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NFL Week 17 Picks vs. the Spread

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By @BrianKalchik

NFL Week 17 Picks vs. the Spread

Matthew Stafford Lions
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The regular season concludes this season, and while there is plenty left to determine in the playoff standings, most of the teams are either out of the playoffs or have already clinched their playoff seed. That is why this week is the toughest to pick against the spread. Here are my picks for each Week 17 game against the spread.

Cleveland Browns at Baltimore Ravens (-10)

Terrell Suggs Ravens
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Cleveland Browns at Baltimore Ravens (-10)

Terrell Suggs Ravens
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With Baltimore needing a win and a San Diego to clinch a berth, they will easily dispatch the Browns, who will likely start undrafted rookie free agent Connor Shaw at quarterback.

Score: Baltimore 27, Browns 13.

Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings (-6.5)

Teddy Bridgewater Vikings
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Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings (-6.5)

Teddy Bridgewater Vikings
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With no playoff implications on the line, the matchup between the Vikings and Bears will decide who wins the toilet bowl in the NFC North. Jay Cutler is back under center with Jimmy Clausen out with a concussion, meaning the Vikings will get their hands on some of Cutler's passes, resulting in a straight up win.

Score: Minnesota 27, Chicago 17.

Jacksonville Jaguars at Houston Texans (-9.5)

J.J. Watt Texans
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Jacksonville Jaguars at Houston Texans (-9.5)

J.J. Watt Texans
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The Texans are still alive despite resorting to their fourth-string quarterback. With the odds stacked against them, Houston can still get in the playoffs with a win and a lot of help. Jacksonville has been competitive this past month, and while they will cover this game, Houston will win and hope for a minor miracle.

Score: Houston 21, Jacksonville 17.

Indianapolis Colts (-7) at Tennessee Titans

Andrew Luck Colts
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Indianapolis Colts (-7) at Tennessee Titans

Andrew Luck Colts
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With the No. 4 seed wrapped up and nothing to play for, the Colts will likely rest most of their starters this week, even after getting throttled by Dallas last week. The Titans will keep this game close, but lose, therefore improving their draft status for 2015.

Score: Indianapolis 20, Tennessee 14.

San Diego Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs (-2.5)

Alex Smith Chiefs
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San Diego Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs (-2.5)

Alex Smith Chiefs
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After a 21-point comeback against the 49ers, the Chargers can play their way into the postseason with a win in Kansas City. The Chiefs have struggled down the stretch, especially on offense, and San Diego will make enough plays to pull off the minor upset.

Score: San Diego 24, Kansas City 21.

New York Jets at Miami Dolphins (-6)

Percy Harvin Jets
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New York Jets at Miami Dolphins (-6)

Percy Harvin Jets
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Both the Jets and Dolphins have faltered down the stretch with Miami playing their way out of the postseason and the Jets auditioning for 2015. I have no confidence in either team, but I the Jets will cover and the Dolphins will win.

Score: Miami 17, New York Jets 13.

Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots (-5)

Tom Brady Patriots
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Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots (-5)

Tom Brady Patriots
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New England already clinched home-field advantage in the AFC Playoffs, meaning they have nothing to play for against Buffalo. I expect players like Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski to sit out this week, meaning the Bills will keep this game close. I still like New England at home to get it done.

Score: New England 24, Buffalo 20.

Philadelphia Eagles at New York Giants (-3)

Eli Manning Giants
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Philadelphia Eagles at New York Giants (-3)

Eli Manning Giants
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Philadelphia has lost three while the Giants have won three straight. Anything can happen when these teams play, but I like the team that is on a hot streak and that is the Giants.

Score: New York Giants 35, Philadelphia 31.

New Orleans Saints (-4) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Drew Brees Saints
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New Orleans Saints (-4) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Drew Brees Saints
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New Orleans is terrible on the road, but Tampa Bay has been even worse at winning, losing each of their previous seven games. With nothing to play for, the Saints will earn a straight-up victory over Tampa Bay, giving the Buccaneers the No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft.

Score: New Orleans 23, Tampa Bay 10.

Dallas Cowboys (-6.5) at Washington Redskins

Colt McCoy Redskins
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Dallas Cowboys (-6.5) at Washington Redskins

Colt McCoy Redskins
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With the No. 3 seed in the NFC wrapped in the books, the Dallas Cowboys have nothing to play for against the lowly Redskins, who bounced the Eagles out of the playoffs last week. Washington covers this game, but Dallas earns their 12th win of the season.

Score: Dallas 17, Washington 14.

Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons (-4)

Cam Newton Panthers
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Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons (-4)

Cam Newton Panthers
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In a battle for the NFC South, Carolina's elite defense faces Atlanta's potent offense. Atlanta won the first matchup in Carolina, and at home, I like the Falcons to enter the playoffs with a straight up win over their NFC South rivals.

Score: Atlanta 27, Carolina 21.

Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers (-6)

Ted Ginn Jr. Cardinals
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Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers (-6)

Ted Ginn Jr. Cardinals
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With Ryan Lindley once again starting for the Cardinals, Arizona is at a disadvantage against a reeling 49ers team. Even after last week's stunning loss to San Diego, I like the 49ers to end their season with a straight up win over the Cardinals.

Score: San Francisco 20, Arizona 13.

Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers (-7.5)

Reggie Bush Lions
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Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers (-7.5)

Reggie Bush Lions
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In a battle for the NFC North crown, the Detroit Lions travel to Lambeau Field to take on the Green Bay Packers. Playing without their starting center and in a place where they haven't won in over two decades, Green Bay will easily win this game and gain a first-round bye.

Score: Green Bay 24, Detroit 14.

St. Louis Rams at Seattle Seahawks (-11.5)

Robert Turbin Seahawks
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St. Louis Rams at Seattle Seahawks (-11.5)

Robert Turbin Seahawks
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Needing a win to clinch home-field advantage in the NFC, Seattle faces an underachieving St. Louis team that has struggled in the past in Seattle. No one has been able to solve the Seahawks' defense, and Shaun Hill won't be enough to pull the upset.

Score: Seattle 34, St. Louis 17.

Oakland Raiders at Denver Broncos (-14)

C.J. Anderson Broncos
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Oakland Raiders at Denver Broncos (-14)

C.J. Anderson Broncos
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In order to clinch a first-round bye, the Broncos have to defeat the Raiders and hope that Cincinnati loses to Pittsburgh. I like the Broncos to win, but the Raiders have been competitive all season, and they will be good enough to cover this huge spread.

Score: Denver 34, Oakland 21.

Cincinnati Bengals at Pittsburgh Steelers (-3.5)

Antonio Brown Steelers
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Cincinnati Bengals at Pittsburgh Steelers (-3.5)

Antonio Brown Steelers
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With the AFC North on the line, Andy Dalton will have to show up in primetime once again in order to defeat Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh. After routing the Bengals earlier this season, Pittsburgh will have no troubles, winning the AFC North in a convincing victory.

Score: Pittsburgh 34, Cincinnati 21.

Brian Kalchik is a Detroit Lions writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter, like him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google+.

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