The lines are from Betway.com and the home teams are in CAPs.
BUFFALO -3.5 over Miami
The weather won’t be too bad for the Floridians, but the Bills repeatedly have shown good fight and should get some revenge for their last-second loss in Miami. The Fins are freshly eliminated and reports are that there will be plenty of change this off-season.
GREEN BAY -8 over Detroit
The reports about coach Matt Patricia are concerning, but he should be back next season – for better or worse. Aaron Rodgers and the Packers should be able to put up some yards through the air while the Lions’ offence has looked toothless.
Jacksonville +6.5 over HOUSTON
The Texans may be bound for the playoffs, but this is a banged-up team and the Jags are playing for what little pride they have left. In spite of Blake Bortles making his probable final start for Jacksonville, getting nearly a TD seems a bit too much here.
New York Jets +13.5 over NEW ENGLAND
The Pats do need the win to clinch a bye, but shouldn’t need to go all out to get it. It’s very easy to see the Jets getting the backdoor cover here.
NEW ORLEANS -8 over Carolina
Even the Saints backups shouldn’t have trouble with the Panthers these days. Carolina has an undrafted rookie QB starting – their third-stringer – while New Orleans will be playing Teddy Bridgewater for most of the game. Neither side will risk much, but the Saints still have more talent.
NEW YORK GIANTS -6 over Dallas
Locked into the fourth seed, the Cowboys have nothing to play for and nothing to risk against the Giants. New York has little motivation either, but Saquon Barkley needs a huge day to up his stock in the rookie of the year race.
Atlanta +1 over Tampa Bay
The Bucs got a push in Dallas thanks to a garbage time score while the Falcons offence has kicked into gear far too late in the season. This should be a high-scoring affair and we think that Julio Jones caps off an underrated season in style against a team he usually dominates.
Cleveland +6 over BALTIMORE
Baker Mayfield is exactly the type of QB that would love to crash the Ravens’ party and potentially knock them out of the playoffs. Are the Ravens really that much better than what the Browns have become down the stretch? Can Mayfield and Co. get a little revenge against the team that used to call Cleveland home?
L.A. Chargers -6.5 over DENVER
Will the Broncos put up a fight for lameduck coach Vance Joseph? We wouldn’t bet on it. And losing Phillip Lindsay to a serious wrist injury really saps any joy you could potentially get from watching Denver’s offence. Chargers need a win and some help to get the top seed and should do their part.
Oakland +13.5 over KANSAS CITY
Since Kareem Hunt was cut loose, the Chiefs have not been the same juggernaut. Patrick Mahomes is still leading them to wins, but they’re no longer blowing out teams. The Raiders have shown some fight in recent weeks and could sneak in a backdoor cover here.
San Francisco +10 over L.A. RAMS
There’s a lot to like with this 49ers team, which has made a habit of getting better in December under Kyle Shanahan. The line is far too high for us to be spotting double-digits on the road against a decent opponent with a Rams team that will be relying on C.J. Anderson at RB once again.
MINNESOTA -4 over Chicago
This line opened at -6, so we’ll happily go against the tide and take the cut-rate price. The Bears could easily see the Rams leading at half time and decide to go out of the break with backups playing. We’re not excited about the Vikes’ record against winning teams, but this is a special circumstance.
PITTSBURGH -14.5 over Cincinnati
The Steelers are going to sneak into the playoffs. Or, at the very least, do their part by blowing out a Bengals team that gets thinner by the week.
SEATTLE -13.5 over Arizona
The Cards are another case of a weak team headed by a lameduck coach. It’s a big line a meaningless game, but Seattle should cover it.
Philadelphia -6.5 over WASHINGTON
Imagine if Josh Johnson keeps the defending champion Eagles out of the playoffs. Now that is a dream we don’t see coming true. Philly’s defence will need to step up against the run and Nick Foles should continue his heroics in this rivalry game.
Indianapolis -3 over TENNESSEE
Marcus Mariota or Blaine Gabbert, it likely won’t matter who starts for the Titans. The Colts are the superior team and should be bound for the playoffs in the final wildcard spot.
Last week: 9-6-1
This season: 111-116-9