Well people, we made it to Week 17 of the NFL season. We also made it out alive from the horror year that was 2020, now it’s time to conclude our regular season picks. Every game is on Sunday, we’re in football heaven.
Dallas Cowboys @ New York Giants
New York +1.5
Daniel Jones was a full participant in practice all week, it seems like his hamstring won’t hamstring him on Sunday. The Cowboys will be without Leighton Vander Esch again, and I don’t think Zeke will have another good performance like last week against the Eagles. Andy Dalton is a fine quarterback, but Dallas simply has too many holes on the roster.
Pittsburgh Steelers @ Cleveland Browns
Pittsburgh +9.5
The Steelers are resting quite a few veteran starters, Big Ben, Maurkice Pouncey, Cameron Heyward, and T.J. Watt are getting the week off. Eric Ebron was placed on the Covid-19 list as I’m writing this, but I’m confident that the Pittsburgh Steelers will cover this massive spread because of my lack of confidence in the Cleveland Browns. Yes, they lost to the lowly Jets. That was due to weird circumstances, but it is a sign. Wyatt Teller, who is an absolute stud for the Browns, is questionable for tomorrow’s game. If he isn’t 100%, the Browns will struggle. This spread is simply too large to take Cleveland
New York Jets @ New England Patriots
New York +3
Cam Newton is downright awful, his body has fallen apart. Before the season began, I wrote about if Cam can succeed with the Patriots. One of my major points of concern was his health, the man has been playing an unsustainable style of football and is paying for it now. Speaking about health, two of the five starting offensive linemen for the Patriots are out, including center David Andrews. Losing your general on the offensive line cripples a team. Sam Darnold has shown a lot of promise in recent weeks, and the Jets should absolutely try to win because their draft pick is locked in.
Minnesota Vikings @ Detroit Lions
Detroit +6.5
The Vikings are out of the playoffs and are dealing with major injuries. Dalvin Cook isn’t playing because of the passing of his father, and stud linebacker Eric Kendricks isn’t playing again. The Vikings defense simply can’t compete with anyone and now their offense has nothing.
Atlanta Falcons @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Atlanta +6.5
The Falcons played the Buccaneers extremely close in their last encounter just two weeks ago. They were also a missed field goal away from bringing Kansas City to overtime and were a dropped interception away from beating Kansas City outright. Oh, also toss out the Detroit game for Tampa Bay. That was a scrimmage, Detroit had an interim to their interim head coach and interim offensive and defensive coordinators. Covid turned that game into a nightmare for the Lions.
Baltimore Ravens @ Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati +13.5
The Bengals have covered their last two games and the Ravens are extremely beat up. I still believe that Baltimore will win, but it’ll be closer than two touchdowns.
Miami Dolphins @ Buffalo Bills
Miami +2.5
I’m not sure what the Bills are doing with their starters. I believe they’ll keep them in no longer than past halftime, just to make sure the two seed is locked up. After that, the game becomes meaningless. Even with that, the game is more or less meaningless since there is no bye week attached to the two seed. Even without their relief pitcher, Miami will cover, if not win.
Jacksonville Jaguars @ Indianapolis Colts
Jacksonville +14
The Jacksonville Jaguars beat the Colts in Week 1, and that was the first and last of their wins. It’s a divisional game, Jaguars are playing for pride and to be a spoiler. I don’t think they’ll win, but it’ll be a lot closer than you think.
Green Bay Packers @ Chicago Bears
Chicago +4
The loss of David Bakhtiari is a major one, especially so close to the game. The Chicago Bears will be able to get to Rodgers fairly quickly this game, and if the 49ers are beating the crap out of Seattle, Green Bay would be wise to give Aaron Rodgers a break. Why couldn’t the NFL make this Week 17 showdown primetime?
Tennessee Titans @ Houston Texans
Houston +7.5
Two words. Deshaun Watson. He’s enough to keep games close, might not be enough to win but he’s keeping games close and having a career year across the board while doing so.
New Orleans Saints @ Carolina Panthers
Carolina +5.5
The Saints are walking into this game with the goal of getting the number one seed and the first-round bye that comes attached. They just have one problem, they are relying on practice squad running backs. Alvin Kamara tested positive and the entire running back room was wiped out. Good luck getting everyone else up to speed.
Los Angeles Chargers @ Kansas City Chiefs
Los Angeles -3.5
The Chiefs don’t give a damn about this game because they’re the one seed in the AFC. Players like Patrick Mahomes will enjoy sitting out Week 17 in the 2020 NFL Season. That being said, Anthony Lynn might be coaching for his job here, and apparently players like him. The Chargers took a full-strength Chiefs team to overtime before, they can win this time.
Seattle Seahawks @ San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco +7
The Seahawks have slowed down significantly on offense. The “Let Russ Cook” era left as quickly as it came. That being said, I believe Seattle will win, but it won’t be by much. In four of Seattle’s last six games, they either won by a single possession or lost.
Las Vegas Raiders @ Denver Broncos
Denver +2.5
This is the second year in a row that the Raiders have completely collapsed at the end of the season. I expect that to continue against the Broncos. Jon Gruden’s job is still safe, he’s got a long contract ahead of him.
Arizona Cardinals @ Los Angeles Rams
Los Angeles +3
I know Kyler Murray is playing, but he’s been hurting for a while now. He’s a small guy, the hits are taking their toll on him. We have no idea what John Wolford is, that might be a great thing for Sean McVay.
Washington Football Team @ Philadelphia Eagles
Washington -3.5
What’s the best way to end Week 17 of the 2020 NFL Season? MORE NFC EAST PRIMETIME FOOTBALL. The Eagles are dealing with a ridiculous amount of injuries, which is as expected at this point in the year. Alex Smith is questionable but he won’t miss the chance to make the playoffs after everything he’s gone through.
