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We've made it. In a season that many were unsure would happen, we're finally on the cusp of the playoffs. A lot of storylines could be cut short or extended today, and a lot of bets can be won. I went 6-5 on Money Line picks and 5-6 against the spread last week. Not a great result, but I've got sixteen matchups today to make up for it. Let's get right into it. Here are seven games that I think are worth throwing down your fantasy winnings before the playoffs.
1 PM Games:
Dallas Cowboys vs New York Giants
It's been a weird year for the NFC East. None of the teams in the division are very good, but the race for the division title is probably the best in the NFL right now. With just the Eagles out of the playoff picture, this game as well as the primetime game will determine who makes it to Wild Card Weekend. For either the Cowboys or the Giants to make it, they need a win as well as a Washington loss. In terms of the first part, Dallas has the slightest of edges. Their win against Philly was a solid offensive performance, featuring Ezekiel Elliot finally putting up some decent numbers. Against a Giants team that's dropped three in a row, I think they'll be able to hit the one and a half point cover.
M/L: Cowboys (-130)
ATS: Cowboys -1.5 (-110)
New York Jets vs New England Patriots
Patriots fans should be ashamed of their team that the spread is this close against the Jets. After two straight weeks of me bashing this current Jets team, they've managed to not only cover two in a row, but win both straight up, ruining their chances at the first pick in the process. The Jets in these past two games have actually looked really solid, due probably to some players trying to make a good impression to the rest of the league before they get out of New York. They'll look to bring that intensity to a struggling Patriots team, who have been held to under 14 points in their last three outings. A win against the Pats would be the perfect capstone to the most frustrating season in Jets history.
M/L: Jets (+130)
ATS: Jets +3 (-110)
Miami Dolphins vs Buffalo Bills
The Dolphins need the Colts, Browns, and Ravens to all lose today, or a win of their own. Considering they're playing against a Bills team that's been putting up some crazy totals these past few weeks, they're going to have to hope for the former. The Bills are currently working on a 5 game winning streak, and the Allen-Diggs connection is looking as great as it has all season. Tua will probably be getting the start, and while I think he's a solid QB, he needs another year or two before he could really compete against the Bills, who will probably hold the division for the better part of this decade.
M/L: Bills (-125)
ATS: Bills -2.5 (-110)
4 PM Games
Green Bay Packers vs Chicago Bears
It's crazy that, looking at the Bears now, how good we thought they were going to be in the beginning of the season. Trubisky and Montgomery look promising as a solid offensive pairing for the next few years, but as of now, it's still Aaron Rodgers division. Gunning for a first round bye and an MVP, Rodgers and his Packers are coming off of a hot win against a very good Titans team, and should have no problem taking down Chicago. However, I do think the Bears offense has just enough juice to cover the current 4.5 spread.
M/L: Packers (-190)
ATS: Bears +4.5 (-110)
Tennessee Titans vs Houston Texans
The AFC playoff race has been a big topic of discussion this week for all the wrong reasons. The Titans could clinch the AFC South with a win, but could miss the playoffs if a lot of other teams win. Pretty unfair for many considering a losing team will make the playoffs via the NFC East, but in the NFL, it just do be like that sometimes. Luckily for Tennessee, they won't have too much on their plate to ensure a postseason appearance. Derrick Henry has been an absolute monster this season, and Ryan Tannehill hasn't been too shabby himself. Against a Texans team that's just looking to hit the reset button to next year, the Titans should have no problem taking this one by a touchdown and then some.
M/L: Titans (-350)
ATS: Titans -7.5 (-110)
Seattle Seahawks vs San Francisco 49ers
Last year's regular season finale between Seattle and San Fran might be one of the best regular season games I've ever watched. Inches separated the 1-seed and 5-seed for Seattle, and while they've already clinched the West going into their final regular season game, this matchup should still prove to be a solid one. 0-5 ATS in their last five road games, San Francisco might just have enough to pull off the upset. The Niners have nothing really riding on this game, so why not make it interesting for the books?
M/L: Seahawks (-350)
ATS: Niners +7 (-110)
Sunday Night Football
Washington Football Team vs Philadelphia Eagles
Every time the NFC East got a primetime spot this season, it's infuriated me. Why would such garbage teams get the best tv spots? However, I'll give them a pass this week, as this game has playoff implications for the entire division. As I mentioned before, Washington needs a win to keep their playoff hopes alive, but with Jalen Hurts behind center, I think they might have some trouble. Despite the loss to Dallas, Hurts looked really good in his second start, throwing for 342 yards and a touchdown. With receivers like tight end Dallas Goedert in solid form, including a 100 yard game against Washington in Week 1, the Eagles could finish off their season playing the spoiler.
M/L: Eagles (+180)
ATS: Eagles +4 (-110)
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