Sunday, January 1, 2017

Picks of the Week



We are finally at week 17 of what has been an eventful, interesting, and costly NFL Season.  Since we really have no idea who is really going to be playing this week, I should just take this week off, but after three great weeks in a row, I will try to make it four.

My long time readers know how this works, but for everybody else,  a reminder.  Each pick is using the spread (straight up is for wussies), and the betting line is from the same website each week as of the time of typing the entry. I keep a running tally of my record, plus my winnings/losses. We will "pretend" that I bet $100 on each game, with one game each week going for $250. Winnings/Losses will be calculated including a 10% vig to make the math that much simpler.

Chicago Bears +6 1/2 at Minnesota Vikings
My reverse curse of hopefully ending up with DeShaun Watson seems to be working.  A loss here cements the third pick in the draft, unless the 49ers win their second in a row and then the Bears will pick second!

Cincinnati Bengals +1 v. Baltimore Ravens
I have no idea who is going to show up in this game, but I am taking the Bengals because they are at home, and more importantly, I feel that the Ravens will be flat after missing out on the playoffs.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers -3 v. Carolina Panthers
Tampa Bay still has a shot at the playoffs if:  (1) Tampa wins over Carolina; (2) Detroit beats Green Bay; (3) Tennessee defeats Houston; (4) Indianapolis conquers Jacksonville; (5) Dallas knocks off Philadelphia; (6) San Francisco overcomes Seattle; and (7) New York (Giants) tie Washington.  So you are saying there's a chance.  Well, at least it starts here.

Houston Texans +3 at Tennessee Titans
Tom Savage and Matt Cassell in an epic battle of mediocrity.

Jacksonville Jaguars +6 at Indianapolis Colts
Allen Robinson finally made an appearance last week.  Leave it to the Jaguars to play hard for their coach in the two games AFTER he was fired.

Miami Dolphins +7 1/2 v. New England Patriots
New England still has to win (or lose and have help) to maintain home field advantage throughout the playoffs.  That makes this game one of the more interesting ones on the weekend.  The textbook on how to beat Brady is to put pressure on him from the middle - enter Ndamukong Suh - and hit him/sack him - enter Cameron Wake.

New York Jets + 3 1/2 v. Buffalo Bills
The Jets can't even effectively bench their starting quarterback, as Ryan Fitzpatrick is again starting.  Look for him to fling it around the field in search of a new team/contract for next year.  Oh yeah, plus E.J. Manual.

Philadelphia Eagles -6 v. Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys have absolutely nothing to play for, and the story is that Dak Prescott, Tony Romo AND Mark Sanchez will all play today.  Philly wins big.

Pittsburgh Steelers -3 1/2 v. Cleveland Browns
No two game winning streak for the Browns.  The Steelers are just too much, even if they play backups.

New Orleans Saints +7 1/2 at Atlanta Falcons
This could end up being a shootout.  With just a couple of more wins, Drew Brees would likely be the leading MVP candidate.

Washington Racists -7 1/2 v. New York Giants
The Giants have nothing to play for, whereas the Racists still have the opportunity to make the playoffs with a win and the Detroit/Green Bay game finishing in anything other than a tie.  (There is a scenario with Washington ties, Detroit beats Green Bay and Carolina defeats Tampa, but what are the odds that Washington finishes the season with two ties?)

Denver Broncos -1 1/2 v. Oakland Raiders
We do not know what we will be getting with Matt McGloin (or as was told to him at Penn State "Pat My Groin").  We do know that the Broncos will be fired up to win one for Gary Kubiak, who is rumored to be retiring due to health issues.

Los Angeles Rams +7 v. Arizona Cardinals
A likely snoozer, but the Rams defense - behind the stellar play of Aaron Donald - will likely keep this one close.

Kansas City Chiefs -4 1/2 at San Diego Chargers
The Chiefs can still win the division, and possibly have home-field advantage.  That is something to play for as the Chiefs have one of the best home field crowds in the NFL.

San Francisco 49ers +11 v. Seattle Seahawks
Only because Seattle's mind likely won't be in this game for the entirety.

Green Bay Packers -3 1/2 at Detroit Lions
The biggest, most important, most anticipated game of the day occurs in the evening, where the winner makes the playoffs and likely knocks the loser out of the playoffs.  In this type of scenario, would YOU bet against Aaron Rodgers?  I wouldn't.

Big Bet
Pittsburgh Steelers -3 1/2 v. Cleveland Browns
No two game winning streak for the Browns.  The Steelers are just too much, even if they play backups.  It's Cleveland, and the point spread seems small.

Last Week's Record:  10-6
Last Week's Big Bet:  1-0
Year-to-Date Record:  123-114-5
Big Bet Year-to-Date:  6-10
Last Week's Winnings (Losses):  $490
Winnings (Losses) Year-to-Date:  ($1,525)

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