Top NFL Picks Against the Apread: Handicapping Week 17: Weekend
By Bart
Well, the end of this season should be quite interesting. No, I’m not particularly talking about the Bears playoff hopes, I’m talking about my season betting record. Due to last week’s shameful Pick 3 performance, I won’t be able to crawl back over 500 there even with 3 winners. However, my season record is a dead even 39-39-5 which means that I can finish the season over 500 with a 500 week. Funny how that happens 83 picks later. Next year, I suggest you follow along and do the same thing. See how you end up at the end of the season. I guess it is pretty similar to the Bears – because really what matters is this week. I was a little saddened to see Lovie’s quote stating that the Bears wanted to be relevant this week when it came to playoff implications (or something to that effect). Relevant? Seriously, Lovie? After a 7-1 start, I don’t really think in Week 17 we should be excited about being relevant – we should’ve been discussing what the boys were going to do during their week off and whether or not we should start Campbell this week. Let’s just get to the picks:
PICK 3
New England -10 vs Miami – starting terribly against the 49ers and Jags isn’t the way you want to finish your season. With seedings on the line and wanting to get out of the gates fast, I’m thinking that we see the return of the covering Patriots we all know and….I don’t want to say love, but when they win for me, well…..
Tennessee -4 vs Jacksonville -yes, it is hard to pick the Titans, but a lot of people will have a hard time picking them after watching that debacle last week. Despite their horrid showing, the Titans will be playing at home against an even worse team that held their own last week against the Patriots. So – why the Titans pick? Gut. I’d look for the over in this one too!
Green Bay -3.5 @ Minnesota – I guess my problem remains that I’m still not a believer in Minnesota. I know that they are playing well – especially holding down the Texans. However, the Vikings offense won’t be able to keep up with Green Bay – even with Adrian Peterson rushing for the record.
UPSET SPECIAL
St. Louis +10.5 vs Seattle -knowing that Seattle has averaged over 50 pts in its last 3 games and they are playing at home is a little scary – especially after that 49er beat-down. However, St. Louis has been playing some decent Defense lately and this game looks like it will be a beat-down – exactly why it won’t be. Seattle wins by a touchdown.
THE BELOVED
Bears -3 vs Detroit -Peanut shuts down Megatron, Cutler has a good game, a TE catches 2 passes, and we see a couple of passes to some slot receivers. All four of those need to happen along with some other things – but Bears sneak into playoffs.
LAST WEEK: Pick 3: 0-3 Upset Special 1-0 Beloved: 1-0
SEASON: Pick 3: 20-24-1 Upset Special: 7-6-1 Beloved: 8-6-1 Thursday Night 4-3-2 = 39-39-5