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Our FREE NFL picks versus the spread are purely for entertainment purposes only. But, let's face it, being right (winning) is more fun than being wrong (losing).
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DAILY WEEK 17 LINES FROM SPORTSBOOK.COM
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SUMMARY OF PICKS BY CONTRIBUTORS
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Week: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17
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Picks are for entertainment purposes only.
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Picks and spreads are as of Saturday, December 31st at 12:53 p.m. ET
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Lines used are always as of the time the pick was made.
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Date/Time (ET)
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Favorite
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Spread
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Underdog
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Kevin
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Dan
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Sean
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Sun, Jan 1 at 1:00 p.m.
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EAGLES
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8.5
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Redskins
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Sun, Jan 1 at 1:00 p.m.
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49ers
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10.5
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RAMS
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SF -10.5
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Sun, Jan 1 at 1:00 p.m.
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VIKINGS
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1.5
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Bears
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Sun, Jan 1 at 1:00 p.m.
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Lions
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3.0
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PACKERS
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Sun, Jan 1 at 1:00 p.m.
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SAINTS
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8.0
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Panthers
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CAR +8
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Sun, Jan 1 at 1:00 p.m.
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Titans
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2.0
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TEXANS
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TEN -2
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Sun, Jan 1 at 1:00 p.m.
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JAGUARS
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3.5
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Colts
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Sun, Jan 1 at 1:00 p.m.
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DOLPHINS
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3.0
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Jets
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NYJ +3
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Sun, Jan 1 at 1:00 p.m.
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PATRIOTS
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10.0
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Bills
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Sun, Jan 1 at 4:15 p.m.
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FALCONS
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11.5
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Buccaneers
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Sun, Jan 1 at 4:15 p.m.
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Ravens
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2.0
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BENGALS
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BAL -2
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BAL -2
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Sun, Jan 1 at 4:15 p.m.
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Steelers
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6.5
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BROWNS
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Sun, Jan 1 at 4:15 p.m.
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RAIDERS
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3.0
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Chargers
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Sun, Jan 1 at 4:15 p.m.
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BRONCOS
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3.0
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Chiefs
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DEN -3
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Sun, Jan 1 at 4:15 p.m.
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CARDINALS
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3.0
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Seahawks
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Sun, Jan 1 at 8:30 p.m.
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GIANTS
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3.0
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Cowboys
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NYG -3
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DAL +3
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CONTRIBUTOR
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GAME 1
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GAME 2
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GAME 3
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Kevin
2011 Record: 33-14-4 (70.2%)
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Ravens (-2) at Bengals
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Chiefs at Broncos (-3)
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Jets at Dolphins (-3)
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Ravens -2
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Broncos -3
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Jets +3
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This is a critical game for both teams. If the
Bengals win, they're in the playoffs, which
would be a remarkable feat considering the
situation with quarterback Carson Palmer and
ultimately starting a rookie quarterback with
virtually no offseason. For the Ravens,
however, it could be even more important. As
the only AFC North team to make the
postseason in each of the three previous
seasons, the Ravens have had to play all of
their playoff games on the road during that
span as a wildcard team. A win in Week 17,
however, will clinch the division (and a
first-round bye). And in the unlikely scenario
that the Patriots also lose to the Bills, the
Ravens would secure home-field advantage
throughout the playoffs. Ironically, the
Ravens need to win on the road to secure a
home playoff game for the first time since the
2006 season. Over the past three seasons,
the Ravens are 21-3 (8-0 in 2011) at home
and 11-12 (3-4 in 2011) on the road. There is
plenty of reason for them to do whatever it
takes to win this game and the division. In
their past six games, Ray Rice has 20-plus
carries in all five of those games (all wins). In
the loss (to San Diego), Rice had 19 touches
(10 carries plus a season-high nine
receptions). I think Cam Cameron will make
sure Rice gets a heavy workload; if not,
Terrell Suggs will surely let him know.
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Boy, I was certainly wrong last week when I
took the Broncos over the Bills. And Kyle
Orton would love nothing more than to
return to Denver to stick it to his former
team and their Tebow-billboard-buying
fans. While Tim Tebow is not the league's
most accurate passer by any stretch of the
imagination, his career-worst
four-interception performance was an
anomaly. And their defense is not as bad
as they have looked as they have allowed
40-plus points in back-to-back games.
Granted, Orton is playing better (599 yards
in past two games) than Tyler Palko, but
the Chiefs offense lacks firepower,
especially since losing Jamaal Charles for
the season in Week 2. For eight
consecutive games, the Chiefs have scored
less than 20 points and only the Rams rank
lower in scoring offense than the Chiefs.
The Broncos control their own destiny as a
win clinches the AFC West and the
atmosphere at Mile High will be electric.
Take the Broncos and give the points.
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Although the Jets do not control their own
destiny in the AFC for the No. 6 seed, they
absolutely need to win this game to remain
alive. After that point, they need a ton of
help. Having made it to the final two AFC
Championship games (see past results),
the Jets have some recent history in
performing well on the road in important
games. Dolphins running back Reggie
Bush has been as good as it gets over the
past four weeks. During that span, he has
four straight 100-yard games including his
203-yard performance and no running back
has more rushing yards than Bush during
that span, but Bush has been ruled out for
this week's game. In addition, the
Dolphins are without left tackle Jake Long,
who was placed on injured reserve, and the
Jets have the Jordan-esque Darrelle Revis
to limit the playmaking ability of Brandon
Marshall. While the Jets may not win this
game (and ultimately it may not matter
considering the tie-breakers needed), I
expect the Jets to at least keep the game
close, especially if Mark Sanchez does not
throw it 59 times this week.
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Dan
2011 Record: 24-21-6 (53.3%)
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Panthers at Saints (-8)
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49ers (-10.5) at Rams
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Cowboys at Giants (-3)
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Panthers +8
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49ers -10.5
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Giants -3
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First off Happy New Year to all, and
congratulations to Kevin and Sean on another
great season of picks. This game is only
mildly important, as there is not much the
Saints can do to improve their seeding. The
Panthers have one more game left for pride,
and will look to build momentum for next
year. The Panthers have enjoyed success
against the Saints in recent history, as they
have gone 6-1 against the spread heads up. I
also love the matchup of the Panthers running
game going up against a defense that allows
4.8 yards per carry, as they have the ability to
keep Drew Brees off the field. I think the
Saints will win this game, but the Panthers
have the ability to keep it close, and New
Orleans will have the starters resting in the
2nd half.
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I always gravitate back to the 49ers for
some reason, as they have been the best
team in the NFL against the spread this
year at 12-2-1. The Rams had a regression
year after challenging for the division last
year, they slid backwards and are in the
running for the #1 draft pick overall. The
Rams have been the worst team against
the spread this year, as they have posted a
2-12-1 record against the number. I love
the 49ers rushing offense going up against
the worst rushing defense in the league
that gives up 154 yards per game. With
both St. Louis QBs Bradford and Feeley
doubtful, I don't trust Steven Jackson going
up against the best rushing defense in the
league. The 49ers will sew up the number 2
seed here, and will cover easily.
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Finally we conclude with the game that has
the most at stake, as the winner goes to
the playoffs and loser goes home. The
Cowboys will have to hope that Tony
Romo's banged up hand will heal in time,
as after he left the Eagles game last week
they had no spark whatsoever. The Giants
seem to always make it interesting in the
last week, and have had the Cowboys
number going 6-2 against the spread
heads up in the last 8 games. I love Eli
Manning going up against a Dallas pass
defense that allows 238 yards per game,
and how the Giants have been battle tested
playing four of the top teams in the league
this year. When it comes down to it, I like
Tom Coughlin coaching over Jason Garrett,
Eli Manning over Tony Romo to win the big
one, and the Giants pass rush over the
Dallas offensive line. Giants to the playoffs,
as they always seem to qualify in week 17.
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Sean
2011 Record: 27-21-3 (56.3%)
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Titans (-2) at Texans
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Ravens (-2) at Bengals
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Cowboys at Giants (-3)
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Titans -2
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Ravens -2
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Cowboys +3
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The Titans need to win and get some help to
get in. Houston has nothing to play for
whatsoever other than to end Tennessee's
playoff chances on Sunday. If you think of it,
what team out of the teams fighting for a
playoff spot would you MOST want to play?
Probably the Titans, as they are probably the
worst of the bunch on paper. If the Titans
sneak into the playoffs, you are looking at
the same exact game, same exact location
for the playoffs the following week as the No.
3 seed vs. the No. 6 seed. Houston is going
to have a dumbed-down gameplan this week,
so they don't show Tennessee too many
things for the following week, if it turns out
that way. I think the Titans handle their
business here. 23-17
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The Ravens have a lot to play for this
week, if they want that No. 2 seed, and the
Bengals are fighting for that last playoff
berth. The Ravens have looked pretty
average the past few weeks, but I think
they get their act together this week and
win a game against a very hungry Bengals
team. A first-round bye and home-field
advantage is crucial for the Ravens
especially this year since they have sucked
on the road (losing to Jacksonville,
Tennessee and Seattle) all teams they
should have beaten. Ravens win this one
on the road though, and I believe will be a
tough out in the playoffs in the AFC.
Ravens 26-23
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Dallas should have beat the Giants in their
first meeting and blew it. Both teams have
issues on defense, but Eli Manning has
been struggling as of late while Tony Romo
has been on a roll. I think the Cowboys
have too many weapons on offense, and I
see them coming up big and winning the
division on the final day on the road.
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