FRIDAY AFTERNOON QUARTERBACK: NFL WEEK 17

BY ADAM GREENE

Last week was a picks against the spread disaster so we’re not even going to talk about it. We’re burning the film and making a fresh start as we prepare for a postseason run for the ages.

Week 17 is always tricky, with teams playing for nothing, some even angling to lose, while others are facing playoff games to get into the playoffs. Injuries and the COVID-19 list aren’t helping as the coronavirus makes one more charge before the postseason begin.

MIAMI DOLPHINS AT BUFFALO BILLS (-3, O/U: 43)

Ryan Fitzpatrick is on the COVID-19 list, so this one will be all Tua Tagovailoa. Lucky for him he’ll probably be playing a Bills team resting its starters, if not the whole game, at least part of it. Dolphins 20, Bills 17

DALLAS COWBOYS AT NEW YORK GIANTS (+1, O/U: 44.5)

As silly as it might be, one of these teams could make the playoffs. The winner slides in with a Washington loss. Giants 17, Cowboys 16

NEW YORK JETS AT NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (-3, O/U: 39.5)

Nothing would sum up this Jets season and Adam Gase’s tenure as a meaningless victory over the New England Patriots. Jets 20, Patriots 17

PITTSBURGH STEELERS AT CLEVELAND BROWNS (-9, O/U: 42)

A week after losing every good wide receiver on the roster, the Browns are once again in COVID-19 trouble. They do get their WRs back, but Denzel Ward, Harrison Bryant, Malcolm Smith, Karl Joseph and Andrew Sendejo are all on this week’s COVID list. On the bright side, Mason Rudolph is starting for Pittsburgh in what’s a meaningless game to them. On the not so bright side, the last time Cleveland played the Steelers starting a backup QB, they lost 20-13. I’m reversing it this time. Browns 20, Steelers 13

MINNESOTA VIKINGS AT DETROIT LIONS (+7, O/U: 54)

You know, if you switched the QBs on these teams Minnesota would be resting starters in preparation for the playoffs and Matt Patricia would have been fired in September. As usual, I have two picks here because Matthew Stafford has been hurt all season. If Stafford plays; Lions 23, Vikings 20. If Stafford is out; Vikings 27, Lions 10

ATLANTA FALCONS AT TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (-7.5, O/U: 50.5)

The Bucs have already clinched a playoff spot, but they can secure a Wild Card game against the NFC East champion (and avoid the Saints or Seahawks) with a win. I think they’ll go for it. Buccaneers 31, Falcons 27

BALTIMORE RAVENS AT CINCINNATI BENGALS (+13, O/U: 44)

Cincinnati is suddenly a tough out, but Baltimore has a guaranteed playoff spot with a victory. Ravens 31, Bengals 13

LOS ANGELES CHARGERS AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (+3.5, O/U: 44)

Chad Henne will start for Kansas City and I can’t see them playing many of their key starters in this one. Anthony Lynn would love nothing more than to finish 7-9 and pretend he did a professional coaching job on a team that would have been 10-6 or better with a capable person in charge. Chargers 26, Chiefs 23

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS AT INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (-14, O/U: 49.5)

The Colts have to win this game, and that shouldn’t be a problem, and then have either the Browns, Dolphins, Ravens or Titans lose to make the playoffs. Colts 31, Jaguars 10

GREEN BAY PACKERS AT CHICAGO BEARS (+5.5, O/U: 51)

The Pack needs to win to keep the No. 1 seed in the NFC. The Bears need to win to make the playoffs. Considering Green Bay is 21-5 against Chicago since 2008, I feel good about this pick, though David Baktari being out (not just this game, but the rest of the year) makes this one interesting with Khalil Mack coming from the outside. Packers 27, Bears 16

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS AT CAROLINA PANTHERS (+6.5, O/U: 47.5)

The Saints still have a shot at home field, but don’t expect to see Drew Brees in the game in the fourth quarter if the Packers-Bears score gets out of hand. Saints 28, Panthers 17

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS AT SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (+6.5, O/U: 46)

Seattle sits at the No. 3 seed, but if the Pack and Saints both fall Sunday, they’ll take over the No. 1 spot. That’s probably bad news for a San Francisco team that’s fought the good fight all year. Seahawks 27, 49ers 13

LAS VEGAS RAIDERS AT DENVER BRONCOS (+2.5, O/U: 51)

Jon Gruden needs a win here to keep Las Vegas from its fourth consecutive losing season and his third straight losing campaign since returning to coaching. This has been a disgraceful display and Gruden has no one to blame but himself. I figure he’ll get it. Barely. Raiders 20, Broncos 17

ARIZONA CARDINALS AT LOS ANGELES RAMS (+3.5, O/U: 40.5)

Here’s a fun fact, in two of the Rams’ four Super Bowl appearances, a guy that supposed to be the backup took them to the big game. In the 1979-80 season it was Vince Ferragamo, who replaced injured starter Pat Haden. In the 1999-2000 season, it was Kurt Warner replacing injured starter Trent Green. Jared Goff has been the Achilles heel of his own team this season and John Wolford can stake a claim to this job for good with a solid playoff run. If he doesn’t turn the ball over, he’ll be an instant improvement. He’ll have to do it without Cooper Kupp, who is on the COVID-19 list along with Michael Brockers on defense. Rams 24, Cardinals 20

TENNESSEE TITANS AT HOUSTON TEXANS (+7.5, O/U: 56)

Here’s what’s a stake for Tennessee; if they win, they’re AFC South champions and host a playoff game. If they lose, it’s entirely possible they could miss the playoffs. It’s time to break out the woodshed and secure this spot. Titans 42, Texans 23

Last week

Straight up: 9-7

Against the spread: 3-13

Season

Straight up: 157-82-1

Against the spread: 120-120

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