Buffalo at New England(-4.5)
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This is where Week 17 gets tricky. New England has nothing to play for as they have locked up home field and the bye week for the postseason so we’d imagine Bill Belichick eases up a bit after the first quarter or first half and gets Brady and Gronk out of there verse a vicious Bills front four. The Bills are out of the playoffs, but they’d really like to finish 9-7 and beat their bitter rival Patriots.
THE PICK: Buffalo (+4.5)
New York Jets at Miami Dolphins (-6)
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The Jets poured their hearts in to the Patriots game last week hoping to beat their rival and play spoiler on Belichick’s playoff seeding. But they fell in defeat and it will be tough to get back up for Miami this Sunday. Last time these two teams played on Monday night the Jets ran for 277 yards on the ground. We’d imagine Miami to be prepared for a rushing attack and force Geno Smith to beat them, which he did last Week 17 to end Miami’s playoff hopes. If Miami likes their coach Joe Philbin and are excited he will be returning for 2015, then they’ll blow out New York.
THE PICK: Dolphins (-6)
Carolina at Atlanta (-3)
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After a Week 16 home win against Cleveland, the Carolina Panthers improved to 14-3 in December under head coach Ron Rivera. With reports that Steven Jackson is unlikely to play Sunday, the Falcons will be shorthanded at running back. These two teams always play tough, close games, as apparent in their Week 11 matchup where Atlanta won 19-17. Cam Newton is from Georgia, has played in the Georgia Dome and has won there before numerous times in college and pro. We won’t be shocked to see him and the Panthers play well tonight.
THE PICK:Panthers (+3)
Chicago at Minnesota (-6)
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Jay Cutler is the sacrifical lamb for this Week 17 matchup with Minnesota. The Vikings are playing hard to close the season as they had Miami beat and let the game slip away in the final minutes. Teddy Bridgewater is clearly the best rookie quarterback of this class and is playing well. We just can’t see Chicago showing up for this one as their season has been a disaster from the start.
THE PICK: Vikings (-6)
San Diego at Kansas City (-1)
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For San Diego, it’s win and get in. For Kansas City, it’s win and need help. They’ll have to win shorthanded as Chase Daniel has been named the starting quarterback for the game Sunday with Alex Smith ruled out. This would be “so Chargers” to lose this game on the road against a backup quarterback, which they almost did last year in week 17 to Chase Daniel and the Chiefs in San Diego. This year the game will be on the road – without Keenan Allen – in Kansas City and all the pressure will be on the Chargers.
THE PICK: Chiefs (-1)