by Davis Mattek
In lieu of a NFL week 17 Start or Sit, it is much more appropriate to make general predictions as well as note general points of interest. If you are still playing fantasy football question, you are asking yourself hopeless questions like “Should I start Matt Ryan?” or “Is LaVonn Brazil a legit week 17 sleeper?” There simply is no point in pulling your hair out in an attempt to understand the horrible coach speak that all of the various playoff clinched teams are going to dole out all week. Playoff seeding and individual performance with an eye towards next year are much more important in week 17.
Pryor’s mobility and cannon arm could make him a star in the NFL.
The most interesting thing for fans who don’t have a playoff team to root for is going to be Terrelle Pryor’s first NFL start. The last several years, there has been a mobile quarterback revolution. Micheal Vick’s 2010 season forever revolutionized the way that fans and front offices think of the quarterback position. Cam Newton’s 2011 season changed minds even further and now with Robert Griffin III, Russel Wilson and Colin Kaepernick’s success, tremendously athletic quarterbacks are going to be part of the new NFL trend. Even Terrible Tim Tebow has won a playoff game and led an effective running offense. If Pryor shows any of the promise in a real NFL game that he did in the preseason when he was throwing bombs to Juron Criner and being mobile in the pocket, the Raiders might have the beginning of an effective read option offense with Darren McFadden. Given the success of the 49er’s, Redskins and the Seahawks in running the read option, the Raiders coaching staff needs to start paying attention. McFadden simply hasn’t performed in the zone blocking running game and Pryor could provide incentive to change. Pryor’s performance will be important to monitor.
Don’t expect Luck to be the one getting beaten up on Sunday.
The Indianapolis Colts are going to remind the Houston Texans who owns the AFC South. Since the Texans inception they are 4-17 against the Colts and have won two division titles, both coming in the last two years. This was Peyton Manning’s division, and Andrew Luck is about to make it his. With Chuck Pagano returning to the sideline for the first time after his bout with leukemia, there is not a chance that the Colts are not amped up for this game. They also realize that if they beat the Texans, it hurts their playoff seeding and general morale. The Texans have not been playing good football; even in their prior victory in week 15 against the Colts, the team looked sloppy and lacking the power running game and stellar defense that makes them a Superbowl contender. While 2 months ago, this prediction would have been totally outlandish, the Texans have played themselves down to a very beatable level. Final score: Colts 35, Texans 32.
C.J Spiller has already made the Jets look silly once. He is going to do it again.
C.J Spiller is going to ensure that whatever idiot replaces Chan Gailey knows that he is the lead back, not Fred Jackson. This week 17 Toiletbowl has a history of producing huge running games, as in 2010, rookie running back Joe McKnight torched the Bills for 32 carries for 158 yards and has really never been heard from again, other than the odd 3rd down defensive play or kickoff. Spiller however, is no such one year wonder. C.J Spiller is top 5 in terms of NFL running back talent with Arian Foster, Adrian Peterson, Jamaal Charles and Marshawn Lynch. Spiller is going to torch the Jets defense for 200 combo yards and multiple touchdowns, one through the air and one on the ground. Gailey’s replacement will not have a chance to bench Spiller, his performance this week simply won’t allow it.
For once, the media will praise Romo and not bury him.
The Dallas Cowboys are going to defeat Bob Griffin and the Washington Redskins. Now, as a Dallas homer, I actually want to pick against them. This is setting up perfect for the Tony Romo dagger to the heart interception in the 4th quarter, but Dallas has been playing tremendous football on the offensive side of the ball. Demarco Murray is helping the team set up play action passes, much to the delight of lead Cowboy’s fan and critic, Jonathan Bales. Dez Bryant is playing out of his mind and Washington’s depleted secondary doesn’t have much of a chance of containing him, Miles Austin or Jason Witten this time around. The Dallas defense is similarly banged up, but have the advantage of Demarcus Ware and Brandon Carr that Washington does not. The second time facing the read option offense and being more aware of RG3′s game is going to be an advantage for Dallas. Since the Jimmy Johnson era, this has been a game that the Cowboy’s have lost. No longer. Final score: Dallas 28, Washington 23.
In the battle of the anti-Superbowl, Kansas City is going to come out victorious. Thanks to the Texans choke job over the last month, both the Patriots and the Broncos have the ability to improve their seeding with a Texans loss. That means that the Broncos are playing their starters against the inept Chiefs, giving the Chiefs the #1 pick, which they will inevitably bungle.
Eric Dickerson’s rushing record is seriously in danger.
Both Calvin Johnson and Adrian Peterson are going to achieve 2,000 yard performances. The truly interesting feat will be if Peterson is able to rush for 208 yards and break Eric Dickerson’s rushing record. Minnesota will be in the playoffs with a victory over Green Bay, and given that much match up, will probably be trailing at some point. Unless a few special teams or defensive plays go their way early, strategy would dictate that Minnesota should throw that ball. That mathematical strategy doesn’t account for the fact that Adrian Peterson can run for a first down at will and Christian Ponder has regressed into David Carr. If Peterson wants to get to 208 yards, he also needs Minnesota to win the game. Peterson’s record is in the hands of Minnesota’s defense; personally, I hope they come through.
About Davis Mattek
20 Year old student of English at Kansas State University. Writer for Sports Wunderkind, The Fake Football and Hockey, and various other media outlets. Fan of the Cowboys, Thunder, Avalanche and Royals
