(Image credit Jason Getz/USA Today Sports)
Written by: Nicholas Mullick
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholas-mullick-354076184/
I can't believe that it is Week 17 of the NFL regular season. Time has gone fast this season and soon enough it will be playoff time for the NFL. Before we take a look at my picks for week 17, as always let's take a look at my week 16 pick performance to see about how I did with my spread picks.
Week 16: Record 9-7 Overall record: 113-123-3
Now that we have gone through how I did in Week 16, I will now give my weekly NFL draft picks with spreads for week 17. The Spreads from these games were all found on Draftkings.
Sunday Football (1:00 pm)
Las Vegas Raiders at Indianapolis Colts (Spread Pick’Em)
The Spread is currently off for this game but I decided to make it a pick 'em for the Spread. With the Covid outbreak for the Colts and the starting o-line being out in this matchup. I have to take the Las Vegas Raiders in this matchup.
My Pick Las Vegas Raiders (Pick’Em)
New York Giants at Chicago Bears (Spread -6.5)
This is an important game, not for playoffs but for the 2022 NFL Draft as it is the 16th Tank game in the tournament for the 1st overall pick. This game all but matters draft-wise for the Giants especially as the Bears 1st round pick is New York Giants' property due to the Justin Fields trade. This is a tough matchup for me to pick but I decided to take Chicago. Especially as the Bears have nothing to lose and the Giants have to start either Mike Glennon or Jake from State Fromm at QB which are bad options.
My Pick: Chicago Bears (-6.5)
Philadelphia Eagles at Washington Football Team (Spread +3.5)
This is an intriguing matchup if it took place a few weeks ago. But Washington looks like a broken team after their matchup. It also shows how the “culture is still good’’ in Washington after Daron Payne got punched by Johnathan Allen. I think that the Eagles should take care of business and win this game.
My Pick: Philadelphia Eagles (-3.5)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New York Jets (Spread +12.5)
I am shocked that this spread is still at double points. Especially as head coach Bruce Arians tested positive for Covid-19 and will most likely not coach the Buccaneers in this matchup. Tom Brady should take care of business like he always does when he goes to Metlife Stadium against the New York Jets. I will take the Buccaneers in this game but I will not be betting on this matchup.
My Pick: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-12.5)
Miami Dolphins at Tennessee Titans (Spread -3)
This is a really intriguing matchup for this week. The Dolphins have been heavily impressive winning their last 7 games. This game is the Dolphins true test as they have to face the Tennessee Titans. I got, to be honest, I think the Dolphins win this game as the Titans have had injury concerns and have been inconsistent this season. I will take Miami in this game.
My Pick: Miami Dolphins (+3)
Jacksonville Jaguars at New England Patriots (Spread -15.5)
Not going to go long here at all as I think the Patriots no question are the better team and the Jaguars couldn't beat a Jets team without their head coach and Jets in a covid outbreak. So yeah take the Patriots and move on.
My Pick: New England Patriots (-15.5)
Los Angeles Rams at Baltimore Ravens (Spread +3.5)
This is a pick that is an easy one. I think the Los Angeles Rams destroy the Baltimore Ravens in this matchup. Especially with the insane amount of injuries that is going on with the Baltimore Ravens roster. I just wish Lamar Jackson was healthy so this would be a lot more competitive. My question is why is this spread as low as it is now.
My Pick: Los Angeles Rams (-3.5)
Kansas City Chiefs at Cincinnati Bengals (Spread +5)
This is the game of the week as this could potentially be a matchup that we see when it comes to playoff time. The Chiefs woke up from their slump earlier in the season and have proven that the Chiefs have plenty left in the tank. For the Bengals, this season proves how great of a player Joe Burrow is. The way he plays football is excellent and the Ja’Marr Chase pick was definitely worth it. This will be a close game and I'm not going to bet the game but I think the Bengals will upset the Chiefs.
My Pick: Cincinnati Bengals (+5)
Atlanta Falcons at Buffalo Bills (Spread -14)
This is a game that I won't go too much into detail about. The Bills needed to have that win against the Patriots last week but I don’t know If I can trust them right now especially as 14 point favorites. I just think it is too many points so I will take the Falcons but no question Buffalo should win this game.
My Pick: Atlanta Falcons (+14)
Sunday Football (4:00 pm)
Denver Broncos at Los Angeles Chargers (Spread -5)
Now, this is an important game for both teams. The Broncos need to win or else their playoff hopes are over and the Chargers need to win this game to stay alive in their push to make the playoffs. I think with Drew Lock as the Broncos QB the Chargers should easily win this game and take care of Business and if they don’t then I doubt the Chargers will make the playoffs. I will take the Chargers in this game. By the way, the Chargers would have also been my survivor pick If I was still alive in the survivor pool.
My Pick: Los Angeles Chargers (-5)
Houston Texans at San Francisco 49ers (Spread -13)
Not going to go long here as I think on paper San Francisco is the better team. But Jimmy Garoppolo will most likely not play this game due to his thumb injury. So Trey Lance will take over as the QB and to be honest I don't trust the 49ers as a 13 point favorite with Lance as the QB. I will take the Texans but it is a no bet for me.
My Pick: Houston Texans (+13)
Sunday Football (4:25 pm)
Detroit Lions at Seattle Seahawks (Spread -7)
Ahh, these are important matchups for the draft capital. Especially as it is the 17th Tank Game in the Tournament for the 1st overall pick. Two teams battling, for one thing, higher draft capital. Well, not Seattle as their 1st round pick is New York Jets property due to the Jamal Adams trade. But the Seattle Seahawks blew a 10 point lead against the Bears last week. I love what Dan Campbell is doing and I feel he will motivate the Lions more to win games than the Seahawks will. So, I will take the Detroit Lions in this game and the Lions will also be my super lock for this week.
My Pick Detroit Lions (+7)
Arizona Cardinals at Dallas Cowboys (Spread -5)
This is the Game to watch for the Afternoon spot. Especially as both teams are in the playoffs and this could potentially be a matchup in the playoffs. I got, to be honest, I am very concerned with Arizona. Especially knowing Kliff Kingsbury’s history of struggle in the second half of the season. So I will Take Dallas Blindly here but I will not bet it at all.
My Pick: Dallas Cowboys (-5)
Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints (Spread -6.5)
While the Saints are still not eliminated from the playoffs the inconsistency at QB has me not feeling confident in them making the playoffs. Especially because Ian Book was awful last week and the Panthers are a team that has been inconsistent. I would stay far away from this game as I don't know what to think of this game. I am going to take the points with the Panthers but I am not confident.
My Pick: Carolina Panthers (+6.5)
Sunday Night Football
Minnisota Vikings at Green Bay Packers (Spread -6.5)
This is an important game for both teams as the Packers need to win to have leverage in getting the first seed in the NFC conference. For the Vikings, they need to win to keep their playoff hopes alive. I think this will be a close game and I will take the Vikings. But the Packers will win this game.
My Pick: Minnesota Vikings (+6.5)
Monday Night Football
Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers (Spread +3.5)
You Know the Browns and Steelers are not completely eliminated from the playoffs but their chances of making the playoffs are low. I was this close to labeling it a tank game but I decided not to. But what I will say is that this is an easy game to pick. I think the Browns defeat the Steelers no question. This is a classic Mike Tomlin-coached team playing down to competition. The Steelers are a mess on offense and defense and the Browns have a lot to prove including Baker Mayfield. I will take the Browns with pride this week.
My Pick: Cleveland Browns (-3.5)