Week 17 Preview: Playoffs Start on Sunday

There are a lot of "meaningless" games this weekend. But there are 9 teams playing for the final 4 open playoff spots. And 2 games feature some of those teams going head-to-head. For those 9 teams, the playoffs start Sunday

New Orleans Saints at Carolina Panthers
This should be the game of the week. Both of these teams have been winning lately. That is an anomaly in the NFC. The Saints have won 3 straight and the Panthers have risen from the ashes of a 1-7 start. The winner is not guaranteed a playoff spot, but the loser is definitely out. The Panthers have won 4 of their 5 meetings, and get the Saints at home. The Panthers' defense and running game should stop the Saints and put Carolina in the Playoffs.

New York Jets at St Louis Rams
Please, God! Don't let the Rams in the playoffs! Anyone but the Rams!! The Rams have been schizophrenic all year, and now a player has threatened Martz. Martz re-discovered his running game last week, but that doesn't mean he'll use it this week. And you shouldn't put too much stock in the fact that the Rams beat the Eagles on MNF. The Eagles weren't just resting, they were sleep-walking. If St Louis loses, they are out of the playoff. If they win, they could win the division title.
Every Jets loss has come against a playoff caliber team. They just don't lose to inferior teams. Their defense needs to play well and Martin must get his carries for the Jets to win. This will be a very entertaining game, and the Jets should pull away at the end to sew up a playoff spot. Finally. The Jets are in with a win, but could be out of the playoffs with a loss.
This will be a good one to watch. The Jets should pull this out easily, but it will depend on which Rams team, and which Mike Martz, shows up.

Pittsburgh Steelers at Buffalo Bills
The Steelers will rest a lot of their players, so the Bills have a chance to pull off the victory. Most of the Bills' wins lately have been against losing teams, so this will be a good test for their offense. They have proved they can win, now they have to beat a playoff-caliber team to possibly earn a spot.
Even a depleted Steelers team can do some damage and Cowher will have the players fired up. I think the Steelers' defense will shut the Bills down and Pittsburgh will win a close one.

Minnesota Vikings at Washington Redskins
For the second year in a row the Vikings are choking hard at the end of the season. A lack of defense will do that to you. The reward is that coach Tice gets a contract extension. Go figure. If the Vikings lose and miss the playoffs, Tice loses all credibility and the Vikings can look ahead to one more year of mediocrity.
The Redskins are out of the hunt, but every player knows that Gibbs will be watching them closely. They are also playing with a lot of injuries.
The Vikings should be able to control the clock, and their defense should be able to stop the Portis-less Redskins. The Vikes will win a close one.

Atlanta Falcons at Seattle Seahawks
The Falcons will be resting several players and won't show the Seahawks too much since they might play again in a couple of weeks. But having a team lay down for them doesn't mean the Seahawks will win. The have shown that they can lose to any team, any time, anywhere.
In a battle of running games, take Seattle. Just don't bet any actual money on them.

Indianapolis Colts at Denver Broncos
Tony Dungy rested his Buccaneers team a few years ago in their final regular season game and they rewarded him by losing their first playoff game. Don't be surprised if the Colts come out with their starters in the first quarter and maybe even the second. Manning wants 50 and Edge would love another rushing TD. The Colts will be aggressive in the first half, but, if they're smart, they'll sit the studs for the last 2 or 3 quarters.
If the Broncos face the Colts' starters, it will be a good test for them. Either way, Denver should be able to overcome any deficit in the 2nd half and pull out the victory. The Broncos are in with a win, but would also still have a shot if they lost.
The best scenario for Denver would be to win this game and have the Jets lose. This would send Denver to San Diego instead of Indianapolis in playoff week 1. We all saw what happened when Denver played the Colts twice at the end of last season. Colts 41-10.