Week 17 Patch Pick'Em

Welcome to the weekly Patch NFL Pick 'Em, where Fair Lawn residents and wannabe NFL prognosticators Stuart Pace, Steve Brown, Rich Seibel and Zak Koeske offer up their picks for three games each week and dish out a little fantasy football advice to boot.

If you'd like our opinion on fantasy roster moves, have a fantasy football question you'd like answered or would like to compete against us as a Guest Picker, email Patch NFL Pick 'Em at zak.koeske@patch.com

This week's Pick 'Em games:

• Baltimore Ravens (10-5) @ Cincinnati Bengals (9-6) -- Sunday, 1 p.m.
• Houston Texans (12-3) @ Indianapolis Colts (10-5) -- Sunday, 1 p.m.
• Green Bay Packers (11-4) @ Minnesota Vikings (9-6) -- Sunday, 4:25 p.m.
• Dallas Cowboys (8-7) @ Washington Redskins (9-6) -- Sunday, 8:20 p.m.

Click here and scroll to the bottom to see this week's Patch Survivor picks.

Stuart Pace’s Game Picks:

Baltimore, Indianapolis, Green Bay, Washington

Baltimore Ravens over Cincinnati Bengals -- Why? Because I can't pick these two teams for the life of me. Stupid Bengals. Confidence Level: 3

Indianapolis Colts over Houston Texans --A few weeks ago I said I would take the Colts if they were home to beat the Texans. So they are home and I am taking them. Houston perplexes me as well. Confidence Level: 1 (least confident)

Green Bay Packers over Minnesota Vikings -- Jumping off the Vikes this week as The Pack looks playoff ready. I wouldn't mind a Vikings win here, but my heart says Rodgers and their smoking O. Confidence Level: 4 (most confident)

Washington Redskins over Dallas Cowboys -- Cause they aren't America's team. Isn't that Notre Dame? The school that no one went to that everyone roots for. Washington is the surprise of the season for me and I expect them to make some noise in the playoffs. And I expect Jerky Jones to have a stroke watching his team fail again. Confidence Level: 2

Upset of the Week

Philadelphia Eagles over New York Giants -- Why not? They way the G-Men have played the last two weeks, I can't take them here. If I see Herm Edwards on the sideline, I am doubling down.

Sleeper of the Week

Lamar Miller, RB (MIA) -- OK, I was half right last week. He should hit 100 yards this week.

Bust of the Week

Sam Bradford, QB (STL) -- I can't see him doing much against a ravenous Seahawks D in a meaningless game for the Rams and divisional championship in reach for Seattle.

Steve Brown’s Picks:

Cincinnati, Houston, Minnesota, Washington

Cincinnati Bengals over Baltimore Ravens --Both coming off big wins. The Nati D has been especially impressive lately. The Ravens righted a sinking ship last week knocking the Giants way down the playoff hopefuls ladder.  My money goes on the Feline-themed team to eat up the Bird-themed team in the Jungle. Confidence Level: 1 (least confident)

Houston Texans over Indianapolis Colts -- Is Arian Foster fit to play?  That will be the deciding factor in this one. I'm amazed at the difference Andrew Luck has made for the Colts and they will be rocking in Indy for this one. Give me the Texans and I will hope that everything is A-OK with Arian. Confidence Level: 2

Minnesota Vikings over Green Bay Packers -- Vikings because the 5-year-old boy who fell in love with Francis Tarkenton scrambling around in the snow still lives on in my heart. GO AP! Beat Dickerson!. Confidence Level: 4 (most confident)

Washington Redskins over Dallas Cowboys -- Dallas has to be crushed by the ending of last week's game. Furious comeback to tie, then ball on the ground at nearly their goal line and they couldn't get to it first. Give me the Redskins at home, on a roll, without the emotional baggage Dallas has accrued in the last couple of weeks. Confidence Level: 3

Upset of the Week

Philadelphia Eagles over New York Giants -- I expect the Eagles to trounce the Giants.  Vick will be motivated and Osi and Justin will not.  Andy Reid's run will go out on a high note as Michael auditions to become a starter somewhere fun like Arizona or Jacksonville. It'll be an ugly passionless affair but the needs of the Eagles will trump the despondency of the Giants.

Sleeper of the Week

Stuart Pace overtaking me in in the last week

Bust of the Week

Steve Brown's picks last week

Happy holidays everybody I hope you enjoyed our writing and picks. Cheers, Steve.

Rich Seibel's Picks:

Cincinnati, Houston, Minnesota, Washington

Cincinnati Bengals over Baltimore Ravens -- The Bengals are a 3-point favorite here and while Baltimore has clinched, the Bengals will win big in a statement game here. Confidence Level: 1 (least confident)

Houston Texans over Indianapolis Colts --Houston is a 6.5-point favorite at home. Houston cannot afford another loss and I look to the young Colts to make many mistakes with their new, old head coach on the sidelines. Confidence Level: 3

Minnesota Vikings over Green Bay Packers -- The Packers defense has been suspect all year. It will be exposed for what it is. The Vikings will run all over the Packers in this important game. Confidence Level: 4 (most confident)

Washington Redskins over Dallas Cowboys -- Redskins scalp the Cowboys in DC. The Skins are favored by a field goal here in what should be the Battle of Little Big Horn. The Cowboys get trampled by RG3. Confidence Level: 2 

Upset of the Week

Minneota Vikings over Green Bay Packers -- I really like the Vikings this week. Should be very interesting.

Sleeper of the Week

A.J. Jenkins, WR (SF) -- Rumor is T.O. was talking to the Niners about a possible come back. Short of that, the Niners will find a new superstar in A.J. Jenkins. C.K. to A.J. deep. 

Bust of the Week

Jets QB (NYJ) -- Whomever is playing QB for the J-E-T-S.

Zak Koeske's picks:

Baltimore, Indianapolis, Minnesota, Washington

Baltimore Ravens over Cincinnati Bengals -- It's hard to know what Ravens team is going to show up on Sunday, but if they bring their A-game they'll win. The Cincinnati Bengals are a solid, but unspectacular team that probably doesn't belong in the playoffs. Even on the road, the Ravens take this one. Confidence Level: 4 (most confident)

Indianapolis Colts over Houston Texans --The Texans have been sputtering for two months now and even though I picked them to beat the Colts at home two weeks ago, I was surprised they won as handily as they did. This time I anticipate a different outcome. Luck is a quick learner and he should build on the performance he had when these teams faced off last time. Confidence Level: 2

Minnesota Vikings over Green Bay Packers -- This is a huge game for the Vikings, who are guaranteed a playoff spot with a win. While the Packers looked like the superior team a few weeks ago when these teams battled at Lambeau, the Vikings have been streaking of late and are much tougher at home. Adrian Peterson slaughtered Green Bay for 210 yards in their last meeting and I expect Minnesota will again ride the league MVP into the playoffs. Confidence Level: 1 (least confident)

Washington Redskins over Dallas Cowboys -- Make it seven straight for the 'Skins. The Cowboys are demoralized coming off their OT loss last week and Washington is at home. Confidence Level: 3

Upset of the Week

Carolina Panthers over New Orleans Saints -- The Panthers are probably the best "bad" team in the NFL. I doubted that Cam Newton could repeat the great rookie year he had last season, but he's made me a believer. I like him to finish the season strong and come into next year ready to make Carolina a legitimate contender.

Sleeper of the Week

Vick Ballard, RB (IND) -- Ballard had his best game of the year against Houston a couple weeks ago. If they are going to beat the Texans this time, they'll need another solid showing from the rookie running back to keep the Texans' D honest.

Bust of the Week

Russell Wilson, QB (SEA) -- After Wilson's performance last week, he almost has to come down. The rookie QB had his worst game of the season against St. Louis earlier in the year. They'll give him trouble again.

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