It’s Bowl season and playoff football time.  Sports is at its peak over the next few weeks, let’s end the year the right way, we went 3-2 last week.  This week we are feeling good about winning you some money. Matt Boeding and I have increased our record to an impressive 25-20-2, we may not always be right, but we have been very right lately.

 *all spread from sportsbook.com

NFL

Washington Redskins -3 at New York Giants , over/under 39.5

The Giants have become the “Jersey Shore” of the NFL.  Every time we think the drama can’t get better they find a way to prove us wrong.  Whether its coaching issues are inner team arguments this team is a joke and they would most likely prefer to lose this game to help get a higher draft pick.

Unlike the Giants the Redskins actually have a little to play for.  Sitting at 7-8 they are looking at a middle level draft pick no matter what.  Jay Gruden wants to end the season on a positive note and QB Kirk Cousins is somehow still playing for a contract. Cousins will come out throwing as the Giants continued drama has caused a loss of another defensive back.  Look for huge day from Cousins, I will be starting him in my Draft Kings lineups as well.

We see Redskins by at least 20….I wonder where these two teams starting QB’s will be playing at this time next year.

Redskins -3

Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons -4, over/under 45

The Panthers head into Atlanta for a showdown with the Falcons, arguable the most important game during Week 17.  Falcons win they lock up a playoff spot, Carolina wins they have a chance of overtaking the Saints for the division title.

Atlanta missed a huge opportunity last week falling to the Saints.  Matt Ryan will have to live up to his nickname as the Falcons will need to play with confidence.  It will be up to Ryan to take control of this game as the Panthers pass defense has gotten shredded over the last few weeks allowing 282 yards per game over the last 3 games.

The Panthers roll into Atlanta locking up a playoff spot last week.  This is a team that historically plays better in December, they also are beginning to understand how they need to play to be successful.  Cam Newton has confidence, that is scary for the NFL.  The Panthers are also beginning to get healthier as Greg Olsen is beginning to return to form.

The pressure will prove to be to much Sunday for Matt Ryan.  Carolina will come out on fire. I think it will be close, with the Panthers getting 4 points I think they are a must play here.  I say they win outright.

Panthers +4 

Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions -6.5, Over/Under 43

Last week I wrote that Mathew Stafford and the Lions would dominate a Bengals team that looked like they mailed it in for the rest of they year…that did not go the way I had planned.  The Lions head home this week to take on a Packers team that looks similar to the last weeks Bengals.  The Packers without Aaron Rodgers have been exposed as a team with sub par talent up and down the roster.

Packers backup Brett Hundley has not looked completely hopeless on the road, throwing for over 240 yards in his last two road games.  Hundley looked  good in his first matchup against the Lions early in the season throwing for 245 yards while adding a rushing touchdown.

The Detroit Lions have had a very Detroit Lions season.  They get their fanbase excited then let them down a week later.  Losing to the Bengals last week should have been the last straw for a fanbase that is so hungry for winning.  Mathew Stafford and Jim Caldwell need this win.  I think the Lions finally have a runningback break 100 yards this weekend and Stafford ends the season with a win by at least a touchdown.

Lions….there are at least 5 good runningbacks in the upcoming draft, get Stafford a decent back please….oh and a pass rush would also be nice.

Lions -3.5

James’s “Why Not” Pick of the Week. Record: 4-5: I hate Hornibrook but love the Badgers.

The Miami Hurricanes will be taking on the Wisconsin Badgers Saturday in the Orange Bowl.  The Hurricanes were everyones darlings this year and seem primed to dominate this game, Wisconsin is very similar to the Notre Dame team that Miami waxed in front of the entire world earlier this year.

Wisconsin is not Notre Dame, they will play a boring brand of football and control the clock.  Wisconsin will not give Miami the chance to bring out the turnover chain.  My “Why Not” pick of the week is:

Wisconsin -5

Good luck on your bets this week and remember if you aren’t down a paycheck you can still bet.