The final week of the 2016 NFL regular season is set to begin. For all the latest playoff scenarios for Week 17 click here! I will now attempt to pick the winners of each game based off of the spreads. If you agree or disagree tweet at me @treydaubert to let me know where I’m wrong for my NFL week 17 predictions. *All spreads are courtesy of oddsshark.com
Sunday 1 ET: Texans At Titans (HOU +3)
A game between Matt Cassel and Tom Savage never looked so boring. I saw this because Houston has already clinched the AFC South title prior to this game. After that disaster last week, I’m not trusting Matt Cassel. How in the world is Tennessee favored? The Texans have to treat this game as a true prep game for the playoffs. With Tom Savage being so inexperienced, I doubt the Texans take this game lightly.
Texans defeat Titans 27-13
Sunday 1 ET: Browns At Steelers (CLE +6)
RG3 likely won’t play in this one because of a concussion leaving the QB duties to trainwreck Cody Kessler. The Browns got their first win last win as likely won’t get another. Cleveland hasn’t just lost this year, they can’t even win getting points (Cleveland is 3-12 against the spread). Pittsburgh beat these guys 24-9 earlier this year. Expect a similar outcome.
Steelers defeat Browns 30-10
Sunday 1 ET: Panthers At Buccaneers (CAR +6)
Tampa Bay is all but out of postseason contention but that doesn’t mean they didn’t have a great year. I expect them to finish the year strong looking to build on a possible playoff birth in 2017. Cam Newton has mailed in it for the year. Panther head coach Ron Rivera is no lock to return as the coach either. I expect the Bucs defense to really play well in this year as they have some playmakers no one talks about (LeVonte David, Kwon Alexander).
Bucs defeat Panthers 28-20
Sunday 1 ET: Jaguars At Colts (JAC +4.5)
Do the Colts beat anyone by 4.5 points? Seriously take the Jags. Interim coach Doug Marrone shocked the world by beating the Titans last week. He’s a real candidate for Jacksonville’s head coaching job. They won’t go down lightly in this one. I’ll take the Colts to win but only by a field goal. There seems to be less urgency on the Colts side for whatever reason it appears Chuck Pagano will be back for another year. Jacksonville has done a good job covering spreads going 8-7 ATS on the year.
Colts defeat Jaguars 26-23
Sunday 1 ET: Cowboys At Eagles (DAL +3.5)
Dallas comes into the game at 13-2, yet somehow are getting 3.5 points. One explanation is that most of the Cowboys starters won’t play the entirety of the game. We likely will even see Mark Sanchez at some point during the 2nd half. Dallas has nothing to play for having already clinched the first seed. I’ll take the Eagles here. Doug Pederson knows he must end the year strong in order for his team to continue believing in him. There have been too many games that the head coach has single handily lost the game. They get the job done at home vs. a team who will rest their starters.
Eagles defeat Cowboys 27-19
Sunday 1 ET: Bills At Jets (NYJ +3.5)
What a mess of a game. Rex Ryan was just fired leaving the coaching matchup to Anthony Lynn and Todd Bowles. The quarterback matchup will be E.J. Manuel vs. Ryan Fitzpatrick. Both teams will probably run the ball 30 times each for various reasons. Expect a low scoring game. Give me the points. Fun Fact E.J. Manuel is the only quarterback to lose a game in 3 countries (USA, Canada, UK).
Jets defeat Bills 16-13
Sunday 1 ET: Patriots At Dolphins (MIA +9.5)
I have to take the Fins in this one. 9.5 points are too tempting not to take. Miami has proven they are no push over this year. Rookie head coach Adam Gase will likely win coach of the year. He has reshaped the culture in Miami. The presence of tailback Jay Ajayi will keep the game closer than expected taking time off the clock. He has 3 games with at least 200 yards rushing. Backup quarterback Matt Moore might realistically be better than Ryan Tannehill. I’ll take the Patriots to win as they need one to clinch home field but not by 9.5.
Patriots defeat Dolphins 24-20
Sunday 1 ET: Ravens At Bengals (BAL +1)
Both teams will miss the playoffs this year but no one should be shocked by this line despite the record disparity. The Bengals have won 5 of the last 6 meetings. Marvin Lewis looks like he will return as the Bengals head man. John Harbaugh also looks to be safe but that could change if his team gets blown out this week. With any AFC North game, this one is a coin flip. Especially when talking about a Ravens team that plays to the level of competition. I’ll take the Bengals in a close one that could go either way.
Bengals defeat Ravens 22-21
Sunday 1 ET: Bears At Vikings (CHI +6.5)
I’m absolutely taking the Bears here. Don’t be shocked, they have been super competitive with Matt Barkley under center. They did lose to the Packers and Lions by a combined 6 points a couple weeks ago. There is no reason they can’t play another division foe with the same competitiveness. The Vikings have been on a serious downward spiral the past two weeks getting destroyed by Indy and Green Bay. A combination of injuries has plagued this team. Take the Bears.
Bears defeat Vikings 31-14
Sunday 4:25 ET: Saints At Falcons (NO +7)
Atlanta has been grooving as of late. Thus far the Falcons will be on pace to record the 8th best offense in NFL history. Kyle Shanahan seems to be a sure-fire bet to grab a head coaching job. 7 points are normally too much for me but I like the Falcons. This real difference in this Atlanta team this year is that they actually have a pass rush! Vic Beasley leads the NFL in sacks coming to no surprise to me as I loved this guy coming into the league a few years ago. The Falcons won the previous game 45-32 against the Saints.
Falcons defeat Saints 44-23
Sunday 4:25 ET: Seahawks At 49ers (SF +9.5)
San Fran has been as big of an embarrassment as the Browns this year. Seattle needs a win to clinch the 2 seed in the NFC. In a battle of former collegiate rivals (Pete Carroll USC vs. Chip Kelly Oregon) you better believe Pete will pile on the points. With a bye on the horizon, Seahawks will likely play with their hair on fire in prep for another playoff run.
Seahawks defeat 49ers 38-10
Sunday 4:25 ET: Chiefs At Chargers (SD +5.5)
There is too much noise going on in San Diego to consider picking an upset. There is the possible move to LA, the firing of Mike McCoy, and a recent loss to the winless Browns. San Diego has quit on their coach. Let’s not forget they have a boatload of injuries too and will start their 6th string runningback. KC continues to get overlooked. I’ll take them by a touchdown.
Chiefs defeat Chargers 24-17
Sunday 4:25 ET: Cardinals At Rams (LA +6)
After losing to San Fran, I can’t take the Rams. Arizona is a good football team that has a lot of talent. Realistically an upgrade over Carson Palmer has these guys at Super Bowl contender level. After losing to the Rams earlier this year, I don’t think it will happen again. Red birds win big.
Cardinals defeat Rams 34-6
Sunday 4:25 ET: Raiders At Broncos (OAK +1)
Matt McGloin against the best defensive in football? No Thanks, I’ll pass. Denver wins here. I am curious to see how the rotation of Trevor Siemian and Paxton Lynch works out for this game. There is no secret that Oakland was carried by Derek Carr. He was my MVP for the season prior to the injury. Looks like Raider nation is just a year away from being real Super Bowl contenders.
Broncos defeat Raiders 26-20
Sunday 4:25 ET: Giants At Redskins (NYG +7.5)
Win and you’re in. That’s what Washington needs to do in order to clinch a playoff spot. Sure the Giants have less to play for having already locked up a playoff spot. I still don’t think they will roll over. This one seems easy to me. Washington wins but not by more than 7 come on. New York’s defense has been phenomenal this year.
Redskins defeat Giants 28-26
Sunday Night: Packers At Lions (DET +3.5)
If Washington wins the loser of this game is out of the playoffs. Regardless of the Redskins outcome, the winner will win the NFC North crown. Green Bay has been on such a roll lately that it is hard to bet against them. Winners of 5 in a row, the Packers finish the job defeating the Lions. Good organizations such as the Packers normally find ways to win in these high pressure games.
Packers defeat Lions 30-21
