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Why are we supposed to believe the Browns will magically put it together in a meaningless Week 17 game? The Bengals are still trying, while the Browns are just kind of showing up and going through the motions. A win over Cleveland at home to close out the season would be a massive victory for Andy Dalton and Co.
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Outdoors game at Crazypants Stadium with Jameis Winston under center? This game should have been flexed to Sunday night just so the entire world could see Winston doing Winston things. This will be just the third outdoor game for the Falcons this season, but they're 2-0 so far with wins in Carolina and at San Francisco. I'm going to take the more stable team playing to save its coach's job and give the Falcons a nod here. This game could go literally any way though.
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The only concern we should have here is the Chiefs yanking everyone if they're up, scoreboard watching and seeing the Patriots have a big lead over the Dolphins. Otherwise they should blow this Chargers team out. Los Angeles just keeps finding ways to step on its toes and the Chiefs are playing awesome football on both sides of the ball. Patrick Mahomes is quietly locked in and playing at a better level than he was last year, honestly. Don't be surprised if this is like 20-7 in the fourth quarter. Just have to find out whether Philip Rivers is going to storm through the backdoor.
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The problem with this game is the Vikings have no motivation to win outside of going into the playoffs with some confidence. They're locked into the sixth seed on the NFC side of things and I would anticipate that Mike Zimmer sits anyone who is dinged up at all and maybe pulling anyone who is important too. The Bears will want to shake off that ugly L to the Chiefs in prime time, so Mitchell Trubisky chunks some passes deep to Allen Robinson in a low-scoring win for Chicago.
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When Bill Belichick tells his team to treat this game "like a playoff game" then you assume he's going to treat it pretty seriously. The Dolphins have been an annoying spoiler team all year, but they're not going to be a match for the Pats trying to secure their bye. New England will want to win this one by 21 points and never have to worry about any Miami Miracle nonsense.
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Look, this is a lot of points and I don't think the Packers are THAT good. But here's the issue: if Green Bay wins this game, it is guaranteed no worse than the No. 2 seed regardless of what happens with the Saints and Seahawks/49ers. That should be more than enough motivation for Matt LaFleur to unleash Aaron Jones against an overmatched Detroit defense. David Blough could storm through the backdoor, but it's a chance we'll just have to take.
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Obviously don't like the Jets in any shape or form, but I do think we'll see Sean McDermott take the approach of his mentor and first boss Andy Reid and sit his key players. How long will that mean for the first-team offensive guys? No clue. But the Jets should be playing to win and get to 7-9, which will feel like a victory for Adam Gase after their slow start. Le'Veon Bell could end up with a decent day in this game.
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New Orleans is on a roll right now and still playing for a shot at home-field advantage, without knowing what will happen with the Seahawks/49ers until Sunday night. That should mean maximum effort for the Saints against an overmatched Panthers team that is careening into the end of the season Drew Brees is starting to get dialed throwing the deep ball and should have another big game in store.
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I can't possibly take the Cowboys showing up for this game seriously. I know the Eagles have to beat the Giants and Dallas still believes its alive. But the Redskins have played well in recent weeks and should be on a cover streak with Terry McLaurin continuing to put up numbers. A big game here and he could at least challenge for the OROY conversation. Dallas will probably win but I don't think the Redskins will roll over and die.
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The Jaguars definitely stink, but I'm not sure how motivated/talented the Colts are right now. The only reason anyone cares about this game is Indy trying to get to .500 or the Raiders trying to sneak into the playoffs. AKA there's not a whole lot of reason to care. What's the under here? 43 is too high. This should be a sloppy game where Leonard Fournette takes over in the passing game and the Jaguars win or hold on to stay within three points.
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Baltimore is resting everyone so the Steelers will be the popular choice, but I'm not entirely sure the Ravens backups are worse than the Steelers starters in this spot. I would not expect many points but I WOULD expect the Ravens to spoil Pittsburgh's playoff hopes thanks to Robert Griffin III having a decent game under center.
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Bill O'Brien said he will play his starters and play to win and that's fine, but come on. He HAS to say that knowing he won't be aware of his AFC seeding fate until about 10 minutes before the start of his game. If the Chiefs win, he's locked into the fourth seed. And my opinion is he'll pull guys quickly if he's locked into a particular seed. As such, I'll take the Titans laying the points because they have to win to get in the playoffs.
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Everyone expects the Giants to play spoiler to the Eagles and throw the NFC East into chaos. I do not! I think the Eagles will slaughter them, knowing a win and they're into the playoffs as the division winner. Carson Wentz is playing some really good football right now and proving doubters wrong. The Eagles don't have a lot of pass catching weapons, but defensively they can slow down the Giants, who celebrated their Super Bowl with Eli Manning's big win and beer party two weeks ago.
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I spent 30 minutes trying to figure out why the Raiders, who desperately need to win to keep their playoff hopes alive, are the underdog against a team starting a second-round rookie in a game that ultimately doesn't matter. Then I realized the Broncos play in Denver where it is COLD in December. The high is 36 degrees on Sunday and as Jack Del Rio has pointed out, Derek Carr doesn't like cold weather games. The Raiders are 0-3 in sub 40 degree games since 2016. They're 1-2 against the spread. And the under is 3-0 in those games, with Oakland scoring a combined 32 points. Gimme Denver.
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I think you have to take the Rams if we assume that this game doesn't matter to the Cardinals and that Kyler Murray is dealing with a bum hamstring. It would be weird if the Cardinals put him out there -- the reps are important, but he doesn't need to really aggravate his hammy for no reason in Week 17. So it should be Brett Hundley against a Los Angeles team with nothing to play for but an interest in providing some positive momentum going into the postseason.
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I hate the idea of going against Russell Wilson in prime time or going against Marshawn Lynch in his return to Seattle. Signing Beast Mode feels like psychological warfare and it's a smart play. But give me George Kittle in a huge spot against a questionable defense -- the 49ers could have smothered the Seahawks earlier this year and let them back in. If they turn Russell Wilson loose, maybe Seattle goes nuclear. I tend to think this is a big day for the Niners defense instead.
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