It’s Week 17 of the NFL season, which kicks off on Sunday, so it’s time for our weekly look at the point spreads in order to help you win some money.
Last week, Charles Curtis went 8-6-1 in Week 16 picks (118-114-1 overall) and Steven Ruiz is 116-102 overall.
We now go to each of them for comments before their picks.
Charles: The goal of finishing a second straight year above .500 is still alive! It’s a Festivus miracle! And even though Steven missed picking last week, it’s still possible he beats me anyway.
Steven: Faked being sick last so Charles could gain any ground on me in the standings. It’s that kind of thinking that has me out in the lead, folks.
(All bets courtesy of BetMGM)
NOTE: The Cardinals and Rams game was off the board as of Thursday morning.
Titans at Texans (+4.5)
Charles: Texans
The Texans might not rest their starters since they could either get the No. 3 or 4 seed. The Titans are motivated to win this game to clinch the final AFC playoff spot. So I’ll back the home dogs, figuring this one could be closer than 4.5.
Steven: Texans
Bill O’Brien says the Texans starters will play, and they are the better team playing at home AND getting points!?!? Easy pick.
Browns at Bengals (+2.5)
Charles: Browns
In this case, you pick the better bad team. And that’s the Browns.
Steven: Browns
Whew. That’s got to be one depressing line for Browns fans. Not sure what Vegas is up to here, but I’ll fall for the trap. That line is a bit too small.
Bears at Vikings (-1.5)
Charles: Vikings
Man, Minnesota looked bad last week. But so did the Bears. I’ll back Kirk Cousins, I guess.
Steven: Vikings
A 1 o’clock game that barely matters and no one will be paying attention to? It’s Kirk Cousins’ time to shine, baby.
Colts at Jaguars (+3.5)
Charles: Colts
This feels like the lock of the week even though Indy is far from a lock these days. The Jags are a very beatable team.
Steven: Colts
Not sure how to feel about this Colts team going into the offseason, but the Jaguars are in disarray. They’re also a bad football team.
Falcons at Buccaneers (-1.5)
Charles: Falcons
A shootout! I’ll take the Falcons based on the idea that Matt Ryan will throw fewer interceptions than Jameis Winston.
Steven: Buccaneers
Jameis Winston is due for a monster game after throwing four interceptions last Saturday. This is how the Jameis Winston Rollercoaster works. I don’t make the rules.
Redskins at Cowboys (-10.5)
Charles: Redskins
Part I of our two-part series, “Bad NFC East teams looking to play spoilers over the playoff contenders.” The Cowboys look lost, and even though Case Keenum starts here, I just don’t see Dallas covering by that much despite the motivation to win and grab the division title.
Steven: Cowboys
I think we’re going to see some frustration taken out on the Redskins this week. I don’t know if that’s enough to cover a monster spread, but it’s clear the Cowboys are the better team … by a wide margin.
Saints at Panthers (+12.5)
Charles: Saints
New Orleans needs this game to possibly get a bye, so they’ll trounce a Carolina team that packed it in weeks ago.
Steven: Saints
The Saints have something to play for and the Panthers are starting Will Grier. This line should be even higher.
Eagles at Giants (+4.5)
Charles: Giants
Part II of our two-part series, “Bad NFC East teams looking to play spoilers over the playoff contenders.” The Eagles will win this game, but I bet Daniel Jones makes it interesting enough to cover.
Steven: Giants
This is the kind of game the Eagles have struggled with all season. I would not be surprised if New York pulled off the upset, actually.
Steelers at Ravens (+2.5)
Charles: Ravens
I don’t care that the Steelers are still in the running to make the postseason. Robert Griffin III is going to win this game.
Steven: Ravens
The Ravens are starting their backup and still have the better quarterback. Sad.
Jets at Bills (-1.5)
Charles: Jets
This presumes the Bills will rest their starters, so sure, I’ll take the Jets, although they SHOULD lose this game to get better draft positioning.
Steven: Jets
The Jets may be better off losing, but I don’t think that’s how Adam Gase is going to approach this one. He needs to end this season on a high note.
Dolphins at Patriots (-15.5)
Charles: Patriots
A win and they get a bye. This also feels like the kind of game Bill Belichick wants to use to prove the Pats are still dangerous, so they could run up the score and the defense could clamp down.
Steven: Dolphins
The Patriots offense is not good enough to trust with a spread that big. I’ve been fading the Pats throughout the second half and it’s been working.
Packers at Lions (+12.5)
Charles: Packers
Kind of a similar situation to the Patriots’ — a win gets them a bye or the No. 1 seed in the NFC. Packers 27, Lions 10.
Steven: Packers
The Lions have an awful defense, an undrafted quarterback and no reason to play. Green Bay will roll.
Chargers at Chiefs (-8.5)
Charles: Chiefs
Another game in which one team needs a win. But they may watch the scoreboard and see the Patriots have their bye in hand by halftime. Still, I’ll back Patrick Mahomes.
Steven: Chargers
Fully expecting a backdoor cover by Philip Rivers. If this were a midseason game, I’d take the Chiefs.
Raiders at Broncos (-3.5)
Charles: Raiders
The Broncos at home are probably the better pick here, but the Raiders have something to play for in their crazy playoff scenario. They’ll at least cover here.
Steven: Raiders
The Raiders actually have something to play for! And Drew Lock is the kind of quarterback their defense can handle. Take the points.
49ers at Seahawks (+3.5)
Charles: Seahawks
I do think the Niners come away with a win here. But they’re playing in Seattle, which will be a factor, and the defense has looked kind of ordinary in the past three weeks. So I’ll take the points.
Steven: 49ers
The Seahawks have been overachieving all season. I know they won the first matchup, but the 49ers were banged up and still forced overtime.
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