Vegas Hags Pigskin Picks - Week 17

Anyone else still shook up from the ending of the Eagles – Giants game last Sunday? What a game and what a finish. Bye, Bye Giants – enjoy this year’s playoffs from your recliners. As for this week, there are some big games (the Eagles – Bucs exhibition game isn’t one of them). Can the Jets make the playoffs? Will the Bears win the Central? Will the Redskins make it to .500…oh, right, that’s not so big. Get all the picks here….

Arizona (plus 3½) at Washington
A decent game between two teams who desperately want to finish .500. I’ll go with the home team Skins who also have the better defense.
Redskins 20 – Cardinals 17

Atlanta (plus 14½) at St. Louis
The Rams will be gunning for home field throughout the playoffs and their D will make Mike Vick wish he had gotten to sit out just one more game.
Rams 38 – Falcons 17

Cincinnati (plus 5½) at Tennessee
The Bengals got their upset last week.
Titans 24 – Bengals 17

Dallas (minus 3) at Detroit
If I’m the Lions, I take my lumps and draft as early as possible…like they need to try to lose!
Cowboys 27 – Lions 20

Denver (plus 2½) at Indianapolis
A mean nothing game between two teams that could have been contenders. This should be Jim Mora’s swan song – too bad he’ll go out with a loss.
Broncos 28 – Colts 24

Green Bay (minus 3) at New York Giants
The Giants have nothing to play for except pride (yeah, right!) while the Pack could still win the division.
Packers 17 – Giants 13

Jacksonville (plus 6) at Chicago
A big game for the Bears as they can clinch the division and a first week bye. Who knows which Jags team will show up. I’m still not sold on the Bears, but they should be very motivated here.
Bears 26 – Jaguars 23

Kansas City (plus 4) at Seattle
The Seahawks are in the big dance with a win and the Chiefs are trying to keep some momentum for next year. With Dilfer and home field, I give the slight edge to the Hawks.
Seahawks 20 – Chiefs 17

New England (minus 6) at Carolina
The Pats had a week to rest and should blow out the patsy Panthers. If they falter here with the division on the line, say goodbye in week 1 of the playoffs.
Patriots 28 – Panthers 17

New York Jets (plus 4½) at Oakland
Boy, have these two teams fallen of late. Remember the Raiders looking like a Super Bowl team, the Jets a shoo-in for the playoffs? The Jets need a win to have a shot at a playoff berth – don’t count on it.
Raiders 27 – Jets 23

San Francisco (minus 2½) at New Orleans
The Niners are playing for a home wild card game and are the better team. However, the Saints quit on Jim Haslett last week and I’ll bet they paid for it this week and won’t do it again. This should be a good one.
49ers 17 – Saints 14

Buffalo (plus 6½) at Miami
The Bills like playing the spoiler, but the Dolphins should handle them this week at home.
Dolphins 21 – Bills 17

Cleveland (plus 7) at Pittsburgh
The Steelers won’t let down this week at home, although Kris Brown may miss a few FG’s.
Steelers 16 – Browns 10

Philadelphia (plus 3) at Tampa Bay
Who’s second string is mightier?
Bucs 20 – Eagles 16

Minnesota (plus 10½) at Baltimore
Say goodbye to Dennis Green. I pity whoever has to take over and coach Randy Moss (although I’d do it for that paycheck!). One more loss to make it a perfect 0-for on the road.
Ravens 23 – Vikings 10

Record:
Last week – straight up: 8-7, Against the spread: 11-4
Year to Date - straight up: 148-83, Against the spread: 129-101

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Author: G.Haggerty