This is the final week of the NFL’s regular season. Handicapping requires a lot of extra research as playoff scenarios play a big part and some teams will be resting starters for large chucks of time or even the entire game.
Last week’s picks went 7-7ATS and 1-2 in Best Bets. The year-to-date record is 111-108-7ATSoverall and 20-20-2 ATS in Best Bets.
This week’s top picks are San Francisco, Detroit and Tampa Bay.
All odds courtesy of Bookmaker.eu
Carolina(+8)atNew Orleans
Carolina (6-9 SU, 9-6 ATS) continues to fight hard at4-1 SU and ATS in its last five. New Orleans (12-3 SU, 11-4 ATS) is unbeatable at home at7-0 SU and ATS and needs a win to keep its No. 2 seed hopes alive.
Pick:New Orleans(-8)
Buffalo (+11)atNew England
Buffalo (6-9 SU, 6-8-1 ATS) snapped a seven-game losing streak last week versus Denver and already beat the Pats once. New England (12-3 SU, 8-7 ATS) survived Miami last week and needs this win to clinch the AFC’s top seed.
Pick: New England(-11)
Chicago(+1) atMinnesota
Neither team has anything to play. Chicago (7-8 SU and ATS) should start quarterback Josh McCown again and he looked decent against Green Bay. Minnesota (3-12 SU, 6-7-2 ATS) should start quarterback Christian Ponder, but Adrian Peterson is out.
Pick:Minnesota (-1)
NY Jets(+2 ½) at Miami
The Jets (8-7 SU, 6-9 ATS) are dejected after the Giants loss and need a win here plus lots of help for the playoffs. Miami (5-10 SU, 8-6-1 ATS) is 8-1 ATS in its last nine and would love to knock out their hated AFC East rival. However, I’m taking the points.
Pick:NY Jets(+2 ½)
San Francisco (-10 ½) at St. Louis
San Francisco (12-3 SU, 12-2-1 ATS) clinches the No. 2 seed in the NFC with a win. That ensures there will be no letup. St. Louis (2-13 SU,2-12-1 ATS) will be playing its last game for coach Steve Spagnuolo barring a miracle. The awful Kellen Clemens should start again.
Pick:San Francisco (-10 ½)
Detroit(-3 ½)atGreen Bay
Detroit (10-5 SU, 7-6-2 ATS) need a win for the No. 5 seed in the NFC and to likely avoid New Orleans in the first round. Green Bay (14-1 SU, 10-5 ATS) has the top seed in the conference and nothing to play for.
Pick: Detroit (-3 ½)
Washington(+8)atPhiladelphia
Washington (5-10 SU, 7-8 ATS) had been playing well before a 33-26 home loss to Minnesota last week. Philadelphia (7-8 SU and ATS) is 3-0 SU and ATS in the last three, but knows vacation starts after this game.
Pick: Washington (+8)
Indianapolis(+3 ½) at Jacksonville
Indianapolis (2-13 SU, 6-9 ATS) could blow its chance at the No. 1 pick and Andrew Luck with a win. Jacksonville (4-11 SU, 6-8-1 ATS) can’t beat many teams even at home, but at least they’ll be trying to win (unlike Indy).
Pick: Jacksonville (-3 ½)
Tennessee(-3) atHouston
Tennessee (8-7 SU. 7-8 ATS) needs a win and some help to get into the postseason. Houston (10-5 SU, 9-5-1 ATS) is locked into the No. 3 seed, but doesn’t want to head into the playoffs with a three-game losing streak.
Pick:Houston(+3)
Seattle(+3) atArizona
The winner between Seattle (7-8 SU, 9-5-1 ATS) and Arizona (7-8 SU, 8-7 ATS) will finish a respectable .500 and in second place in the NFC West. These teams are evenly matched and this could go either way.
Pick:Seattle(+3)
Kansas City(+3)at Denver
Kansas City (6-9 SU, 8-7 ATS) is out of the playoffs, but quarterback Kyle Orton will be fighting hard against his old team. Denver (8-7 SU, 7-8 ATS) is the AFC West champ with a win, but can’t get a wild-card.
Pick: Kansas City (+3)
Tampa Bay(+11 ½)at Atlanta
Tampa Bay (4-11 SU and ATS) has lost nine games in a row and covered the spread just once. Raheem Morris could be coaching his last game. Atlanta (9-6 SU, 6-8-1 ATS) will find this game meaningless if Detroit beats Green Bay in the earlier game.
Pick:Tampa Bay (+11 ½)
Baltimore(-2) atCincinnati
Baltimore (11-4 SU, 7-7-1 ATS) needs this win to clinch the No. 2 seed in the AFC over Pittsburgh. Cincinnati (9-6 SU, 8-5-2 ATS) controls its own destiny for the AFC’s final playoff spot, but this is a tough matchup.
Pick: Baltimore (-2)
Pittsburgh(NL) atCleveland
Pittsburgh (11-4 SU, 7-8 ATS) quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (ankle)could play some snaps and is holding up the spread. Cleveland (4-11 SU, 6-7-2 ATS) should be starting Seneca Wallace for the third week in a row with Colt McCoy doubtful.
Pick: NL
San Diego (+3) at Oakland
San Diego (7-8 SU, 5-10 ATS) could be playing their final game for coachNorv Turner and it’s a meaningless one.Oakland (8-7 SU, 9-5-1 ATS) has a chance at both the AFC West division and a wild-card, but needs to win.
Pick: Oakland (-3)
Dallas(+3) at NY Giants – Sunday night
The Giants (8-7 SU, 7-7-1 ATS) and Dallas (8-7 SU, 5-9-1 ATS) will decide the NFC East with the loser out of the playoffs. Tony Romo will be playing with an injured hand and the contest is in the Big Apple.
Pick: NY Giants (-3)
