CHICAGO (+3.5) @ Houston
In what will undoubtedly be a crazy week in terms of spreads, the overall key is to look for teams that have something left to play for. The best example of this is where the Bears will be fighting to sneak into the playoffs while the Texans will have visions of the golf course on their minds. In addition, Chicago is coming off a thrilling MNF victory and has gained momentum. Forte has never hit the rookie wall and will produce big time in this game as the Bears seemed to realize in the second half of last weeks game that he is their only viable option on offense. I can't believe that the Bears are getting points so take 'em and run. Lock it up!!!
In what will undoubtedly be a crazy week in terms of spreads, the overall key is to look for teams that have something left to play for. The best example of this is where the Bears will be fighting to sneak into the playoffs while the Texans will have visions of the golf course on their minds. In addition, Chicago is coming off a thrilling MNF victory and has gained momentum. Forte has never hit the rookie wall and will produce big time in this game as the Bears seemed to realize in the second half of last weeks game that he is their only viable option on offense. I can't believe that the Bears are getting points so take 'em and run. Lock it up!!!
REST OF WEEK 17:
1pm games:
1pm games:
ATLANTA (-14.5) vs. St. Louis
After the Panthers lost to the Giants on Sunday Night it left open the chance that the Falcons could steal the NFC South and a first round bye. Therefore, I expect the Falcons to throw everything they have at the Rams and get up early and hold on to it. The Rams have lost 9 in a row and have no motivation to get off that streak this week.
NEW ENGLAND (-6.5) @ BuffaloThe Patriots dominate Buffalo the way Sean gets dominated by the girl to the left. No Mercy!
9 straight wins over the past 5 seasons is more than a trend and with the way New England has been blowing people out these past couple weeks and with a potential playoff berth on the line, expect this one to follow along. Pats win big in this one.
CINCINNATI (-2.5) vs. Kansas City
Surprisingly, the Bengals are on a two game winning streak and Cedric Benson has become a serious threat on the ground. I wouldn't recommend watching this game, but if you're looking for a streaking team, you could do worse than to put a few bucks on the Bengals.
DETROIT (+10.5) @ Green Bay
Can Detroit win? Will they complete the first ever 0-16 season? While I've been mentioning this week that most teams have motivation to win for a playoff berth, does any team have more motivation than the Lions to win? On the other side of the ball, the Packers proved on MNF that they can lose a game in a number of ways. Two more facts to keep in mind: 1)the Lions actually have a record above .500 ATS during road games this season; 2)these teams combined for 73 points in their first matchup, but the over/under is at 43.
TENNESSEE (-3.5) @ Indianapolis
Tony Dungy and the Colts have a reputation of sitting all their starters when their playoff seeding is all set. With the number five seed in the AFC all assured, I don't think that the studs play, but I think that the Titans play their guys to try and stay fresh with the bye coming up next week.
MINNESOTA (-6.5) vs. New York Giants
The Giants are banged up and have the #1 seed clinched so I don't expect them to be able to bring the same intensity that the Vikings will have in front of the home crowd. As long as Tavarius Jackson doesn't get in the way with a load of turnovers, the Vikings should take this one easily.
CAROLINA (-3.5) @ New Orleans
A late lead that was blown against the Giants last week has put the Panthers in a position where they need a win or a Falcons loss to hold onto the division and first round bye. I think they can take this one on the road and start their run to the SuperBowl. Also notable about this game is that Drew Brees is within range of breaking Dan Marino's yards passing in a season record. Expect a quick strike, high scoring game here.
CLEVELAND (+10.5) @ Pittsburgh
The Steelers have dominated the Browns in recent memory, but with the likelihood that they rest their starters for at least half the game, I don't see how they win big. A lot of guys on the Browns are playing for jobs/contracts so the motivation is there following this difficult season to finish on a high note. This will also be a good indication as to whether or not the players have completely given up on Romeo Crenel. He'll probably be fired after the game, but don't worry. He's still happy about his situation. That or someone just brought up KFC.
The Steelers have dominated the Browns in recent memory, but with the likelihood that they rest their starters for at least half the game, I don't see how they win big. A lot of guys on the Browns are playing for jobs/contracts so the motivation is there following this difficult season to finish on a high note. This will also be a good indication as to whether or not the players have completely given up on Romeo Crenel. He'll probably be fired after the game, but don't worry. He's still happy about his situation. That or someone just brought up KFC.
OAKLAND (+13.5) @ Tampa Bay
The Bucs have been in a free fall ever since defensive coordinator Monte Kiffen announced that he would be leaving the team at the end of the season. They went from an almost assured playoff berth to looking in from the outside. I have not seen any evidence recently that the Bucs could beat a team by two TDs or more (unless its the Lions).
4pm games:
NEW YORK JETS (-2.5) vs. Miami
The Jets won the matchup earlier this season at Dolphins Stadium by a score of 20-14. While everyone is impressed with the Fish winning 8 of their last 9 games, you should really take a look at their opponents before giving them too much credit. Which win is impressive? Was it the 2 point win over Oakland? Maybe the 4 point point win over the Rams? Perhaps I'm overlooking their performance where they pulled out the 5 point win over the 49ers? The only game during that stretch against a quality opponent was the blowout loss to the Patriots. I like the Jets to finish the season strong at home and give themselves a chance to sneak into the playoffs.
DALLAS (+1.5) @ Philadelphia
Both teams have a lot to play for and that should make this one of the weekends most interesting games. Every time that TO returns to Philly,you can count on plenty of distractions, but Dallas is that much better than the Eagles that they can overcome it. Contrary to every one's perceptions at the beginning of the season, the Cowboys are now a defensively oriented team. The Eagles are so inept with Andy Reid running the show that they can't seem to figure out that they are a running team when they win and a passing team when they lose. I don't see him figuring this out now if he hasn't over the first 16 weeks.
BALTIMORE (-12.5) vs. Jacksonville
The Ravens have been one of the surest things in the gambling world this season with an 11-4 record ATS. The Jaguars have been the opposite of that posting a 4-11 record ATS. Specifically, the Jags have lost their last two road games by double digits and those were to far lower opponents.
WASHINGTON (+3.5) @ San FranciscoBlah. Both teams have nothing to play for and no one has any reason to watch or care about this game. That's why I put the picture to the right in an effort to make this interesting. I would rather watch "Two Guys, One Horse" than this game.
SEATTLE (+5.5) @ Arizona
The Seahawks have been playing much better during the second half of the season and it finally paid off with a great upset win of the Jets. The Cardinals meanwhile look like they have no interest in playing football now that they have the NFC West wrapped up. They are, in fact, 1-4 ATS in the last 5 games (the one cover was vs. the Rams, so can we even count that?). I would refer to that as sour action. Stay away.
The Seahawks have been playing much better during the second half of the season and it finally paid off with a great upset win of the Jets. The Cardinals meanwhile look like they have no interest in playing football now that they have the NFC West wrapped up. They are, in fact, 1-4 ATS in the last 5 games (the one cover was vs. the Rams, so can we even count that?). I would refer to that as sour action. Stay away.
8pm game:
DENVER (+8.5) @ San Diego
This was one of the more difficult games to pick this weekend. On one hand, the Chargers have been playing very well and are motivated after being fisted by Ed Hochuli during a Week 2 loss to the Broncos. Still, I can't shake the feeling that this game will remain competitive to the end with a playoff berth on the line and that the spread should not be higher than 4 or 5.
**Check back on Sunday when a new readers' contest and prize will be announced!!!**
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