**All betting lines are from bet365.com**
Atlanta Falcons (4-11) @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-5)
Many will look at this game and think the Bucs have nothing to play for, but that's not true. They need the win to secure that fifth seed and the opportunity to go on the road and play the NFC East winner (which is huge because it's the worst division in football). Tom Brady has eclipsed the 300-yard mark in three straight games and I can see Bruce Arians wanting his team entering the playoffs on a high note. Bucs, 28-20.
Line: Bucs -7
Spread: Bucs -7
ML: Bucs
Baltimore Ravens (10-5) @ Cincinnati Bengals (4-10-1)
The Bengals have won two in a row over the Pittsburgh Steelers and Houston Texans and can now play spoiler on the Ravens' playoff hopes. But, let's get real here. Lamar Jackson is absolutely rolling and I can't see the Bengals getting in the way of him leading this team to wildcard weekend. Ravens, 28-17.
Line: Ravens -14
Spread: Bengals +14
ML: Ravens
Dallas Cowboys (6-9) @ New York Giants (5-10)
It's hard to imagine that we are sitting here in Week 17 and both of these teams have a shot at winning their division, despite combining for 11 total wins to this point. The NFC East has been nothing shy of a catastrophe this season and now gives us a great story line on Sunday. Jason Garrett facing his former team with a chance to squash their playoff dreams -- doesn't get more dramatic than that. Andy Dalton signed a one-year, $3-million contract in the offseason, but if he gets the Cowboys to the playoffs, he earns a $4-million incentive (lots on the line in this one...literally). Cowboys, 24-21.
Line: Cowboys -1.5
Spread: Cowboys -1.5
ML: Cowboys
Miami Dolphins (10-5) @ Buffalo Bills (12-3)
If you think the Bills don't want to secure that second seed for a shot at two home playoff games, think again. This is a big deal to Sean McDermott and his team, so I fully expect the big guns like Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs to start this football game. I'm sure there will be some scoreboard watching that comes into play here, but I like the Bills in this one. Tua Tagovailoa won't have Ryan Fitzpatrick to rely on for a dramatic 4th quarter comeback and has admitted he's never played in wintery conditions before. Bills, 20-16.
Line: Dolphins -1
Spread: Bills +1
ML: Bills
Minnesota Vikings (6-9) @ Detroit Lions (5-10)
Not a lot on the line in this divisional matchup, save for pride. For some reason, Matthew Stafford is going to tough this one out despite battling a multitude of injuries. Dalvin Cook is out for this matchup, so that vaults Alexander Mattison to the spotlight of the Vikings' backfield, but I don't think it will matter as Kirk Cousins should be able to slice through this secondary to find Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen. Vikings, 33-23.
Line: Vikings -4
Spread: Vikings -4
ML: Vikings
New York Jets (2-13) @ New England Patriots (6-9)
I circled the Jets earlier in the week because they are playing the better football of these two teams right now. But, with the news that the front office will move on from Adam Gase (to nobody's surprise), that backs me off this pick a little bit. There was already little motivation to play for in this game and now I'm not that confident in the Jets performing in this one. That being said, the Pats have looked absolutely flat the past three weeks, unable to stop the run and Cam Newton just simply can't move the chains. Jets, 19-17.
Line: Jets +3
Spread: Jets +3
ML: Jets
Pittsburgh Steelers (12-3) @ Cleveland Browns (10-5)
The second seed is still in play for the Steelers with a win (and a Bills loss), but Mike Tomlin is protecting his biggest asset by sitting Ben Roethlisberger in favor of Mason Rudolph for this matchup. There is a lot of bad blood between these two teams, especially with Rudolph facing Myles Garrett and the defensive front. If you recall last year, Rudolph and Garrett were the exchanged pleasantries in a melee on Thursday Night Football. Browns, 24-17.
Line: Browns -9.5
Spread: Steelers +9.5
ML: Browns
Arizona Cardinals (8-7) @ Los Angeles Rams (9-6)
This is a big game in the NFC West as both these teams need a win and some help to make the playoffs. Primarily, the Cardinals need this win more than the Rams because the Chicago Bears are currently holding the final playoff spot at 8-7. It looks like Kyler Murray is going to gut out his leg injury and start this game, but for the Rams, they will be without Jared Goff and forced to start John Wolford. Cardinals, 23-20.
Line: Cardinals -2.5
Spread: Cardinals -2.5
ML: Cardinals
Green Bay Packers (12-3) @ Chicago Bears (8-7)
Like I said earlier, the Bears can lose this game and still make the playoffs if the Cardinals also lose. The Packers are playing for the top seed in the NFC here and that coveted first-round bye with home field advantage (minus the fans) throughout the playoffs. That alone, should be enough motivation for Aaron Rodgers to put on a show because the thought of opposing playoff teams travelling to a brisk Lambeau Field in January is exactly what the Packers want. Do we really trust Mitchell Trubisky in this big of a spot? Packers, 30-23.
Line: Packers -4.5
Spread: Packers -4.5
ML: Packers
Jacksonville Jaguars (1-14) @ Indianapolis Colts (10-5)
The Colts very much need this win for any shot at the AFC South crown, but more so to even make the playoffs. There is a scenario on Sunday where the Browns, Dolphins, Ravens, Titans and Colts all win, but the Colts would miss the playoffs at 11-5...ouch. I'm not sure how much of a factor Philip Rivers will be in this game as I could see Frank Reich taking the ball out of his hands and leaning heavily on Jonathan Taylor. The Jags have already locked up the top pick in the draft, so they might as well unleash the playbook. Colts, 34-17.
Line: Colts -14
Spread: Colts -14
ML: Colts
L.A. Chargers (6-9) @ Kansas City Chiefs (14-1)
Andy Reid has a history of resting key players ahead of the playoffs and that's exactly what will happen at Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday. Chad Henne will get the start over Patrick Mahomes and Tyreek Hill will sit this one out. Not too sure if Travis Kelce gets a few snaps (in the first quarter maybe?), but the Chiefs should be resting many starters on both sides of the ball. Justin Herbert has the chance for a big game, but will be without Keenan Allen and Hunter Henry. Chargers, 27-20.
Line: Chargers -5
Spread: Chargers -5
ML: Chargers
Las Vegas Raiders (7-8) @ Denver Broncos (5-10)
The Raiders saw their playoff hopes go out the window last week at the hands of "Fitzmagic." Now, they head out on the road against a scrappy Broncos squad that should be able to move the ball fairly easily on offense against them. What's the motivation for the Raiders here as it this team is down on their luck. Broncos, 27-24.
Line: Raiders -2.5
Spread: Broncos +2.5
ML: Broncos
New Orleans Saints (11-4) @ Carolina Panthers (5-10)
The entire Saints backfield is out for this game, except for Ty Montgomery. That's problematic for Drew Brees who hasn't looked the part of a championship caliber QB in the last two games. Michael Thomas is also out for this matchup, so it could be a lot of Taysom Hill in certain gadget sets. Teddy Bridgewater played the Saints tough back in October, falling narrowly 27-24. This very much has upset potential, but I think Brees can squeak one out here. Saints, 21-19.
Line: Saints -6
Spread: Panthers +6
ML: Saints
Tennessee Titans (10-5) @ Houston Texans (4-11)
The Titans can win the AFC South with a victory over the Texans. This game has the highest point total of the weekend at 54.5 and rightfully so. Neither secondary can defend against the pass and despite the Titans being heavy road favorites here, I like Deshaun Watson to continue playing at a high level and keep this game close throughout. Derrick Henry could feast in this matchup as he needs 223 rushing yards to hit 2,000 on the year. Titans, 31-28.
Line: Titans -7
Spread: Texans +7
ML: Titans
Washington Football Team (6-9) @ Philadelphia Eagles (4-10-1)
It's a Sunday night showdown as the Football Team tries to wrap up the NFC East for the first time since 2015. They will get plenty of help from the Eagles, who appear to be sitting several key players -- Fletcher Cox, Dallas Goedert and Miles Sanders headline the list -- and Alex Smith, Terry McLaurin and Antonio Gibson are all expected to suit up. The winner of the Cowboys and Giants game will be locked into this matchup and despite the losing records, we get some drama to end the regular season. Eagles, 21-20.
Line: Football Team -4
Spread: Eagles +4
ML: Eagles
Week 16 Results
Spread: 11-5
ML: 12-4
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