As the NFL regular season wraps up this weekend, there are still a lot things left up in the air. Both New York teams remain the most likely No. 6 seeds in each conference if they win. As I write this Tiki Barber just broke a 55-yard touchdown for his second TD of the night. He had just one touchdown in the first 15 games, but already has two in the first half in what is expected to be his final regular season game. Brett Favre could also be playing in his swan song on Sunday night.

After absolutely assaulting the record books, LaDainian Tomlinson (1,749) has a slight edge on Larry Johnson (1,651) and Frank Gore (1,542) for the rushing title. Drew Brees (4,372) will be the league’s top passer, while Chad Johnson (1,316), Marvin Harrison (1,292), Donald Driver (1,272) and Reggie Wayne (1,240) are competing for the receiving title. We’ll break down the latest on the injury report in this final regular season edition of the Weekly Forecast.

Injuries
Quarterbacks
Jake Delhomme – will start in what could be a must-win game for Car
Charlie Frye – expected to play, but how much remains a question mark
Derek Anderson – out
Aaron Brooks – expected to start
Matt Leinart – will sit, Kurt Warner will start in his absence

Running Backs
Joseph Addai – expected to play
Cedric Houston – expected to see most of carries for Jets
Kevin Jones – out for season, Arlene Harris will start
Thomas Jones – will play, but Cedric Benson is expected to have larger role
Fred Taylor – will play, split carries with Maurice Jones-Drew
Chester Taylor – probable, expected to start
Dominic Rhodes – expected to share carries with Addai
Carnell Williams – out, Michael Pittman will start, Mike Alstott to be goal line back
Brian Westbrook – dealing with a virus, but will play

Wide Receivers
Antonio Bryant – likely out for the season
Laveranues Coles – will likely start
Darrell Jackson – out because of turf toe, D.J. Hackett is nice short-term option
Joe Jurevicius – doubtful, Dennis Northcut could have larger role
Joe Horn – doubtful for week 17, could see a few plays
Randy Moss – out for the season
Kelley Washington – out again, Chris Henry is No. 3 option
Terrance Copper – expected to miss the game, Jamal Jones will be No. 3 WR
Laveranues Coles – probable, will start vs. OAK
Brandon Stokley – out for week 17

Tight Ends
Jeremy Shockey – missed week 17, questionable for playoffs
Dallas Clark – expected to return, will be limited
Kellen Winslow – will start
Bo Scaife – expected to play
Ben Watson – could sit out the finale

Best/Worst Matchups in week 17
Up against toughest run defenses
1. Minnesota (54.5 YPG) – Steven Jackson, Stephen Davis
2. Baltimore (78.3 YPG) – Willis McGahee, Anthony Thomas
3. Jacksonville (86.0 YPG) – Larry Johnson, Michael Bennett
4. Pittsburgh (91.2 YPG) – Rudi Johnson, Kenny Watson
5. New England (91.5 YPG) – Travis Henry, LenDale White

Up against easiest run defenses
32. Indianapolis (174.5 YPG) – Ronnie Brown, Sammy Morris
31. St. Louis (149.7 YPG) – Chester Taylor, Mewelde Moore
30. Cleveland (145.3 YPG) – Ron Dayne, Wali Lundy
29. Buffalo (142.9 YPG) – Jamal Lewis, Mike Anderson
28. Tennessee (144.6 YPG) – Corey Dillon, Laurence Maroney

Up against toughest pass defenses
1. Oakland (150.9 YPG) – Chad Pennington, Laveranues Coles, Jerricho Cotchery
2. Indianapolis (156.3 YPG) – Cleo Lemon, Chris Chambers, Marty Booker
3. New Orleans (176.5 YPG) – Jake Delhomme, Steve Smith, Keyshawn Johnson
4. Miami (181.7 YPG) – Peyton Manning, Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne
5. Carolina (184.3 YPG) – Drew Brees, Marques Colston, Devery Henderson

Up against easiest pass defenses
32. Minnesota (238.0 YPG) – Marc Bulger, Tory Holt, Isaac Bruce
31. Cincinnati (236.2 YPG) – Ben Roethlisberger/Charlie Batch, Hines Ward, Santonio Holmes
30. Arizona (231.7 YPG) – Philip Rivers, Antonio Gates, Eric Parker
29. Washington (226.5 YPG) – Eli Manning, Plaxico Burress, Tim Carter
28. New York Giants (225.6 YPG) – Jason Campbell, Santana Moss, Antwaan Randle El

Week 17 Schedule/Weather
Saturday, Dec. 30
Giants at Washington 8:00 pm 34/50, 0% Tiki Barber’s final contest

Sunday, Dec. 31
Carolina at New Orleans 1:00 pm Dome
Cleveland at Houston 1:00 pm Dome
Detroit at Dallas 1:00 pm 36/57, 10%
Jacksonville at Kansas City 1:00 pm 34/47, 30%
New England at Tennessee 1:00 pm 44/63, 90%
Oakland at N.Y. Jets 1:00 pm 38/47, 0%
Pittsburgh at Cincinnati 1:00 pm 47/55, 80%
Seattle at Tampa Bay 1:00 pm 68/83, 0%
St. Louis at Minnesota 1:00 pm Dome
Arizona at San Diego 4:15 pm 44/64, 0%
Atlanta at Philadelphia 4:15 pm 40/51, 10%
Buffalo at Baltimore 4:15 pm 49/51, 20%
Miami at Indianapolis 4:15 pm Dome
San Francisco at Denver 4:15 pm 23/38, 0%
Green Bay at Chicago 8:15 pm 42/48, 90% Brett Favre’s final game?

Questions, comments, quandaries? Contact me at tycoon4477@hotmail.com