Watch out for Week 17. The Loserbowl is on the horizon.

With 3 weeks left in the NFL season, and 3 games left to play, people are starting to talk about where Reggie Bush is going to be suiting up in 2006. The Houston Texans are undoubtedly the worst team in the NFL, but their 1-12 record might get a little boost with Arizona and San Francisco still on their dance card. Notice how Texans’ fans aren’t too upset over their last second loss in Baltimore a couple weeks ago, or Kris Brown’s missed FG in Tennessee last week. Those 2 plays were the best thing that could have happened to them, but can they maintain this horrific play?

At 2-11, San Francisco could easily be the team that picks up the #1 overall pick. Alex Smith, the Niners’ #1 overall pick in this year’s draft, is averaging 100 yards passing/start. That includes 3 starts in which he threw for less than 100. How can you blame the kid for those numbers when his #2 receiver is Arnaz Battle? The Niners should be 0-13 on the season, and have Reggie wrapped up. Did they deserve to beat the Rams in Week 1, or the Bucs in Week 8? I don’t know how they did it. Of course that was back when they still had players. This is a team that could win 1-3 games for the next 5 years. Ownership has absolutely killed them. Their home performance indicates there’s some potential here, but only if you give them an offensive/defensive line, 3 WRs, a healthy TE, and a kicker.

San Francisco finishes out the year at home against Houston, and on the road in Jacksonville, and St. Louis. They should lose both road games, but might be able to take Houston at home. Just imagine: that game might mean something.

There are a few 3-10 teams (New Orleans, Green Bay, and New York), but they don’t stand a chance at the top 2 picks. New Orleans has games coming up against Carolina, at Tampa Bay, and Detroit. With Todd Bouman at the helm they could actually surprise in one of those matchups, taking revenge on the NFL for their nomadic year.

Green Bay is at Baltimore this week, then at home to Chicago and Seattle. Considering the Seahawks will be resting their entire 1st team, the Packers could take 2 of those games. I don’t think they’ll beat Baltimore, but I wouldn’t be so anxious to back Chicago on the road.

Then there’s the Jets: They’ve got a game at Miami this week, then they’re at home to New England and Buffalo. They should beat the Bills, making them 4-12 on the year.

I’m thinking the final standings look something like this:
San Francisco: 2-14
Houston: 2-14 (Maybe 3-13 if they can take Arizona)
Green Bay: 5-11
New Orleans: 4-12
New York: 4-12

The problem you’ve got right now is that Houston and San Francisco are probably going to be forced into a position where they’re both trying to lose games. I know no NFL team would purposely tank it, but when you’re starting the league’s 32nd ranked offense and defense, who can tell whether you’re actually playing? If Houston can somehow beat Arizona this week (which is entirely possible) they’re going into San Francisco in Week 17 to play for Reggie Bush. And neither of these teams needs Leinart at #2, meaning it’s Bush or a draft-day trade.

If San Fran and Houston are tied at the end of the year, the league weighs opponents’ records to determine who gets the #1 pick. In that case, you’re looking at Reggie Bush starting next year in a Texans’ uniform.

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