We salute you Steven Jackson and Maurice Jones-Drew.

 

(No, neither was on either of my Fantasy teams. It was Ray Rice and Adrian Foster that led me to my back-to-back championships in one league while Foster alone gave me a "Toilet Bowl" championship in the other league.)

 

Jackson -- playing for the 2-13 St. Louis Lambs -- has 1069 yards rushing and another 318 receiving. More than that, he is just the seventh player in league history to run for more than 1,000 in seven consecutive seasons.

 

And what does he say about being stuck with the Lambs? "It's a special group of guys to be part of."

 

Meanwhile, Jones-Drew -- imprisoned with the 4-11 Jacksonville Gags -- is going for the league rushing title with 1437 yards plus 370 receiving. He just doesn't stop.

 

 

Last week: Probably more pity than love for me after 9-7 straight up (153-87 for season) and an awful 5-11 against the spread (116-116-8 for season). But soon the pain will stop.

 

                    Game of the Year

 

Kansas City (6-9) at Denver (8-7) -- Broncos favored by 3 -- This is delicious. Yes, almost biblical in Kyle Orton returning to wreck vengeance even though Tim Tebow will probably pray for him before kickoff. Another factor that's being ignored is Chiefs really want to win for Interim Coach Romeo Crennel -- so his name gives this one a Shakespearean feel, too. Who's gonna win? I really, really have no idea. Let's pray.

    Jerry says: Tebow by 6.

 

Washington (5-10) at Philadelphia (7-8) -- Eagles favored by 8.5 -- Even if Eagles win, Andy Reid should lose his job. Heck, IF the Eagles win, Reid should really lose his job. No team comes close to the Eagles for squandering talent. They were a dream team that turned into a nightmare. Now that they are playing great when it doesn't matter is the worse condemnation of all.

    Jerry says: Eagles but just by a firing 7.

 

San Francisco (12-3) at St. Louis (2-13) -- Niners favored by 10.5 -- Lambs will be slaughtered because Niners need to win to guarantee No. 2 seed and a week off. But when Lambs Coach Steve Spagnuolo is fired Monday watch the other teams line up to offer him a defensive coordinator job -- starting with the Giants and Eagles.

    Jerry says: Niners by 18.

 

Carolina (6-9) at New Orleans (12-3) -- Saints favored by 8 -- Beware this game. As soon as Saints see that Niners will win and own No. 2 seed, look for Saints' stars to hit the bench.

    Jerry says: Saints but just by 3.

 

Detroit (10-5) at Green Bay (14-1) -- Lions (!) favored by 4 -- That point spread tells you all you need to know about Week 17. Lions have not won in Green Bay since 1991. Besides all the smart reasons for benching Pack QB Aaron Rodgers, another reason is that if he holds his passer rating of 122.5, it will be the best in league history and clinch his MVP title over Drew Brees. (And if Pack lose Sunday, it makes him even stronger as MVP.)

    Jerry says: Lions by 11, disgusted Cheeseheads leave by end of third quarter.

 

Tennessee (8-7) at Houston (10-5) -- Titans favored by 2 -- Here's the ugly truth about the Texans: Since QB Matt Schaub left in Week 10, they have not scored more than 20 points while going 3-2 against weak schedule. Granted they are the AFC's No. 3 seed regardless of the outcome but my guess is that they are desperate for some positive momentum going into playoffs.

    Jerry says: In a We-Need-Big-Mo Upset Special, Texans by 10.

 

Indianapolis (2-13) at Jacksonville (4-11) -- GanGreene Game of the Year -- Speaking of Big Mo, break up the Dolts. Back-to-back wins compared to Gags' back-to-back defeats. Dolts need to lose to lock up getting Andrew Luck in draft; Gags claim they want to win for exiting owner Wayne Weaver -- so it appears both teams want Gags to win. So what do you think I want to see? Heh heh.

    Jerry says: In a Just-For-Laughs Upset Special, Dolts by 2.

 

East Rutherford Jets (8-7) at Miami (5-10) -- Fish favored by 3 -- Strangest remark of the week came from Jets RB LaDainian Tomlinson (remember him? really big 3 years ago): "We deserve to play in the postseason." -- No, dude, you don't. Was all set to pick the Fish but then heard that Reggie Bush is out. That's not good.

    Jerry says: In a Where-Did-Our-Bush-Go Upset Special, undeserving Jets by 3.

 

Chicago (7-8) at Minnesota (3-12) -- Vikes favored by 1 -- Who could possibly care? Bears lost last 3, Vikes lost last 6. And Vikes have given up 40 points per game in that string.

    Jerry says: In a I-Don't-Care Upset Special, Bears by 1.

 

Buffalo (6-9) at New England (12-3) -- Patsies favored by 10.5 -- Patsies could still get No. 1 seed in AFC, so expect Tom Brady to play as long as needed. But Bills won't quit, so this might be close.

    Jerry says: Patsies but just by 7.

 

Pittsburgh (11-4) at Cleveland (4-11) -- Steelers favored by 7 -- Note: From here on the games are at 4:15 or 8:20, so knowing what happened in early games can influence who plays and for how long -- such as Ben Roethlisberger. But that doesn't matter here. Browns wracked up 27 against Dolts in Week 2 and have not scored more than 20 since.

    Jerry says: Steelers by 20.

 

Baltimore (11-4) at Cincinnati (9-6) -- Ravens favored by 2 -- Ravens DE Terrell Suggs says he won't be going to the Pro Bowl even though he was selected. Suggs: "I plan on being in practice with my teammates, getting ready for the Super Bowl." This could be a good game, especially if Ravens go easy on the Rice.

    Jerry says: Quote the Ravens, win by 4.

 

Tampa Bay (4-11) at Atlanta (9-6) -- Falcons favored by 10.5 -- Yucs' Ronde Barber hinting that he may retire if Coach Raheem Morris is fired. Be very careful with your threats, Ronde. And despite Falcons' lost in New Orleans, I'm thinking they are the Wild Card team nobody wants to play.

    Jerry says: Falcons by 15.

 

San Diego (7-8) at Oakland (8-7) -- Raiders favored by 3 -- Eagles clearly squandered most talent in NFC, but DisChargers get same claim in AFC. So my worry is that DisChargers close with a spoiler victory that saves jobs.

    Jerry says: In a Norv-Turner-Has-Nine-Lives Upset Special, DisChargers by 3.

 

Seattle (7-8) at Arizona (7-8) -- Cards favored by 3 -- The Mediocrity Bowl -- Winner says "We've got something to build on," and loser says "We were really close." Gag.

    Jerry says: Cards by 6.

 

Dallas (8-7) at East Rutherford Giants (8-7) -- Sunday night -- Giants favored by 3 -- The Slightly Better Than Mediocre Bowl -- I'm torn. I want Dallas to win because I know Marc Daniels loves the Giants. But I want the Giants to win for Coach Tom Coughlin, who is fighting a leg injury of his own. So am I vindictive because of Daniels' success in Beat Jerry or do I pull for Coughlin?

    Sweet-hearted Jerry says: Giants by 6.

 

If you haven't made your picks, do so now. And, of course, Happy New Year and thanks for playing.