NFL week 17 is here. Picking NFL games straight up is hard enough, but picking against the spread is even tougher. Here are the NFL week 17 picks against the spread. (Spreads are from tallysight.com as of Tuesday morning)
Last week: 8-7-1, Overall: 120–117-3
Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills (-2.5)
Byron Jones (Photo via sun-sentinel.com)
The Bills could lock up the number two seed with a win, but the Dolphins are desperate to win in order to make the playoffs. Their defense has been great and will lead them to victory.
Pick: Dolphins
Minnesota Vikings (-6.5) at Detroit Lions
With Matthew Stafford out for this one, the Lions are likely just hoping the season will end and that they can get a new start next year. The Vikings won’t be in the playoffs, but with Kirk Cousins healthy it gives them the edge.
Pick: Vikings
New York Jets at New England Patriots (-3.5)
While the Jets are on a hot streak right now, the Patriots and Bill Belichick will not drop this game. Their defense will help lead them to win and cover.
Pick: Patriots
Atlanta Falcons at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-6.5)
Last week, the Falcons proved they can play with anyone in the league. The Bucs are likely going to be the top Wild Card team in the NFC, so they don’t have a lot to play for in this one.
Pick: Falcons
Baltimore Ravens at Cincinnati Bengals (-11.5)
The Ravens need to win this game to make the playoffs, but the Bengals have showed fight over the last two weeks. Cincinnati will keep it close with their division rival.
Pick: Bengals
Dallas Cowboys (-3) at New York Giants
It has been a weird year, but the Cowboys can make the playoffs with a win and a Washington loss. They will be focused and ready for a division matchup against the Giants.
Pick: Cowboys
Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns (-7)
The days of Pittsburgh’s backups beating the Browns’ starters are likely over. The Steelers haven’t announced whether they are playing their starters or not yet, but they should be able to keep the game close, especially with the Browns COVID issues at receiver.
Pick: Steelers
Seattle Seahawks (-5) at San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco has a problem at quarterback and they also have injury issues. Seattle could still be playing their starters for seeding, so they should cover on the road.
Pick: Seahawks
Los Angeles Chargers (-3.5) at Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs have the top spot and first round bye locked up, so they are likely resting their starters. Justin Herbert has the Chargers on a roll right now and will want to keep the momentum going through the offseason.
Pick: Chargers
Las Vegas Raiders at Denver Broncos (-2.5)
Las Vegas looks like a completely different team than the one who started the year. Denver is at home and will want to get one last win to build for next season.
Pick: Broncos
Arizona Cardinals at Los Angeles Rams (-2)
John Wolford is starting at quarterback for the Rams, while the Cardinals need to win to get in the playoffs. Arizona should be able to come away with a victory.
Pick: Cardinals
Philip Rivers (photo via boltbeat.com)
Jacksonville Jaguars at Indianapolis Colts (-14)
Jacksonville will be happy to have the number one pick. The Colts need to win and get some help to make the playoffs, so they will be focused for this one.
Pick: Colts
Tennessee Titans (-7.5) at Houston Texans
The Titans will need to win to ensure they have a playoff spot, so they will rely on Derrick Henry to run all over the Texans.
Pick: Titans
Green Bay Packers (-5.5) at Chicago Bears
Green Bay just routed the Titans. They will want to win to lock up the number one seed and a bye, but also to keep their division rival out of the playoffs.
Pick: Packers
New Orleans Saints (-6.5) at Carolina Panthers
With the Saints still in play for the top seed, they will be focused for a game against a team that has faded down the stretch.
Pick: Saints
Washington Football Team (-1.5) at Philadelphia Eagles
There has been so much going on for Washington this season. Dwayne Haskins started the season, then got benched and now has been cut. Alex Smith came back from injury and got hurt again. Kyle Allen is on IR. Taylor Heinicke is in line to start this game if Smith can’t go. The Eagles and Jalen Hurts will want to get one more win to end the season.
Pick: Eagles
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