NFL Picks: Week 17
I had a semi-crappy week last week… but so did everyone else. My 8 wins was actually enough to put me over the top of almost everyone in front of me. Unfortunately, someone decided to pull a 13 win week last week which catapulted him to 3 up on me. At this point, it’s still anyone’s pool between like 10 people.
In the big money pool I faded. I was within striking distance in week 14 and fell to 11 back since. The moral here: don’t play a numbers game against a group of accountants.
Patriots -14.5 at Giants: Good spread for this game… I was thinking about picking up tickets for this game on eBay a few weeks ago at $400/pop… which would have been a good plan since Pats fans are dropping about $800/pop for them now. Ready to see the Meadowlands be the Patriots home field? However… Brady and Moss are only going to be in the game long enough to get their respective records… so 2 TDs is way too big a spread. Giants +14.5.
Bills +8 at Eagles: McNabb’s got one more chance to show off and get a contract. Eagles cover.
Panthers +2 at Bucs: Vegas doesn’t have much faith in the Bucs B-team… neither do I, really since they dropped the game to the Niners last week. A win with a Seattle loss here gives them the Vikings/Lions/Saints/Redskins playoff team instead of the Giants… so I think they have something to play for… and the Panthers are still awful. Bucs cover.
Bengals -3 at Dolphins: Dolphins send their fans home happy for the season. Dolphins outright.
Cowboys -7 at Redskins: Too big a spread for Cowboys B-Team vs the Redskins legitimately playing for something in a late-season division game. Redskins +7.
(note, I obviously did this game wrong… however since I have a superstition about changing picks, I’ll have to go with Redskins cover.)
Lions +3 at Packers: We know Favre will play for at least a while to keep his streak in tact. I have a feeling they’re going to crush the Lions after getting embarrassed last week. Besides… Kitna’s already disappointed Jesus. Packers cover.
Jaguars +4 at Texans: Oof… too much nonsense going on in this game… Jags getting points? I have to go with Vegas here and assume the Jags B-team is going to lose to the Texans at home on the last week of the season. Texans cover.
Saints +3 at Bears: I’d like to say Chicago blew their load last week, but the Saints first option at running back is a guy named Pierre. I keep saying I can’t take the Saints in a big game and they keep proving me wrong. So… I’m taking the Saints in a big game. Saints outright.
Steelers -6 at Ravens: The Ravens don’t stand a chance. Steelers cover.
Seahawks +2 at Falcons: Pfft. Anyone with points against the Falcons is a pick, even if it’s the B-team. Seahawks outright.
49ers +11.5 at Browns: The Browns/Titans tiebreak has a ton of nonsense going on so I’m not even going to try and figure it out… I just know the browns have to win, they’re home, and despite last week, the Niners still kinda suck. I’m picking on coach here, but not for 11.5. 49ers +11.5.
Chiefs +6.5 at Jets: I don’t know if the Jets are a touchdown better than the Chiefs… I just know I can’t pick KC in confidence. Jets cover.
Vikings at Broncos: The Vikings need this game and the Broncos kinda suck. Home or not, the Vikings are my pick for the 6 seed when all the tiebreaks wash out. Vikings.
Chargers -4.5 at Raiders: I think the Raiders will be up for this game, but I think Norv can get in one more win before a playoff meltdown. Chargers cover.
Rams +6 at Cards: No Rams. Cards cover.
Titans -4 at Colts: I would not like to be in the Browns and depend on a week 17 Colts to help me out when I needed them. I bet against Vince Young once in a clutch spot and paid for it, so I can’t do it here. Titans cover.