Week 17 NFL picks

An amazing thing has happened: Going into the last week of the NFL season, RTP’s picks have already surpassed its’ win total for all of the 2009 season.

This season: 129-96-3
Last season: 126-101-8

Of course this now means that I will completely blow this week and the playoffs because of this bragging, but at it had to be brought to attention.

Meanwhile, a couple of teams are more than likely going to be pulling their starters after a series or two and that makes it a) very difficult to pick games or b) even set a line for it. As you’ll notice, from the source that I use, Both Indy-Buffalo and Carolina-New Orleans don’t currently have lines because the Colts and Saints have already clinched home field advantage for the playoffs. And, like we saw with Curtis Painter last weekend, anything can happen when the stars are out of a game.

The home teams are in CAPS and the lines are straight from Vegas.

BUFFALO (NL) over Indianapolis
If you think the backup Colts are going to be effective in the cold and wind of Ralph Wilson Stadium, you’re crazy.

CAROLINA (NL) over New Orleans
Even if the Saints were still undefeated and had something to play for here, I still would have taken the Panthers. Matt Moore is leading them on a resurgence that gives Cats fans hope for the future at QB.

Jacksonville +1 over CLEVELAND
As great as this three-game winning streak has been for Cleveland, I wouldn’t bet on the Jaguars rolling over when some jobs are no doubt on the line.

Philadelphia +3 at DALLAS
The battle for the NFC East title should be a good one. But how much trickery and game-planning can we expect from these two rivals when there’s a chance they’ll meet next week too?

Chicago -3 over DETROIT
A big win here would go a long way towards saving Lovie Smith’s job. Jay Cutler has a lot to prove too and the Lions will be trotting out either Stanton or Culpepper again.

New England +9 over HOUSTON
I never thought that the Patriots would be getting this many points with Tom Brady still playing QB. The Texans need this win, but the Pats aren’t a team that will pull everybody and lose momentum for the post-season. This one should be close.

Pittsburgh -3 over MIAMI
Would you ever bet against the defending champion Steelers in a must win situation? The Dolphins are just playing for pride and won’t be able to handle Big Ben’s heroics.

New York Giants +9 over MINNESOTA
If you think that this Favre-Childress feud is going to resolved easily, you’re crazy. The Giants pulling an upset here isn’t the craziest of ideas. New York will be looking to bounce back after their humiliating loss last week.

Cincinnati +10 over NEW YORK JETS
The Jets have a long history of blowing chances like this one. Cincy could be playing for the No. 3 seed, but finishing third or fourth won’t be mattering too much with the jumble below them. Either way, they’re getting a home game next week and an impossible matchup the next.

San Francisco -7 over ST. LOUIS
The Rams need to lose here to get the No. 1 pick in the draft. A win would put them at 2-14, tied with Detroit (who I pick to also lose), but the Lions lost to the Rams earlier this season, giving them the stink tie-breaker. It’s not like the 49ers have to try to hard to beat St. Louis anyway.

Atlanta -1 over TAMPA BAY
The Bucs will be good… In the future. For now, they’re facing a team that just blew out a squad of similar talent last week and that are looking to ensure consecutive winning seasons for the first time in franchise history.

ARIZONA -3.5 over Green Bay
If you don’t think that the Cardinals are going to jump all over the chance to land the No. 2 seed and a week off in the playoffs, you’re crazy. The Packers have been on a roll, but when the Cards are fired  up, they’re supernova fired up.

Kansas City +13 over DENVER
The Broncos need this win, but you can’t give up 13 points in a division game. Also, one of the 8-7 AFC teams has to lose to make the equation a  bit easier and rivalries can never be discounted.

Baltimore -10.5 over OAKLAND
The Raiders could be a good pick to play spoiler, but the Ravens love to beat up on inferior opponents. With Charlie Frye in at QB for Oakland, that sounds pretty inferior to me.

SAN DIEGO -4 over Washington
The Chargers backups might be equally as good as the Redskins starters at this point. Jason Campbell has already probably called his real estate agent to sell his home in Washington; there’s no way he stays there.

Tennessee -4 over SEATTLE
Chris Johnson will be licking his chops and champing at the bit to go for 2,000 yards. The patchwork Seahawks won’t be able to stop him from gaining the 128 yards he needs to get to the milestone.

Last week: 7-6-1
This season: 129-96-3