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Neither has anything except pride to play for in this game, and it feels like a situation where Brett Hundley could actually put together a decent game. He's been much better away from Lambeau Field (eight touchdowns, three picks) than he has been during home games (zero touchdowns, seven picks). He and the Packers can roll into Detroit, play a little loose and slap together something that resembles a decent offensive effort to steal a win or keep the game close.
The Pick: Packers -7
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Last week I took the Bills catching less than two touchdowns on the road against the Patriots. That was dumb, because the Patriots blasted them. This number is even bigger but the Pats aren't going to let the Jets hang around either. The No. 1 seed is at stake and the Pats will run the Jets out of the gym.
The Pick: Patriots -15.5
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This is a scorcher of a game, isn't it? The Colts gave maximum effort against the Ravens on Christmas Eve Eve, so why not expect the same thing in what is likely Chuck Pagano's final home game with this team. It could be Frank Gore's final home game with the Colts too, and even though he's only been there for three years, he should receive a pretty large ovation. Colts roll behind a big game from Gore in this one.
The Pick: Colts -4
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The Steelers could very well sit people in this game, should they expect the Patriots to win. And they could very well sit people in the second half if the Patriots are winning. Particularly Le'Veon Bell, who they need to rest for the playoffs. Still, I'm done taking the Browns, who are simply fighting to avoid 0-16. They can't avoid it and they are terrible against the spread. If you bet against them every week you would be rich.
The Pick: Steelers -13
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The Giants had been giving a pretty good effort until Week 16, when they were blanked by the Cardinals on Sunday afternoon. The Redskins are a better team than the Cardinals -- they beat them the week before! -- and even against Eli Manning, I think you see the Redskins perform at a higher level. Kirk Cousins will be throwing against a secondary that's battling some serious in-fighting and could have a nice day.
The Pick: Redskins -3
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Minnesota has something to play for, while Chicago has, well, not so much. The Vikings are the No. 2 seed and unlikely to lose that spot, but they can secure at least one home game (and possibly more) with a win over the Bears. It's hard to imagine Mitchell Trubisky and Co. moving the ball much early and if Minny can secure a lead via Case Keenum winging the ball a bit, they can run this one into the ground.
The Pick: Vikings -13.5
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Neither of these teams have anything to play for, but the Cowboys want to try and salvage a win in order to make their season look a little bit better (we were 9-7 even with Ezekiel Elliott suspended, etc., yada) while the Eagles simply want to be healthy heading into their playoff bye. Home field is clinched and the Cowboys should run wild here with Elliott, even on the road.
The Pick: Cowboys -2.5
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Too many points here, even if the Ravens are a substantially better team and should handle the Bengals. This is the Marvin Lewis Redemption Game, revenge against his old team and almost certainly his last game as the Bengals coach. Expect something involving an Andy Dalton coverbuster touchdown in the fourth quarter with the Ravens just trying to get out of dodge with a win and a playoff berth.
The Pick: Bengals +10
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The Dolphins have looked largely lethargic for the stretch to close out the season and have not been remotely impressive. Why would they start now? The Bills are playing for their playoff lives and have to win, most likely, to get into the postseason. They need some help but they will take care of their end this weekend.
The Pick: Bills -3
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Atlanta is the more desperate team here, because they probably have to win on Sunday to make the playoffs. This game was flexed to 4:25 p.m. so they won't know if the Seahawks have won or not, although there certainly will be some scoreboard watching. Same goes for the Panthers, who might pull starters if New Orleans or Minnesota gets up too much. But the NFC South and even a bye are at stake here for Carolina if things break right.
The Pick: Panthers +4
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Tampa has zero reason to care about this game -- they have been eliminated for weeks and it's hard to imagine their coach surviving even if they win. But Jameis Winston and his teammates have shown some fight down the stretch, making life tough for the Falcons and doing the same last week against the Panthers. I think they'll put up a fight at home against the Saints and keep it close enough to cover a touchdown.
The Pick: Buccaneers +7
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The Titans have more to play for in this spot, because if they win they are in the playoffs. But Tom Coughlin is running the Jaguars and I don't think he's going to let this team just lay down on the road against a divisional opponent the Jags could face again in the first week of the playoffs. Especially not when Jacksonville was just humiliated on the road by the 49ers. They need to show up here and produce a nice game, regardless of the playoff implications (it matters for opponent, not their seed).
The Pick: Jaguars +3.5
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The Chargers, somehow, have a shot at the playoffs. It's not too wild: they need to win against the Raiders this week, have the Titans lose and have the Ravens win (or the Bills lose). They will take care of their end and put the screws to an Oakland team that was trying to shut it down against the Eagles on Christmas night but got let back into the game. Huge game from Philip Rivers here.
The Pick: Chargers -8
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This is a game where everything matters to the Seahawks and nothing matters to the Cardinals. And yet, I can't find myself assuming the Seahawks will just stroll against a divisional rival in a game where we could be seeing both Bruce Arians and Larry Fitzgerald with Arizona for the last time. The Cardinals will probably lose, but they will be invested emotionally enough for those guys to put up a good performance and keep it close.
The Pick: Cardinals +9
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Love the long-term future of the Chiefs quarterback situation and all of the upside that Patrick Mahomes possesses, but I also don't love the idea of betting on a rookie quarterback and second-string players going against a veteran defense trying to close out the year on a high note. Denver was embarrassed by the Redskins last week, but will be dangerous enough in this spot to pick up a meaningless win.
The Pick: Broncos -3.5
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The Rams are basically locked into the No. 3 seed and Sean McVay has admitted he could simply sit his players in this matchup. The 49ers, meanwhile, are playing spoiler to everyone and Jimmy Garoppolo is playing some fantastic football. Expect the 49ers to keep pouring it on in Week 17 and showcasing the hope for the 2018 season with Jimmy G under center winging it around.
The Pick: 49ers -2.5
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