Well were at what I like to call the "Witching Hour" of the NFL season, the last week of the regular season. Only a few more weeks left! Unfortunately Week 17 picks did not go well for YH again (4-9 ATS) making me 17-29-1 in the last 3 weeks, but now of that matters because some things are bigger than sports and Damar Hamlin has made significant progress this week. CMS made a donation to his go fund me "https://www.gofundme.com/f/mxksc-the-chasing-ms-foundation-community-toy-drive" great to see it already over 8.1 million!
I am going to go out on a limb this week and GUARANTEE a .500 or better record this week, and if I don't I will venmo a dollar for every game under .500 to any follower who DMs the @cube_sports twitter telling me I'm a big dumb loser! (4-9 would mean $5 #math). It is sure to be another wonky week of picks as we close out the regular season with a lot of playoff implication's and seeding spots on the line. Now onto the picks!
Saturday 4:30pm:
Chiefs at Raiders (KC -9.5)
KC can claim the #1 seed in the AFC with a win this week and have home field for the playoffs. However, KC got exposed a little bit last week by "Americas QB" Russel Wilson, but still a one of the few juggernauts in the NFL. Jarrett Stidham looked good last week in an OT loss to the 9ers and I dont know if the team rallied around him in his first start and he may flounder this week. But -9.5 is too many points, I think the Chiefs get out to and early lead and rest their starters in the second half. StidHIM will cover (LV +9.5)
Saturday 8:15pm:
Titans at Jaguars (JAX -6.5)
Joshua Dobbs is getting his second start over rookie Malik Willis. Trevor Lawrence has been playing great over the last month and a half and torched the Titans for 368 yards in their last game. Titans are plagued with injuries, and the winner gets a home playoff game. Give me T-Laws luscious flow (JAX -6.5)....and the under!
Sunday 1pm Slate:
Jets at Dolphins (MIA -2)
*fart noise* Joe Flacco vs Skylar Thompson. The Jets are just trying to make it to the offseason so they can figure out their QB situation for next year, and somehow Miami still has playoff hopes with a win and a Bills loss. Both these teams have combined for 10 straight losses, so this game is going to stink. I do believe the Jets defense will still play at an elite level and eat Thompson alive. (NY +2).
Browns at Steelers (PIT -2.5)
Steelers still in the playoff hunt, with a win and both a Bills and Dolphins loss they're in. Pickett has looked to be legit his last few starts and had a nice game winning drive against the Ravens last week. However, I am a sucker for pain and still believe were not only due for Deshaun Watson to go off, but were owed for him to go off. I'm taking (CLE +2.5)...and the over!
Texans at Colts (IND -2.5)
*louder wetter fart noise* I don't have the energy for this game, they already tied. Texans want the first pick cant see them really giving it their all. (IND -2.5)
Buccaneers at Falcons (ATL -4.5)
Bucs are clinched for the playoffs, but this line still doesn't make sense to me. I don't know if the Bucs are going to sit their starters or how long they'll play but I have been burned too many times betting ATL. It also hurts as bad as the Bucs have been this season but I have to go with Brady going into the playoffs and getting his team right. (TB +4.5)
Panthers at Saints (NO -3.5)
Both teams have already been eliminated from the playoffs, Carolina has the 9th pick, New Orleans had traded away their 1st round pick this year. These teams are both looking forward to the off season but I'm going to go with the Saints. (NO -3.5)
Patriots at Bills (BUF -7)
Patriots are in with a win this week, or could still make it in with losses around the league. It has been an emotional week for Buffalo with everything going on with Damar Hamlin. I can't really see and Buffalo coming out flat this week especially with having some heart and emotion behind them playing for Hamlin. They have also beat the Pats by 14, 30, and 12 in their last 3 meetings. (BUF -7)
Vikings at Bears (MIN -7.5)
The Vikings are most likely going to finish the season with a negative point differential this season, and the Bears are starting Nathan Peterman. A win and a 49ers loss gets the Vikings the 2 seed, a loss gets the Bears a guaranteed top 2 pick. I'm probably wrong on this but I don't think the Vikings have covered more than 5/6 times this year, and for that! I will be taking them. (MIN -7.5)
Ravens at Bengals (CIN -7.5)
Theres a lot of wonky situations with how all the seeding will play out due to last Mondays game not being rescheduled. Tyler Huntley is starting and sucks, Joe Burrow is HIM. Bengals are going to run up the score this week. (CIN -7.5)
Sunday 4pm Slate:
Giants at Eagles (PHI -14)
Jalen Hurts is back and the eagles are looking to lock up the 1 seed. I can see the Eagles letting Hurts go out there and get some reps in and see where he's at physically before sitting him down. But this goes back to what I have been saying all season, I will never take a double digits favorite, too many points. (NY +14)....also throwing a little something on Giants ML (+600), crazier things have happened!
Rams at Seahawks (SEA -6)
"They wrote me off, I didn't write back"-Geno Smith. Well over his last 6 games Geno has been writing back, because the Seahawks are 2-4 in that span. Although with a win and Packers loss, Seattle will be in the playoffs. As much as they have overachieved this season under Smith, I can't see this being a blow out. Stop me if you've heard this before, but I love Baker Mayfield. I hope LA let's the dog off the leash and let him ball. (LA +6)
Chargers at Broncos (DEN -2.5)
The Chargers need a win or a Ravens loss to lock up the no. 5 seed. That would mean a trip to Jacksonville or Tennessee in the wild-card round. Baltimore plays in the early window, so the Chargers will know by kickoff whether they need this game or not. Ughhhhhhh I really don't to do this, but....BRONCOS COUNTRY LET'S RIDE! (DEN -2.5)
Cardinals at 49ers (SF -14)
The 49ers have won by 14 or more points 6 times this year, and beat the Cardinals 38-10 in their first matchup. The only other game Arizona lost by 14 or more was to the Chiefs. And you know how I feel about double digit favorites...so this is an easy pick. JJ Watt retirement game. (ARI +14)
Cowboys at Commanders (WAS +7)
To be honest I am getting tired of saying "if this team wins and this team loses they'll be in the playoffs" Taking the Cowboys (DAL -7)
Lions at Packers (GB -4.5)
Finally the game we've all been waiting for. My best friend vs a drug addict. If you were on shrooms the picture above would be fun to look at. I called it a few weeks ago that the Packers would run the table, similar to how Lebron called the Migos being a top rap group when Quavo was 16 years old. You cant against the Packers and Aaron Rodgers when he has a chance to clinch a playoff spot. The Lions will know going into this game if they have a chance to make the playoffs if the Seahawks lose, or if they're just playing to knock out Green Bay. Packers win by a field goal. (DET +4.5)
Good luck to all gambling this weekend!
