NFL 2007 Forecast: Week 17

Playoffs. Pride. Perfection.

One of these or a combination of the three is the goal for each of the NFL teams this weekend as this 2007 NFL season hangs up its "CLOSED" sign.

There are a couple of teams that control their own destiny if they want to play in January as they must win in order to play next weekend. One team needs to win while someone else loses, and yet another needs to win and also have divine intervention.

The pride factor is going to be prevalent among several teams who are looking to next season while others will be going for team or individual records if it doesn't jeopardize their health going into the playoffs. The "Pride" games can also be seen as auditions for upper management to help them determine what course of action they need to take in the off-season to put themselves in a better position this time next year.

Forget Spygate. Forget Belichick's arrogance. You cannot discredit the magnificent machine that is the New England Patriots as they head to NY standing at the portal of pure greatness. To go undefeated in today's NFL is unthinkable. It's like someone not having a cell phone; it's possible, yet rare, and you just can't wrap your mind around it.

Regardless of what happens this week, one thing is very certain. If the 2007 NFL regular season is any indication of what we can expect in the 2008 playoffs, then you better create a "Do Not Disturb" sign for your front door, screen your calls, and be ready to dial 9-1-1 for physical assistance.

• New England Patriots (15-0) at NY Giants (10-5): NFL Network/NBC/CBS, 8:15pm EST, Saturday Night - Commissioner Goodell's passion for the game strikes again in deciding to let all of America watch NFL history by simulcasting the game on NBC and CBS. What an extraordinary year for the Patriots. EDDIE'S PICK - NEW ENGLAND
• Seattle Seahawks (10-5) at Atlanta Falcons (3-12): FOX, 1pm EST - A turbulent season is finally over. EDDIE'S PICK - SEATTLE
• New Orleans Saints (7-8) at Chicago Bears (6-9): FOX, 1pm EST - A win AND a Skins and Vikings loss will get the Saints into the playoffs, but I think their season will end where it did last year. EDDIE'S PICK - CHICAGO
• Detroit Lions (7-8) at Green Bay Packers (12-3): FOX, 1pm EST - Expect the Packers to give some starters some much-needed rest and the Lions to lose their 16th straight game in Lambeau. EDDIE'S PICK - GREEN BAY
• Carolina Panthers (6-9) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-6): FOX, 1pm EST - A date with the NY Giants next weekend will be the only thing on coach Gruden's mind as he rests his starters again. The Panthers will look to give rookie QB Matt Moore his first NFL win. EDDIE'S PICK - CAROLINA
• San Francisco 49ers (5-10) at Cleveland Browns (9-6): FOX, 1pm EST - It doesn't matter what happens at the Dawg Pound vs. the fragile Niners as the Browns' destiny lies in Indy where the Titans must lose for Cleveland to cap off this amazing year with a playoff berth. EDDIE'S PICK - CLEVELAND
• Cincinnati Bengals (6-9) at Miami Dolphins (1-14): CBS, 1pm EST - New VP of football operations, Bill Parcells, will be on hand to watch his new investment take on a Benglas team that has won one road game this year. Oh, why not ---- EDDIE'S PICK - MIAMI
• Jacksonville Jaguars (11-4) at Houston Texans (7-8): CBS, 1pm EST - It's tune-up and rest time for J-town as they prepare for their next road game vs. Pittsburgh or San Diego. EDDIE'S PICK - HOUSTON
• Buffalo Bills (7-8) at Philadelphia Eagles (7-8): CBS, 1pm EST - This is the ultimate Pride Bowl as each team strives to finish at .500. EDDIE'S PICK - PHILADELPHIA
• Pittsburgh Steelers (10-5) at Baltimore Ravens (4-11): CBS, 4:15pm EST - Don't expect the Steelers to play all their starters for the whole game, but I'm not sure it will matter against a horrible Ravens team trying to avoid their 10th straight loss. A win and San Diego loss gives the Steelers the #3 seed and a chance to avoid New England for an extra week. EDDIE'S PICK - PITTSBURGH
• San Diego Chargers (10-5) at Oakland Raiders (4-11): CBS, 4:15pm EST - Look for Pittsburgh to get a swing at New England first. EDDIE'S PICK - SAN DIEGO
• Kansas City Chiefs (4-11) at NY Jets (3-12): CBS, 4:15pm EST - Coach Herm Edwards returns to his old stomping grounds for the first time, and should experience the same ole' routine. EDDIE'S PICK - NY JETS
• Dallas Cowboys (13-2) at Washington Redskins (8-7): FOX, 4:15pm EST - A win would give Dallas its franchise-record 14th victory for this season, but a win by the Skins gives them an improbable playoff berth. A vehement crowd and the spirit of Taylor should be enough to give this laborious season a Hollywood ending. EDDIE'S PICK - WASHINGTON
• St. Louis Rams (3-12) at Arizona Cardinals (7-8): FOX, 4:15pm EST - Win or lose, the city of St. Louis will breathe a large sigh of relief when the gun sounds ending their migraine season. EDDIE'S PICK - ARIZONA
• Minnesota Vikings (8-7) at Denver Broncos (6-9): FOX, 4:15pm EST - Minnesota's focus in some ways might depend on what Washington does, but in other ways, it simply comes down to this being one lame Broncos team. EDDIE'S PICK - MINNESOTA
• Tennessee Titans (9-6) at Indianapolis Colts (13-2): NBC, 8:15pm EST - Every square inch of pressure is on Tennessee as they come into the RCA Dome to face an Indy team that will mostly play their second team. If the Titans win, they're in. A loss hands the playoff slot to Cleveland. EDDIE'S PICK - INDIANAPOLIS

STANDINGS

Cris Collinsworth: 11-5, 164-76

Bob Costas: 10-6, 160-80

Cris Carter: 12-4, 158-82

Dan Marino: 11-5, 158-82

Eddie Chinn: 10-6, 157-83

Chris Mortensen: 10-6, 151-89

Sean Salisbury: 10-6, 150-90