NFL Week 17 Bettors Guide.

Last Week: 9-7 straight up; 7-9 against the spread

Overall: 69-39-1 straight up; 49-49-3 against the spread

Let's try to finish the regular season with a winning record ATS hah.

Sunday's 1pm Slate:

Oakland Raiders @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-13): I'm not a big fan of big spreads as I said. But as you'll see as a trend this week, it will be warranted. Oakland is 0-3 SU and ATS this season with the NFC South, being outscored 75-9. Tampa's coming off a tough loss to a desperate San Diego team; that they had on the ropes but couldn't put away and it cost them. Fighting for their playoff lives against this anemic Oakland offense which likely showed up for the last time this year vs. Houston...forget about it. Tampa Bay 27 Oakland 6

Cleveland Browns @ Pittsburgh Steelers (-11): True, the Steelers are entrenched as the AFC's 2 seed, but you must believe that Mike Tomlin will play his starters for a decent portion of this one since they get a first round bye. Regardless, with a Browns team that has gone longer without a TD than I have with a date (frickin unbelievable- 5 weeks ha) and was shut out by the BENGALS' DEFENSE...I hate to see any coach especially Romeo Crennel go out like this but dear God. They'll get a garbage TD I think late but it's over. Pittsburgh 24 Cleveland 10

Tennessee Titans (-3) @ Indianapolis Colts: A game that will have no bearing seeding wise (the Titans have homefield throughout; the Colts will be the 5 seed). Don't expect Peyton Manning to play much at all (maybe a couple of series before giving it over to Jim Sorgi); meanwhile Jeff Fisher has let it be known the Titans' starters will be in this one for at least a half or so. There will be a Vince Young sighting however hah. Look for the Titans to take this one. Tennessee 20 Indianapolis 14

St. Louis Rams @ Atlanta Falcons (-14): The last time the Falcons were this heavily favored was back in week 11 against the Broncos and they actually lost as 6.5 point favorites. I don't think however you have to worry about this Lambs team that is coming off a game where they blew a 13 point lead late against the Niners. This is a recipe for disaster, especially since the Falcons with some help can get the NFC's 2 seed. Atlanta 31 St. Louis 10

New England Patriots (-6) @ Buffalo Bills: Yes, the Bills are playing the role as spoiler for the 2nd consecutive week; preventing the Broncos from clinching and making their game a primetime tilt. The Pats have owned the Bills in Orchard Park the past 3 years however, winning by a total combined 117-23. You'll think the Bills will come out swinging, but eventually they'll be missing. I do hope I'm totally wrong, however. New England 27 Buffalo 17

Detroit Lions @ Green Bay Packers (-10.5): The Lions have lost...16 straight times in Green Bay. In week 17 they will have lost 17 straight times in Green Bay. One year after the perfect regular season we will have the imperfect season. Green Bay 34 Detroit 14

Chicago Bears @ Houston Texans (-3): I'm just pounding these favorites right now yeah I know. Chicago needs this game in order to have any shot at the NFC North title; meanwhile Houston needs this game in order to have their second consecutive 8-8 season. The Texans are 2-1 SU/1-2 ATS against the NFC North this year; while the Bears are 2-1 SU and ATS against the AFC South. The Texans however are formidable at home (6-2) and with their top 5 offense, watch out. Houston 24 Chicago 20

Kansas City Chiefs (+3) @ Cincinnati Bengals: I have NO IDEA WHY the Chiefs are underdogs in this game, I guess Vegas knows something I don't? While yes the Chiefs' defense is dreadful...the Bengals have shown the ability to make any defense look respectable. KC wins this one straight up. Kansas City 21 Cincinnati 10

New York Giants (+7) @ Minnesota Vikings: I can understand why the Giants are being given this much (the most since Super Bowl 42) since they have absolutely nothing on the line while the Vikes need this one to win the NFC North and get the 3 seed. But Tom Coughlin wants to ensure that his boys are sharp and know what's good before the bye week...they need the momentum especially on the defensive side of the ball. The Vikes are known not to handle the pressure of getting into the playoffs. And the Giants would love nothing more than to keep the team that's been a thorn on their side for quite some time out of the playoffs. It won't happen, but the Giants cover. Minnesota 24 NY Giants 21

Carolina Panthers @ New Orleans Saints (+2.5): I do not trust this line for one second however. The Panthers are seething after blowing their chance at homefield last week in New York and want to take it out on the Saints...but you best believe Drew Brees is gonna go all-out and try to break Dan Marino's record (he needs 403 yards to do it). Plus, the Panthers are susceptible on run defense. But, so are the Saints on defense period. I love the Over 51.5 in this one...but this pick here is shaky I won't lie. New Orleans 31 Carolina 28

Sunday's 415pm Slate:

Washington Redskins @ San Francisco 49ers (-3): A team traveling to the West Coast for a meaningless game is bad news. The Redskins got themselves a good win last week versus the Eagles at home, but I can see them being thoroughly disinterested in this game. San Francisco 21 Washington 13

Jacksonville Jaguars @ Baltimore Ravens (-11): This is a bit shaky to bet on though. If the Bills somehow beat the Patriots earlier on, then the Ravens will have already clinched a playoff spot. Either way, the Ravens will do whatever it takes to win this game in front of their home fans and leave them with a last impression. Jacksonville is likely worn out after their emotional game with the Colts. Baltimore 24 Jacksonville 10

Seattle Seahawks @ Arizona Cardinals (-6.5): This is a dangerous bet too. On one hand, the Cardinals are the 4 seed and firmly entrenched in the playoffs. On the other hand though, the Cardinals have NO MOMENTUM whatsoever and have just been killed these past 3 weeks. I'm sure Ken Wisenhurst will have his starters in this one for a while...and facing a Seahawks squad that played inspired at home for Mike Holgrem's last home game as coach, I don't think they have much left. And this is Arizona's element anyway, the NFC West hah. Arizona 31 Seattle 17

Dallas Cowboys @ Philadelphia Eagles (-1): This one is gonna be hella interesting. The Eagles will most likely be out of the playoff picture by kickoff...meanwhile the Cowboys have a playoff berth on the line if they win. Philly would love nothing more than to beat T.O at home and leave him out in the cold. This game will truly determine if the Cowboys are really a shitty December team or not. It's tough to get a gauge on the Cowboys whether the pressure tightens them up or makes them better. The Eagles as the looser team however I think wins, but this is..yikes. Philadelphia 24 Dallas 21

Miami Dolphins (+2.5) @ New York Jets: My Jets have fucked themselves up these past few weeks and it's well documented...I don't think I have to repeat myself nor what the media has been saying. There are a few subplots in this one: Pennington's return, Jay Feely wanting to stick it to his former team for kicking him (no pun intended) to the curb, Bill Parcells (but he'll be in Miami since he wants nothing to do with the media hoopla). The Jets have won 7 straight in this series, but you know me...I have been setting myself up for disappointment for the past few years and this will be no different. The worst part would be if we won, to be honest- given Baltimore and New England will win. But: Miami 20 NY Jets 17

Sunday Night Football:
Denver Broncos (+8) @ San Diego Chargers: If you want a sure-fire bet this week...it's the Over 50.5 in this one. The Broncos are trying not to pull off a New York Mets 2007 season here (ugh) but with the way their defense has let them down in the past couple of weeks; I don't see the defense making any significant strides in this one. Both defenses are in the bottom 10 overall in defense and top 10 in passing offense and you best believe it will be a repeat of Week 2's 39-38 epic. San Diego 31 Denver 28

And so on.