Week 17 Picks

1:00 PM Sunday, December 30, 2012

The NFC playoffs run through Atlanta. They already have 13 wins and are shooting for 14. Green Bay is second-best in the wins department and they are two back of the Falcons with 11, so Atlanta will have home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. They also have it for this game, and I expect the Falcons, who have excellent depth, to come up with their 14th win in 2012. Falcons

1:00 PM Sunday, December 30, 2012

All 16 games this week are divisional match-ups, so we begin in the AFC East with the Jets at Buffalo. Last week the Jets allowed 11 QB sacks to the San Diego Chargers . If you allow 11 sacks it is a complete breakdown of the entire offence. The protection from the offensive line broke down mentally and physically. The receiver adjustments under pressure, running back blitz pick-ups and the QB timing as far as getting rid of the ball – it all failed for the Jets. Everything. This is very much a pride game and with the Bills at home I expect them to play with pride in front of the home fans. Bills cover 3.5.

1:00 PM Sunday, December 30, 2012

As much as it pains me to say it, Cincinnati needs to go into this game to win, AND get out of this game healthy. For Baltimore it is similar - do they hope New England loses or control their own destiny and give it all they've got? I think the latter. After the bad interception to Chris Harris in the loss to Denver, Joe Flacco had an excellent bounce-back game in the big win over the Giants last week. Ravens.

1:00 PM Sunday, December 30, 2012

The Lions have Calvin Johnson and that is pretty well it. The Bears have a chance for a 10 win season with an outside shot at the playoffs. With a win, all Bears fans will gravitate to the nearest TV and see if the Packers can beat the Vikings, who are also 9 and 6. Got to go with Chicago. Bears cover the 3.

1:00 PM Sunday, December 30, 2012

Both teams have had disappointing years, especially the Titans. They were 9-7 last year and in December of 2011 actually had a playoff shot. Jacksonville did play the Patriots hard at home last week but may not have near the energy here in game 16 of a lost season. After giving up 55 points last week, defence is a point of pride this week and the Titans need to respond. Titans cover 4.

1:00 PM Sunday, December 30, 2012

The last time these two teams played in Houston it was an easy Texans win due to an exceptional pass rush by the entire defensive front seven, led by J.J. Watt. This game has exceptional meaning for the Texans. They must win or they could lose home field throughout the AFC playoffs. I can't see the Texans getting to the Super Bowl by playing at Denver or at New England. Home field is huge. For the Colts, they know they are in the playoffs and can't win the division, so the second priority of being healthy will hold influence over the first priority of trying to win. Houston covers.

1:00 PM Sunday, December 30, 2012

This divisional game may be closer than anticipated. The Panthers are doing exactly what they did last year. For the first three quarters of season they were below average and losing the close games. Then in the last quarter of the season they got on a major winning streak and created optimism. It's happening all over again. Cam Newton is playing his best right here, right now. Panthers.

1:00 PM Sunday, December 30, 2012

Which Giants team will show up? The one that dominated both San Francisco and Green Bay or the one that was dominated by both Atlanta and Baltimore? I do know this about the Eagles. At 4-11 the 2O13 season has already started in terms of evaluating players for next season. Tough way to end the season, and maybe his Philadelphia tenure, for Andy Reid. Giants.

1:00 PM Sunday, December 30, 2012

The Browns have been looking towards 2013 for a long time now, while the Steelers season did not officially end until last week. You would have to anticipate an emotional and concentration let down by Pittsburgh this week. The way they lost at home to the Bengals and the known fact that this game has no playoff value doesn't bode well for Pittsburgh. The Browns were out of the playoffs by early November. For the Steelers, this is a new feeling. Browns.

4:25 PM Sunday, December 30, 2012

Last year the weakest division in football was the NFC West. This year it is the AFC West . Kansas City has two wins, Oakland has four and San Diego has six. There's no other division quite it. The Chargers are going to finish 2nd in the AFC West no matter if they win or not, and the Chiefs will be last. Chargers cover 4.5.

4:25 PM Sunday, December 30, 2012

The 49ers are going to win, but by how much? Earlier in the year it would be easy to say this was going to be an easy win, but by the time they kick the ball off, the 49ers organization will know if they are playing for the wonderful bye week or if they have to go the tougher wildcard route. Atlanta will be the No. 1 seed, and I think Green Bay will beat Minnesota for No. 2. So by kickoff the 49ers will know that this game is just to win the division. That's still a big deal, but not quite like playing for a first round bye. Arizona to cover.

4:25 PM Sunday, December 30, 2012

Boy, you know Rams head coach Jeff Fisher would like to win this one, move to 8-7-1 and use it to create everything good for the Rams in 2013. The problem is that Seattle has an intensity at home that may be higher than any other NFL team. The Seahawks are young and hungry, a good combination. I am sure they will be monitoring the Cardinals/49ers game and if that one looks to be over in the first half, Seattle may sit some players down. The problem for St. Louis with that is many of the Seahawks reserves are as good as the starters. Seattle covers.

4:25 PM Sunday, December 30, 2012

It's pretty simple. The Vikings have the big advantage playing at home and with running back Adrian Peterson. The Packers have the superior QB in Aaron Rodgers and can get a first round playoff bye. Both teams have had good years and in the case of the Vikings can go from 2-14 to a 10 win season and a playoff appearance in one year. But the Packers will be extra motivated, realizing that if they win, all they will need is two more and they are in New Orleans. That will bring out their best. Packers cover.

4:25 PM Sunday, December 30, 2012

The last two games by New England have been unimpressive. The loss to the 49ers was followed by a game in Jacksonville that only turned for the Patriots on a late defensive play. The Patriots need this game keep hope alive for a first round bye and everything that goes with it. With Miami it is about finishing the season 8-8 and second in the AFC East. That would be a bit of a victory for first year head coach Joe Philbin, a definite improvement from last year. A divisional game is always tough and I would not be surprised if the Patriots win, but in all likelihood they will have to go "wildcard" to make it to New Orleans regardless of the outcome of this game, so watch for Miami to show up and compete. Dolphins plus the points.

4:25 PM Sunday, December 30, 2012

Well , here we go again. It's not so much as to whether the Broncos are going to win, but by how much? Denver is going for their 13th win and they need it. If they loss and fall to 12-4 and the Patriots go 12-4 with a win over Miami, then the Patriots get the bye week and all its benefits because they beat the Broncos earlier in the year. That should be plenty of motivation for Denver. Broncos Cover.

8:20 PM Sunday, December 30, 2012

I don't know if the Cowboys have the defensive personnel to slow down the Redskins offence . If Dallas still had Jay Ratliff, Bruce Carter, Sean Lee and most significant, strong safety Barry Church, I think they win. But almost half of the Cowboys starters from the start of the season on defence are out. Yes, Tony Romo is playing his best football, but Dallas needed two touchdowns in 3 minutes and 20 seconds to keep it close against the Saints. When the Washington coaches watch the Saints/Cowboys video, they will see opportunity in between the hash marks. Redskins cover 3.5.

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