PIGSKIN PICKS
The NFL heads into the final week of the regular season with a number of games having playoff implications, so let’s get at it. San Francisco 49ers (12-3) at Seattle
Seahawks (11-4) – The regular season’s final game on Sunday night has San Francisco at Seattle in a game where the winner gets the NFC West Crown and homefield advantage in the playoffs. The Seahawks are missing a number of key people in most key positions and they’re three-point home dogs, that figure should be six points. The Philadelphia Eagles (8-7) at New York Giants (4-11) – The Eagles can clinch the NFC East by beating the Giants in Gotham but that’s no easy task as The Jones Boy, QB Dan Jones, threw for five TDs last week and looks like he’s in for a long stay with the Giants. The Eagles are 3.5point road favourites and with key people back from injuries, the Eagles should cover. For the hundreds of Dallas fans in this province, it’s not over yet because a Giants upset of Philadelphia and a Dallas win over Washington, not only hands the East title to the Cowboys but guarantees a home playoff game in Texas despite an 8-8 record. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-7) at Baltimore Ravens (13-2) – The Steelers travel to Baltimore in a meaningless game for the Ravens, who are resting QB Lamar Jackson and starting Robert Griffin III. The Steelers lost to the New York Jets last week means they’re on the outside looking in, but first must handle the Ravens. These two teams have been bitter enemies, so I don’t see the intensity level dropping for either team. The Steelers are two-point favourites in some Vegas books, but I believe they’re at least six-point road dogs. Tennessee Titans (8-7) at Houston Texans (10-5) – The Steelers could make the playoffs if the Titans lose in Houston in a game where the Texans are resting regulars since they’ve already clinched a playoff spot. The Titans have been on fire under QB Ryan Tannehill and I like them on the road. They’ll cover the four-point spread.
If the Titans lose in Houston, it could result in four teams tied for the wild card at 8-8, including the Titans, Steelers, Indianapolis and the Oakland Raiders. The Raiders get the final spot if such a scenario happens but that’s highly unlikely. In other meaningful games, the New England Patriots are at home to Miami, the Kansas City Chiefs are at home against the L.A. Chargers and the Minnesota Vikings entertain Chicago Bears and all three should handle the 7-10 points handicap.