Well, well, well, Sammy. We’ve got a game after all. One week for all the peanuts. Sort of like the Jets, although the Jets need some help.

I had a 9-7 bounceback week to get back to .500 and to within a game of Sam, who did his Tony Romo (A-Rom) and went 4-12.

Anyway, the final installment of a full slate of picks includes the final installment of Brett the Jet and perhaps of Mangenius. They go down to Chad Pennington, who pretty much makes the playoffs whenever he’s healthy.

The Giants? No idea what they’ll do in Minny. I understand the whole play-to-the-end thing, about the character it shows to play to win even when there’s nothing to gain. But it’s critical for the Giants’ title defense that they get some injured guys healthy, and I don’t see Tom Coughlin going all-out in the Dome.

But at this time, I want to again disspell this idea I keep hearing and reading—that the Giants went into last season’s playoffs on a roll. Huh? They lost at home to Washington in Week 15 (Eli: 18 for 52), struggled to beat Buffalo to clinch their playoff spot in Week 16 (21 fourth-quarter points after five fumbles, two lost, and two picks), and lost at home to New England in Week 17, albeit a confidence-building battle with the then-immortal Patriots.

Also, props to the Lions on a fine, fine season. You guys must be so proud.

But I digress.

Standings

Sam 117-115-6 —
Carp 116-116-6 1GB

WEEK 17
Giants (+6 1/2) over VIKINGS
Dolphins (+3) over JETS
Raiders (+13) over BUCS
PACKERS (-9 1/2) over Lions
Cowboys (+1 1/2) over EAGLES
Bears (+2 1/2) over TEXANS
Panthers (-3) over SAINTS
FALCONS (-14 1/2) over Rams
Chiefs (+3) over BENGALS
RAVENS (-12 1/2) over Jaguars
COLTS (+3) over Titans
STEELERS (-10 1/2) over Browns
Patriots (-6 1/2) over BILLS
CARDS (-6) over Seahawks
Redskins (+3) over 49ERS
CHARGERS (-8) over Broncos

4:25 p.m., Saturday, Sam says:

Happy Holidays to everyone. I’m sorry I wasn’t around yesterday but it was my 30th birthday, so I spent most of the day crying. (Actually, it was an excellent day that featured family, friends and a fantastic lobster dinner – about as good as you can get on a day when you really start to feel old).

Anyway, I’m almost glad that things have worked out this way in the picks contest. I’ve given Carp a little hope and now, in the final week, I’ll just crush it with a strong closing performance. Who do I like to win? Put it this way: It ain’t Carp.

Giants (+6 1/2) over VIKINGS
Dolphins (+3) over JETS
Raiders (+13) over BUCS
PACKERS (-9 1/2) over Lions
EAGLES (-1 1/2) over Cowboys
TEXANS (-2 1/2) over Bears
Panthers (-3) over SAINTS
Rams (+14 1/2) over FALCONS
BENGALS (-3) over Chiefs
RAVENS (-12 1/2) over Jaguars
COLTS (+3) over Titans
STEELERS (-10 1/2) over Browns
BILLS (+6 1/2) over Patriots
CARDS (-6) over Seahawks
Redskins (+3) over 49ERS
CHARGERS (-8) over Broncos