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[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Pick Six - Week 17
By Kevin Rogers

Week 16 Record: 3-3 SU, 3-3 ATS
Overall Record: 45-47 SU, 42-50-2 ATS

Panthers at Buccaneers (-4 ½, 46) – 1:00 PM EST

Carolina
Record: 6-9 SU, 5-9-1 ATS

The Panthers finished last season without a home loss in 10 tries, but suffered their fourth home defeat last week in a 33-16 setback to the Falcons. Carolina stumbled to a 2-5 record away from Bank of America Stadium as only one of those victories came in the underdog role at Washington in Week 15. The Panthers look to avenge a 17-14 home defeat to the Buccaneers back in Week 5 as Cam Newton missed that loss due to injury. Carolina has won straight visits to Raymond James Stadium, while holding Tampa Bay to 17 points or less in each victory.

Tampa Bay
Record: 8-7 SU, 9-6 ATS

Two weeks ago, the Buccaneers were right in the mix of the NFC playoff picture, but back-to-back road losses at New Orleans and Dallas have put Tampa Bay on the brink of elimination. The Bucs need to win on Sunday plus have a multitude scenarios work in their favor, as Tampa Bay has covered in six of its past seven games. After starting the season at 0-4 at Raymond James Stadium, the Bucs are riding a three-game home winning streak, while allowing a total of 26 points in those victories.

Best Bet: Carolina +4 ½

Patriots (-9 ½, 45) at Dolphins – 1:00 PM EST

New England
Record: 13-2 SU, 12-3 ATS

The Patriots control their own destiny for home-field advantage in the AFC playoff by picking up a victory over the Dolphins. If New England loses, the Patriots need the Raiders to lose at Denver to still capture the top AFC seed. The Pats picked up their sixth consecutive win in last Saturday’s 41-3 rout of the Jets as 17-point favorites. New England has cashed in five of six opportunities in the road favorite role this season, but the Patriots have lost three straight visits to Hard Rock Stadium, including a 20-10 defeat in last season’s Week 17 contest.

Miami
Record: 10-5 SU, 9-6 ATS

The Dolphins held off the Bills in overtime last Saturday, 34-31 to wrap up their first playoff appearance since 2008. Miami won in spite of allowing 589 yards to Buffalo, but the Dolphins picked up its first sweep of Buffalo and New York in the same season since 2003. Matt Moore will start once again in place of the injured Ryan Tannehill at quarterback as the Dolphins have scored 34 points in each of his first two appearances. Miami is currently on an 8-1 run to the OVER, including four straight OVERS at Hard Rock Stadium.

Best Bet: Miami +9 ½

Saints at Falcons (-8, 56 ½) – 4:25 PM EST

New Orleans
Record: 7-8 SU, 10-5 ATS

The Saints have been the best underdog in the NFL this season by compiling a 7-1 ATS mark when receiving points. New Orleans is riding a two-game winning streak following a 31-24 home victory over Tampa Bay last Saturday as three-point favorites. The Saints have scored 79 points the past two weeks, while putting up at least 31 points in six of seven wins this season. New Orleans posted 32 points in its last meeting with Atlanta at the Superdome in Week 3, but the Saints fell to the Falcons, 45-32.

Atlanta
Record: 10-5 SU, 10-5 ATS

The Falcons picked up their third straight win to wrap up the NFC South title in last week’s 33-16 blowout of the Panthers as three-point favorites. Atlanta owns a 2-4 ATS mark in the home favorite role this season, while sailing OVER the total in all seven games at the Georgia Dome. The favorite has struggled in this series recently by going 0-6 ATS since 2013, as the last three meetings in Atlanta have been decided by four points or less.

Best Bet: New Orleans +8

Giants at Redskins (-7 ½, 44 ½) – 4:25 PM EST

New York
Record: 10-5 SU, 8-6-1 ATS

The Giants have wrapped up a playoff spot and are looking to get through Week 17 without any injuries. New York fell behind early at Philadelphia and came up short in a 24-19 setback last Thursday night to lose its second consecutive road contest. The Giants are playing with revenge after blowing an early 14-3 lead in a 29-27 home defeat to the Redskins in Week 3 as 3 ½-point favorites. New York owns a 1-3-1 ATS mark as a road underdog this season, while going 6-1 to the UNDER away from Met Life Stadium.

Washington
Record: 8-6-1 SU, 10-5 ATS

The Redskins control their own destiny for the final playoff berth in the NFC by picking up a victory on Sunday. Washington helped itself with a 41-21 rout of Chicago last Saturday as three-point road favorites, while intercepting Matt Barkley five times. The Redskins moved to 7-1 to the OVER in their past eight games, while owning a 6-1 OVER mark in six contests at FedEx Field. Washington has won and covered six of its last eight December contests, as the Redskins go for their first home favorite win over the Giants since 2005.

Best Bet: Washington -7 ½

Chiefs (-4 ½, 44 ½) at Chargers – 4:25 PM EST

Kansas City
Record: 11-4 SU, 8-7 ATS

The Chiefs have an excellent opportunity to capture their first AFC West title since 2010 with a win at San Diego plus an Oakland loss. Kansas City rebounded from a last-second loss to Tennessee by pounding Denver last Sunday night, 33-10 as 3 ½-point favorites. The Chiefs are seeking a perfect 6-0 record inside the AFC West as Kansas City erased a 24-3 deficit to San Diego in a 33-27 overtime triumph back in Week 1 at Arrowhead Stadium.

San Diego
Record: 5-10 SU, 7-8 ATS

The Lightning Bolts are losing their charge late in the season by dropping four consecutive games, including a humiliating 20-17 setback to the previously winless Browns. San Diego hasn’t scored more than 21 points in any of its past four losses, while dropping three consecutive games at Qualcomm Stadium. The Chargers are 1-1 SU/ATS as a home underdog this season, as San Diego goes for its second division win in its past 14 tries.

Best Bet: San Diego +4 ½

Raiders at Broncos (-1 ½, 40 ½) – 4:25 PM EST

Oakland
Record: 12-3 SU, 10-5 ATS

The Raiders took a major hit in last Saturday’s 33-25 home victory over the Colts as quarterback Derek Carr suffered a broken fibula and will be out for the rest of the season. Matt McGloin takes over for Carr as the former Penn State standout will make his first NFL start since 2013. Oakland has fared well on the road by compiling a 6-1 SU/ATS mark away from the Black Hole, as the Raiders go for the sweep of the Broncos following a 30-20 home triumph back in November.

Denver
Record: 8-7 SU, 8-7 ATS

The defending champion Broncos won’t return to the postseason as Denver has stumbled down the stretch by losing three straight games. The offense has been non-existent by scoring a total of 23 points, while getting outgained in last week’s loss at Kansas City, 484-246. The Broncos will shake things up the season finale as both Trevor Siemian and Paxton Lynch will see time under center as Denver tries to avoid losing four home games in a season for the first time since 2011.

Best Bet: Oakland +1 ½

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Gridiron Angles - Week 17
By Vince Akins

NFL CHOICE TRENDS:

-- The Colts are 0-11 OU (-13.05 ppg) since Jan 01, 2006 as a favorite off a game as a road dog where they failed to cover.

-- The Raiders are 10-0-1 OU (12.09 ppg) since Dec 28, 2008 when their ATS margin increased over their past 3 games.

NFL PLAY ON ATS TREND:

-- The Cardinals are 11-0 ATS (11.00 ppg) since Oct 30, 2011 off a game as a dog where they allowed at least 22 first downs.

NFL PLAY AGAINST TREND:

-- The 49ers are 0-10-1 ATS (-8.36 ppg) since Nov 18, 2007 as a dog off a game as a dog of more than three points where they forced at least two turnovers.

TOP NFL PLAYER ATS TREND:

-- The Bears are 0-8 ATS (-10.88 ppg) since Dec 06, 2015 when Alshon Jeffery had at least 75 receiving yards last game.

TOP NFL PLAYER OU TREND:

-- The Colts are 0-7 OU (-11.50 ppg) since Dec 14, 2014 at home when Andrew Luck threw for at least 250 yards last game.

NFL O/U UNDER TREND:

-- The Steelers are 0-11 OU (-7.73 ppg) since Oct 16, 2011 as a favorite off a game as a favorite where they had at least 400 total yards.

NFL O/U OVER TREND:

-- The Jaguars are 11-0 OU (15.50 ppg) since Nov 15, 2009 off a home game where they threw for at least 250 yards.

NFL BIBLE O/U ACTIVE TREND:

-- The Chiefs are 0-13 OU as a favorite when they are off a game in which they had at least three more minutes of possession time than their season-to-date average.

NFL BIBLE ATS ACTIVE TREND:

-- The Titans are 15-0 ATS at home after a game in which their completion percentage was at least 7.5 points high than their season-to-date average, as long as they are not laying more than three points.

NFL ATS SYSTEM:

-- Teams playing their final regular season home game which have won at least six of their first seven home games are 95-74-2 ATS. Active on Miami and Detroit.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Texans (9-6) at Titans (8-7)

Date: January 01, 2017 1:00 PM EDT

The Tennessee Titans' hopes of a surprise AFC South championship were already in serious trouble before quarterback Marcus Mariota suffered a fractured fibula in the third quarter of last week's 38-17 loss at Jacksonville.

But Mariota's season-ending injury served as the final insult in a rough reality check of a Christmas Eve game. After becoming one of the NFL's best stories in the previous two weeks with gritty wins over Denver and Kansas City to give it a real chance at winning the division, Tennessee erased those performances with a brutal 60 minutes against a 3-12 team.

That rendered Sunday's regular-season finale with repeat division champion Houston meaningless, except for pride. After going 2-14 and 3-13 the previous two years, the Titans (8-7) can still finish with their first winning season since 2011.

Coach Mike Mularkey believes that will be enough of a motivator to summon up a winning effort.

"It's an important game for everybody for a lot of reasons," he said. "Looking at how we started our season, I'd like to finish it strong. We're playing to win the football game. That's No. 1 and the only intent."

Winning the football game will be a lot tougher with Matt Cassel under center instead of Mariota. While Cassel does bring plenty of experience to Nissan Stadium, there's a reason he's with his sixth NFL team.

Cassel performed passably in a sudden relief role for Mariota last week in Jacksonville, throwing for 124 yards and a touchdown, although he mixed in a pick-six to Jalen Ramsey that sealed the already-inevitable outcome.

Mularkey said the offense, aside from fewer designed runs for the quarterback, won't require too much tweaking with Cassel in charge.

"Matt prepares like he's starting every game," Mularkey said. "He's here every morning Marcus is bright and early, very early. Matt knows how to prepare. He's been in this business long enough and our guys know that about him."

Cassel could have a tough time throwing against the NFL's second-ranked pass defense, so don't be surprised if Tennessee opts for a heavy dose of DeMarco Murray and Derrick Henry running the ball at the 14th-ranked rush defense. Murray, who has 1,266 yards, has a chance to finish as the AFC rushing champion.

While individual goals and the chance at a winning record are the motivators for the Titans, the Texans (9-6) can use this game in any way they wish after clinching the division last week with a 12-10 win over Cincinnati.

Regardless of whether coach Bill O'Brien rests other players, though, he almost has to play quarterback Tom Savage the entire game, barring a blowout or an injury. Savage's first NFL start was the division-clincher, and he certainly needs every rep he can get ahead of a possible playoff opener with the AFC West runner-up -- either Kansas City or Oakland.

Savage was 18 of 29 for 176 yards passing against Cincinnati, which doesn't sound impressive until one realizes he threw for a whopping 13 yards in the first half.

O'Brien and Savage both want to quicken the tempo this week, pointing to the team's low total of 57 plays against the Bengals.

"We played too slow against Cincinnati," O'Brien said. "I want us to play faster. It doesn't mean a whole game of no-huddle. It just means we need to get in and out of the huddle quicker and play at a better tempo."

While Savage seems certain to play wire to wire, Houston might have to keep leading rusher Lamar Miller in mothballs this week. Miller sat out against the Bengals with an ankle injury and didn't participate in practice on Wednesday.

Five other Texans, including key performers like inside linebacker Brian Cushing (ankle), cornerback Kareem Jackson (neck) and cornerback Johnathan Joseph (ribs/shoulder), were limited participants in practice Wednesday. Depending on how their ailments progress through the week, the team could opt for caution with any or all three of them.

However, Cushing doesn't sound like someone who's interested in a busman's holiday on New Year's Day.

"Any time we step on the football field," he said, "you want to win."

That might go double for their opponent, which won't step on the football field again for a meaningful game until next September.

"We're going to play the game to win the football game," Mularkey summed up.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Bills (7-8) at Jets (4-11)

Date: January 01, 2017 1:00 PM EDT

At Anthony Lynn's first news conference as interim head coach of the Buffalo Bills on Wednesday, he fielded nearly four dozen questions.

Not one was about the New York Jets, the Bills' opponent in Sunday's season finale at MetLife Stadium.

Lynn will make his head coaching debut against his former employer. He coached the Jets' running backs for six seasons (2009-14), assisting Rex Ryan, the coach Lynn is now replacing for the final game of their two seasons working together in Buffalo.

Sunday's game could also function as a tryout for Lynn, who has interviewed for head coaching jobs in the past and is expected to be a candidate for openings around the NFL this season, including the one in Buffalo.

"Right now, my focus is right in front of me," Lynn said in his opening remarks. "Getting these guys ready to play the New York Jets and doing the best we can to win this game."

The Bills (7-8) have won more than the Jets (4-11) since the teams met in Week 2. Former Buffalo quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick had his best game of the season, throwing for 374 yards and a touchdown in the Jets' 37-31 victory in prime time at New Era Field.

The next day, Buffalo fired offensive coordinator Greg Roman and promoted Lynn.

The Bills have averaged 27 points per game and regained their status as the NFL's top rushing team since Lynn took control of the offense. But poor defensive play and missed field goal attempts prevented the Bills from ending their 17-year playoff drought, the longest in North American sports. Those factors also contributed to Ryan's exit.

Jets coach Todd Bowles is not in danger of losing his job, according to numerous reports, despite the team's struggles this year after going 10-6 in Bowles' first season.

Bowles was hospitalized last week because of issues with "kidney stones, gall stones, gallbladder," he said. Bowles missed the team flight to New England but was on the sideline for the Jets' 41-3 loss.

Fitzpatrick will start for the Jets on Sunday after Bryce Petty was placed on injured reserve with a torn labrum in his left (non-throwing) shoulder.

Christian Hackenberg, the Jets' second-round pick, will back up Fitzpatrick, but the Jets aren't making it a priority to get the former Penn State quarterback game action in the finale.

"We're not going to gain or lose nothing by looking at Christian, or not, in this game," Bowles said.

The Bills won't be starting their rookie quarterback, Cardale Jones, either. The fifth-round pick from Ohio State is expected to be active for the first time this season, backing up former first-round pick E.J. Manuel.

It could be Manuel's final game with the Bills. Manuel is 6-10 as a starter in his four seasons with the Bills and has been benched in favor of Kyle Orton, Tyrod Taylor, Matt Cassell and Josh Johnson at various points in his career.

"It's a great opportunity to go out there and win," Manuel said. "I think there's no better way to end this season, even if it's not what we wanted to finish, but to finish 8-8."

The Bills are benching Taylor, who is healthy and coming off the best game of his career in last week's 34-31 overtime loss to the Miami Dolphins. This could be a sign that Taylor has played his final game with the Bills, who don't want to risk him suffering a serious injury that would guarantee him $27.5 million for next season.

"That was a business decision," Lynn said. "We want to look at the depth of our quarterback position and we're out of the playoffs, so we want to see what these other two guys can do."

Pro Bowl running back LeSean McCoy (illness), wide receiver Sammy Watkins (foot), left tackle Cordy Glenn (back), defensive tackle Kyle Williams (back), cornerback Stephon Gilmore (concussion), tight end Charles Clay (knee) and linebacker Lorenzo Alexander (rest) did not practice for Buffalo on Wednesday.

Wide receiver Brandon Marshall (hip/shoulder), running backs Matt Forte (knee), Bilal Powell (knee) and Brandon Burks (illness), defensive backs Nick Marshall (hamstring) and Juston Burris (knee), and tight end Ausstin Seferian-Jenkins (hamstring) sat out practice for the Jets.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Ravens (8-7) at Bengals (5-9)

Date: January 01, 2017 1:00 PM EDT

Even though the Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals enter their regular-season finale without any playoff implications, they are approaching the game Sunday in different ways.

The Ravens (8-7) plan to play their regular starters and salvage a winning season. The Bengals (5-9), however, are decimated with injuries and have shut down several top players, including tight end Tyler Eifert, guard Clint Boling and receiver A.J. Green, who was ruled out Wednesday by coach Marvin Lewis. Linebacker Vontaze Burfict is still in concussion protocol and his status is uncertain.

Baltimore was eliminated from the postseason with a 31-27 loss to Pittsburgh on Sunday. The sting of that game will likely resonate throughout the offseason because the Ravens allowed the go-ahead touchdown with nine seconds left in the fourth quarter.

Ravens coach John Harbaugh is determined to end the season on a high note. Baltimore will also try to end a four-game losing streak at Paul Brown Stadium.

"We want to go win it," Harbaugh said. "We do want to be 9-7. It is important to have one more win than we potentially could have. I do not care what the record is."

The game will also be bittersweet for Ravens receiver Steve Smith, who will likely retire after the game. Smith, 37, is just one of just 11 players in history with more than 1,000 catches and 14,000 yards receiving.

This year, he has 67 receptions for 765 yards and leads the team with five touchdown receptions and 12 catches over 20 yards.

"I'm going to miss it," Smith said about retiring from football. "I'm going to mourn. It's something that's part of my life for 16 years. There will be a transition."

Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco has already passed for a career-high 4,050 yards. He also has 20 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. However, the offense has been mostly inconsistent for much of the season.

There are questions surrounding the future of Marty Mornhinweg, who is the Ravens' fifth different offensive coordinator in as many seasons. Mornhinweg took over the job when Marc Trestman was fired after a 16-10 loss to the Washington Redskins on Oct. 9.

However, the offense still sputtered under Mornhinweg. Flacco is embracing the opportunity to play better one more time this season.

"We're professionals, that's what we loved to do," Flacco said. "I'm excited about it. We're optimistic about this week. It's another chance to go out there and play the game we love."

Baltimore will be without cornerback Jimmy Smith for the third straight game because of a high ankle sprain. The Ravens have struggled without Smith in the lineup, especially in the previous game when Steelers receiver Antonio Brown was able to catch 10 passes for 96 yards and scored the winning touchdown.

The Bengals have struggled throughout much of the season. Cincinnati suffered a devastating blow when both Green (hamstring) and running back running back Giovani Bernard (knee) were injured in the 16-12 loss to the Buffalo Bills on Nov. 20.

Cincinnati was not able to overcome those injuries the following week in a 19-14 loss in Baltimore. Since that game, the Bengals have gone 2-2, which was not good enough to get them back in the playoff hunt.

As a result, the future is uncertain for Lewis. There have been conflicting reports over whether he will return next season. Lewis took over the team in 2003 and is the second-longest tenured coach in the NFL behind Bill Belichick.

This is the first time in six years the Bengals did not make the playoffs.

"It's been an opportunity that we kind of started and had to restart," Lewis said about the playoff run. "We've had to retool with different players and new coaches and so forth a few times. Each and every time, you have to figure out a new way and build things up. We'll be well into that process soon because we haven't been good enough this season."

Despite missing some of his top targets because of the injuries, Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton had a solid season, throwing for 3,980 yards with 17 touchdowns and eight interceptions.

Dalton is 314 passing yards from breaking his franchise record (4,293) for most in a season.

"You're still playing, playing for pride," Dalton said of the finale with no playoffs ahead. "You've got to treat it like it's a normal week. You've got to prepare the same way because all you have to do 1/8it 3/8 for is one more week for this season.

"There's part of you that could be like, 'well, you're not playing for anything,' but that's the thing that you have to fight."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Jaguars (3-12) at Colts (7-8)

Date: January 01, 2017 1:00 PM EDT

With one game remaining during the regular season, the Indianapolis Colts are in the unfamiliar position of having no chance to make the playoffs.

The Jacksonville Jaguars have been in that spot many times in recent years, and so this season is no different.

In a game both teams likely thought could hold playoff stakes at one point, the Colts and Jaguars will instead try to salvage individual goals and end the season with a strong showing during an otherwise inconsequential matchup on Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

"It's closure for us in the sense of just ending on a good note," Jaguars receiver Marqise Lee said. "All year we talked about how much we were capable of, which I still believe. Never going to lose faith as far as how capable we are of getting the job done. We just have to come back here next year and do what we need to do."

Lee, a third-year receiver who has set career highs in receptions (57), receiving yards (765) and touchdowns (three), has been one of the bright spots for the Jaguars (3-12), who have had to endure a franchise-worst nine-game losing streak and the dismissal of coach Gus Bradley this season.

Jacksonville snapped their skid last week with an impressive 38-17 victory over the Tennessee Titans, which helped decide the AFC South. The Titans were eliminated from contention when the Houston Texans beat the Cincinnati Bengals on Saturday night to clinch the division.

Lee played a critical role in the game, catching a 21-yard touchdown in the first quarter and throwing a 20-yard score to quarterback Blake Bortles to seal the game in the fourth quarter.

This week, the Jaguars, who have not made the playoffs since 2007, could have other players hit individual milestones.

With three touchdown passes, Bortles would become the first quarterback in franchise history to throw at least 25 in consecutive seasons. The third-year quarterback set a franchise record with 35 last season but has struggled while trying to deal with the pressure of a looming coaching change and the team's poor performance overall this season.

While it would require the biggest game of his career, Allen Robinson would become the franchise's first receiver in more than a decade with 1,000 yards in back-to-back seasons with 199 against the Colts.

Robinson, who had 147 yards against the Titans, was named to the Pro Bowl last season after totaling 80 catches for 1,400 yards and 14 touchdowns. But he has also seen his production decline as part of an offense that is averaging 19.9 points per game this season.

Indianapolis (7-8) is also left trying to make the most of its final game after being eliminated from playoff contention last week following a loss to the Oakland Raiders.

Trailing 33-7 midway through the third quarter, Colts quarterback Andrew Luck threw one touchdown, ran for one and helped set up a 42-yard field goal by Adam Vinatieri to pull Indianapolis within one score with 2:33 remaining in the fourth quarter.

But their defense allowed Raiders backup quarterback Matt McGloin to hit Amari Cooper for a gain of 19 yards on third-and-8 to seal the outcome and keep Indianapolis out of the playoffs in consecutive years for the first time since the 1997-1998 seasons.

With his job possibly in jeopardy, Colts coach Chuck Pagano said this week that he expects the same level of intensity from his team to end the season.

"The name on the back of your jersey, the decal on the side of your helmet, pride, respect, winning," Pagano listed as reasons to play hard in the final week of a lost season. "It's unacceptable where we're at, we all know that, players and coaches. That's not us. That's not this culture. That's not what was developed around here long before I got here. That's what is at stake."

A few individual milestones could also motivate the Colts.

With 36 rushing yards, 33-year-old Frank Gore would become the oldest player to hit 1,000 yards in a season since Hall of Famer John Riggins did so with the Washington Redskins at age 35 in 1984.

Gore, who last week became the first player in NFL history to notch 11 consecutive seasons with at least 1,200 yards from scrimmage, would be the first Colts player to rush for 1,000 yards in a season since Joseph Addai in 2007.

Meanwhile, T.Y. Hilton enters Sunday with a league-leading 1,353 receiving yards. If the fifth-year receiver can hold off Odell Beckham of the New York Giants (1,323 yards), Julio Jones of the Atlanta Falcons (1,313) and all others, he would be the first Colts player to lead the league in receiving since Reggie Wayne in 2007.

"He doesn't age," Hilton said of Gore. "He just keeps getting better, keeps running hard. Frank is one of those guys who takes care of his body. He's a downhill runner. He's one of those guys you love playing with."

Hilton downplayed his own chase of history, saying "It would mean a lot if we get the win, but other than that I'm just going out there to play."

Both teams should be mostly healthy this week.

Jaguars receiver Allen Hurns (hamstring) has not played since Nov. 27 against Buffalo and was one of three players who did not practice Wednesday. Running back Chris Ivory exited Saturday's game against the Titans and was limited with a hamstring injury.

For the Colts, cornerbacks Darius Butler (concussion) and Rashaan Melvin (knee) and receiver Donte Moncrief (shoulder) were missing from Wednesday's practice because of injury.

With no playoffs in sight for either team, there is no rush to get injured players ready for the game.

That said, both teams have stressed there are many reasons to come out and play well.

"Guys are excited," Bortles said. "One more opportunity to go play the Colts."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Cowboys (13-2) at Eagles (6-9)

Date: January 01, 2017 1:00 PM EDT

The Dallas Cowboys are NFC East champions and clinched homefield advantage throughout the playoffs.

The Philadelphia Eagles will miss the postseason for the third consecutive season and are trying to avoid their second double-digit loss campaign in the past 12 seasons.

In other words, there is nothing at stake and the game is virtually meaningless for both squads when the Cowboys (13-2) visit the Eagles (6-9) on Sunday (FOX, 1 p.m. ET).

While that connotation accurately fits the labeling of the final-week contest, Dallas rookies Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott bristle at such chatter.

The two youngsters -- Prescott is 23, Elliott 21 -- strongly resist suggestions that Sunday's game doesn't matter.

"No game is meaningless," said Prescott, the quarterback who has passed for 3,640 yards and 23 touchdowns against four interceptions. "There's quality reps against a quality opponent that's in our division that we'll play for years to come that I'll face off against. So any reps that I can get against a good team to make myself better to get some momentum going into the playoffs, I'll take it."

Elliott points out that it is a 60-minute football game between two NFL teams. He doesn't understand why there would be a lesser value placed on the competitive battle between two NFC East rivals.

"You guys say 'meaningful games,'" Elliott said to reporters. "Every game is meaningful. It may not matter if we win or lose, but it matters in the total grand scheme of things. We're trying to stay sharp so we can go into these playoffs like a high-octane machine. We're not looking at them as games that aren't meaningful. Every game is meaningful."

Elliott has a personal accomplishment at stake as his 1,631 rushing yards rank third in NFL history for a rookie behind second-place George Rogers (1,674 in 1981) and record-holder Eric Dickerson (1,808 in 1983).

Elliott needs 178 yards to pass Dickerson, an output that seems unlikely for two reasons: Elliott's season high is 159 and his workload is expected to be diminished to give veteran Darren McFadden more carries.

Regardless, Elliott said he isn't consumed with catching Dickerson.

"Like I've said, I've learned through experience that you don't focus on that," Elliott said. "You focus on going out there and winning ballgames and good things happen. Good things come with that."

Not enough good things happened this season for the Eagles, who dropped seven of eight games before defeating the New York Giants 24-19 on Dec. 22.

Philadelphia's season began to slide when it faced Dallas for the first time Oct. 30. The Eagles were 4-2 and held a 10-point fourth-quarter lead before collapsing and the Cowboys rallied for a 29-23 overtime victory.

"It was a game where we had a 10-point lead and let it slip," Philadelphia safety Malcolm Jenkins told reporters. "We went into overtime and didn't come out with the win. It was one of those games where we had to learn how to finish. It's just small plays here and there.

"Some of the plays they earned, as we go back and watch the tape. But there are a couple of plays here and there where we could have helped ourselves. That's one of those lessons that you learn."

Eagles rookie quarterback Carson Wentz learned lessons all season while passing for 3,537 yards and 14 touchdowns. Yet he was also intercepted 14 times and his 78.2 quarterback rating ranks 25th in the NFL.

Wentz wilted after a strong start and has 11 interceptions against only five touchdowns in the past eight games. But he silenced durability concerns and will become the first Eagles quarterback to start all 16 games since Donovan McNabb in 2008.

"I think it says a lot about his toughness," offensive coordinator Frank Reich told reporters. "It says a lot about his preparation in protection areas. It says a lot about how well the offensive line has played, and I think it says a lot about (the fact) he has a good internal clock."

Philadelphia running back Ryan Mathews (neck) is out so veteran Darren Sproles and rookie Byron Marshall will handle the bulk of the ball-carrying duties. Receiver Jordan Matthews, who had only 39 total receiving yards in the past two games, continues to deal with a sprained ankle but is expected to play against Dallas.

Perhaps the biggest mystery with the Cowboys is whether veteran quarterback Tony Romo will see some playing time.

Romo injured his back in the preseason, which opened the door for Prescott to become the starter. Four months later, there is no debate over the starting quarterback situation and owner Jerry Jones said earlier this week that he doesn't expect Romo to see action against the Eagles.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Bears (3-12) at Vikings (7-8)

Date: January 01, 2017 1:00 PM EDT

MINNEAPOLIS -- When the Minnesota Vikings traveled to Chicago in Week 8, they still held high hopes of a season that had started with a 5-0 record.

Minnesota lost at Philadelphia coming out of its bye before the Bears surprised many with a 20-10 victory over the Vikings that week. The downward spiral continued until Minnesota was ousted from the playoff picture with a 35-28 loss to Green Bay last week, the eighth loss in 10 games.

The Vikings are left searching for answers for a lost season as they host Chicago in the season finale on Sunday.

"I really don't think the team lost confidence, I didn't lose confidence," Minnesota coach Mike Zimmer said. "Our penalties were up this year; our pre-snap penalties were up especially. Offensive penalties were up this year. There's a lot of things to evaluate and try and figure out why."

While the Vikings (7-8) still held on to playoff hopes, the Bears' (3-12) season faded quickly amid a debilitating string of injuries. Chicago heads to the finale with young, unproven players still proving themselves.

"We're evaluating guys and I think our guys understand that," Bears coach John Fox told the team's website. "At this stage, there are a lot of (teams) who have nothing left to play for. It's about pride and respect. And it's a division opponent at their place. They have struggled of late. I think they've won two of their last 10. So it's going to be who executes. And it's a game in the NFL."

Execution has been an issue for Chicago all season. The Bears are hoping to avoid the franchise's worst record since the NFL expanded to 16 games in 1978 and the second-worst mark in team history after 1-13 in 1969.

With Minnesota 2-8 since its bye, Chicago is 1-6 since it had its bye.

The Bears' biggest issue -- aside from injuries -- has been turnover-differential. Chicago has an NFL-low 10 takeaways and is a minus-16.

"Minus-16 is a big reason we're sitting here at 3-12," Fox said. "It's not a good formula when you're minus-16."

While the Bears have not generated a takeaway in five of their last six games, quarterback Matt Barkley has thrown eight interceptions the past two weeks. Barkley is the third Chicago quarterback to throw a pass this season.

"There was a lot to learn from," Barkley told the team's website. "The big picture was just when it doesn't feel right, it's not right. Don't try to force things or try to make a big play out of nothing. When the timing is off, don't make a bad play worse. I came away realizing that some plays we get beat and just to take a loss and not make it worse."

Jay Cutler was the quarterback when the Bears beat Minnesota on Halloween night. Cutler avoided turnovers and Jordan Howard rushed for 153 yards and a touchdown.

The Vikings' once-stout defense has allowed 72 points the past two weeks. The performances culminated in supposed miscommunication between Zimmer and his defensive backs, the position group long his specialty.

Zimmer, Xavier Rhodes and Terence Newman were all involved as the early understanding was Rhodes and Newman didn't follow Zimmer's plan to cover Green Bay receiver Jordy Nelson last week. All three said Monday it was a matter of miscommunication.

"We changed a couple calls later in the week," Zimmer said. "I probably wasn't specific enough in the things I was asking them to do. The one thing about it is Xavier and Terence, these guys are as good as people as there is in the world. They're going to do their best every single time. They come out and they work every single day, they study. They're really good kids. I could've been more specific."

Miscommunication, turnovers, execution; the issues that creep up when teams fall apart, have marked Minnesota and Chicago the past two months. The two teams will finish their season Sunday hoping to make the fewest mistakes.

"You look at what we were able to do in those first five games, when we started 5-0, we weren't making those mistakes," Vikings quarterback Sam Bradford said. "They started to show up, and they started to compound, and we just weren't able to get over the hump when we did make those mistakes. And I think that's a big reason we are where we are right now."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Panthers (6-9) at Buccaneers (8-7)

Date: January 01, 2017 1:00 PM EDT

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Carolina Panthers have expressed similar themes even as they've arrived at the regular-season finale in varying fashions.

The Panthers are playing out the string in what has become a stunningly underachieving season. The Buccaneers have made strides, but they're stuck with empty sentiments as well despite a strangely remote chance to extend their season.

"I know we're all going to feel better if our season ends with a win however that is," Buccaneers coach Dirk Koetter said. "The season is not over."

Tampa Bay's path to the playoffs is complicated and unlikely. Other than defeating the visiting Panthers on Sunday afternoon, the Buccaneers (8-7) must rely on results of six other games in order to gain the second and final NFC wild card.

The Panthers (6-9), a season after reaching the Super Bowl, are going to be in last place in the NFC South - though a victory on Sunday and a New Orleans loss to Atlanta would allow them to at least share that distinction.

"We are here to win," Carolina safety Kurt Coleman said. "That is the bottom line. I don't care what we are playing for. We are here to win every time we step on the field. Whether it's to knock them out of playoff contention or just win the game."

Tampa Bay's loss last week at New Orleans put the Buccaneers in this bind. The Buccaneers realize another setback would be doubly devastating.

"All the scenarios could happen," Tampa Bay defensive tackle Gerald McCoy said. "If we don't beat Carolina, it doesn't matter. We have a chance to finish with a winning record."

In a game with divisional rivals, a few more subplots could unfold in a game that won't strike a chord nationally.

"(You want) a positive taste. You never want to end the season with that bad taste," McCoy said. "We can build off this. ... Carolina doesn't care what we have at stake. They want to come in and beat us."

The Panthers insist they'll be focused on the outcome.

"We have one game left and there are guys that I know for a fact that will give everything they have and more," quarterback Cam Newton said.

"We have one more opportunity, so let's make the most out of it," said teammate James Bradberry, a rookie cornerback.

Tampa Bay won 17-14 on Roberto Aguayo's last-play field goal from 38 yards out when the teams met Oct. 10 in Charlotte, N.C. That came on a Monday night when the outcome seemed like a significant upset, ending Carolina's six-game series winning streak.

Rather than the postseason, the Panthers will be looking at the offseason this January. If they defeat Tampa Bay, they'll end the season with victories in three of their last four games.

"If we get this last win, it's going to give everybody hope and next season we are going to come in stronger with a chip," Panthers linebacker Shaq Thompson said.

Since Ron Rivera became Carolina's coach in 2011, the Panthers have been one of the best late-season teams in the NFL. They're a combined 21-7 in December and January games under his direction.

"We have one left to play," Rivera said. "I expect us to play hard because my attitude is that we are playing to win. I'm not looking for anything other than that."

Carolina's Greg Olsen became the first NFL tight end to have three consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons with last week's effort.

Yet the late-season stretch has been taxing on Tampa Bay.

"It's just part of the process," Koetter said. "The last week of the regular season, you've got different guys banged up. We've done a lot of things to try to stay fresh throughout the season. ... There are other decisions to make (about the game plan and personnel). I'm trying to put the Bucs in the best position to win games."

On Wednesday, the Buccaneers announced that running back Doug Martin will serve a suspension related to the NFL's drug policy. The team brought back rookie running back Russell Hansbrough.

Tampa Bay's Cameron Brate (eight TDs) had a chance to move alone atop the team's single-season list for touchdown receptions by a tight end with one more, but instead landed on injured reserve this week with a back injury.

Meanwhile, the Panthers will be without safety Tre Boston (knee injury).

With 7,930 passing yards across his two-year career, Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston needs 267 to break Andrew Luck's record for most yards in a quarterback's first two NFL seasons.

Still, Winston will be looking to bounce back from a subpar outing.

"At the same time, Jameis did some really nice things," Koetter said. "We have to help Jameis out."

Koetter said rather than questions about the offseason, he's consumed with the finale.

"We should just be worried about that," he said of defeating the Panthers.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Browns (1-14) at Steelers (10-5)

Date: January 01, 2017 1:00 PM EDT

Joe Thomas wept. Every player got a game ball. The Cleveland Browns were winners again, even if only for one week.

Yes, the Browns avoided the ignominy of becoming the third team to go winless in a season (Detroit Lions, Tampa Bay Buccaneers) when they defeated the San Diego Chargers 20-17 last week. By doing so, though, they jeopardized on not having the top pick in the NFL draft -- until San Francisco pulled out a last-second win.

Cleveland's season ends in Pittsburgh on Sunday (1 p.m. ET, CBS) while the Steelers are looking ahead to the postseason when they will host a wild card game against the Miami Dolphins or the Kansas City Chiefs Jan. 7 or 8 at Heinz Field.

So Week 17 comes down to this for the Browns, lose and secure the top pick (perhaps Myles Garrett, defensive end from Texas A&M) or beat Pittsburgh in a meaningless game and maybe lose out on the chance to draft Garrett.

Beat the 10-5 archrival Steelers -- the Browns will take that any time of the season no matter how it affects the draft. But easier said than done. The Steelers won the past 12 meetings in Pittsburgh and seven of the last eight encounters.

Pittsburgh won in Cleveland this year 24-9.

Because playing hard is one thing coach Hue Jackson has had the Browns do throughout this trying 1-14 season. He received the real game ball after Saturday's victory -- the team's first since Dec. 13, 2015.

"I know that 1-14 is nothing to celebrate, but as a veteran to these guys, for head coach Hue, it feels incredible," wide receiver Andrew Hawkins said. "He deserves it more than anything."

In winning the AFC North title by beating Baltimore 31-27 on Saturday, the Steelers scored 21 points in the final 12 minutes. With Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown and Le'Veon Bell, the Steelers will always be a threat.

"It's pretty special the way we won it," said quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who struggled throughout most of the game. "Especially after feeling the way I felt at a certain point in that game and feeling like you let guys down and you blew it. So to come back and win it is pretty special.

"I think we showed some fight, no quit. We just stick together. ... This is a total team win and even the special teams. It was just awesome."

The Steelers are riding a six-game win streak and won a fifth division title in coach Mike Tomlin's 10 years. But their season has been marked by turmoil, unusual for a Pittsburgh team. Tomlin was on the hot seat midway through the season and with the Steelers sitting at 4-5 the undercurrent grew.

And now amid the win streak, Tomlin remains a lightning rod when last week he was criticized by former Steelers' quarterback Terry Bradshaw.

Bradshaw said Tomlin was more cheerleader than coach. Tomlin said the comments were disrespectful before dropping in a shot at Bradshaw's intelligence level.

"Terms like cheerleader guy, to me, maybe fall outside of bounds of critique or criticism," Tomlin said during Tuesday's news conference. "They probably fall more toward the area of disrespect and unprofessional. But what do I know? I grew up a Dallas fan. Particularly a (Thomas) 'Hollywood' Henderson fan."

Henderson ridiculed Bradshaw back in 1979 when the Cowboys and Steelers were at the top of the NFL, saying this of Bradshaw: "He couldn't spell cat if you spotted him the C and the A."

So it's no wonder the Steelers have circled the wagons, were able to come from behind to beat the Ravens and are riding the current longest win streak in the league.

"There's going to be adversity over the course of the journey," Tomlin said. "We know that. We prepare for that. That's why we just continually work, regardless of outcome of games."

Big decisions await Tomlin Sunday. Does he rest star players to avoid injuries and risk losing momentum heading into the postseason? He has said he will take a very business-like approach to Sunday's game and do what he thinks is best for his team.

"As a staff, we're not going to live in our fears,' Tomlin said. "We're not going to fear the what-ifs. When we step into stadiums, our goal is to win."

For a team that has nothing to lose, Sunday's game is one last opportunity to leave a good impression heading into an offseason where there are certain to be many changes.

Rookie Cody Kessler gets the start Sunday after Robert Griffin III suffered a concussion against the Chargers.

Pro Bowl cornerback Joe Haden was also knocked out of Sunday's game and is listed as questionable.

The Browns ended one streak Sunday but one of its star players can continue another against the Steelers. Thomas, the Browns emotional leader, has never missed an offensive snap in his 10-year career.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Patriots (13-2) at Dolphins (10-5)

Date: January 01, 2017 1:00 PM EDT

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Both teams are headed for the playoffs and both still have something to play for when the New England Patriots visit the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.

For the Patriots, who have won six straight games to go to 13-2, a win means home-field advantage for the entire AFC playoffs.

For the Dolphins, a win could move them from the No. 6 to the No. 5 seed, which would send them to Houston instead of Pittsburgh. That would happen with a Miami win and a loss by the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Patriots are trying to become the ninth team dating to the 1972 Dolphins to finish a perfect road season. But they face a team that is 6-1 and has won the last five at home. Last year, a New England loss at Miami

cost the Patriots home-field advantage in the playoffs.

"Going in there and getting a win I think would be big for us and overall it'd be a great accomplishment," defensive co-captain Devin McCourty said Wednesday.

"But I think, for us, this is a really tough test. We haven't won down there in three years. It's even bigger than just this year. It's trying to go down there and play well, because not winning shows we just haven't played well down there."

The Patriots defeated the Dolphins 31-24 at Gillette Stadium in the second game of the season -- New England winning Game 2 of Tom Brady's four-game suspension and the Dolphins falling to 0-2 en route to a 1-4 start.

Brady, of course, is back and has been brilliant in his 10-1 run (25 touchdowns, two interceptions). Miami lost quarterback Ryan Tannehill in Week 14 and veteran Matt Moore is now the starter.

"They've been the best team in the second half," New England coach Bill Belichick said. "There's got to be something to it."

Brady, who sat out Wednesday's practice nursing a sore thigh, has lost his last three games in Miami but enters this game 70-18 all time against the AFC East. Last week, he had his 50th career game with at least three touchdown passes and no interceptions.

The Patriots have adjusted to life without injured Rob Gronkowski, with offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels still dialing up a potent offense.

"It's not surprising. It has been consistent over his whole career," Miami coach Adam Gase said of McDaniels, his boss when McDaniels was the head man in Denver in 2009-10. "He figures out what the guys that he has available to him can do, and he really puts an emphasis on that and doesn't try to go outside that ability that those players have. He really focuses on, 'What can I get this guy to do to help us win the game?'"

Last week, tight end Matt Lengel caught the first pass of his NFL career and became the 64th player to catch a touchdown pass for Brady.

Moore has stepped in for Tannehill and gone 28 of 48 for 471 yards, six touchdowns and two interceptions in officially leading the Dolphins back to the playoffs for the first time since 2008.

"Veteran guy," McCourty said. "We played him a couple years ago when he was a starting quarterback for Miami. (He's) a guy that's not in a situation that is unknown to him. He's started and led that football team.

"I would imagine that that team has tremendous trust in him player-wise for his leadership and what he brings and I think the biggest thing is he's 2-0. He has taken over and he's doing everything that the offense needs him to do."

Asked Wednesday about Tannehill perhaps returning from his knee injury for the playoffs, Gase said, "I've purposefully avoided our doctors. I haven't asked.

"I told them, 'If something changes, let me know.' I just know that he's working hard to try to get as healthy as he can. I have no idea what our timetable is.

"Right now, we're playing it every week of saying, 'att (Moore) is our quarterback until somebody tells us different.' That's, really, the take I've been coming into each week as."

Moore will face a defense that has surprised people with its stinginess. The Patriots have not allowed a touchdown in more than nine quarters and have yielded 17 points or less in 10 of their 15 games.

Earlier this week, Belichick bristled at a question concerning resting his players if this game didn't mean anything.

"I mean look, I don't really understand that question," he said. "We have -- I don't know how many starters we have -- but we have a lot more than -- we can only inactivate seven players. This isn't like a preseason game where you have 75 guys on your roster. This is a regular-season game.

"I don't really understand that whole line of questioning. I'm not saying I'm a great mathematician or anything, but the numbers just don't add up for that type of conversation, so there's no point in even getting involved in it."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Giants (10-5) at Redskins (8-6)

Date: January 01, 2017 4:25 PM EDT

WASHINGTON -- The playoff picture is clear for the Washington Redskins.

Beat the New York Giants on Sunday at FedEx Field and they're in -- as long as the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions don't tie on Sunday night.

A regular season that began with two losses and was nearly sidetracked by a bad home loss two weeks ago can end with a postseason berth as the NFC's sixth seed if Washington (8-6-1) defeats the playoff-bound Giants (10-5), who have nothing to play for on Sunday.

Washington's berth would give the NFC East three playoff teams for the first time since 2007.

"It's Week 17, we should be mentally sound. We should be physically in good shape and ready to roll," Redskins coach Jay Gruden said. "We have got a lot to play for, so it should be exciting for them."

The Redskins had lost three of four before routing the Chicago Bears last week behind five interceptions -- two each by Josh Norman and Bashaud Breeland -- from a defense that had mustered just eight in 14 games.

With a win -- and barring a Packers-Lions tie -- the Redskins would secure the sixth seed and a trip to the No. 3 seed: either Atlanta, Seattle, Detroit or Green Bay, depending on Sunday's outcomes.

The Giants, heading to the playoffs for the first time since 2011, are locked into the No. 5 seed and will play at the No. 4 seed on Wild Card Weekend.

With their position sewn up, the question is how much will first-year Giants coach Ben McAdoo play his starters on Sunday.

"The starters are going to play," McAdoo told reporters Wednesday. "I don't know any other way to do it."

Asked if starters will play the entire game, he replied, "The game, yes. The game."

What that means for quarterback Eli Manning (198 straight regular-season starts) and wide receiver Odell Beckham (four catches from his first 100-reception season) remains to be seen, but the Giants are coming off a lackluster offensive effort in a Week 16 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.

"You want to have momentum," wide receiver Victor Cruz told the team's website. "Obviously, winning, mentally, gives you that momentum. It makes you feel like you're ready to go into the postseason.

"We're excited about that opportunity and obviously beating Washington will start that off."

That could mean FedEx fans get to see the latest chapter of Norman versus Odell Beckham for more than a series.

New York ranks 25th in the league in scoring at 19.4 points per game and has not scored 20 points in a game since a 27-13 victory over the Cleveland Browns in Week 12.

The Redskins, meanwhile, are averaging 25.7 points per game, and quarterback Kirk Cousins needs 370 passing yards to post the first 5,000-yard season in team history.

"Every game is important," Cousins said of Sunday's affair. "If we had won a game earlier in the year that we ended up losing, I think we would already have pretty much clinched. So they're all important and this one is no different."

Washington wide receiver DeSean Jackson is rolling. He has 12 catches for 225 yards, an average of 18.8 yards per catch, in his last two games.

He has got great speed, obviously he's got great quickness and still has unbelievable hands," Gruden said. "You think of him just as speed guy, but some of the catches he made against Carolina, you saw the great hands and the great ball control and body control that he has."

Washington won the teams' first meeting 29-27 in Week 3 when Dustin Hopkins kicked a 37-yard field goal with 1:51 to play. The Giants turned the ball over three times that day and had 11 penalties for 128 yards.

The Redskins will likely be without defensive back Su'a Cravens (upper arm) on Sunday but hope to have tight end Jordan Reed (shoulder) in the lineup. On Wednesday, the Redskins placed safety Donte Whitner on injured reserve and signed safety Josh Evans.

Giants CB Janoris Jenkins was limited at Wednesday's practice.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Saints (7-8) at Falcons (10-5)

Date: January 01, 2017 4:25 PM EDT

ATLANTA -- The final regular-season game in the 25-year history of the Georgia Dome on Sunday has more than a little significance to the Atlanta Falcons, who for the last quarter century have mixed some good football with the bad and the ugly.

In this case, the Falcons (10-5) have a self-made opportunity to lock up the No. 2 seed in the NFC playoffs -- along with a critical first-round bye -- by defeating their bitter NFC South rival, the New Orleans Saints (7-8).

The stakes are high for the Falcons, who already have clinched the NFC South title. A win would guarantee them the second seed, a week off and a divisional-round game at the Georgia Dome.

A loss would mean the Falcons likely would fall to the No. 3 seed and play next weekend, probably against the Washington Redskins or the New York Giants.

Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan said he can't think that far ahead.

"We want to keep getting better every day we show up in the building," Ryan said. "To me, the discussion is, 'What do we need to do this week? We'll talk about next week next week.' My message is not to worry about any of that other stuff. We'll deal with it when we get to it."

Atlanta coach Dan Quinn said there has been "a lot of good football" in the dome's 25-year history, and he hopes the Falcons can draw on the energy of a wild home crowd.

"Being a part of that is a cool feeling," Quinn said. "We get this one here and then, past that, we don't know how many. We're sure hoping that it is going to be a loud one here Sunday."

The Saints, who have won two straight behind two phenomenal performances by Drew Brees, would like nothing better than to put a dent in the Falcons' postseason plans and also finish a roller-coaster season at 8-8 after consecutive 7-9 seasons.

Brees, 37, is having one of the best seasons of his NFL career, showing no slippage in his performance.

He leads the league in passing yards (4,852) and is just 148 yards shy of extending his NFL record of 5,000-yard seasons to five. Brees also has 35 touchdown passes, one behind Green Bay's Aaron Rodgers, and his 70.9 completion percentage is just behind Detroit's Sam Bradford (71.3).

Brees set the NFL completion percentage record of 71.2 in 2011. He has been intercepted only 14 times in 623 passes.

"I focus on the process to get to the result, and the result I want is winning and making the playoffs and having a chance at winning a championship," Brees said. "So, while I feel like there were a lot of good things this year, I feel like we can do even better next year. Certainly, I can do even better next year to get us to where we need to go.

"I'm just willing to do whatever I need to do to help us win. I have a high level of expectation and standard for myself, and that doesn't mean stats. Now, does a high completion percentage and do touchdown passes versus low (percentage) and turnovers, do all those things result in winning?

"In most cases, yes. There's a correlation there. But at the end of the day, we've got to find ways to win."

Quinn said Brees continues to be a massive headache, especially because of his longevity -- 11 seasons -- with Saints coach Sean Payton.

"I do not know how many reps they have together in practice and in games, (but) you can see why the execution is so good where they go," Quinn said. "To me, I think the fact that everyone gets involved -- the run game is on point with Mark (Ingram), the way they use the screen I have always been impressed with through the years.

"Tight ends have been a factor. The running backs, forever, when you count up all of their catches, have always been an important part of it. When you add the receivers to it, it just leads to this explosive offense with accumulation of people."

In the Saints' first game this season, they led 7-0 and forced a Falcons punt but then muffed the catch, leading to the tying score. The Falcons went on to win 45-32 behind Tevin Coleman's three touchdowns and a 90-yard pick-six by linebacker Deion Jones.

Linebacker Darnell Ellerbe (foot) and fullback John Kuhn (hip) did not practice on Wednesday for New Orleans. For the Falcons, wide receiver Taylor Gabriel (foot) and tight end Austin Hooper (knee) were held out of practice.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Cardinals (6-8) at Rams (4-11)

Date: January 01, 2017 4:25 PM EDT

This is not the way the Arizona Cardinals or the Los Angeles Rams wanted to finish the 2016 season.

When the schedule was released, many in both organizations thought the Week 17 matchup could be for the NFC West crown. Now the game in the Los Angeles Coliseum is more about draft position and not getting players hurt.

Neither the Cardinals or the Rams can finish the season with a winning record. That is a major disappointment from where many experts picked Arizona to end the season. Pro Football Hall of Fame voter, Howard Balzer, who writes for Lindy's Pro Football Preview, picked the Cardinals to win the Super Bowl before the season.

Preseason predictions were also tough on ex-Rams head coach, Jeff Fisher, who exclaimed on HBO's "Hard Knocks" television program that "I am not going (expletive) 7-9, or 8-8 or 9-7 or 10-6 for that matter. This team is too talented." Fisher was wrong on all points. The Rams hope to finish 5-11 with a win Sunday (4:25 p.m. ET, FOX).

A player that is talented is Arizona running back David Johnson. The second-year professional out of Northern Iowa continues to shatter the NFL record books. Johnson is the only player in NFL history to amass 100 or more yards from scrimmage in each of his first 15 games to start a season. Johnson also became the first Cardinals player to gain more than 2,000 yards from scrimmage in a season. Johnson's teammates know how special a player he is.

"I was messing with (Arizona Cardinals general manager) Steve (Keim) earlier (saying) we need to get his (Johnson's) contract done right now because after every game he's getting more and more expensive. He's going to be like 10-percent owner of the franchise," future Hall of Fame wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald said.

Johnson has 33 career touchdowns in 31 NFL games, adding to his franchise record for a player in his first two seasons. Johnson has 14 more touchdowns than the previous record holder, Ottis Anderson with 19 from 1979-80. Johnson should be able to add to his total against a Rams' defense that is worn down and frustrated.

"It's horrible. I don't know what else to say,' Rams Pro Bowl defensive tackle Aaron Donald said after another loss to the San Francisco 49ers in Week 16. "We just keep losing and we just need to keep trying to find ways to win and finish games. Definitely frustrating. I'm tired of going home mad every week,"

The Rams' defense had to carry a poor offense all season and the burden of that weight took its toll in the second half of the season. The Rams' rushing defense is 18th in the NFL, allowing 105.1 yards per game as it tries to figure out how to stop Johnson. e facing the aforementioned MVP candidate, David Johnson, in the season finale. Los Angeles gives up an average of 23.3 points, but the fatigued defensive unit gave up 163 in the last five games. That is an average of 32.6 points and a major reason why the Rams have lost all five contests in their six-game slide.

The Rams offense is the worst in the NFL. The squad averages 14.5 points and 272 total yards a game. That is dead last in the NFL. Los Angeles ranks 31st in rushing in the NFL with an average of 80 yards a game. If there is a tiny bright spot to the offense in the 2016 season, wide receiver Kenny Britt will finish the season as the first player since Torry Holt to gain more than 1,000 yards receiving in a season. Holt recorded 1,189 in 2007. Heading into the contest with the Cardinals, Britt already amassed 1,002 yards on 68 receptions.

The Cardinals can finish the season 7-8-1 with a win, but after a very successful 2015 campaign, the team and coach Bruce Arians expected more. Quarterback Carson Palmer has not played up to expectations in 2016, but critical errors at key times cost the team wins. The Cardinals have a top-five defense and a top-15 offense in the NFL, but special teams have not been consistent.

While kicker Chandler Catanzaro beat the Seahawks in Week 16 with his 43-yard field goal as time expired, three of the four games Arizona lost because of special teams were on missed kicks against the Patriots, Seahawks and Dolphins.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Chiefs (11-4) at Chargers (5-10)

Date: January 01, 2017 4:25 PM EDT

The always interesting world of divisional football in the NFL can often make for strange bedfellows.

That's a big part of the script for Sunday's AFC West matchup at San Diego's Qualcomm Stadium between the Chargers (5-10) and Kansas City Chiefs (11-4). The Chiefs go into the game as a 5 1/2-point favorite.

Kansas City already has a spot in the AFC playoffs that begin next weekend, but the Chiefs want to win the division so they can claim a week off and host a home game in the second-round of postseason play. For that to happen, they must beat San Diego and Denver needs to beat Oakland in a game that will be played at the same time.

With that combination, the Raiders (12-3) and Chiefs would tie, but Kansas City would get first place and a No. 2 seed in the AFC bracket because of two victories over Oakland in the regular season.

So you have the Chiefs rooting for the Broncos, a team they just beat 33-10 on Christmas night. Kansas City also has a 10-game winning streak within the division.

Then there are the Chargers, with nothing on the line when it comes to the playoffs, but dispatching Kansas City would hand the division title to the team they love to hate the most, the Raiders.

"It's a little bit weird thinking we can be winning a game to help Oakland win the division," Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers said. "For us this week is about being a pro and going about it the right way and winning another division game."

Indications are that coaches Andy Reid and Mike McCoy plan to field normal lineups for the game.

For Kansas City, that's necessary to have a shot at the division title. But San Diego has other goals, including possibly helping McCoy save his job after posting a 27-38 record during the last four seasons as coach.

"We only know how to play one way here and that's the way we've always played regardless what part of the season," McCoy said. "There's a way that we play. I don't see that changing one bit this weekend."

The Chiefs are expecting that approach largely because of Rivers, who holds a 13-9 record as a starter against Kansas City.

"You better not snooze at all with that guy," Reid said. "He is a competitor and he makes everybody around him better. That's what great quarterbacks do. He's a heck of a player."

Also hanging over the game is the prospect that it will be the last appearance of the Chargers in San Diego.

Stadium issues have plagued the franchise for the last 20 years and San Diego voters in November rejected a ballot initiative to fund a new building through an increase to the city's hotel tax. The measure needed 66.7 percent positive votes for a new stadium, but it received just 43.6 percent, with more than 306,000 voters rejecting the plan.

The Chargers have until Jan. 15 to exercise an option the team received from the NFL a year ago where they can join the Los Angeles Rams in an under-construction stadium in the Los Angeles suburb of Inglewood.

There have been conversations between the team and San Diego politicians to work out some sort of agreement in recent weeks. Chargers owner Dean Spanos says the team will not make a decision on 2017 until after Sunday's game.

In their final home game last season, the Chargers went in thinking it would be the end of playing in San Diego. On that Sunday, they grabbed a 30-14 victory over Miami before ending the 2015 schedule with two road games.

"It was a wide range of emotions that came out of that game and it was mostly good memories that you had from games in the stadium," Rivers said. "I felt it was truly going to be the last time I stepped in there. All that balled up and then we won the game in what was a tough year.

"I just don't know if you can do that over again, even though we are kind of in the same boat. It was pretty special and I don't think you can re-enact that."

There will be some emotions for Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith on Sunday. He grew up in San Diego and to him Qualcomm Stadium has always meant football.

"I played there in high school and I played there in college," Smith said. "I think it'd be strange and sad if the Chargers left. That's just for me personally; obviously I'm getting ready to play a game so it's not on the forefront of my mind. Definitely sad; I hope they stay."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Seahawks (9-5) at 49ers (2-13)

Date: January 01, 2017 4:25 PM EDT

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- The Seattle Seahawks need a win Sunday to help secure the best possible playoff seeding.

Fortunately for the NFC West champs, they are scheduled to play their favorite opponent.

The Seahawks will seek to earn a first-round bye in the first round of the upcoming playoffs when they visit a team they have beaten six straight times, the San Francisco 49ers.

Seattle (9-5-1) has clinched no worse than the fourth playoff seeding in the NFC, which guarantees at least one home game.

The Seahawks need a win and a New Orleans Saints victory over the Atlanta Falcons (10-5) to leap-frog the NFC South champs and claim the second seed in the conference, which is rewarded with a first-round bye.

A Seattle loss would assure a No. 4 seeding behind the winner of Sunday's game between the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions, both of whom will take the field with a 9-6 record.

The Packers-Lions victor will win the NFC North, while the loser could fall completely out of the playoffs, depending upon how the Washington Redskins and Tampa Bay Buccaneers do in their games.

That's potentially a lot of scoreboard-watching for the Seahawks, who will take the field knowing a win can do nothing but good things in their playoff seeding.

The scenarios might be complicated, but beating the 49ers in recent years hasn't been nearly as difficult. The Seahawks have held San Francisco to a total of 44 points in their last five meetings, winning all five.

Those five games came in the wake of Seattle's 23-17 triumph over the 49ers in the 2014 NFC Championship Game.

San Francisco has been in steady decline ever since. A seventh straight loss to Seattle would assure the 49ers (2-13) no worse than the No. 2 pick in the May draft.

San Francisco also has some scoreboard-watching to do Sunday: A loss coupled with a Cleveland win over Pittsburgh would earn the 49ers the first pick in the draft.

San Francisco quarterback Colin Kaepernick insisted this week he has no interest in the Seahawks' playoff situation or the 49ers' potential draft positions. He just wants to win the club's season finale.

"My focus once again is this week and making sure that I'm doing everything I can to prepare and to try to help my teammates prepare this week to get a win," he told reporters Tuesday. "That's where this whole team's focus is."

The game might do more than simply end Kaepernick's season. It also could end his 49ers career.

As part of a contract renegotiation in October, the former Super Bowl starter earned the right to opt-out of the remainder of his deal in the offseason. He has not disclosed his future plans.

The 49ers also could be 60 minutes away from parting ways with coach Chip Kelly, whose team endured the longest losing streak in franchise history (13 straight) before rallying past the Los Angeles Rams 22-21 last week.

Seahawks coach Pete Carroll, a San Francisco native, knows what it's like to be fired after one NFL season. He was terminated after a single 6-10 campaign with the New York Jets in 1994.

In a conference call with the San Francisco Bay Area media on Wednesday, Carroll seemed to be speaking to 49ers decision-makers when praising Kelly.

"He's an extremely successful coach," Carroll insisted. "He knows exactly what he's doing. He's been at the top of the game when he's had his opportunity. He's shown it in the NFL and college."

Carroll and Kelly dueled once earlier this season, with the Seahawks prevailing 37-18 on Sept. 25 in a game in which Kaepernick did not play.

Seattle limited 49ers starter Blaine Gabbert to just 119 passing yards in his third of five starts before being benched in favor of Kaepernick.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Raiders (12-3) at Broncos (8-7)

Date: January 01, 2017 4:25 PM EDT

DENVER -- The Oakland Raiders are coming to terms with the loss of quarterback Derek Carr even as they gear up for their playoff run without him.

Seldom-used backup Matt McGloin, making his first start since 2013, is set to take the field Sunday against the Denver Broncos (8-7) in place of Carr, who is out indefinitely after breaking his right leg in last week's victory over Indianapolis.

"I think we all kind of went through that period of reflection on Derek and him going down," Raiders coach Jack Del Rio said. "I think that all occurred over the weekend, and really at this point, the team, as we do in this league and in this sport -- we plug in the next guy and we start preparing for the next opportunity.

"So that's kind of where we are. Derek, by all reports, had really a tremendous procedure, and surgery and everything went well and his spirits are great. So we wish him well that way, but the team right now is 100-percent dialed in on going forward."

The Raiders (12-3) can secure the division title and a first-round bye in the playoffs with a win in the regular season finale against the Broncos, or a loss by the playoff-bound Kansas City Chiefs, who finish the season against San Diego.

A loss by the Raiders coupled with a victory by the Chiefs would allow Kansas City to take the division and drop Oakland to the No. 5 seed, meaning a wild-card weekend matchup against AFC South winner Houston.

The Raiders have closed the season strongly, winning eight of their last nine games.

Their offense has highlighted the charge, scoring 30 or more points in six of those wins, including a 30-20 victory over the Broncos in the first meeting between the division rivals.

McGloin, who started six games for the Raiders three years ago, played well in relief of the injured Carr and helped seal last week's victory with a critical third down completion late in the game.

He will have the same impressive supporting cast as Carr, including a punishing offensive line that cleared the way for a 114-yard game by running back Latavius Murray in the first meeting against the Broncos.

Wide receivers Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree are among the best tandems in the league.

Whether the Raiders can continue to run their full offensive complement under McGloin remains to be seen, especially initially.

"We're getting ready to find out," Del Rio said. "We'll put a plan together and we'll go, but I'm not going to spend a lot time talking about what we may or may not try and do, or anything in terms of planning.

"We've got a good group of guys and a good group of men and a good group of coaches and players who are going to work hard to put together a good plan, and we go out and expect to win."

For his part, McGloin said he will be ready to go and he knows his teammates are behind him.

"I feel great," McGloin said. "I know this team, these guys around me, this staff and this organization will do a great job of helping me out, embracing me, and making sure we keep moving in the right direction."

Denver, which was eliminated from playoff contention by losing at Kansas City last week, is already thinking ahead to next season.

Coach Gary Kubiak said he plans to play both quarterback Trevor Siemian and his backup, Paxton Lynch, the Broncos' first-round draft pick.

Siemian will remain as the starter, however, despite a subpar performance against the Chiefs last week.

"I think Trevor deserves the right to go back out there as a starter," Kubiak said. "He's done a lot of good things this year. He's a young player that needs to keep going.

"I want him to get the Kansas City taste out of his mouth. It was a tough outing. Paxton is also going to play. I'm preparing both and you'll see them both in the game."

Denver, which has gone 1-4 since a 7-3 start to lose its chance to defend last season's Super Bowl title, can bow out with another winning season with a victory over the Raiders.

"We want to definitely finish strong and keep that as one of our goals to be able to do that," Broncos cornerback Chris Harris Jr. said.

The Broncos will be finishing the season without linebacker DeMarcus Ware, who is slated to undergo season-ending back surgery. Cornerback Kayvon Webster also will miss the finale after going on injured reserve because of a concussion suffered last week in Kansas City.

Safety T.J. Ward (concussion), linebacker Brandon Marshall (hamstring) and defensive end Derek Wolfe (neck) also remain questionable for the Raiders game.

Raiders safety Karl Joseph (toe) and guard Kelechi Osemele (groin) missed practice time this week and their status for Sunday's game is uncertain.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Packers (9-6) at Lions (9-6)

Date: January 01, 2017 8:30 PM EDT

Aaron Rodgers' last throw at Ford Field was one for the ages. His 61-yard, Hail Mary touchdown pass to Richard Rodgers on the final play shocked the Detroit Lions and gave the Green Bay Packers a 27-23 victory last season.

If the Lions can't stop Rodgers and the Packers from completing a magical late-season run on Sunday night, they might not have a prayer of making the playoffs. By the same token, if Rodgers cools off, Green Bay could see its season come to an abrupt end.

The Lions and Packers are tied atop the NFC North with 9-6 records and their matchup at Ford Field will decide the division title.

The loser will need Washington to lose to the New York Giants earlier in the day to claim a wild-card berth.

Green Bay has all the momentum, carrying a five-game winning streak into the season finale.

Rodgers asserted the Packers could run the table when they were 4-6 and he's one big victory from backing up that claim.

"We feel our season is just getting started," Green Bay coach Mike McCarthy said. "We understand what we needed to do to get to this point. This is about beating the Lions and beating them in that dome."

Rodgers is the hottest quarterback in the NFL right now. He has thrown 14 touchdown passes without an interception in the past six games. He carved up the vaunted Minnesota defense for 347 passing yards and four touchdowns and added a rushing score in a 38-25 home victory last Sunday.

"He has all the tools," Detroit head coach Jim Caldwell said. "He's smart, he's tough, he's athletic. He can make every throw from all different types of angles. He has a couple of different gears.

"He gets out of the pocket and he's not just looking to run, he's looking to throw and complete it down the field. And he has receivers that have done a real good job of adjusting to him. I just think he's a real dynamic guy and he's done it a long time now -- 12 years in the league -- and his skills haven't diminished."

Rodgers' favorite target, wide receiver Jordy Nelson, has 38 receptions, 528 receiving yards and five touchdowns during the winning streak. Rodgers threw four touchdown passes, two to Nelson, in the Packers' 34-27 win over the Lions at Lambeau Field earlier this season.

"He plays the game in a unique way, probably different than any quarterback in the league," Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford said. "He can make all sorts of throws and he's a really good athlete. He runs around and makes huge plays."

The Lions are coming off two road losses, including a 42-21 thumping by the NFC's top team, Dallas, on Monday night. In a best-case scenario, Detroit can still gain a first-round bye in the NFC playoffs if they win and both Atlanta and Seattle lose this weekend.

Stafford has thrown four interceptions in the past three games since suffering ligament damage to his right middle finger in the Lions' most recent win, a 20-17 victory over Chicago.

"I really don't think it's been a factor," Stafford said.

For most of the season, Stafford has been Mr. Clutch.

The Lions, whose last division title came in 1993, have won their last six home games, rallying in the fourth quarter each time. They have an NFL record eight fourth-quarter comeback victories this season.

A win over the team that has dominated the division and his team for many seasons could elevate Stafford to elite status among his peers.

"I'm not worried about that kind of stuff now or probably even after the fact," Stafford said. "I'm just laser-focused on doing what I have to do to help us win."

If Detroit doesn't make the postseason, the team will be most remembered for giving away a division championship -- and possibly a playoff berth -- in its final three games.

"You don't get this opportunity very often," Caldwell said. "It's always a little bit of a comfort level (to be at home). But ask me if it makes a difference, if you don't play well between those lines, it doesn't make any difference where you play. I do think, without question, rather than a Monday night game and traveling, it's certainly a lot better being at home."

Both teams are hopeful of getting some key performers back. Packers wide receiver Randall Cobb missed the game against the Vikings with an ankle injury. The Lions' top cornerback, Darius Slay (hamstring), and lead running back Theo Riddick (wrist) didn't suit up in Dallas.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Free NFL Picks: New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins Odds and Betting Predictions
by Alan Matthews

Do you think that Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Pace is kicking himself right now for letting former offensive coordinator Adam Gase get away? Gase worked wonders with Jay Cutler last year, but the Bears weren't going to fire Coach John Fox after just one season and move Gase up to the top job. So the Dolphins swooped in this past offseason and hired Gase. He's a Coach of the Year candidate in leading Miami (10-5) to the playoffs for the first time since 2008.

Gase has an interesting dilemma on his hands for Week 17 against visiting New England, however. As things stand, the Dolphins are the second wild-card team and would play next week at undoubtedly frigid Pittsburgh. Gase and Co. might not come out and say it publicly, but I guarantee you that they would much rather get to the top wild-card spot if possible and instead go to Houston, which doesn't have Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown and Le'Veon Bell but does have untested QB Tom Savage as well as a nice climate-controlled dome (true, the Dolphins did dominate the visiting Steelers in Week 6). To move up a spot, the Dolphins have to win this game and have Kansas City lose in San Diego. I actually think the latter is possible because the Chargers players should be pretty jacked up to play the final NFL game in that city.

New England (13-2), meanwhile, has won the AFC East for a record eighth straight year and will be the AFC's top seed with a victory or an Oakland loss in Denver. But that game, like Chiefs-Chargers, starts after this one ends. So it's not like the Patriots can just throw in the towel and rest all their starters. I believe New England wins Super Bowl 50 if it had won in Miami in Week 17 last year because that also would have given the Patriots the conference's top seed. But they were upset 20-10 and eventually had to go to Denver for the AFC Championship Game and of course lost that.

Patriots at Dolphins Betting Story Lines

New England won a sixth straight game in Week 16, routing the Jets 41-3 in Foxboro. Malcolm Butler was the defensive star with two interceptions and a fumble recovery. It was the first time a Patriot had three takeaways in a game since cornerback Leigh Bodden had three interceptions against the Jets on Nov. 22, 2009. Tom Brady passed for 214 yards and three touchdowns and I believe he will win a third career MVP Award. If I had a vote I probably would give it to Matt Ryan, but alas I don't. Ryan has thrown for 4,613 yards and 34 touchdowns and has an NFL-best 115.5 passer rating. And if Ryan gets 387 receiving yards in Sunday's regular-season finale against the Saints, he'll become just the sixth quarterback in NFL history to reach 5,000 passing yards in a season.

The victory over the Jets was Bill Belichick's 200th in New England, making him the fifth coach in NFL history to reach the milestone with one team. He joined George Halas (318 with Bears), Don Shula (257 with Dolphins), Tom Landry (250 with Cowboys) and Curly Lambeau (209 with Green Bay). Belichick is 200-71 with the Patriots and also 36-44 with Cleveland. He already has said every player who is healthy will go against Miami. It's not clear if that would include linebacker Dont'a Hightower (knee) and special teams captain Matthew Slater (foot) as both sat out vs. the Jets but would have been out there if it was the postseason.

The Dolphins have won nine of 10 following a wild 34-31 overtime victory in Buffalo on Saturday. Starting the second straight week for the injured Ryan Tannehill (he won't play here, either, and it's still not clear if he could in the wild-card game), Matt Moore was solid in throwing for 233 yards and two scores. Jay Ajayi rushed 32 times for 206 yards and a touchdown, his third 200-yard game of the season. That ties Tiki Barber (2005) and O.J. Simpson (1973) for second-most in NFL history, behind Earl Campbell (four). Ajayi did injure his shoulder but said he's playing in this one.

The Miami defense didn't play well at all against the Bills in allowing 589 yards. And strong safety Isa Abdul-Quddus left with a neck injury. His status for this week is still TBA. The loss of Abdul-Quddus could be significant because Miami is already starting without starting safety Reshad Jones. Starting cornerback Byron Maxwell didn't play vs. the Bills, but he might this week.

Patriots at Dolphins Betting Odds and Trends

New England is a 10.5-point favorite (+110) with a total of 44.5. On the moneyline, the Patriots are -475 and Dolphins +380. On the alternate lines, the Pats are -10 (+100) and -9.5 (-110). The Patriots are 12-3 against the spread (6-1 on road) and 5-10 "over/under" (1-6 on road). Miami is 9-6 ATS (4-3 at home) and 11-4 O/U (6-1 at home).

The Patriots are 4-0 ATS in their past four after a win. They are 7-1 ATS in their past eight vs. the AFC. The Dolphins have covered four in a row vs. the AFC East. They are 6-1 ATS in their past seven at home vs. teams with a winning road record. The under is 5-1 in New England's past six. The over is 5-0 in Miami's past five. The home team is 9-0 ATS in the past nine meetings.

Patriots at Dolphins Betting Prediction

In Week 2, the Dolphins lost at New England 31-24 when Brady was out suspended. Jimmy Garoppolo threw for 232 yards and three TDs before leaving with an injury in the second quarter. Miami nearly came all the way back from a 31-3 third-quarter deficit. Tannehill threw for 387 yards and two scores but was picked off twice. Ajayi wasn't even a full-time starter back then and rushed just five times for 14 yards.

Brady has struggled on the road recently against the Dolphins and is 0-3 in Miami since 2013. So I'll take the points here as long as Gase does stick to his plan to play everyone. Go over the total.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Expert NFL Picks: New Orleans Saints at Atlanta Falcons Odds and Predictions
by Alan Matthews

Sunday is the final regular-season NFL game ever in Atlanta's Georgia Dome as the team is moving to the spectacular Mercedes-Benz Stadium for next season. That's one thing the Falcons and Saints have in common: their stadiums will be sponsored by the same company starting in 2017.

But the Falcons (10-5) are guaranteed at least one more game in the Georgia Dome after Sunday as they are the NFC South champions for the first time since 2012 -- which was the last time the team made the postseason or finished with a winning record. Coach Dan Quinn has done a nice job in his second season, and his best move was probably hiring Kyle Shanahan as his offensive coordinator. That offense has been the NFL's best this season, and Shanahan is probably going to get a head-coaching job. He's currently the +500 third-favorite at BetOnline (behind Jon Gruden at +250 and Patriots OC Josh McDaniels at +275) to be the next Rams coach.

If Atlanta wins this game, it will be the No. 2 seed in the NFC playoffs. Thus Quinn has no intention of resting any healthy players. I believe the Falcons could go win at Dallas in that dome, but I don't see them going out and winning in the elements of Seattle, for example. The Falcons could also get the No. 2 spot with a tie and a Seahawks loss or tie in San Francisco, a Seahawks loss coupled with a Lions loss or tie at home to Green Bay, and a Seahawks tie coupled with a Lions loss. I believe we are looking at a Seattle-Atlanta divisional-round matchup as I'm going to assume a Falcons win here as well as a Seattle victory at the 49ers and then in the wild-card round in Seattle. The Seahawks hosted the Falcons in Week 6 and won 26-24 on a field goal with under two minutes left.

The Saints (7-8) have a shot to finish 7-9 for the third straight year and fourth in the past five. I believe the team made a mistake last offseason, and that it knows it at this point, by giving Coach Sean Payton a five-year extension worth a whopping $45 million. Clearly Payton isn't about to walk away from that, but the Saints would get trade offers from other teams. Reports are the team is ready to move on from him. Sportsbooks also offer a prop on where Payton is coaching Week 1 next season: Saints (-220), Rams (+800), Jaguars (+800) or any other team (+400). I will mention that Bears GM Ryan Pace knows Payton well from Pace's days with the Saints and both guys went to Eastern Illinois. So Chicago could be a possibility. Payton is a California native with family there and previously coached at San Diego State, so the Rams or Chargers make sense.

Saints at Falcons Betting Story Lines

It's really a shame that the Saints are ruining what are probably the last stellar years of Drew Brees' Hall of Fame career. He's on pace to win yet another passing yardage title with an NFL-best 4,858 yards at age 37. Brees has won that crown three straight years and six times overall. He's also in the mix for the TD passing crown with 35, one behind Aaron Rodgers, and for the completion percentage title as Brees is at 70.9 and behind only Minnesota's Sam Bradford (71.3). As usual,, the Saints are a very good offensive team, leading the NFL in total yards and passing yards per game and No. 2 in points (29.1). But also as usual, the Saints leave much to be desired on defense, ranking 25th in yards and 30th (27.7 ppg) in points allowed.

New Orleans helped hand the NFC South title to Atlanta last week and all but eliminate the Buccaneers from the playoffs with a 31-24 victory over Tampa. Brees threw for 299 yards and a TD and Mark Ingram had 90 yards and two scores on 18 carries. He's 60 yards shy of the first 1,000-yard season of his career. Rookie WR Michael Thomas is 19 yards shy of a 1,000-yard receiving season.

Atlanta won a third straight game in Week 16, 33-16 in Carolina. Matt Ryan threw for 277 yards and two touchdowns, and Tevin Coleman had 135 yards from scrimmage. Julio Jones returned after missing two games with a toe injury and had four catches for 60 yards. The Falcons' offense has been historically good. It is averaging 33.5 points, 10.8 points more than the league average (22.7 points) and 4.4 points more than the No. 2 Saints (29.1 points). The Falcons are 2.6 standard deviations above the mean in terms of points per game, which puts them in the 99th percentile of offenses since the AFL-NFL merger.

In six games against Top-10 pass defenses this season, the Falcons have averaged 30 points. They average a league-high 7.5 yards per play on first down, and no other team is above 6.7 yards. Ryan leads the NFL with a 115.5 rating and has set a team record with 34 TDs. He's also going to blow past his own team mark of 4,694 yards as Ryan has 4,613. He has completed touchdowns passes to 13 different targets this season, an NFL first. Jones is arguably the NFL's best receiver, but when not throwing to Jones, Ryan is 270 of 364, a 74 percent completion percentage with 29 touchdown passes and three interceptions.

If Atlanta can avoid playing outdoors during the playoffs, I give the Falcons a realistic shot at their first Super Bowl title even though I'm still not sold on the defense. They are +850 to do so.

Saints at Falcons Betting Odds and Trends

Atlanta is a 7-point favorite (+105) with a big total of 56. On the moneyline, the Falcons are -300 and Saints +250. On the alternate lines, the Falcons are -6.5 (-115) and -6 (-123). New Orleans is 10-5 against the spread (6-1 on road) and 8-7 "over/under" (3-4 on road). Atlanta is 10-5 ATS (3-4 at home) and 12-2-1 O/U (7-0 at home).

The Saints are 8-2 ATS in their past 10 vs. the NFC South. They are 5-2 ATS in their past seven after a win. The Falcons are 5-0 ATS in their past five vs. teams with a losing record. They are 7-2 ATS in their past nine after a win. The under is 7-1 in New Orleans' past eight vs. teams with a winning record. The over is 7-0-1 ATS in Atlanta's past eight vs. teams with a losing record. The home team is 7-3 ATS in the past 10 meetings. The under is 5-2-1 in the past eight.

Saints at Falcons Betting Prediction

The Saints are 15-6 against the Falcons in the Payton-Brees era. But Atlanta easily won in New Orleans in Week 3, 45-32. Ryan threw for two scores and Coleman rushed for three. Jones had just one catch and his team still put up 45. Brees threw for 376 and three scores but had a pick-six. This game is too important for the Falcons to blow it, and they can go all-out knowing a bye week is on the table. Doubt the Saints have much motivation. Give the 6.5 points and go over the total.