And Here WE GO (Week 17 Shuffle Picks Contest)
While the world at large may care more about who makes the playoffs and the eventual seedings for the NFC and AFC then the Sports Shuffle picks contest between myself and Flyin Ryan, I present our choices going into a very unpredictable week 17, indeed on the whole calendar that is the regular season NFL, this is a “Day Like No Other.”
Miami (R) @ Buffalo (J) — not surprisingly, Ryan and I disagree on this because I think Buffalo will win and Ryan is (of course) pulling for his Dolphins. The news broke this morning that Matt Barkley will be receiving meaningful snaps, my guess is once Allen gets the 40 yards and breaks the record, the rest of the game will be on the bench. Not exactly what you want to hear if you are starting Allen in a week 17 championship. I basically am rooting for Barkley (to not be bad) and the Bills D.
New Orleans (Both) @ Carolina — Both in agreement here that even with Kamara and Murray unavailable because they were put on the COVID 19 reserve list, the Saints should be able to handle the Panthers.
Green Bay (Both) @ Chicago — Both of us agree that the Packers will not just let the Bears ease into the playoffs, they are going to have to earn their way in.
Baltimore (Both) @ Cincinnati — Neither of us can see the Bengals beating the Ravens, who need the win. I foresee another stomping a coming.
Pittsburgh (R) @ Cleveland (J)- Ryan has faith in the Steelers and thinks that the Browns are going to blow it, I think that the Browns time has finally come — I just don't have faith in the Steelers still shaky run game and no Big Ben.
Minnesota (Both) @ Detroit- The Vikings chance for the dance long since past, both of us feel that they are going to close the year out with a win because — it’s the Lions. I also feel that the Lions are going to have a hangover after that boat-race by the Bucs last week.
Chargers (J) @ Kansas City (R) While I feel that the Chargers have enough firepower to beat Chad Henne and the Chiefs second/third team, Ryan still thinks that even the Chiefs backups are good enough to get the job done.
Jets @ New England (Both) — We both feel like A) Belichick wants a win to end a very forgettable season and B) as Ryan put it “Jets are going to Jet”
Dallas (J) @ Giants (R) — While I don’t have faith in the Giants, Ryan has faith that the Cowboys are going to choke when they need to win the most.
Atlanta @ Tampa Bay (Both) Even with a thin defense, we feel like the Bucs get a W.
Las Vegas (R) @ Denver (J) — While I think the Raiders can’t right the sinking ship, Ryan has faith that Gruden can get the team motivated enough to close out the 2020 NFL season with a dub.
Tennessee (Both) @ Houston — tough to pick Houston in this case, Titans NEED that W today. Houston's D is woof bad.
Jacksonville @ Indianapolis (Both) Hard picking the Jags, yep.
Arizona (R) @ Rams (J) — While both teams have had big stumbles in recent weeks, Ryan thinks the Cards can give Fitzgerald a nice send off with a win into the Playoffs, I think that the Rams with John Wolford at the helm is enough to get the Rams past a hurting Cards offense (Both Murray and Hopkins)
Seattle (Both)@ San Francisco — hard seeing the 49ers get the dub with all the struggles they have had this year.
Washington (Both) @ Philadelphia The Eagles horrid year of suck finally comes to it’s inevitable lackluster conclusion. (Don’t let us down, Whatevers/Turds.)