NFL Week 17 Predictions

Week 17 will define teams, jobs and careers.  There’s a lot at stake with teams looking to enter the playoffs, and others trying to ruin their opponents’ chances.

Here are the NFL week 17 Predictions:

Baltimore Ravens +6 at Cincinnati Bengals -6. Game Total: 44.5.

There’s no tomorrow for the current champions, Baltimore Ravens.  They need a win, plus either a Chargers loss or a Dolphins loss, and they are in the playoffs.  If they lose they are out.

“We’re used to these guys,” Baltimore quarterback Joe Flacco said about the Bengals. “They’re a good defense. They have been for a few years now. It’s always a good test to play a division opponent in their place. They have a lot to play for. We have a lot to play for. It’s going to be a good game, a good test.”

If the Bengals win and the Patriots lose, they will get the second seed in the AFC, plus a playoffs bye week.

Keep in mind, Cincinnati is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing at home against Baltimore.

Prediction: Bengals -6.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers +12.5 at New Orleans Saints -12.5. Game total: 47.

The Saints averages 32.9 points per game at home, but over the last month they have only scored 16.8.  New Orleans need a win to get to postseason; a loss plus a win by Arizona will eliminate them.

“We’re approaching this like a playoff game,” coach Sean Payton said. “The key for us is to handle the holiday week, with Christmas being on a Wednesday, put together a good plan and a good set of practices and put our focus into playing our best football Sunday.”

New Orleans is 3-7 ATS in its last 10 games when playing at home against Tampa Bay, and the total has gone UNDER in 4 of New Orleans’s last 5 games when playing at home against Tampa Bay.

Prediction: Buccaneers +12.5.

San Francisco 49ers pk at Arizona Cardinals pk. Game Total: 42.

There’s bad blood in this matchup, and both teams have playoffs implications.  A win by San Francisco and a Seattle loss will give the 49ers the NFC West division title; a win by Arizona and a loss by New Orleans will give the Cards a wildcard spot in the playoffs.

“(An 11-5 record) will be nice,” said Arizona head coach Bruce Arians. “It’s a nice foundation, but I’m really not about that stuff. We play to get in the playoffs and win the championship.”

The Cardinals are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 games when playing at home against the 49ers, and the total has gone OVER in 6 of Arizona’s last 9 games when playing at home against San Francisco.

Prediction: Arizona.

Philadelphia Eagles -6.5 at Dallas Cowboys +6.5. Game Total: 52.5.

Even with Tony Romo on the field the Cowboys task of keeping the Eagles pace is huge.  Romo is day to day with a back injury, and if he can’t go then it will be Kyle Orton under center for Dallas.

“I think the guys have got a lot of confidence in me. I’ve got a lot of confidence in myself,” Orton said. “I can fall back on my experience. I’ve played a lot of games in this league. I don’t feel I have to do too much with the ball, just get it to 29 (Murray), 82 (Jason Witten) and 88 (Bryant).”

Dallas is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Philadelphia.

Prediction: Eagles -6.5.