NFL PREDICTIONS Week 17

By Sam Farmer |

Los Angeles Times

Record against the spread: LW: 7-8-1. Season: 122-112-6.

Dolphins (1 0 -5 ) at Bills (1 2 -3 )

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET. Line: Bills by 3. O/U: 43.

The Dolphins are no pushovers, particularly on defense. Tua Tagovailoa is early on the growth curve.

Sunday, 1 p.m. Line: Ravens by 13. O/U: 44 ½. Baltimore is heavily favored, and the Ravens have a chance to make the playoffs so they have incentive.

Sunday, 1 p.m. Line: Browns by 10. O/U: 42 ½.

Sunday, 1 p.m. Line: Cowboys by 1. O/U: 44 ½. The Cowboys’ defense is suspect, but the Giants are too banged up to take advantage.

Falcons (4 -1 1 ) at Buccaneers (1 0 -5 )

Sunday, 1 p.m. Line: Buccaneers by 7. O/U: 50 ½. The Buccaneers will have left tackle Donovan Smith against Atlanta this time. Buccaneers

Saints (1 1 -4 ) at Panthers (5 -1 0 )

Sunday, 4:25 p.m. Line: Saints by 6 ½. O/U: 47 ½. The Saints’ defense made big strides this season but took a step backward vs. Vikings last week.

Packers (1 2 -3 ) at Bears (8 -7 )

Sunday, 4:25 p.m. Line: Packers by 5 ½. O/U: 51. Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams are playing at a different level for Green Bay, which is vying for the NFC’s bye. Packers 34, Bears 24

Chargers (6 -9 ) at Chiefs (1 4 -1 )

Sunday, 4:25 p.m. Line: Chargers by 3 ½. O/U: 44. The Chiefs are resting Patrick Mahomes, so Chad Henne will be leading a cast of understudies. Chargers 27, Chiefs 23

Seahawks (1 1 -4 ) at 49 ers (6 -9)

Sunday, 4:25 p.m. Line: Seahawks by 6 ½. O/U: 46. Seattle’s defensive transformation has been remarkable. 49ers are talented but are the walking wounded. Seahawks 28, 49ers 21

Raiders (7-8 ) at Broncos (5 -1 0 )

Sunday, 4:25 p.m. Line: Raiders by 2 ½. O/U: 51. Derek Carr has quietly put together a great season with a hodgepodge supporting cast.

Titans (1 0 -5 ) at Texans (4 -1 1 )

Sunday, 4:25 p.m. Line: Titans by 7 ½. O/U: 56 ½. After a slow start, Deshaun Watson has been terrific. Not so for the rest of the Texans. Titans 34, Texans 31

Jaguars (1 -1 4 ) at Colts (1 0 -5 )

Sunday, 4:25 p.m. Line: Colts by 14. O/U: 49 ½. The Colts are desperate, and if they don’t get into the playoffs it’s a travesty. If that’s the case, they can point to their Week 1 loss at Jacksonville. Philip Rivers comes through, as does the defense.

Cardinals (8 -7 ) at Los Angeles Rams (9 -6 ) Sunday, 4:25p.m. Line: Cardinals by 3. O/U: 40 ½. Big test for Sean McVay, with Jared Goff and Cooper Kupp out, the running game ravaged, and a QB who has never thrown an NFL pass. McVay has never lost to the Cardinals. The defense comes through. Rams 20, Cardinals 17

Washington (6 -9 ) at Eagles (4 -1 0 -1 )

Sunday, 8:20 p.m. Line: Wash. by 2. O/U: 43 ½. Taylor Heinicke might not get Washington fans too excited, but that defense can be smothering. Philadelphia QB Jalen Hurts is fun to watch, but the Eagles break down on defense. Should be close. Washington 17, Eagles 14