Dave Blezow of The Post selects NFL Week 17 games. Local team in capital letters.
(Note: Point selections and differentials come from Thursday’s Bettor’s Guide).
By the end of Sunday night, the New York Giants could be the winners of the NFC East title and head to the playoffs. They could be the owners of the third worst NFL record, which comes with the third pick in the 2021 draft. Or the result could end up somewhere intermediate and not as good as either of those ends.
This line has changed six points from a look of Giants -3 to Dallas Cowboys -3. The public is clearly in love with the Cowboys ’offense, which has finally taken off with Andy Dalton and has scored 30, 41 and 37 points over the past three weeks, winning. The Giants have scored up to 30 points exactly once this season, and that meant a 37-34 loss to the Cowboys on Oct. 11, the game in which Dak Prescott was injured. The Giants have not scored more than 17 points in any of the last five games.
I think the recent scores can be thrown, and the Cowboys ’win streak and Giants’ streak of defeat by the window begin Sunday. For the sheer amount of talent the Cowboys have in this showdown, they are also just as likely to waste that talent. The giants will attack them hard, with a good plan. If Daniel Jones is healthier and can do more, the Giants can stay alive long enough to activate the Washington-Philadelphia game.
The selection: Giants, +3.
New York Jets (+3) on NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
The Jets have won two games in a row, but as important to a column as this, they have covered the difference in five of their last seven games. This race began Nov. 9 in a 30-27 loss to the Patriots at MetLife Stadium, a game the 9-point Jets lost led by 10 points in the middle of the fourth quarter. The Patriots are on a short week off due to a loss to the Bills who had written the “season over” everywhere. The Jets will play once again harder for the next fired Adam Gase, and this time a win won’t cost them in draft position.
BUFFALO BILLS (-1) on Miami Dolphins
Miami gets a wild card with a win, and that’s usually a bigger reason than qualifying. Buffalo rested stars in Week 17 last year and lost to the Jets, then lost in the first round. I think Sean McDermott plays this game directly.
CINCINNATI BENGALS (+12) on Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens would also get a wild card and destroyed Cincinnati, 27-3, on Oct. 11 when Joe Burrow was healthy. But there are no style points. A safe 7-10 point win would do the trick. Brandon Allen, who threw 371 yards last week, can keep the Bengals hanging or get them through the back door.
CLEVELAND BROWNS (-10) on Pittsburgh Steelers
The wide receiving cavalry will return for the Browns, who would win. The Steelers go the opposite way, sitting down with Ben Roethlisberger and a few others. Under normal circumstances, Mason Rudolph could give the Steelers a chance, but it’s basically Mike Tomlin telling his team that the regular season is over.
Minnesota Vikings (-7) on DETROIT LIONS
Matthew Stafford says he will play if he can, but that he has already given enough body parts to the Lions ’desperate cause. Dalvin Cook is out, but the Vikings have other backs that can get a few yards and keep the double threat.
Atlanta Falcons (+6.5) on TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
It’s good for Bruce Arians to stay with his feet on the ground after getting the playoff berth. It makes sense because the fifth seed faces NFC East in the first round. But we continue with Matt Ryan and the Falcons, who were a field goal lost late out of overtime in Kansas City.
OSSOS CHICAGO (+5.5) on Green Bay Packers
The Bears have won three in a row and would manage to win here. The Packers could get to the top spot, allowing them to be the only NFC team to rest next week. They will do everything, but there is plenty of space under that number.
Las Vegas Raiders (-2.5) over DENVER BRONCOS
The Raiders are 1-5 in their last six, and the win was Gregg Williams ’disaster. But in every game, you can still see how dangerous this team is. The archival Broncos will bring out the best in them.
Jacksonville Jaguars (+14) on INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
The Jaguars face the only team they beat, back in Week 1. The foals need a win and a loss in Tennessee, and they could be disappointed if the Titans win hard on the scoreboard. Jags doesn’t need to close now that Trevor Lawrence is insured.
Los Angeles Chargers (-3.5) on KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
KC has secured first place in the AFC and Andy Reid will rest players, including Patrick Mahomes. The Chargers have had a frustrating season, but they still have the firepower to defeat a selfless enemy.
Arizona Cardinals (+1) to LOS ANGELES RAMS
As much as he respects Sean McVay and fears Aaron Donald, this game looks like he will get to play Kyler Murray (possibly diminished) and John Wolford to replace Jared Goff (and be without Cooper Kupp).
San Francisco 49ers (+5.5) over Seattle Seahawks
Seattle needs to lose both the Packers and the Saints to throw in first place. If there is bad news on the scoreboard in Glendale, Arizona, it could give the 49ers a chance or a nuisance.
CAROLINA PANTHERS (+6.5) on New Orleans Saints
New Orleans still has a No. 1 seed shot and goodbye, but he can’t imagine Sean Payton allowing Drew Brees to have too many hits here. Teddy Bridgewater remains 7-3 ATS as a faller this season and 24-6 as a dog in his career because the Panthers closed as a 1-point favorite in Washington last week.
(Update: Saints will be without Alvin Kamara, who tested positive for COVID, and all of his runners will miss the game because they were close contacts. WR Ty Montgomery will run and Taysom Hill will have to get some cash. The line has dropped only half a point to Saints -6).
Tennessee Titans (-7.5) over HOUSTON TEXANS
Houston has burned me several times as a helpless man, but I have faith in Mike Vrabel to make up for the Packers ’snow loss. Before that, the Titans averaged 37.4 percentage points in their previous five games, and the D Texans have been horrible.
Washington (-1.5) on PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
It’s still early in the week, so we have to guess if Alex Smith will play in the WFT. While his availability will have a big opinion on the outcome, the defensive line of Chase Young, Jonathan Allen and Montez Sweat is what gives Washington the best chance of surpassing the NFC East goal.
Best bets: Bengals, hawks, jaguars
Lock of the week: Bengals (locks 4-11-1 in 2020).
Last week: 9-7 overall, 2-1 best bets.