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NFL Week 17 Predictions vs. the Spread

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NFL Week 17 Predictions vs. the Spread

Baltimore Cincinnati — The regular season concludes on Sunday, and a lot still remains on the line, including home-field advantage in both conferences. Here are my picks for each game against the spread.

The regular season concludes on Sunday, and a lot still remains on the line, including home-field advantage in both conferences. Here are my picks for each game against the spread.

New Orleans at Atlanta (-4)

New Orleans at Atlanta (-4)

Drew Brees has been hot these last couple of weeks, but Julio Jones and the Falcons' passing game will torch the Saints' porous pass defense. The only question is how many penalties will Brandon Browner accumulate this week?

Pick: Atlanta

Baltimore at Cincinnati (-7.5)

Baltimore at Cincinnati (-7.5)

The Bengals are coming off a terrible loss on the road to Denver and A.J. McCarron is banged up. The Ravens have nothing to lose here, and they just upset the Steelers a week ago. Baltimore will do the same this week, spoiling Cincinnati's first-round bye hopes for good.

Pick: Baltimore

Pittsburgh (-10) at Cleveland

Pittsburgh (-10) at Cleveland

The Browns may once again have to resort to Austin Davis at quarterback, and that doesn't bode well against a pissed off Steelers team that lost to Ryan Mallett. The Browns will also want to tank this game in order to improve their chances for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft.

Pick: Pittsburgh

Jacksonville at Houston (-6.5)

Jacksonville at Houston (-6.5)

I like Houston to win this game, but no one in their right mind should give Brandon Weeden six and a half points. Last week was an anomaly because it was the Titans, but the Jaguars' defense is better.

Pick: Jacksonville

Tennessee at Indianapolis (Pick'em)

Tennessee at Indianapolis (Pick'em)

I don't like where the Colts are at right now, but the Titans will be playing for the No. 1 overall pick in the draft. It also doesn't help their cause that Zach Mettenberger hasn't won a game yet in his two seasons.

Pick: Indianapolis

Washington at Dallas (Pick'em)

Washington at Dallas (Pick'em)

Washington will play their starters early to get a comfortable lead, then pull them once victory is within reach. Dallas will pack it in on Sunday with the hopes of improving their chances in the NFL Draft.

Pick: Washington

Philadelphia at New York Giants (-3.5)

Philadelphia at New York Giants (-3.5)

This could be Tom Coughlin's last game in New York, so the Giants will play hard for him. Philadelphia has already quit on this season, and they have nothing to play for now that Chip Kelly is gone.

Pick: New York Giants

Detroit at Chicago (Pick'em)

Detroit at Chicago (Pick'em)

Both Detroit and Chicago have rebounded from poor starts to post respectable records, but the tandem of Matt Forte and Alshon Jeffery will be too much for the weak Lions defense to overcome.

Pick: Chicago

New York Jets (-3) at Buffalo

New York Jets (-3) at Buffalo

Rex Ryan would love to spoil the Jets' playoff chances this week, but they are firing on all cylinders right now on both sides of the ball. Todd Bowles will get the Jets to the playoffs in his first season and should be in consideration for NFL Coach of the Year honors.

Pick: New York Jets

New England (-10.5) at Miami

New England (-10.5) at Miami

New England needs to win here in order to gain home-field advantage in the AFC. They will do just that and crush the Dolphins on the road.

Pick: New England

Tampa Bay at Carolina (-10.5)

Tampa Bay at Carolina (-10.5)

Tampa Bay can give Carolina a good game for three quarters, but the Panthers won't let this one get away like last week. Carolina will clinch the NFC with a 15-1 record.

Pick: Carolina

San Diego at Denver (-10)

San Diego at Denver (-10)

Denver will easily win this game, and the only question that will come out of it is whether the Chargers will keep Mike McCoy as head coach.

Pick: Denver

Seattle at Arizona (-7)

Seattle at Arizona (-7)

The Cardinals have clinched a first-round bye and need to worry more about health rather than another victory. Seattle needs a win desperately after last week's loss to the Rams. Keep in mind these two are good enough to meet in the NFC Championship Game.

Pick: Seattle

St. Louis (-3.5) at San Francisco

St. Louis (-3.5) at San Francisco

St. Louis plays down to their competition, but in possibly Jeff Fisher's last game with the team, the Rams will play inspired against the lowly 49ers.

Pick: St. Louis

Oakland at Kansas City (-7)

Oakland at Kansas City (-7)

No matter who's injured, the Chiefs are on a roll right now while the Raiders are still a year away from seriously contending. Kansas City will be the hottest team in the AFC going into the postseason, and they will be a tough out for whoever faces them.

Pick: Kansas City

Minnesota at Green Bay (-3)

Minnesota at Green Bay (-3)

Green Bay is obviously the favorite at home, but they have been less than impressive all season long. The Vikings are healthier and more balanced, and they will win the NFC North. However, the Vikings would face the Seahawks in the postseason while the Packers would face the Redskins.

Pick: Minnesota

Brian Kalchik is a writer for RantSports. Follow him on Twitter and like him on Facebook.

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