WEEK 17 STRAIGHT PICK-EM

LAST WEEK’S RECORD: (13-3)

SEASON RECORD: (146-94)

THE THURSDAY NIGHT GAME

DALLAS COWBOYS AT TENNESSEE TITANS

This game means nothing to the Tennessee Titans who have fallen on hard times losing their last 5 games. Dallas came off week 16 with a big victory over the Eagles. The Titans will rest players because the game in the last week of the season versus Jacksonville is for all the marbles, the AFC South. Even if Jacksonville wins this week versus the Texans. Winner takes all. Dallas is still trying to keep up with the Eagles as well as take the top wild card spot if Philadelphia pulls out a victory in the next two weeks to clinch the NFC East.

OUR PICK: COWBOYS

THE SUNDAY SLATE

ARIZONA CARDINALS AT ATLANTA FALCONS

Both bird teams have struggled losing a combined 9 games in a row. Both teams eliminated from playoff contention. The Falcons are rolling with their rookie quarterback Desmond Ridder. Making his third start of the year he has not thrown a touchdown pass or an interception. Who is David Blough?

Blough is a former Lion who has a career 5 starts under his belt at the NFL level. Blough has lost all 5 starts and is the 4th Cardinal quarterback of this season to get a start behind center. I like the Falcons running attack to control this game on the ground and help the rookie gets his first notch in the win column.

OUR PICK: FALCONS

CAROLINA PANTHERS AT TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

You notice both south divisions are the worst two divisions in football this year. Can Tom Brady get this struggling Buccaneer team into the playoffs? Can the Panthers sweep the Buccaneers? The Buccaneers have been grinding out close and low scoring games like last week’s match up versus the Cardinals. The Panthers can run the ball right down your throat one week & then the next week the rushing attack goes flat. The Panthers generate more scoring these days than Tampa Tom’s gloomy offensive attack. The Buccaneers looked like they have aged everywhere. The Panthers defense can make some plays and I like their chances of making the Buccaneers make mistakes. A fumble or a tip ball for interception will be the difference for a Panther win.

OUR PICK: PANTHERS

CHICAGO BEARS AT DETROIT LIONS

The Panthers took over the king of the jungle by overthrowing the Lions last week. The Bears will give anybody a battle as they gave the Bills a fight in the first half in last week’s action. The Lions were one of the hottest teams coming into last week’s action and are still alive in the playoff chase. Justin Fields does not have the killer instinct. Better for the Bears to get a top draft pick. I like the Lions roaring back this week with a stadium of hungry fans wanting to see this team make it back to the post-season.

OUR PICK: LIONS

CLEVELAND BROWNS AT WASHINGTON COMMANDERS

Deshaun Watson has not hit the 200 mark in passing yards yet, in his return from the massage table diaries. The Commanders are 7th overall against the pass. The Commanders are making a switch at quarterback as Carson Wentz will replace Taylor Heinicke. Can Wentz give the Commander offense a jolt to help their playoff chances? The Browns are crumbling with Myles Garrett having a melt down last week. Garrett was benched.

I like Washington getting the spark much needed by Wentz and breaking a two-game losing streak to get back into the thick of things in the NFC playoff picture.

OUR PICK: COMMANDERS

DENVER BRONCOS AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

The Broncos are in disarray as they fired their coach last week after the spanking from the Rams on Christmas day.

The Bronco players were complaining to be practicing in pads this week. The Broncos have checked out so no way they can pull off a win over this Chiefs team.

OUR PICK: CHIEFS

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS AT NEW YORK GIANTS

Maybe the Colts need a guy named Jeff Sunday rather than Saturday because this team has checked out and on game day don’t even know what day it is. The Giants will be back in the playoffs and get the win to seal the deal. I’m sure we get plenty of Colts drama in the off-season. Who’s their next quarterback?

OUR PICK: GIANTS

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS AT HOUSTON TEXANS

Is it too late for Lovie Smith in Houston? Looks like Jacksonville has found their man behind center as Trevor Lawrence finally is figuring things out in the NFL. This game does not mean much to the Jaguars as the Titans next week is the game for the division. The Texans have been battling teams in the last few weeks as they finally got a hard-fought victory against the Titans. I like the Jaguars playing hard this week and winning this meaningless game to not ruin their mojo right now as they have won three straight.

OUR PICK: JAGUARS

MIAMI DOLPHINS AT NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

Nobody knows how to kick a team better when they are down than Bill Belichick. The Dolphins are on the big slide in the game of chutes and ladders losing their last 4 games. The Patriots have lost two in a row. Tua Tagovailoa is out in this one with yet another concussion. Can Teddy Bridgewater deliver? The Patriots are scurvy cockroaches as they been stepped on, but they are still alive and in the thick of things.

Patriots pull off a stunner at home.

OUR PICK: PATRIOTS

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS AT PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

I don’t trust the Saints or Andy Dalton winning two games in a row especially against a great Eagle team and that defense. Gardner Minshew will be getting the start once again as Jalen Hurts has been ruled out. Minshew is a very capable back up and should have no problem getting the Eagles in the end zone against the Saints defense. Eagles rebound quickly after Dallas’ loss last week.

OUR PICK: EAGLES

NEW YORK JETS AT SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

The Jets have lost 4 in a row. The Seahawks have lost 3 in a row. Both teams need to win and pray they get the help they need to find the back door that is chained shut to make it into post-season. Geno Smith, former Jet, brings down the franchise he was drafted by in a big game that puts the final nail in his former team’s seasoned coffin.

OUR PICK: SEAHAWKS

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS AT LAS VEGAS RAIDERS

I have said it from the beginning that Josh McDaniels is a cancer. The 49ers defense will feast on former Patriot Jarrett Stidham getting the start because McDaniels has benched Derek Carr. Watch the Raiders team like the Broncos won’t even play hard in this one as this team is headed down the drain after being a playoff team last year. What a shame. The 49ers have won 8 straight. Make it 9.

OUR PICK:49ERS

LA RAMS AT LA CHARGERS

The Chargers have no fans. Both teams share the stadium. This will be like a home game for the Rams. Can Baker Mayfield deliver again? The Chargers have won three games in a row and have clinched a playoff spot. The Rams are not facing a bad Bronco team here like they did last week. The Rams have struggled before their big win over the Broncos. I’m not there yet jumping on Mayfield’s band wagon. I can’t see Mayfeild matching scores with Justin Herbert.

OUR PICK: CHARGERS

MINNESOTA VIKINGS AT GREEN BAY PACKERS

The Packers have won three games in a row. The Vikings stomped the Packers early in the year like a bad habit. Can the Vikings go on the road and beat their archrival twice in one season? The Packers need a victory to stay alive in the playoff hunt which has a bunch of teams fighting for pretty much one spot. I think the Vikings’ luck will run out. Aaron Rodgers will save this week’s performance as his best of the year and the Packers will slay the Vikings. Kirk Cousins historically does not do well in big games. Packers at home, Vikings will crumble in a close one.

OUR PICK: PACKERS

THE SUNDAY NIGHT GAME

PITTSBURGH STEELERS AT BALTIMORE RAVENS

The Steelers never have losing seasons as they come in at 7-8. The Ravens will be without Lamar Jackson. The Steelers win this week and again next week they may not be in the playoffs, but Mike Tomlin will have another winning season. The Ravens have struggled on offense for several weeks now. This includes when Jackson was the starter. I like the Steelers putting up just enough offense with a strong defensive performance to get a victory against their archrivals on the road.

OUR PICK: STEELERS

THE MONDAY NIGHT GAME

BUFFALO BILLS AT CINCINNATI BENGALS

The Bills and the Bengals are the two hottest teams in the entire league. This would be the first match up where Josh Allen squares off against Joe Burrow. Two high power offenses with lots on the line. The Bengals are trying to win their division. While the Bills are trying to hold on to the number one seed in the AFC. This game will be a dandy as lots of play makers on both sides are on prime time in front of the entire country watching. I like the Bills defense just making enough plays to help Buffalo pull off the road victory in which could be an instant rematch in the post-season. The Bills defense has played well during the winning streak and is not being talked about. The entire country will change their tune as they come out with a stellar performance.

OUR PICK: BILLS