Week 16 was one that I would rather forget on the prognostication front. Let's wash that taste out of our mouths with a big weekend to cap things off for the season. I never have really high hopes for this last weekend because you can never be sure which teams have decided to mentally end their seasons a week early, and which playoff teams will put out an insincere effort.

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St. Louis at Atlanta - Atlanta has clinched a playoff spot already, but they are too new to the whole playoff thing to back off and take a weekend off. The Rams showed signs of life last week, but that was just a blip. They should be no match for a team that will have a frenzied home crowd behind them. Take the Falcons.

Jacksonville at Baltimore - This one shouldn't be tough. Baltimore controls their own destiny - beat Jacksonville and they go to the playoffs. They have a rookie QB, but there is more than enough veteran talent to fire this team up to beat a team that quit weeks ago. Take the Ravens.

New England at Buffalo - Another no-brainer. The Bills are pretty bad, and they have nothing to play for. The Patriots need to a win and some help. There will be no issues with motivation here - look what New England did against Arizona last week. Take the Patriots.

Kansas City at Cincinnati - This game should not be played. I hate both teams right now. I guess I'll take the Bengals - they are at home and they are coming off a win.

Detroit at Green Bay - There is only one thing that would make me back the Packers this week, and this is it. The Lions have a shot at immortality, and I'll be darned if I am going to stand in the way of that. Take the Packers.

Chicago at Houston - I've given up believing in the Texans. They are impossible to read, so I won't even try any more. Take the Bears.

Tennessee at Indianapolis - This game means absolutely nothing for either team. The Colts are notorious for mailing it in when it doesn't matter, so I expect a call from the team some time this week to see if I want to play QB for this game. I don't, but I appreciate the thought. Take the Titans.

N.Y. Giants at Minnesota - Minnesota has home town fans to please. The Giants have nothing to play for. Take the Vikings.

Carolina at New Orleans - The Saints looked very good last weekend, not that that means much when it comes against the Lions. Still, they will be looking to go out on a high note against a team that will just be looking to stay in one piece. Drew Brees has the single season passing record in his grasp if he has a huge game, so that could be a motivator, too. Take the Saints.

Miami at New York Jets - This was supposed to be a grudge match with everything on the line. Instead, it is a lame game between a team that has been as bad as any in the league the last three weeks and one that has a playoff spot on the line, is playing great football, and has shown that cold weather doesn't seem to bother them anymore. Take the Dolphins.

Dallas at Philadelphia - Both teams need a win to have a shot at a playoff spot. The Cowboys should be embarrassed by their performance last week. So should the Eagles, for that matter. In a battle between teams who seem determined to disappoint, I guess I will go with the less volatile team, and the one with the home feld advantage. Take the Eagles.

Cleveland at Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh has nothing to play for and will likely rest a banged up Ben Roethlisberger, but I don't see any way that Ken Dorsey or Bruce Gradkowski can do anything to be even remotely competitive with Pittsburgh. Even if the Steelers played their cheerleaders on defense. Take the Steelers.

Oakland at Tampa Bay - I am having a hard time having any faith in my Bucs after they have been disappointing three weeks in a row. I can't have faith in Oakland at any time, though. That makes the Bucs the pick.

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Seattle at Arizona - Seattle showed some surprising life last week. Arizona really didn't. Still, I have to believe that the Cardinals will try everything in their power to stop the bleeding and put up a good performance to get in the right mindset for a playoff berth that looks more and more like it could be a short-lived disaster. Take the Cardinals.

Denver at San Diego - Incredibly, this game is for a playoff berth. Even more incredibly, I think that means that San Diego will make the playoffs. The AFC West is a travesty. Take the Chargers.

Washington at San Francisco - The Niners are playing pretty solid football right now, and Mike Singletary is playing for a full-time gig. I think he's going to get it after a win here. He'll deserve it. Take the Niners.