Mike T's Week 17 picks

by Mike T.

Happy New Year football fans. It seems like just yesterday we were kicking off the 2009 NFL season. We're now in the final week and like most years many of these games will be like a preseason game. For some teams everything is riding on this game while others have almost nothing to play for except some personal records.

I went back to taking dogs last week and felt really good about my picks as I was 2-0 early in the day but the Redskins didn't bother to show up for their home finale. I'm now 31-17 on the year and need a 3-0 day tomorrow to finish the season at .667

Lions +3.5 vs Bears
After keeping an eye on this game all week the line finally moved off of three points. The Bears played an emotional game against division their rival Vikings and pulled off an overtime win. I stayed away from the game but I did like the Bears in that spot getting points at home. Now the Lions are a home dog as they were much of the season but I think it's a similar spot and I think they can end the season on high note. We may see Calvin Johnson put up huge numbers against a very banged up Bears secondary.
Lions 30 Bears 24

Rams +7.5 vs 49ers
Taking divisional home dogs has done well for me this year and when they are getting more than 7 it's almost impossible for me to stay away. Steven Jackson will be playing for the NFC rushing title as he has a small (24 yd) lead over AP. I think we'll see him handle the rock quite often in this game. I also think coach Spagnolo wants to end this season on a positive note and win this game against a 49er team that has lost their last three games on the road. The 1-14 Rams go 8-8 against the spread to end the year.
Rams 16 49ers 14

Packers +3.5 at Cardinals
The line moved off of 3 in this game as well. It appears that the public is looking at this game as if the Cards have a shot at the 2 seed which brought enough money to get off 3. Well right now they do but by the end of the early games the shot at a bye week will no longer exist. After the Vikes lock up the 2 seed the Cards should have Matt Leinart in for almost the entire game. I can see the Packers getting up early in this one and playing well on defense, forcing turnovers and controlling this one from start to finish. You may want to bet this one after the Vikes game but you probably won't see 3.5.
Packers 27 Cardinals 17