NFL WEEK 17

PICKS, PREDICTIONS AND MORE

The final week of the NFL season is always tough to call, but we take our best shot with three playoff spots still up for grabs.

Atlanta Falcons (-1) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Buccaneers (5-10) are trying to win their final home game of the season before firing Dirk Koetter. The Falcons (6-9) are looking to stay away from double-digit defeats. It won’t happen.

Pick: Tampa Bay 30, Atlanta 28

Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints (-7.5)

The Saints (13-2) are resting everybody and they are still going to beat the Panthers (6-9), who have lost seven straight and are basically starting some neighbor of yours at quarterback.

Pick: New Orleans 20, Carolina 13

Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants (-6)

The Giants (5-10) have been playing much better the last six weeks. The Cowboys (9-6) say they are playing everybody, but both myself and Vegas believe they are liars.

Pick: New York 26, Dallas 16

Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers (-8)

The Lions (5-10) are terrible. They are going to have a top-five pick. Hopefully Matt Patricia shows up on time so he can watch the Packers (6-8-1) deal his team another loss.

Pick: Green Bay 31, Detroit 20

Jacksonville Jaguars at Houston Texans (-6.5)

The Texans (10-5) aren’t going to blow this division by losing at home to the Jaguars (5-10). Houston will handle business and get into the playoffs as the third seed in the AFC.

Pick: Houston 23, Jacksonville 10

Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills (-4.5)

Two teams playing for nothing, but at least the Bills (5-10) are showing heart. The Dolphins (7-8) are showing nothing down the stretch save for one miracle play. Enjoy the Ryan Tannehill swan song.

Pick: Buffalo 22, Miami 20

New York Jets at New England Patriots (-13.5)

The Patriots (10-5) clinch a first-round bye with a win over the Jets (4-11). There’s no way New York goes into Gillette Stadium and hands New England its first home loss of the year.

Pick: New England 31, New York 21

Arizona Cardinals at Seattle Seahawks (-13.5)

The Seahawks (9-6) are all but locked into the fifth seed, but they will play starters to make sure things stay that way. Meanwhile, the Cardinals (3-12) lock up the first-overall pick in the 2019 draft with a defeat.

Pick: Seattle 27, Arizona 19

Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings (-4.5)

The Bears (11-4) are going to play hard with the chance to get a first-round bye in the balance. The Vikings (8-6-1) should win as the more desperate team, but this could come down to the fourth quarter.

Pick: Minnesota 24, Chicago 21

Cincinnati Bengals at Pittsburgh Steelers (-14.5)

The Steelers (8-6-1) are going to roll the Bengals (6-9), who quit two months ago. The problem is this is too little, too late for Pittsburgh.

Pick: Pittsburgh 34, Cincinnati 17

Cleveland Browns at Baltimore Ravens (-6)

The best game of the week. The Browns (7-7-1) are trying for a winning season, and they are playing terrific football. Baltimore (9-6) is attempting to hold onto a playoff spot and the AFC North title at home. Look for a brawl.

Pick: Baltimore 27, Cleveland 23

Los Angeles Chargers (-6.5) at Denver Broncos

The Chargers (11-4) should plow the Broncos (6-9) in Vance Joseph’s curtain call. The only question is whether it helps them win the AFC West. Speaking of which…

Pick: Los Angeles 30, Denver 17

Oakland Raiders at Kansas City Chiefs (-13.5)

The Chiefs (11-4) attempt to avoid a total meltdown at home against the Raiders (4-11). Fun fact: Oakland and Kansas City have the same record in their previous six games at 3-3 each. Kansas City’s offense likely wins the day, but this will be closer than expected.

Pick: Kansas City 38, Oakland 27

Philadelphia Eagles (-6.5) at Washington Redskins

The Eagles (8-7) attempt to play their way into the playoffs by beating the Redskins (6-9) are getting some help. Should make for a fascinating afternoon.

Pick: Philadelphia 29, Washington 12

San Francisco 49ers at Los Angeles Rams (-10)

If the Rams (12-3) blow a first-round bye by losing to the 49ers (4-11), panic is going to be full-scale and rightfully so.

Pick: Los Angeles 34, San Francisco 26

Indianapolis Colts (-3) at Tennessee Titans

Andrew Luck isn’t losing to Marcus Mariota and/or Blaine Gabbert with the playoffs on the line. The Colts (9-6) roll the Titans (9-6).

Pick: Indianapolis 28, Tennessee 20

Last Week: 12-4
Overall: 150-87-2