NFL Week Seventeen Preview

CLE @ BAL

BAL -9

41.5

Cleveland has been spiraling downward, losing 4 straight and 5 of their last 6. Though Baltimore hasn’t been playing well either, there is more at stake for the Ravens, who can still sneak into the playoffs with a win and some help.

Pick: BAL -9. Ravens win 31-13 (Over)

DAL @ WAS

DAL -6

49

This is a meaningless game for Dallas, so picking them to cover 6 points on the road is a bit of a stretch. Murray has been banged up, so I’d expect the Cowboys to rely on him a little less. When they get away from the run, the Cowboys usually have issues.

Pick: WAS +6. Cowboys win 20-17 (Under)

IND @ TEN

IND -7

46

Indy is locked into the #4 seed in the AFC and may choose to rest some people. That said, Tennessee is pretty bad.

Pick: IND -7. Colts win 24-14 (Under)

JAX @ HOU

HOU -10.5

40.5

The Jaguars have only been a viable threat at home this season, and Houston is still technically alive in the playoff hunt.

Pick: HOU -10.5. Texans win 31-10 (Over)

SD @ KC

KC -3

42

I was leaning toward KC until I remembered that the Chiefs beat the Chargers by a field goal in October. A Chiefs sweep of the Chargers is unlikely.

Pick: SD +3. Chargers win 20-17 (Under)

NYJ @ MIA

MIA -6

42

This game is for pride, and the Jets have been playing for pride most of the season. Plus these teams usually play close games against one another.

Pick: NYJ +6. Jets win 22-17 (Under)

CHI @ MIN

MIN -6.5

43.5

Clausen played well last week and the Bears don’t seem to have given up as I had previously anticipated. That said, the Bears won the first matchup against the Vikings and are unlikely to sweep.

Pick: CHI +6.5. Vikings win 27-23 (Over)

BUF @ NE

NE -5

44

The Pats have already clinched home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, but given their recent history against the Bills they’ll probably still win handily.

Pick: NE -5. Pats win 27-14 (Under)

PHI @ NYG

NYG -3

52

The Eagles were a playoff frontrunner all season, but now that they’ve been eliminated I doubt they’ll have much fire in their belly to play the Giants.

Pick: NYG -3. Giants win 33-27 (Over)

NO @ TB

NO -4

46.5

New Orleans has drastically disappointed me all season long. So screw ‘em. This is a spite pick. I had the Saints in the Super Bowl and they didn’t even make the playoffs. And, frankly, I still don’t know how they were so bad!

Pick: TB +4. Saints win 23-20 (Under)

CAR @ ATL

ATL -4

47.5

In a playoff-style win-or-go-home game I trust Matt Ryan over Cam Newton, especially at home. It’s that simple.

Pick: ATL -4. Falcons win 34-20 (Over)

DET @ GB

GB -7.5

48

When a division title is on the line at Lambeau, you’d be crazy to pick against the Packers. 

Pick: GB -7.5. Packers win 24-13 (Under)

OAK @ DEN

DEN -14

47.5

Denver needs to win to secure a bye…at home…against the Raiders? Yeah…I think I’ll take the Broncos.

Pick: DEN -14. Broncos roll 45-14 (Over)

ARI @ SF

SF -6

36.5

Arizona is the better team and San Francisco isn’t very good at home.

Pick: ARI +6. Cardinals win 20-17 (Over)

STL @ SEA

SEA -12.5

41

Seattle is amazing at home, is playing its best football, and lost to the Rams earlier this season.

Pick: SEA -12.5. Seahawks win 31-9 (Under)

CIN @ PIT

PIT -3.5

47.5

Pittsburgh beat the Bengals a few weeks ago, and Cincy is too good to be swept by anyone.

Pick: CIN +3.5. Bengals win 19-17 (Under)