Crucial, week 17 in the NFL

By: CÉSAR CANTÚ

There are 2 weeks of the regular season left and the postseason outlook begins to clear. Well, at least at the National Conference, where 5 teams are already classified and the remaining 2 places are fought by 5 teams.

In the American Conference, only the Kansas City Chiefs They have their ticket insured, and there are 12 teams fighting for the other 6 places that will allow them to continue aspiring to the title. There are divisions where the leadership could be defined until week 18.

The lines of the games are as of December 31, 2021, 6:00 p.m.: Falcons @ Bills (-14.5; 44) Although it seems strange, Atlanta he’s still alive and he needs to win this game and wait for combinations to keep the postseason odds alive. Búfalo resumed the leadership of its division after the emotional triumph in Foxboro. They depend on themselves, but they may unconsciously lower the intensity a bit.

Jaguars @ Patriots (-15.5; 41.5) A sad touchdown pass has Trevor Lawerence in the last 8 games. Tough to support that anemic offense, especially since they face one of the top 5 defenses in the league in a game they need to keep competing for the lead in the AFC East. It seems like a very high line for Patriots to cover.

Chiefs @ Bengals (+4.5; 51) The Chiefs are back, just for the biggest part of the season. They take their 8-win streak in a row (6 straight ATS) to the jungle of the Bengalis, who lead the AFC North division and control their destiny. Last chance to fade Chiefs and their streak because in the postseason it is not advisable to go against Mahomes. 95% of the tickets and only 46% of the money is with the registrations.

Eye.Rams @ Ravens (+5.5; 46.5) Even with a bad Stafford game, Rams win. That’s what postseason teams do, they find a way to win. Even though Harbaugh hasn’t ruled out Lamar Jackson, the move down the line from 3.5 to 5.5 seems to indicate that they don’t expect him not to play on Sunday. At least not 100%. Baltimore needs to win and get its players back now.

Raiders @ Colts (-7; 44.5) December is when Raiders They start to fall, but they have won the last 2 and are still alive. Last week it was key to stop the running attack of Broncos, a difficult thing to repeat in front of a complete and healthy Colts offensive line. This line has been dancing between 7.5 and 2.5 because of Carson Wentz’s COVID-positive.

The new guidelines and protocols adopted by the league will surely allow Wentz can play on Sunday.Giants @ Bears (-6; 37) A game that on paper will inspire little to tune in, both teams eliminated from the playoffs. Nick Foles managed to come back against Seattle and win the game, but both Justin Fields and Andt Dalton are training. Double against single that Naggy starts the Red Rifle.

The BearsAs home favorites against Giants, they haven’t covered the line since 1992 (0-6 ATS), but this peach will go with rookie Jake Fromm’s Giants in just his second game as a starter. Dolphins @ Titans (-3.5; 39.5) ) After losing 7 matches in a row, the dolphins have spun 7 victories and more than one are asking Tua for forgiveness.

The monster of AJ Brown came back with Titans and taking care of the ball, they took the victory from the 49ers at home. It seems like a good time to fade Delfines and his excellent streak, but I think that the defensive schemes of Brian Flores they can generate ball deliveries. The high / low line went from 41 to 39.5, the game has the entire feint of a 20-17.

Eagles @ Washington (+4.5; 44.5)After being a victim to the Law & Order: SUV cases, Washington must shake off professional shame and rebound in this divisional game against one of the best running attacks in the league. Buccaneers @ Jets (+13; 45.5) Record against the Jets line when he wins: 4-0; when he loses: 1-10. If you ask me what the odds are that a Brady team will lose in January, as they hunt for the No. 1 seed, trying to win the MVP, against one of the worst teams in the league, I’d say they are very slim.

Broncos @ Chargers (-7.5; 45.5) As this is being written, Broncos It includes in Covid’s list its 3 starting receivers and several defensive and offensive linemen, moving the line 2 points. Complicated outlook for Broncos, especially for Drew Lock who is playing for his future in the league. It remains to try to run the worst defense against the race, a golden opportunity for the Chargers who are going after Miami and the wild card ticket.

As my compadre Alberto Reens points out, Chargers As a home favorite against Denver 1-4 in the last 10 years.Texans @ 49ers (-12.5; 43.5) The stunned Texans carry their 2-win streak in a row to San Francisco, who seem to have already found a way to win at home as favorites. Jimmy Garoppolo is highly doubtful due to a thumb injury and it looks like it will be Trey Lance’s first home start game. It seems like a lot of points, especially since Davis Mills has woken up Houston’s offense in recent weeks. Cardinals @ Cowboys (-6, 52) Has to be repeated. Kingsburry’s teams fall out in the final games of the season.

Since 2014 in Texas Tech with Mahomes, their teams do not have a positive record in the last 6 games of the season. 2-4 in the last 6 this season, they seem to be in free fall. The Vaqueros offense looked great against WFT, they did not lose in December and they are the best team against the line (ATS) this season. Arizona has won the last two times it has gone to Dallas. Panthers @ Saints (-6.5; 37.5) Matt Rhule learned the hard way that whoever has 2 QBs has none.

Sam darnold will be the starter on Sunday, and although personally several players have incentives to play, it seems that as a team the Panthers they already threw in the towel. The Saints are still fighting to be in the postseason, QB Hill is back and the New Orleans defense can be a lot for Carolina Lions @ Seahawks (-7.5; 41.5) We weren’t used to seeing a Russell Wilson team play so poorly and lose so many games.

So bad that it is striking that they are favorites by more than one TD against any team. Detroit has not been fighting anything for a long time, but beyond victories and defeats, the main job of the coach Campbell is to change the culture and mindset of Lions. I think players keep buying what he’s selling because in most games they fight. Vikings @ Packers (-13; 42.5)

How i liked Vikings in this game, then Cousins ​​entered the Covid list, and it passed me by. Cousins ​​’outing went from 6.5 to 13 and Vikings’ hopes seem to be disappearing. The Packers haven’t looked so convincing lately, their defense has been allowing a world of yardage, but postseason teams find ways to win.

Browns @ Steelers (+3.5; 41) Very difficult season for the Browns, but they are still there with probabilities. Their problem is that they go to Pittsburgh, where they haven’t won since 2004 in the regular season. Steelers and Tomlin, at home, receiving points, against Cleveland, against Stefanski in divisional play, in MNF and most importantly, in Big Ben’s last game at home as Steeler, how could Steelers not go?

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