NFL Week 17 Picks, Point Spreads, TV Schedule, and Announcer Lineup

Update 1/2/10 7:30 pm: All of the games now have spreads and picks below.

Update 12/29 9:00 pm CT – The announcer lineups for the Week 17 games have been announced and this post has been updated. There are still a few games not on the betting board. I’ll update as soon as I see a spread. Please chime in with a comment if you find a spread for a game we don’t have listed.

Well, I had a much better Week 16 than Jim Caldwell did in Indianapolis.

As I write this, Eric Kuselias and Adam Schefter are killing Caldwell as they fill in for Mike and Mike on ESPN Radio. I’ve also read numerous tweets and other social media posts from Colts fan friends of mine who are absolutely pissed at Caldwell for removing Peyton Manning and other starters during the 3rd quarter yesterday.

And I don’t blame them. The Colts were five games away from etching their name in NFL lore as the greatest team of all time. Yet, they put that legacy in the hands of Curtis Painter, who predictably failed to deliver win #15. I know what Caldwell’s reasons for sitting his starters were, but I still say that he cheated the NFL, its fans, the Colts, his players, and the Colts fans.

Update: For the record, not that it’s the purpose of this post, but I have changed my stance on the whole Colts issue with more time to think about it and to watch the aftermath, specifically how Colts fans have reacted to the situation. This post from KVB pretty much sums up how I feel.

I understand why Colts fans were upset and felt cheated initially. Obviously the gut reaction I placed in the post proves that I felt similarly. But a little time should have given Colts fans some perspective and reminded them just how good they have it. Apparently, this has not happened.

With that, and with my above .500 record in Week 16 (10-5 if the Bears can stay within 7 tonight), we look ahead to Week 17. At a minimum, I will be 22 games over .500 when Week 17 starts. Hopefully you’ve been paying attention all year; for my first time picking games for every week of the NFL season, I’d say I’ve had a pretty auspicious debut.

And, to be fair, despite what happened in Week 16, Jim Caldwell has had a pretty auspicious debut this season as well.

A couple of quick things to keep in mind:

• All times are ET.
• Some games do not have all of the information filled in as of this post being published (i.e. a few games don’t have spreads yet and the announcer assignments have not yet been announced). I’ll up date this post as soon as the information is available at the506.com.
• Point spread and over-under listings are as of Monday night, and obviously subject to change throughout the week. If you want update point spread info, or some expert advice as you make your weekly picks, below are a few helpful links.
• DocSports: NFL Odds
• DocSports: NFL Picks

And with all that said, here is your Week 17 TV schedule, point spreads, announcers, free picks, and byes.

NFL Week 17 Viewer’s Guide

TV Schedule – Announcers – Kickoff Times – Byes

Point Spreads – Free Picks – Odds – Over-Unders

New York Giants at Minnesota Vikings

• Giants-Vikings Date: Sunday, January 3
• Giants-Vikings Kickoff Time: 1:00
• Giants-Vikings TV Network: FOX
• Giants-Vikings Announcers: Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston, and Tony Siragusa
• Giants-Vikings Point Spread: Vikings -9
• Giants-Vikings Over-Under Odds: 48
• Giants-Vikings Spread Pick: Another classic Week 17 battle in which one team has everything to play for and another has nothing to play for. I think the Vikings are going to rout the Giants because they know they need the #2 seed and must win to have a chance. Plus, they are at home facing a team that has absolutely defense. And I think the Giants’ performance in Week 16 proved that they have pretty much checked out for the year. Giants-Vikings free pick: Vikings -9

Pittsburgh Steelers at Miami Dolphins

• Steelers-Dolphins Date: Sunday, January 3
• Steelers-Dolphins Kickoff Time: 1:00
• Steelers-Dolphins TV Network: CBS
• Steelers-Dolphins Announcers: Greg Gumbel and Dan Dierdorf
• Steelers-Dolphins Point Spread: Steelers -3
• Steelers-Dolphins Over-Under Odds: 45
• Steelers-Dolphins Spread Pick: It took the oddsmakers forever to come out with a line for this game, mainly because of the uncertain status of Troy Polamalu (likely out), Hines Ward (will give it a go with two tender hammys), and Ricky Williams (most likely going to give it a go, but listed as questionable). This is a really tough game to pick straight up, but the Steelers getting three point swings it for me. Miami came out an played poorly last week in the first half. I have much more faith in Tony Sparano than to expect that too happen again. The outright winner is a toss-up for me, but I like the Dolphins to at least keep it very close at home should the Steelers find a way to win. Steelers-Dolphins free pick: Dolphins +3

New England Patriots at Houston Texans

• Patriots-Texans Date: Sunday, January 3
• Patriots-Texans Kickoff Time: 1:00
• Patriots-Texans TV Network: CBS
• Patriots-Texans Announcers: Kevin Harlan and Solomon Wilcots
• Patriots-Texans Point Spread: Texans -7
• Patriots-Texans Over-Under Odds: 45.5
• Patriots-Texans Spread Pick: I assume the Texans are favored by 7 because the Patriots have the AFC East sewn up, cannot move up to the #2 seed, and essentially have nothing to play for. The Texans, on the other hand, have everything to play for. Though they are not in a win-and-in situation, the 8-7 Texans could clinch their first winning season in franchise history. Though Houston has a history of faltering in big spots, I think they will play in Week 17. I just don’t think they’ll cover 7 points. New England has a history of not resting starters, and I think it’s quite likely that the starting offense plays most of the game. With Brady starting to click again with Moss and Welker, I think we could have a very entertaining, high scoring, and close game. Patriots-Texans free pick: Patriots +7

Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions

• Bears-Lions Date: Sunday, January 3
• Bears-Lions Kickoff Time: 1:00
• Bears-Lions TV Network: FOX
• Bears-Lions Announcers: Chris Rose and Trent Green
• Bears-Lions Point Spread: Bears -3
• Bears-Lions Over-Under Odds: 45
• Bears-Lions Spread Pick: The Bears showed me something on Monday night. They showed that they have not checked out yet and are tying to finish the season strong. I think the Lions’ secondary provides a nice, soft ending to what has been an otherwise rough year for Jay Cutler and the Bears. And I simply don’t think that Drew Stanton (or whoever plays QB for the Lions) is capable of keeping up with what the Bears should be able to do against Detroit through the air. Bears-Lions free pick: Bears -3

Jacksonville Jaguars at Cleveland Browns

• Jaguars-Browns Date: Sunday, January 3
• Jaguars-Browns Kickoff Time: 1:00
• Jaguars-Browns TV Network: CBS
• Jaguars-Browns Announcers: Gus Johnson and Steve Tasker
• Jaguars-Browns Point Spread: Browns -3
• Jaguars-Browns Over-Under Odds: 38.5
• Jaguars-Browns Spread Pick: This is, without question, the most unexpected betting line of the year. When the Browns were 1-11, who would have thought that merely one month later they would be favored in Week 17 against a team that remains on the fringes of the playoff race? It is a testament to how hard the Browns have continued to play (and, granted, their schedule) that they enter this week’s game favored by three. And considering the Jags’ season-long struggles on the road, I’m actually taking the Browns and the three points. Jerome Harrison is proving what I’ve been saying about him for three years (that he’s a really good runner) and the Browns defense has become a solid unit. If Cleveland can contain Mike Sims-Walker and not let Maurice Jones-Drew run wild, they can win a low scoring, hard fought game and end the season with a four game winning streak. Jaguars-Browns free pick: Browns-3

New Orleans Saints at Carolina Panthers

• Saints-Panthers Date: Sunday, January 3
• Saints-Panthers Kickoff Time: 1:00
• Saints-Panthers TV Network: FOX
• Saints-Panthers Announcers: Thom Brennaman and Brian Billick
• Saints-Panthers Point Spread: Panthers -7
• Saints-Panthers Over-Under Odds: 41
• Saints-Panthers Spread Pick: Another game that the oddsmakers had trouble settling on because of the uncertainty regarding the Saints’ starters. Early in the week, it looked like the Saints might play everyone to try and get a rhythm after their two game skid. Now, however, it looks like the starters will only play part of the game if that. With as well as the Panthers are playing, I like them to close out the season well. Matt Moore and Jonathan Stewart both have a lot to play for, and that should be enough to power the Panthers to a cover at home. Saints-Panthers free pick: Panthers -7

Indianapolis Colts at Buffalo Bills

• Colts-Bills Date: Sunday, January 3
• Colts-Bills Kickoff Time: 1:00
• Colts-Bills TV Network: CBS
• Colts-Bills Announcers: Bill Macatee and Steve Beuerlein
• Colts-Bills Point Spread: Bills -8
• Colts-Bills Over-Under Odds: 33
• Colts-Bills Spread Pick: If the Colts didn’t play their starters the whole game when they still had an undefeated record, it would make no logical sense for them to do so this week. With the Colts’ winning mentality gone for another week, the home team with a lot to play for (the Bills in this case) could very well get a cover. The Bills’ secondary will make things difficult on Curtis Painter and if he turns the ball over a lot, the Colts will see a repeat of what happened against the Jets. Colts-Bills free pick: Bills -8

San Francisco 49ers at St. Louis Rams

• 49ers-Rams Date: Sunday, January 3
• 49ers-Rams Kickoff Time: 1:00
• 49ers-Rams TV Network: FOX
• 49ers-Rams Announcers: Chris Myers and Ross Tucker
• 49ers-Rams Point Spread: 49ers -7
• 49ers-Rams Over-Under Odds: 40.5
• 49ers-Rams Spread Pick: San Francisco’s victory over Detroit was predictably easy in Week 16, and this is a good sign for Mike Singletary’s crew. They have not yet reached an elite level, but are beating teams that they should beat and competing with the upper echelon teams in the league. A win in Week 17 would give them a .500 record, which, if they played in the AFC, would give them an outside shot at the playoffs. The Rams have played hard all year, but I think this is a game that the 49ers will want more, which is why I think they win going away. 49ers-Rams free pick: 49ers -7

Atlanta Falcons at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

• Falcons-Buccaneers Date: Sunday, January 3
• Falcons-Buccaneers Kickoff Time: 1:00
• Falcons-Buccaneers TV Network: FOX
• Falcons-Buccaneers Announcers: Dick Stockton and Charles Davis
• Falcons-Buccaneers Point Spread: Buccaneers -1
• Falcons-Buccaneers Over-Under Odds: 41.5
• Falcons-Buccaneers Spread Pick: The Falcons offense finally got back on track in Week 16 with a sterling performance against a Buffalo defense that has been very strong against the pass this season. The Bucs, in their 2009 Super Bowl, beat the New Orleans Saints in a major upset. To me, this game still comes down to Matt Ryan and versus Josh Freeman. And even though Freeman got the win “over” Drew Brees in Week 16 (really, it was more kicker beat kicker), I can’t pick the inconsistent Freeman to beat another more experienced, very good QB. Falcons-Buccaneers free pick: Falcons +1

Philadelphia Eagles at Dallas Cowboys

• Eagles-Cowboys Date: Sunday, January 3
• Eagles-Cowboys Kickoff Time: 4:15
• Eagles-Cowboys TV Network: FOX
• Eagles-Cowboys Announcers: Joe Buck and Troy Aikman
• Eagles-Cowboys Point Spread: Cowboys -3
• Eagles-Cowboys Over-Under Odds: 48
• Eagles-Cowboys Spread Pick: This is a very fair spread, all things considered. The Cowboys get the home field edge. When you further consider that they beat the Eagles in Philly, and have played very well for two straight weeks, I’m a little surprised Dallas isn’t favored by more. There is no question that this Cowboys team is different than the teams that failed in December for the rest of this decade. The Cowboys are a legit darkhorse Super Bowl candidate now. At home, I think they exorcise some demons from last year and beat the winning-but-inconsistent Eagles. Eagles-Cowboys free pick: Cowboys -3

Green Bay Packers at Arizona Cardinals

• Packers-Cardinals Date: Sunday, January 3
• Packers-Cardinals Kickoff Time: 4:15
• Packers-Cardinals TV Network: FOX
• Packers-Cardinals Announcers: Sam Rosen and Tim Ryan
• Packers-Cardinals Point Spread: Cardinals -3
• Packers-Cardinals Over-Under Odds: 44
• Packers-Cardinals Spread Pick: This is a great matchup, and could very likely be a preview of the first playoff weekend. The Packers are absolutely rolling right now, whereas the Cardinals have been up and down all season. This really is the perfect spread, because the oddsmakers are essentially saying that these two teams are equal, with the Cards getting three points for being at home. Considering the Cardinals history (at least from last year) of getting hot at the right time, I like them to beat the Packers in Week 17. But boy does it make me tough to trusting this schizophrenic Arizona team. Packers-Cardinals free pick: Cardinals -3

Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos

• Chiefs-Broncos Date: Sunday, January 3
• Chiefs-Broncos Kickoff Time: 4:15
• Chiefs-Broncos TV Network: CBS
• Chiefs-Broncos Announcers: Dick Enberg and Dan Fouts
• Chiefs-Broncos Point Spread: Broncos -12
• Chiefs-Broncos Over-Under Odds: 38
• Chiefs-Broncos Spread Pick: Wow, what a spread! The Broncos, who are 2-7 since starting 6-0, are favored by nearly two TDs over a divisional opponent. That right there should give you major pause. Kansas City is not good, but they’ve played two hot teams tightly the last two weeks, and there is nothing to suggest that the Broncos are in the right frame of mind or rhythm to blow somebody out. Chiefs-Broncos free pick: Chiefs +12

Baltimore Ravens at Oakland Raiders

• Ravens-Raiders Date: Sunday, January 3
• Ravens-Raiders Kickoff Time: 4:15
• Ravens-Raiders TV Network: CBS
• Ravens-Raiders Announcers: Jim Nantz and Phil Simms
• Ravens-Raiders Point Spread: Ravens -10
• Ravens-Raiders Over-Under Odds: 38
• Ravens-Raiders Spread Pick: Apparently the oddsmakers did not watch the Steelers and Eagles go into Oakland this year, because in both cases the Raiders won. Baltimore is still fighting for a playoff spot, and I do think that they will win the game, but the Raiders have been good enough at home this year to cover a double-digit spread. Ravens-Raiders free pick: Raiders +10

Washington Redskins at San Diego Chargers

• Redskins-Chargers Date: Sunday, January 3
• Redskins-Chargers Kickoff Time: 4:15
• Redskins-Chargers TV Network: FOX
• Redskins-Chargers Announcers: Ron Pitts and John Lynch
• Redskins-Chargers Point Spread: Chargers -4
• Redskins-Chargers Over-Under Odds: 39.5
• Redskins-Chargers Spread Pick: I would not touch this game with a ten foot pole if I actually bet on sports. The Chargers have nothing to play for expect staying healthy and will likely be trudging backups out there. The Redskins, likewise, have nothing to play for but for a different reason. They are out of the playoffs and will have a new coaching staff next year. I think players on both sides will simply be trying to survive and avoid major injury. I’ll take the Chargers because they’re at home and it’s December, but I don’t really have any other reason for this pick. Redskins-Chargers free pick: Chargers -4

Tennessee Titans at Seattle Seahawks

• Titans-Seahawks Date: Sunday, January 3
• Titans-Seahawks Kickoff Time: 4:15
• Titans-Seahawks TV Network: CBS
• Titans-Seahawks Announcers: Ian Eagle and Rich Gannon
• Titans-Seahawks Point Spread: Titans -5.5
• Titans-Seahawks Over-Under Odds: 43.5
• Titans-Seahawks Spread Pick: Neither one of these teams is really playing for anything, but at least one of the two teams is playing. And if you watched Week 17, you know that the team playing is not the Seahawks, who absolutely laid an egg against the Green Bay Packers. Now, a 5.5 point spread in Seattle should concern you, but the Titans have a QB still playing for respect and for his job in 2010. The Seahawks have a hobbled QB that probably just wants to get to the offseason with his health intact. I cannot in good faith pick the Seahawks here are watching them in Week 16. Titans-Seahawks free pick: Titans +5.5

Cincinnati Bengals at New York Jets

• Bengals-Jets Date: Sunday, January 3
• Bengals-Jets Kickoff Time: 8:20
• Bengals-Jets TV Network: NBC
• Bengals-Jets Announcers: Al Michaels and Cris Collinsworth
• Bengals-Jets Point Spread: Jets -8
• Bengals-Jets Over-Under Odds: 36.5
• Bengals-Jets Spread Pick: Here is another game in which one team has everything to play for (the Jets) while another team is essentially just jockeying for the 3rd or 4th seed. And while I think the Jets defense can really bottle up the starting Bengals offense, the Jets offense is not great unit either. This smells like an “under” game to me – especially if the weather is bad in New York – and I just do not see anyone winning this one by a touchdown or more. Regardless of whether Cincy rests their starters or not, I think this is a close game. Bengals-Jets free pick: Bengals +8

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