NFL picks against the spread, Week 17: Closing out the SuperContest – SB Nation
I’m taking part in the 2015 SuperContest with the folks at OddsShark, so it is time to take you along for the ride. Here are my Week 17 picks against the spread.
Welcome back for Week 17 of the 2015 NFL season. The return of the NFL means gambling is back in our lives. The NFL might frown upon it, but gambling and fantasy football are two of the biggest reasons for the NFL’s insane level of popularity. I think they’ll put up with it.
This year I am back for another crack at the LVH SuperContest. The contest includes over 1,400 participants picking games each week to see who can come out on top. Our partners at OddsShark have staked myself and a handful of other participants in the SuperContest. You can track all of us here, and you can follow the standings here.
The contest involves picking five games each week for 17 weeks. You get to choose which five games you will pick. The lines are locked in Wednesday evening, and picks are submitted by the end of the week. I am currently sitting at 49-29-2. I had a decent bounce-back performance, going 3-2 in Week 16. Hopefully I can avoid a letdown in the final week. Here are my five picks for Week 17.
New Orleans Saints (+4) over ATLANTA FALCONS
Neither team has anything to play for, with Atlanta formally eliminated from playoff contention last week. Normally I avoid the Saints on the road, but a road game in the Georgia Dome means they get their precious turf. And with the chance that this might be the last game with Drew Brees and Sean Payton together, I’ll bet on some fireworks.
Pittsburgh Steelers (-10.5) over CLEVELAND BROWNS
This is a wager on the Browns effectively deciding this season is over and pulling the plug early. They could go out fighting for Mike Pettine before their coach gets fired, but I just don’t see it. The Steelers need a win and a New York Jets loss to make the playoffs, and I think they take care of business in this one.
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (-6.5) over Oakland Raiders
Alex Smith has 11 touchdowns in four starts against the Raiders, and his Chiefs are 4-1 in those games, with all four wins coming by double digits. The Chiefs can still clinch the AFC West with a win and a Denver Broncos loss, so they have something significant to play for in Week 17. The Raiders are looking to get to .500 to close the season, but I think they come up short against their division rivals.
Detroit Lions (+1) over CHICAGO BEARS
This is kind of an ugly one between two teams battling for third place in the NFC North. The Lions have looked much better offensively since promoting Jim Bob Cooter into the offensive coordinator role. I’m wagering on one last strong offensive performance getting the outright win.
DENVER BRONCOS (-9) over San Diego Chargers
If the Broncos win, they clinch a first round bye in the playoffs. If they lose, they could slip all the way to a wild card berth. There is enough to win that I think they drop the hammer in this one.
Here are all my picks for Week 17 (5-11 last week, 118-116-5 overall):
BUFFALO BILLS vs. New York Jets (-3): Bills
CAROLINA PANTHERS vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+10.5): Bucs
MIAMI DOLPHINS vs. New England Patriots (-10.5): Patriots
CINCINNATI BENGALS vs. Baltimore Ravens (+9): Bengals
ATLANTA FALCONS vs. New Orleans Saints (+4): Saints
HOUSTON TEXANS vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (+6): Texans
CLEVELAND BROWNS vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (-10.5): Steelers
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS vs. Oakland Raiders (+6.5): Chiefs
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS vs. Tennessee Titans (+2.5): Colts
DALLAS COWBOYS vs. Washington (+3.5): Washington
CHICAGO BEARS vs. Detroit Lions (+1): Lions
NEW YORK GIANTS vs. Philadelphia Eagles (+3): Eagles
GREEN BAY PACKERS vs. Minnesota Vikings (+3): Packers
DENVER BRONCOS vs. San Diego Chargers (+9): Broncos
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS vs. St. Louis Rams (-3.5): 49ers
ARIZONA CARDINALS vs. Seattle Seahawks (+6.5): Cardinals
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