2017 NFL Week 17 Predictions

Week 17 Predictions

Lions -7.5 over Packers, 27-13

-Lions want a winning record and even though I’m not sure Stafford plays a full game it may not matter. Packers are done for 2017.

Colts -4 over Texans, 20-12

-Colts are fighting, Texans are not.

Vikings -11.5 over Bears, 23-11

-Vikings want and need to lock up that 2^nd seed, likely getting them all the way to the Super Bowl if things break right. Bears did a great job last week and are fight hard, but this is a motivated, elite team. Bears are one of the best bad teams though, and look good to make a leap next year in an uneven division.

Pats -15.5 over Jets, 34-10

-Pats aren’t losing this game. It is just whether they cover this insane spread or not. I think they do, and the Jets are about done.

Ethnic Slurs -3.5 over Giants, 20-14

-Washington is ending strong enough to earn Kirk a bunch of money elsewhere.

Cowboys -2.5 over Eagles, 24-18

-Eagles have only barely won, and don’t have motivation for a matchup the Cowboys will be mad enough to play full out for. Also, low key likely Dez’s last game in Dallas. Witten’s too?

Steelers -14 over Browns, 27-10

-This is the Browns’ Super Bowl, but with Kizer that may not matter. Can he gets to 25 picks this year? Let’s see.

Falcons -4 over Panthers, 27-20

-The desperation for making the playoffs will replace the generally better play from Carolina lately. Carolina may actually have to throw here: At some point they will, and that will be the moment we see whether they can actually make a run. Julio, also, you know touchdowns are possible, right? Please replace Sark Falcons, it ruined your year.

Broncos -3.5 over Chiefs, 20-13

-Chiefs are locked into their seed, and Broncos have many players playing for their futures. I actually hope Lynch is decent, otherwise he may not get another shot.

Titans -6 over Jags, 20-10

-One might think that the Jags would love to knock out the Titans, a divisional foe and their likely week 18 matchup. However, the Jags reached to securing their division last week by letting down versus the Niners. They are a young team, and the first trip for this group to the playoffs may be distracting from this relatively meaningless game.

Chargers -7.5 over Raiders, 30-13

-Raiders finding ways to lose right now. Chargers need a win.

49ers +3 over Rams, 24-14

-Ram are sitting everyone, so thanks for the Brady MVP McVay! Jimmy G inexplicably will be 5-0. 

Seahawks -7.5 over Cards, 20-7

-Seahawks aren’t perfect, but need this to try to get in, and the Cards are facing so much Arians uncertainty.

Saints -7.5 over Bucs, 31-16

-There are a lot of uncomfortable 7.5 point lines here this week, but that makes sense I guess. Saints still in position to decide some spots and some seeding. It will also be better for them to start the playoffs in better rhythm.

Bills -3 over Fins, 17-13

-Generally more motivation for the Bills here, and plus Cutler is literally days away from the beach.

Ravens -9.5 over Bengals, 17-6

-Bengals may want to play spoiler, but the Ravens need a win to be in. Bengals go quietly into their post Marvin Lewis future.

Record last week:

Straight Up: 11-5

By Spread: 8-8

Record this year:

Straight Up: 149-84

By Spread: 121-110

Lifetime record:
Straight Up: 1246-673
By Spread: 1025-898

NFL 2017 Week 16 Predictions

Week 16 Predictions

Ravens -13.5 over Colts, 20-3

-Bad news, I’m starting 3 Ravens in a fantasy finals this week. Good news, it’s Tucker, the DST, and Alex Collins. Do I need a shutout? Yes, Yes I do.

Vikings -9 over Packers, 24-12

-Without Rodgers, and the hope for the playoffs, this might be ugly. Good Hundley or Bad Hundley? I’d bet on Bad. Viks want that seeding.

Lions -4 over Cincy, 26-13

-Cincy flat quit last week. Marvin needs to get out of here in two weeks before they turn on him.

Chargers -7 over Jets, 30-3

-Jets are done, and are now the team that I thought they would be to start the year. Maybe McCown should be considered for next year. Chargers need to win out to have any chance now, so they will be up for this game.

Rams -6.5 over Titans, 27-13

-Titans somehow are still right at the edge of the playoffs, but are not a good team. The Rams are going to illustrate that this week. Good luck scoring Mariota.

Bears -6.5 over Browns, 17-9

-Oh Browns. I thought about taking the Dogs with so many points and this being their last real chance to win this season (they have Pitt next week). But the Bears are at least a real team, and the smart money is probably on Chicago. Wish I had made the Finals in the league I have Jordan Howard: It should be a big week for him.

Panthers -10 over Bucs, 26-6

-Bucs are done, and the Panthers defense is vicious. I wouldn’t be playing Jameis this week.

Saints -5.5 over Falcons, 30-22

-Big set of NFC South games the next two weeks. The Saints are due for a stronger showing than the last two weeks, and perhaps have been looking ahead at these games. Falcons still don’t seem quite right, and Julio is nursing multiple injuries.

Broncos +3.5 over Washington, 16-13

-No. Just no. Don’t watch it.

Chiefs -10.5 over Fins, 26-10

-Fins are done, the Chiefs seem to be mostly on track again. KC closes the division, and Cutler is counting down the weeks to arriving at whatever beach he aims takes his next photo at.

Pats -12 over Bills, 30-17

-I am a little scared about Gronk and White, but overall this is where the Bills get finally and completely knocked out. Brady firms up the MVP here with a big game. Lewis and White will both be good fantasy plays with Burkhead out.

Jags -4 over 49ers, 20-12

-49ers have had a nice run, but this is Jimmy G’s first really big test. Jags secondary will show him down some. 49ers don’t want to ruin their pick that much.

Giants +3.5 over Cards, 20-18

-Eli is awake now, and flinging the ball all over the field, mostly to his team too. Cards couldn’t beat what remains of the Washington Professional Football team last week, couldn’t even cover. I’m not bitter at all. Not even a little.

Cowboys -5 over Seahawks, 24-17

-Two teams with different emotions and paths, though about the same playoff chances at this point. Seattle needs the NFC South to completely combust to get in, but after that shellacking last week there is no way I am betting on them. Zeke coming back finalizes my feelings on this one.

Steelers -9.5 over Texans, 20-10

-Steelers are going to win out knowing they have to in order to hold the #2 seed from the Jags (the effing Jags).

Raiders +9 over Eagles, 24-27

-I don’t know Foles can do that two weeks in a row, the Eagles may have things sown up by this point on Monday night, and the Raiders are still alive. That’s just too many points.

Record last week:

Straight Up: 11-5

By Spread: 9-7

Record this year:

Straight Up: 138-79

By Spread: 113-102

Lifetime record:
Straight Up: 1235-688
By Spread: 1017-890

2017 NFL Week 15 Predictions

Week 15 Predictions

Broncos -2.5 over Colts, 20-10

-Broncos have righted the ship a little bit, and the Colts have to feel finally defeated after that loss in Buffalo.

Lions -5.5 over Bears, 26-20

-Bears are fighting hard, but the Lions are still alive for a playoff spot in a suddenly very interesting NFC North.

Chargers -1.5 over Chiefs, 24-22

-Chiefs righted the ship last week, but the Chargers are rolling behind dark horse MVP candidate Phillip Rivers.

Fins pk over Bills, 17-16

-Without Tyrod, you have to think the Fins continue their positive run.

Eagles -7.5 over Giants, 24-13

-Stay away, because I have no idea what happens in this game. But I figure, Wentz seems about as important as Zeke is to their relative teams, but Foles is a better backup relative Alfred Morris, and if Dallas beats the Giants by 20….yeah I worked too hard on that one.

Cards +4.5 over Ethnic Slurs, 20-18

-Cards are still technically alive, and I’m not sure the Washington franchise can technically field a fully healthy team right now.

Vikings -10.5 over Bengals, 26-13

-Bengals need a hard reboot after what we have seen the last few weeks. Ugh, that was painful. Vikings will just keep collecting wins.

Saints -16 over Jets, 31-6

-Wow that’s a bit line. But no McCown presumably, Saints coming off 10 days rest and a tough loss, they will be out for blood. Big game from Ingram here I think.

Packers +3 over Panthers, 27-23

-Any time you can take Aaron Rodgers and points, you do it. You know what the best part of that sentence is? WE HAVE AARON RODGERS BACK!!!!

Ravens -7 over Browns, 20-9

-This should be a blowout, and a big game from Alex Collins. Am I saying that because he is intimately involved in my fantasy title hopes? Goddamn right I am.

Jags -11 over Texans, 23-10

-Texans are done and the Jags are hot. Bortles isn’t really Bortling right now, so the Jags look…settled, organized? Scary thought.

Rams +2.5 over Seahawks, 24-23

-This should be close, and I’ll take the points and the younger team that is healthier. Goff, this is it, your time to seize the division…perhaps for the foreseeable future.

Patriots -3 over Steelers, 31-27

-Pats are unlikely to lose two in a row, unlikely to suffer bad back to back Brady performances, and generally own this Steelers team. It is time for the Steelers to win a close game.

49ers -2 over Titans, 20-13

-49ers go to 3-0 under Jimmy G, who is quickly asserting himself as an awesome dynasty option. The 49ers could be your quick turnaround team next year in what could be an awesome division for years to come.

Raiders +3.5 over Cowboys, 23-22

-Cowboys had a nice win last week and the Raiders a demoralizing loss, but I think they reverse profiles this week mainly due to each’s status in the playoff race.

Falcons -6 over Bucs, 30-22

-The Falcons will dominate this game versus a defeated Bucs team. Cmon Julio, one big one for the fantasy playoffs?

Record last week:

Straight Up: 9-7

By Spread: 9-7

Record this year:

Straight Up: 127-74

By Spread: 104-95

Lifetime record:
Straight Up: 1224-683
By Spread: 1008-883

2017 NFL Week 14 Predictions

Week 14 Predictions

Saints +1 over Falcons, 27-23

-Am I confused or missing something? How are the Saints not favorites by at least 3? I know the Falcons are at home, but the Saints are trending some positively and the Falcons are treading water at minimum. This is also such an awesome Thursday night game to start the fantasy playoffs, good job schedule-makers.

Bills pk over Colts, 20-10

-Bills are still a better team than this group that quit weeks ago.

Bengals -6 over Bears, 17-10

-Bengals, you hurt my feelings by not winning last when you had the chance. And for contributing to a gladiatorial version of a football game that singlehandedly reminded people

Packers -3 over Browns, 20-12

-Bill Belichick could coach for 52 more years at 0-16 and still have a higher winning percentage than Hue. Fun fact.

Raiders +4.5 over Chiefs, 20-19

-There is no way I can take the Chiefs, not with how they are trending. Since the Raiders game, really…

Cowboys -4.5 over Giants, 24-10

-I have to, just makes too much sense.

Lions -1 over Bucs, 24-22

-Just don’t trust Jameis. Hopefully Stafford is a bit healthier than last week.

Vikings -2.5 over Panthers, 24-20

-Vikings showing how much strong schemes, lines, and coaching can overcome injuries and changes at skill positions and QB. Panthers are…not showing that at all.

49ers +3.5 over Texans, 21-13

-Jimmy G! Texans in free fall.

Jags -3 over Seahawks, 20-13

-Okay Seattle. If you can win this on the road on a shorter week and with your injuries, I’m in. For now, I am staying with Bortles. Wait, what?

Jets -1 over Broncos, 20-8

-I am stunned I am saying this, but clearly, this Jets team is MILES better than their opponent this week. I need to go bathe now.

Titans -3 over Cards, 20-16

-Titans aren’t that much better, but they need it and the Cards are done.

Chargers -6 over Ethnic Slurs, 26-19

-Chargers keep rolling on a good schedule. Question for a friend…will Jordan Reed be healthy ever again?

Eagles +2 over Rams, 28-26

-Just seems like a bounce back week for the Eagles. Let’s not forget how good they have been: Teams as good as them have gone to Seattle and lost as well.

Ravens +5.5 over Steelers, 16-17

-Injuries adding up for the Steelers, and their win streak has been built on tenuous contests. It has to come due at some point.

Patriots -11 over Fins, 30-13

-Fins will likely put up a fight, but Pats are in cruise control now. Big Cooks day coming.

Record last week:

Straight Up: 12-3

By Spread: 12-3

Record this year:

Straight Up: 118-67

By Spread: 95-88

Lifetime record:
Straight Up: 1215-676
By Spread: 999-876

2017 NFL Week 13 Predictions

Ravens -3 over Lions, 20-16

-I keep supporting the Lions and they keep coming up just short. Stafford is gimpy right now, and the Ravens are rolling despite Flacco playing poorly. Ravens take a close one here.

49ers +3.5 over Bears, 15-17

-Jimmy G! I’ll take the points and the hope.

Vikings +3.5 over Falcons, 21-20

-Vikings are playing so well it feels wrong not to take that extra half point.

Pats -8.5 over Bills, 36-16

-Bills are playing for their playoff lives, but Pats are rolling and about to put the final touches on the division…in Week 13.

Fins +1 over Broncos, 20-17

-Broncos in free fall. Even Matt Moore can take advantage of that. We were robbed of Jarvis Landry and Aquib Talib though.

Titans -7 over Texans, 20-10

-Titans keep winning these games and will limp to a playoff spot. It is going to be a great first round bet though.

Chiefs -4.5 over Jets, 26-20

-Chiefs need to stop their free fall at some point. If they don’t do it versus the Jets, it might just be over with the Chargers so hot and the Raiders lurking still somehow.

Jags -9 over Colts, 21-6

-Jags rock this easily, and Jacoby has nightmares of this defensive line.

Packers pk over Bucs, 20-16

-Packers are living on the hope of Rodgers coming back, and the Bucs are about done.

Chargers -13.5 over Browns, 24-10

-Bolts are rolling, Browns are about done, the Chargers’ secondary is awesome, and the Browns have Kizer. Thank you and drive through.

Raiders -6.5 over Giants, 20-12

-Raiders need this and the Giants are tanking (Geno Smith is tanking. Call it like it is).  

Saints -4 over Panthers, 27-22

-I know the records, and result last week project this as a great game but I remember the first matchup that wasn’t close, and that the Panthers nearly gave up the win to the Jets last week.

Rams -7 over Cards, 30-17

-Cards are feisty and try hard, but the Rams are in the “win the games you should win” phase of their season and development. Goff has a big game again.

Eagles -5 over Seahawks, 31-20

-Eagles all the way. Finally, a team that can expose how bad the hawks have gotten on defense and how weak they have been despite the wins on their resume. Wentz continues the MVP run.

Bengals +6 over Steelers, 23-24

-Steelers have been winning close games, and the Bengals have won more games than people think. Just taking the points for a close one.

Record last week:

Straight Up: 12-4

By Spread: 10-6

Record this year:

Straight Up: 106-64

By Spread: 83-85

Lifetime record:
Straight Up: 1203-673
By Spread: 987-873

2017 NFL Week 12 Predictions

Week 12 Predictions

Lions +3 over Vikings, 23-22

-Just a feeling. Lions are at home, Vikings still have Case Keenum and patchwork running backs.

Chargers -1 over Cowboys, 24-20

-Jason Garrett knows he needs to do more than clap, right?

Giants +7.5 over Ethnic Slurs, 13-16

-Just taking the points in this horrible game. Washington is so injured it isn’t funny. I hope Sterling Shephard is okay though.

Browns +8.5 over Bengals, 13-17

-Browns cover, but AJ Green goes off for a big game.

Eagles -13.5 over Bears, 34-13

-That’s a lot of points, but the Eagles are rolling right now.

Pats -16 over Fins, 31-10

-And this is an absurd amount of points but the Fins are in a tailspin. Now that they are 8-2, this end stretch versus all the AFC East team is delicious. The Pittsburgh game may not matter because they are winning at least 4 of those 5.

Bills +10 over Chiefs, 20-26

-Chiefs are leaking oil and this is the Tyrod Taylor revenge game.

Falcons -9.5 over Bucs, 27-13

-Bucs are playing better than I thought, but the Falcons are starting to get it together and pushing for a playoff spot. The Bucs are done.

Panthers -4.5 over Jets, 20-10

-The Panthers are rested and ready, and hopefully Cam can put together a better second half to the season than the first.

Titans -3.5 over Colts, 16-9

-These Titans are getting into the playoffs, and with the state of the AFC, could actually win a playoff game. The Colts…well this could get ugly.

Seahawks -6.5 over 49ers, 26-17

-Seattle is beaten up but still feisty, and the Niners are likely done winning this year. I want to see Jimmy G soon though.

Saints +3 over Rams, 24-23

-This is a huge, great game. I am excited to see Goff try to go blow for blow with Brees and the experience and balance in NO is why I am taking them. The free points help, and the issues with Robert Woods’ health also detracts.

Jags -4.5 over Cards, 17-12

-Nice stand by the Cards last week, but even with Bortling the Jags have clearly figured something out here.

Raiders -5 over Broncos, 23-13

-A team that is in it versus a team out of it. That simple.

Steelers -14 over Packers, 28-10

-Oh Hundley. Steelers getting a great schedule, like the Pats are too.

Ravens -6.5 over Texans, 20-13

-Flacco makes me nervous, but another case of a team being in it versus not.

Record last week:

Straight Up: 11-2

By Spread: 9-4

Record this year:

Straight Up: 94-60

By Spread: 73-79

Lifetime record:
Straight Up: 1191-69
By Spread: 977-867

2017 NFL Week 11 Predictions

Week 11 Predictions

Steelers -7 over Titans, 26-17

-Ugh, I wish it were different but the Steelers play better at home and I worry the stage is too big for the Titans. I am excited for the camera views though. Madden mode!

Lions -3 over Bears, 31-13

-I do not understand this line. At all. Lions are clearly better and coming off a solid win. Bears lost an inexcusable game to the Packers without Aaron.

Browns +7.5 over Jags, 14-20

-Just too many points versus Bortles and a team that seemingly won’t commit to Fournette for some reason.

Ravens -2 over Packers, 20-16

-Ravens are absolutely better the Rodgers-less Packers. This line is confusing to me.

Rams +2 over Vikings, 26-22

-This is a lot of respect to the Vikings defense, which isn’t wholly misplaced. However, I’ll take the Rams’ hot offense and Goff > Keenum.

Saints -7.5 over Ethnic Slurs, 31-20

-Saints are rolling, Washington is leaking. If this is Brees’ last run, I’m glad he is getting a good attempt at another Super Bowl. And its with defense and a running game!

Chiefs -10.5 over Giants, 34-13

-Chiefs are going to get right in this game, prepared and rested, ready to beat the broken Giants.

Cards -1 over Texans, 23-20

-Texans are showing a loss in morale with all those injuries. Cards are professional enough to grind out a win.

Chargers pk over Bills, 17-12

-Betting against the new QB. And against a defense leaking rushing yards every second.

Bengals +2.5 over Broncos, 16-10

-Broncos are a broken team, and Paxton needs to be playing.

Pats -6.5 over Raiders, 37-27

-The Pats are the better prepared team, staying in the high altitude to practice, bond, and continue their mojo. I will personally enjoy this team a lot, and the Oakland WRs could both deliver big games. Pats win in a shootout.

Eagles -3.5 over Cowboys, 33-24

-The Cowboys have taken a massive blow with the loss of Zeke and somehow I don’t think the lines have adjusted. We realize the Eagles are the best team in football, right?

Falcons +3.5 over Seahawks, 27-20

-Seahawks are not playing even, complete football and Atlanta is desperate.

Record last week:

Straight Up: 10-3

By Spread: 9-4

Record this year:

Straight Up: 83-58

By Spread: 64-75

Lifetime record:
Straight Up: 1180-67
By Spread: 968-863

2017 NFL Week 10 Predictions

Week 10 Predictions

Saints -3 over Bills, 27-16

-The Bills aren’t quite as good as I thought, and I think we are at the point where the Saints are for real and need to be treated and such. Good for them.

Bears -5.5 over Packers, 16-9

-This feels so weird. Poor Packers. Thanks for Martellus though!

Lions -11 over Browns, 24-6

-Lions are my pick to win that division, and everyone is sleeping on them. Stafford continues along, underappreciated, overachieving without elite receivers to work with.

Steelers -10 over Colts, 27-3

-This could be ugly. Steelers are getting a nice run of opponents here. Somehow, I am seeing a 1-2-3 finish for the Pats-Steelers-Chiefs respectively, and that could be awesome for NE. Colts...I have so many questions about what you are doing. The management of Luck is criminal at this point.

Chargers +4.5 over Jags, 20-21

-This just feels like a close game. LAC is an opponent that can actually force Blake to Bortle a bit with their pass rush. I’ll be interested to see if the Fournette issue was an aberration or is something that is going to halt his awesome rookie season.

Jets -2.5 over Bucs, 17-13

-Bucs are a mess, and the Jets are playing competently.

Titans -4.5 over Bengals, 20-14

-Titans run the ball down their throat. Hopefully that doesn’t make AJ that mad…

Vikings -1.5 over Ethnic Slurs, 20-17

-Vikings are rested and ready for this team. I know Washington just beat Seattle, but that was a weird game and Vikings are going to be ready and more stout on defense than Seattle currently is.

Rams -11 over Texans, 31-16

-I believe in these Rams, and think they have a really good shot to win this division. They just need to keep the growth going, and not stop where they are at. The Texans I feel bad for, but I think the implosion is coming. It would be hard not to lose hope, right?

Falcons -3 over Cowboys, 28-24

-No Zeke is the defining element here. We will see if the line is still as good as it was two years ago. The Falcons have to get this right at some point, at least to start scoring.

49ers +3.5 over Giants, 17-15

-That’s just too many points at home, so here’s hoping the Niners get their first win.

Pats -7.5 over Broncos, 27-13

-Bigger number than I’d like, but the Pats are coming off the bye and the Broncos are a mess. Good bet, and the tease is almost guaranteed.

Panthers -9 over Fins, 20-10

-Panthers will grind out a relatively easy 10-point victory versus a team ready to make Cutler related mistakes.

Record last week:

Straight Up: 7-6

By Spread: 7-6

Record this year:

Straight Up: 73-55

By Spread: 55-71

Lifetime record:
Straight Up: 1170-64
By Spread: 959-859