fisher may have lost the locker room. The Colts need to win and Peyton Manning will make sure they do. Colts win at home to lock up the AFC South crown and a playoff spot.

Dallas at Philadelphia – neither team has anything to play for, and Michael Vick probably won’t play. Still, I like the Eagles to be more motivated and pull out a win, after being embarrassed by the Vikings on Tuesday.

Arizona at San Francisco – two of 2010’s most disappointing teams. The Cardinals are playing better at this point, and will win on the road.

New York Giants at Washington – Giants could still sneak into the playoffs, and I believe they’ll win this game and give themselves a chance.

St. Louis at Seattle – the Mediocrity Bowl, with the winner winning the NFC West title and a playoff spot. I’ll take the Rams to win a big road game, and win the crown with an 8-8 record.