NFL 2010-11 Week 17 preview

2. Only one bird is flying » With the playoffs on deck, Week 17 is the time of rest and relaxation for most teams — either they’ve made the playoffs or they’re out — with a few other teams fighting for postseason position. Of the teams with bird nicknames, there is only one that has anything at stake this week: the Seattle Seahawks. The Falcons and Eagles are playoff-bound while the Cardinals are at the bottom of the NFC West. Conversely, the Seahawks are hosting the Rams for the NFC West crown. A Seattle win would give the Seahawks the title of being a division-winner with a sub .500 record. Oh, and they are starting Charlie Whitehurst at quarterback with the playoffs on the line. Maybe they should stay grounded … – Leon Saffelle

3. Divisional games with meaning » When the NFL back-loaded the schedule with division matchups, it hoped to create playoff games a week early. The only one that fits the description this week is the Rams at the Seahawks for the NFC West title. But there are some interesting spoiler games involving division rivals as the Redskins play the wildcard-hopeful Giants, while the playoff-bound Bears and Saints face the wildcard contending Packers and Bucs respectively. In the AFC North, the Browns and Bengals face the division-contending Steelers and Ravens. It’s the same scenario in the AFC South, where the Texans and Titans play the division-contending Jaguars and Colts. – Kevin Dunleavy

GAME OF THE WEEK

Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers, Sunday, 4:15 p.m.
It’s a rivalry game and has playoff implications. Chicago already has clinched a playoff berth and has an outside shot at home field advantage in the NFC, though the Bears also would need a loss by Atlanta. Aaron Rodgers and the Packers, meanwhile, clinch a playoff spot with a win. It’s amazing to think the Packers might not reach the postseason. They’ve outscored the opposition by 141 points — second best in the league. One note: Green Bay is 6-1 at home; Chicago is 6-1 on the road. The Bears won the first game, 20-17. – John Keim

UPSET SPECIAL

Miami Dolphins over New England Patriots
The final installment of what has been a preposterous stretch run in the upset special. Bill Belichick’s Patriots, having already locked up the No. 1 seed in the AFC, have nothing left to play for. Neither do Tony Sparano’s Dolphins, who, at 7-8, might not be Tony Sparano’s after this weekend. The Fish traditionally struggle when they play in the North, but this is bizzarro year in South Beach. The Dolphins are 1-7 at home and have road wins at Buffalo, the New York Jets, Green Bay and Cincinnati. So we’re going with Miami over New England. – James Irwin

PLAYER TO WATCH

Sam Bradford, QB, St. Louis Rams
Bradford has helped turn the Rams around in his first season as a starter and has a chance to help them clinch a playoff berth on Sunday night. Bradford has been what St. Louis hoped for — and probably more. His numbers aren’t eye-popping: Bradford has thrown for 3,357 yards with 18 touchdowns to 14 interceptions for a 78.0 passer rating. With 84 more passing yards, he’ll throw for the second most yards for a rookie. But he’s done this with subpar receivers, none of whom have more than 680 yards receiving this season. – John Keim

EXAMINER POWER RANKINGS

— James Irwin