There’s always a ton of line movement at this time of the season and Week 17 is no different. The goal was to get to 160 correct picks and that should happen, as long as I don’t collapse here in Week 17, which always turns out to be a wacky week. It’s a lot like Week 1 as you don’t really know what to expect. There will be a lot of teams resting players for either the entire game or the second half. Check back in Sunday morning, because things will change. Good luck in the fantasy football finals and with your Week 17 picks.
We’ll keep track of all my picks throughout the season, including my losses! Over time, we’ll find out if you should back me or straight up fade me. Send your complaints to @chrismeaney.
Last week:
SU: 13-3
AS: 9-7
O/U: 10-6
Season total:
SU: 156-84
AS: 130-110
O/U: 130-109
With fantasy football nearing the end, it’s time to start thinking baseball! Leagues are already forming over at Fantrax.com.
Week 17 NFL Picks
Miami Dolphins @ Buffalo Bills -3.5 (39.5)
SU: Bills
AS: Bills
O/U: Under
The Bills have allowed the second-fewest yards and the fewest passing yards per game. They are even better at home and the last time Josh Allen played the Dolphins he ran all over them and had the second-most passing yards in his career.
Detroit Lions @ Green Bay Packers -8.5 (44.5)
SU: Packers
AS: Packers
O/U: Over
The Detroit Lions have looked miserable on both sides of the football for weeks now. They rank 32nd in pass DVOA defense and things won’t get easier for them in Green Bay. Aaron Rodgers should build on last week’s performance.
Jacksonville Jaguars @ Houston Texans -6.5 (40.5)
SU: Texans
AS: Jaguars
O/U: Under
The Houston Texans have allowed the most passing yards in the last five weeks and are coming off a game where Nick Foles threw for almost 500 yards and four touchdowns. Leonard Fournette is doubtful and Blake Bortles is starting. Usually that’s a recipe for disaster, but I think the Jags’ defense will keep things close.
New York Jets @ New England Patriots -13.5 (44.5)
SU: Patriots
AS: Jets
O/U: Over
As I said last week, this New England team shouldn’t be favored by two scores. Buffalo hung around with the Pats in Week 16, and I expect the Jets to do the same.
Carolina Panthers @ New Orleans Saints -9.5 (44.5)
SU: Saints
AS: Panthers
O/U: Under
No Cam Newton and or Drew Brees. In fact, most of the Saints’ players should rest this week as they are already locked into the number one seed. It’ll be fun to watch Teddy Bridgewater, but 10 points is a lot to cover, even with no Christian McCaffrey on the other side.
Dallas Cowboys @ New York Giants -6.5 (41.5)
SU: Giants
AS: Cowboys
O/U: Under
The Cowboys say they are playing their starters, but I’m not buying it and neither is Vegas. New York should win this game if they let Saquon Barkley touch the ball 15-20 times. It’s a big ‘IF’, though. Overall, the Giants will be hard pressed to cover even against backups.
Atlanta Falcons -2.5 @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (51.5)
SU: Falcons
AS: Falcons
O/U: Over
This game has the potential to be high scoring as it’s the second-highest total of the week. There’s a chance the Buccaneers turn to Ryan Griffin in this game, which would be a slap in the face to Jameis Winston. Julio Jones is questionable to play, and if he sits, I’ll be on TB.
Cleveland Browns @ Baltimore Ravens -6.5 (41.5)
SU: Ravens
AS: Browns
O/U: Under
The Browns already beat the Ravens this season by a score of 12-9. I see a similar game here, but with Baltimore taking it at home in a must win game for them. The Ravens have allowed the fewest yards and points this season.
Oakland Raiders @ Kansas City Chiefs -13.5 (52.5)
SU: Chiefs
AS: Raiders
O/U: Over
These two teams combined for 73 points a few weeks back and Oakland was able to hang around. The KC defense needs to prove to me they can stop a team before I pick them by two touchdowns. They’ve failed to cover big spreads all season.
Chicago Bears @ Minnesota Vikings -4.5 (40.5)
SU: Vikings
AS: Bears
O/U: Under
I jumped all over CHI at +6.5 when this line opened up and I still feel like they can keep this a field goal game. The Bears can still move up to the two spot in the NFC with a win and a Rams loss, plus they should want to knock Minny out of the playoffs, because if they lose to them this week, they’ll most likely get them again next week.
Cincinnati Bengals @ Pittsburgh Steelers -14.5 (45.5)
SU: Steelers
AS: Bengels
O/U: Over
I fully expect Antonio Brown to play in this game, but he sounds very questionable and if he doesn’t play I can’t pull the trigger on PIT at -14.5. For years the Steelers have been failing to cover these huge spreads. Even in a game against the brutal Bengals, I have my doubts they’ll win by three scores. It’s a must win game and they’ll pull it out, but not sure it’ll be by 15 points.
Philadelphia Eagles -6.5 @ Washington Redskins (42.5)
SU: Eagles
AS: Eagles
O/U: Under
The Eagles are starting to get into a rhythm with Nick Foles, and this is a must win game for them. Washington’s offense ranks 29th and they are one of the most depleted teams in the league.
Los Angeles Chargers -6.5 @ Denver Broncos (41.5)
SU: Chargers
AS: Chargers
O/U: Under
I expect the Chargers to bounce back here with a win in Denver. The environment is not the best and the pressure has got to Philip Rivers lately, but the defense should hold down Case Keenum.
San Francisco 49ers @ Los Angeles Rams – 10.5 (48.5)
SU: Rams
AS: 49ers
O/U: Over
The 49ers have not quit on this season and they are battling. They beat Seattle a couple weeks back and hung around with Chicago last week. I expect them to do the same in Los Angeles without Todd Gurley.
Arizona Cardinals @ Seattle Seahawks -13.5 (38.5)
SU: Seahawks
AS: Seahawks
O/U: Over
The Arizona Cardinals rank last in yards, passing yards, rushing yards and points. They let C.J. Anderson run all over them last week and nobody has been able to slow down Chris Carson.
Indianapolis Colts -3.5 @ Tennessee Titans (43.5)
SU: Colts
AS: Titans
O/U: Under
Is Marcus Mariota going to play in this game? Does it matter? He won’t be fully healthy and Andrew Luck is 10-0 against the Titans in his career. Derrick Henry has been a beast but him and Marlon Mack are in tough spots this week.
Like these Week 17 NFL Picks? Get more Chris Meaney on his new podcast, By Any Means. Each week he’ll bring in guests from around the industry to break down all the fantasy news you need to know for your march to the championship.
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