Week 17 Picks

CAROLINA at ATLANTA
LINE: Panthers by 6.5
Atlanta would like nothing more than to spoil the Carolina playoff party by opening the door for New Orleans to win the NFC South. Unfortunately I believe the Falcons would like nothing more than to finish this nightmare of a season and hit the reset button for 2014. The Panthers meanwhile have realistic Super Bowl aspirations and a 1st round bye would only get them a step closer to that goal.

Panthers 27-17

• GREEN BAY at CHICAGO 
• LINE: Packers by 3.5

Aaron Rodgers returning may be the story of this game but the Eddie Lacy injury update is just as, if not MORE important than that. Chicago is horrendous against the run and a balanced attack has kept the Packers in this playoff race during Rodgers 7 week absence. The Bears will only have more questions to answer in the offseason if they lose this one at home. Chicago would like nothing more than to respond to last week’s embarrassment in Philadelphia and I think they will against their division rival.

Bears 35-31

• HOUSTON at TENNESSEE
• LINE: Titans by 6.5 

Could be the last time we see Coach Mike Munchak and RB Chris Johnson in Titans uniforms.

Titans 27-13

• CLEVELAND at PITTSBURGH
• LINE: Steelers by 7

The Browns would love nothing more than to spoil the Steelers slim playoff hopes. Pittsburgh is 7-4 since their dreadful 0-4 start and their offense has look lethal in recent weeks. Even with the Browns 4th ranked defense in the league, expect the Steelers to respond in desperation.

Steelers 24-14 

• WASHINGTON at NY GIANTS
• LINE: Giants by 3.5

I guarantee you when the schedule makers slotted this game at Week 17, they didn’t expect both squads to grossly underachieve, but here we are. Also both teams have question marks in the future of their coaches in Tom Coughlin and Mike Shanahan although most people expect Coughlin to return next season. Shanahan remains the bigger mystery.

Giants 30-17

• JACKSONVILLE at INDIANAPOLIS
• LINE: Colts by 11.5

The Colts actually has a slim chance at grabbing the #2 seed in the AFC (NE and CIN loss w/ Indy win). Expect them to use this game a tune up for the postseason.

Colts 31-13

• BALTIMORE at CINCINNATI
• LINE:  Bengals by 6

The Bengals are still in play for the #2 seed in the AFC so there is alot of motivation coming into this one besides the fact that the Ravens are division rivals. Baltimore, while having the best probability to clinch the #6 seed probably also have the toughest matchup of the 4 teams in the race. Baltimore getting embarrassed at home to New England spoke volumes.

Bengals 21-13

• PHILADELPHIA at DALLAS
• LINE: Eagles by 6.5

No Romo? I can’t see a pathway for Dallas to win over a Philly team that’s right now turned into an offensive juggernaut. I mean we’re talking about Kyle Orton who’s played what, 10 snaps in 2 seasons with the Cowboys? And let’s not even get into the Dallas defense.
Eagles 37-20

• NY JETS at MIAMI
• LINE: Dolphins by 5.5

There was a reason going into last week’s game in Buffalo that I stressed why the Bills game was maybe more important than this one. Beating Buffalo would’ve given Miami a larger margin of error and while there is a great chance they can still clinch a postseason berth, playing a division rival, and a heated rival at that. The Jets are no pushover and whether or not Rex Ryan returns to coach this team next season, his players love him and will play hard for him. That said, still like Miami in a nailbiter.

Dolphins 17-13

• DETROIT at MINNESOTA
• LINE: Vikings by 3

The countdown to Black Monday bowl for both Jim Schwartz and Leslie Frazier. The Lions have quit and the Vikings just aren’t very good.

Vikings 23-21

• BUFFALO at NEW ENGLAND
• LINE: Patriots by 9

The Pats have owned Buffalo in the Brady/Belichick era. I don’t expect anything different here. Plus New England is still in play for the #1 seed in the AFC.

• TAMPA BAY at NEW ORLEANS
• LINE: Saints by 12.5

New Orleans is in a weird spot this week as they are actually at risk for missing the playoffs entirely. Fortunately for them the Bucs are in town and while I do expect the Bucs to make this a game, I think Brees and the boys handle their business in a must win situation.

Saints 38-30

• DENVER at OAKLAND
• LINE: Broncos by 12.5

Broncos should wrap up home-field advantage throughout the postseason in rather easy fashion. Meanwhile is this the last of Dennis Allen as Oakland’s head man?

Broncos 41-21

• SAN FRANCISCO at ARIZONA
• LINE: 49ers by 1.5

The Cards are threatening to be only the 3rd double 11 win team to miss the playoffs (awaiting Saints/Bucs results) but regardless, Bruce Arians should get very serious consideration for Coach Of The Year. Meanwhile the Niners are still in play for the #1 seed in NFC with a Seattle loss.

Cardinals 19-16

• KANSAS CITY at SAN DIEGO
• LINE: Chargers by 10

While Baltimore and Miami may have the easiest paths to the post season, San Diego may in fact have the most favorable especially if Andy Reid decides to rest his starters for the playoffs.

Chargers 34-20

• ST. LOUIS at SEATTLE
• LINE: Seahawks by 10

 Remember when these teams met back in October? Yeah don’t expect a similar type of game especially after the ‘Hawks were upset at home for the first time in nearly 2 years last week at the hands of Arizona. Seattle should lock up home-field advantage throughout…….and easily.

Seahawks 33-14