Here’s our Week 17 picks.
Best Bet
1. New York Jets (-10) vs. Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals have nothing to play for and have added incentive to tank this game because it will mean Pittsburgh is kept out of the post season. That being said, their offense has been in a funk the past few weeks and they’ll want to work out some issues prior to Wild Card Weekend.
Expect the Bengals starters to play for about a half, and keep it close, and then for New York to pull away late en route to a two TD win.
Next In Line
2. Baltimore Ravens (-10) vs. Oakland Raiders
The Raiders have pulled off some big upsets by the bay this season (Bengals, Eagles, etc.) but those weren’t games where everything was on the line for the other team. This is. The Ravens must win on Sunday to advance to the post season.
Look for a spirited effort from Ray Lewis and Co. and for the offense, led by Ray Rice, to dominate the Raiders in the Black Hole.
3. Tennessee Titans (-4) vs. Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks have mailed in the season and are only playing for a higher draft selection on Sunday. The Titans on the other hand are focused on getting Chris Johnson to 2,000 yards – and the single season total yards mark – and will beat up a demoralized Seahawks squad in Week 17.
4. Philadelphia Eagles (+3) vs. Dallas Cowboys
Next In Line
Kansas City Chiefs (+13) vs. Denver Broncos
The Broncos have had an excellent season considering their expectations coming into it, but the last time they were favored by this much, the Raiders pulled off the shocking 20-19 upset two weeks ago.
They’re on the outside looking in (at the post season) and the Chiefs, with the return of WR Dwayne Bowe, are playing more competitively on offense. KC will lose, but not by 13.
Atlanta Falcons (-1.5) vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers are riding high on a two game winning streak after knocking off the Seahawks and Saints in consecutive weeks. Unfortunately they won’t finish the season on a three game streak. The Falcons, re-energized with the return of Matt Ryan, will control this game offensively, and on defense, they’ll force Josh Freeman into a few turnovers.
Houston Texans (-7.5) vs. New England Patriots
This will be typical Patriots. Already having a home game in the Playoffs secured, the starters (Brady, Moss, Welker, etc) will play a quarter – maybe a half – before Belichick puts in the backups. The Texans still have an outside chance at a Wild Card and will romp at home on Sunday.
Money Line
Philadelphia Eagles (+140) vs. Dallas Cowboys
A lot is at stake when these two teams meet in Week 17. The Cowboys with a win will win the NFC East outright. The Eagles, thanks to the collapse of the Vikings, currently are the No. 2 seed in the NFC and with a win will lock down that first round bye in addition to the NFC East.
Offensively, look for Reid to try and re-establish the Eagles running game. The Eagles have gotten away from that in recent weeks but with the return of Westbrook, to go along with McCoy and Weaver, now’s a good time to begin balancing out the team’s play-calling.
An effective running game will also keep DeMarcus Ware and Anthony Spencer off McNabb and open up the passing game to DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin and Brent Celek.
Defensively, look for the Eagles to blitz Dallas to keep the offense under control. When Romo has time, he can deliver the ball to Austin and Witten and is extremely effective. When he’s pressured, he makes mistakes. Dallas also tends to get away from the running game when Romo is off so expect the Eagles to bring as much pressure as possible.
In their last game, playing a straight up defense hurt Philly as Romo was able to locate Miles Austin on a GW 49 yard TD pass late in the game. They won’t make the same mistake again.
Andy Reid has strong record in Dallas and he’ll continue that success with a win on Sunday as the Eagles will wrap up a bye in the Playoffs.
lduthecoach
January 1st, 2010 at 14:52
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I agree with everyone of you picks this week but I am takign the Patriots because they actually have something to play for if they win, they are the 3rd seed.. which means they face 6th seed as well as if they win, they face the Chargers.. NOT THE COLTs.. big big deal
Feel free to check out the rest of my picks @ http://www.lionsdenu.com/category/sports/nfl-gu...
best of luck this week and have a happy new year!!
Its been a great season!!
TheCoach
profootball101
January 1st, 2010 at 17:51
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Coach, but the Bengals have nothing to play for and will lose to the Jets. That alone will cement the No. 3 seed for the Pats. Also, New England matches up very well w/ both SD and Indy, so I don't think they're too worried about where they travel too. Indy's one play away from being an 11-5 team rather than 15-1/14-2, so they're certainly not world beaters.
lduthecoach
January 1st, 2010 at 23:47
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The Bengals Jets game is going to be played in 20-35 MPH winds and from watching this season, the two games with winds like that.. Buffalo 6-3 over Cleveland and Cleveland 13-6 over Pittsburgh
Won't matter if some back-ups are in for the Bengals if they can just stack the line.. you ever thrown a football in 30 MPH winds?
and anyone would rather play Philip Rivers than Peyton Manning..
its that simple
profootball101
January 2nd, 2010 at 12:45
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Look at Peyton Manning's Playoff success and you'll see that's not the case. Also, the Colts are no more dangerous than any other team in the Playoffs.
They barely overcame NE in the reg season b/c of a boneheaded 4th down call by Belichick. They also for the most part, aside from Arizona and I guess you could say 8-7 Baltimore, feasted on 2nd rate teams en route to their stellar 14/15 win season.
Regardless, this is not to say that Rivers is better than Manning b/c he's not. However, Peyton in the regular season is vastly different than Peyton in the post season as his Playoff record will confirm.
As for the Jets, they will be able to pull away late b/c Thomas Jones will run over the backups and New York's defense will be able to force Palmer's backup into mistakes… just like they did last week when Peyton came out.
profootball101
January 2nd, 2010 at 17:45
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Look at Peyton Manning's Playoff success and you'll see that's not the case. Also, the Colts are no more dangerous than any other team in the Playoffs.
They barely overcame NE in the reg season b/c of a boneheaded 4th down call by Belichick. They also for the most part, aside from Arizona and I guess you could say 8-7 Baltimore, feasted on 2nd rate teams en route to their stellar 14/15 win season.
Regardless, this is not to say that Rivers is better than Manning b/c he's not. However, Peyton in the regular season is vastly different than Peyton in the post season as his Playoff record will confirm.
As for the Jets, they will be able to pull away late b/c Thomas Jones will run over the backups and New York's defense will be able to force Palmer's backup into mistakes… just like they did last week when Peyton came out.
maroussia
March 16th, 2010 at 05:41
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It will be great to watch Atlanta Falcons, i have bought tickets from
http://ticketfront.com/event/Atlanta_Falcons-ti... looking forward to it.
Pro Football 101 » Wild Card Saturday: Jets vs. Bengals
January 6th, 2010 at 18:41
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[...] thing we can all be assured of is the Jets are not going to roll the Bengals to the tune of a 37-0 shellacking this [...]