24 Hours 'Til Sunday — Andy Richardson

It's Week 17, and according to this website's own poll, 72 percent of you actually have leagues playing this week. I can't believe it, but I guess it's true. Didn't everybody else just win their dynasty league by six-tenths of a point thanks to Brent Celek's last-second reception Tuesday night? (Sorry, I can't stop talking about it.) OK, on to the games...

Panthers at Falcons: Huge game for NFC seeding, even though there's little chance of it being competitive. But I guess that's why they play the games. Steve Smith might not play for Carolina and certainly shouldn't play for you. The Falcons should come out beaks a squawking or whatever, anxious to put the Panthers away early and get their stars off the field.

Bengals at Ravens: No Chad Ochocinco or Jermaine Gresham, making Jerome Simpson and Andre Caldwell options (since the Bengals certainly won't have much success running the ball). Did I mention I actually picked up Simpson last week to use in my dynasty league where I won by six-tenths of a point? No, really! Anyway, the Ravens should play this one straight, but if the Steelers take a good-sized lead at Cleveland, the stars should come out.

Steelers at Browns: I do think the Browns will be competitive here, since it's their playoffs. But they're not going to be able to run the ball, and they don't have much of a passing game, and their defense isn't good enough to stop Pittsburgh on a regular basis. Still, might be an upset in the works, you never know. Shouldn't be high scoring, anyway.

Vikings at Lions: I've got mixed feelings about Favre being doubtful for this, his last game. In the first place, it's clear that that was some significant concussion he suffered the other game, and his body has broken down and it's past time to hang it up. In the second place, the Lions have a good pass rush and Minnesota's line is bad right now, so it's just as well we don't see him get yet another injury before retiring. And then on the other hand I was hoping to see him play one last game. Oh well, I'll find a good memory from the other 20 years worth of games. Joe Webb should start at QB/WR, Adrian Peterson should be fine and productive, and co-Dynasty league MVP Percy Harvin should be good; he almost had 2 TDs last week. Not sure why the Vikings aren't using him on kick returns these days. Sidney Rice probably won't play. Calvin Johnson has an ankle injury and is questionable. I'm guessing he'll be out there, but who knows.

Aside: A whole lot of big names aren't healthy enough to play in Week 17. Jones-Drew, Andre, Garrard, Sidney, on and on and on. And the league wants to extend the regular season by two games?

Raiders at Kansas City: Kansas City will play its starters, for a while, and Jamaal Charles wants the rushing title, but I'm still a little wary. If the team falls behind, will the starters stay in? I think Oakland will have more interest in winning this game, making them 6-0 in the division. Darren McFadden, however, is banged-up and may either be sidelined or at least lose more work than usual to Michael Bush, so check those inactives before using him.

Dolphins at Patriots: I have a hunch the Patriots rest starters by halftime this week. They used starters the past two meaningless Week 17s, but in 2005 they didn't, and that was also against an opponent with nothing at stake (this same opponent, actually). The last two years, the Titans and Texans were alive for the playoffs. Just saying. Miami will use its starters, but I don't have much interest in anyone but Bess and Marshall. No Anthony Fasano.

Bucs at Saints: Saints should use Chris Ivory as their main back, since he's now healthy and Pierre Thomas isn't. Marques Colston won't play. And I think the Saints will also get Brees off the field once it's clear the Falcons won't lose to Carolina. As for the Bucs, I'm not trading LeGarrette Blount in my dynasty league. He and Mike Williams should both be good here, with 1,000-yard seasons within easy reach.

Bills at Jets: Ryan Fitzpatrick is uncertain, and Brian Brohm can't play, so I'm not excited about any Bills here. Maybe Fred Jackson, who can reach 1,000 yards, and C.J. Spiller, who needs something to build on. Jets should get starters out of the game early. Joe McKnight, he might be their best fantasy player in this game, seriously.

Chargers at Broncos: No Gates, but Malcom Floyd and VJax should be pretty good in a contract push. Philip Rivers too. Denver shouldn't have Champ Bailey, either. Ryan Mathews should have the best game of his young career with Mike Tolbert out and Denver being awful and stuff. I'm hoping San Diego's defense gives Tim Tebow some welcome to the NFL moments that he hasn't gotten against soft opposition the last two weeks.

Bears at Packers: Lovie Smith says he'll play to win, and although nobody believes him, he absolutely SHOULD. Because the Bears ought to want to keep the Packers out of the playoffs, since it would increase their own chances of doing anything in them. Clearly Green Bay in the playoffs would be a dangerous opponent. (Then again, so would be the Giants, based on their 20 sacks of Jay Cutler during the regular-season meeting.) Anyway, I think Chicago will use its starters, for a while, but not sure they'll keep them in there, so Cutler and Forte can't be used with much confidence. Green Bay's offense, of course, should be just fine. Weather may be a factor, however.

Jaguars at Texans: All hands on deck, except of course David Garrard, Maurice Jones-Drew and Andre Johnson. Arian Foster and Jacoby Jones should be very good, and Trent Edwards might be usable, that's how bad Houston's pass defense is.

Titans at Colts: Colts care, Titans don't. That's your preview right there.

Cowboys at Eagles: Stephen McGee versus Kevin Kolb. Dallas should have some good starters, Eagles should try killing the clock in the first quarter or so. I'd use Dallas' main receivers, but they might have three running backs involved. I guess, Jerome Harrison for Philly. Eldra Buckley perhaps too. Clock-killing.

Cardinals at 49ers: Could be some offense in this game. Larry Fitzgerald should be decent, John Skelton has some value against a demoralized Niners D. For San Francisco, I guess Vernon Davis and Michael Crabtree, but who knows if they'll stick with Alex Smith for an entire game this week. Brian Westbrook and Anthony Dixon against Arizona's disappointing tandem.

Giants at Washington: No Hakeem Nicks. The rest of New York's offense should be fine, aside from the distraction of watching the Bears lose to Green Bay. Washington, I'd use Cooley and Moss, and I suppose Ryan Torain without much enthusiasm.

Rams at Seahawks: Huge Rams fan this week. I don't care if a 7-9 team one day wins a division, but I want it to be a better 7-9 team than awful Seattle. I think there are 5-11 teams better than Seattle. Rams should roll here. I hope. Their offense, certainly, looks fantastic. For Seattle, they're hoping to have Matt Hasselbeck start, desperately, a tacit acknowledgment that their trade for Charlie Whitehurst was just as stupid as we said it was at the time.

Enjoy the games, and good luck with your Week 17 matchups. And if it's decided by less than a point, I hope you're on the winning end.

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