NFL MATCHUPS

With the league barreling toward the end of the regular season and facing a coronavirus surge that included 90 players testing positive Monday, the NFL on Tuesday halved the number of days players who test positive have to quarantine.

The Arizona Cardinals have clinched a playoff spot, but after losing three consecutive games, they may play with some desperation against the Dallas Cowboys, while Kansas City and the Cincinnati Bengals will likely provide the best contested game of the weekend.

Below is a look at NFL Week 17, with all picks made against the spread.

BROADCAST LOCALLY Rams at Ravens 11 a.m. Fox

Line: Rams -3.5 | Total: 46.5 Although injuries to key starters have decimated the Ravens (8-7) all season, they still have about a 30 percent chance to make the postseason, according to the New York Times’ Playoff Predictor. But there is little wiggle room, and a loss to the Rams (11-4) would essentially end their playoff hopes.

It is unclear if quarterback Lamar Jackson (ankle) will be available, but his backup, Tyler Huntley, has come off the COVID-19 list and is expected to start. Either of them will have a tough task against Los Angeles’ pass rush, which is tied for fourth in the NFL in sacks with 42. Baltimore’s secondary, also depleted by injuries, has allowed the most passing yards per game this season (280.5), which should excite Matthew Stafford. But if Baltimore plays with a sense of urgency, and Stafford produces a turnover or two, and if Jackson plays, the Ravens can keep the score within the spread.

Pick: Ravens +3.5

Broncos at Chargers 2:05 p.m. CBS

Line: Chargers -6 | Total: 45.5 Los Angeles (8-7) complicated its wild-card scenario by losing to the Houston Texans last week, dropping its chances of entering the postseason to 40 percent, according to the Times’ Playoff Predictor, and making the Chargers’ two remaining games “mustwins.” Running back Austin Ekeler and receiver Mike Williams were reactivated from the COVID-19 list, but defensive backs Chris Harris Jr. and Nasir Adderley and defensive end Joey Bosa have yet to be cleared. Safety Derwin James’ status is also questionable because of a hamstring injury.

The Broncos (7-8) beat the fullstrength Chargers in Week 12 and, even with Drew Lock starting at quarterback, can beat them again.

Pick: Broncos +6

Cardinals at Cowboys 2:25 p.m. Fox

Line: Cowboys -5 | Total: 51 Kyler Murray and the Cardinals (10-5) have lost three consecutive games and have looked lost on offense with receiver DeAndre Hopkins out resting his hamstring until the playoffs. Facing a renewed Dallas defense on the road isn’t exactly a recipe for getting back on track, either. Fueled by pressure from Micah Parsons, the versatile linebacker, and Trevon Diggs, the turnover-inducing cornerback, the Cowboys (11-4) allow an average of only 20.5 points per game. Arizona is 1-3 this season when held below 21 points and can likely win this game if it corrects simple mistakes. But the Cowboys are a safer bet at home right now.

Pick: Cowboys -5

Vikings at Packers 6:20 p.m. NBC

Line: Packers -6.5 | Total: 47.5 After our initial pick of Vikings +6.5, quarterback Kirk Cousins tested positive for the coronavirus, sending him to the COVID-19 list days before this matchup and the backup, Sean Mannion, into duty. The move dealt so serious a blow to the Vikings’ (7-8) chances that we changed the pick to reflect the hurdles Minnesota will face heading into a night game at Lambeau Field in which the temperature isn’t expected to top 13 degrees.

Fourteen of Minnesota’s games have been decided by one score, a vivid depiction of its dancingon-a-needle-point season, but one of those was a Week 11 win over Green Bay in which it exploited the Packers’ lone weakness: defending the run. In their last three games, the Packers (12-3) have given up an average of 166.3 rushing yards. Minnesota will get running back Dalvin Cook back from the COVID19 list, but without Cousins, Green Bay will be able to stack the box, double team receiver Justin Jefferson, and not worry too much about this one.

Pick: Packers -6.5

OTHER GAMES Chiefs at Bengals 11 a.m.

Line: Kansas City -4 | Total: 49 Joe Burrow threw for 525 yards last week against the depleted Baltimore Ravens, and Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Joe Mixon all posted more than 100 yards from scrimmage. The Bengals (9-6) will want to keep those highflying performances going with a statement win over Kansas City (11-4), the conference’s top seed.

It won’t be easy. After a 3-4 start, Kansas City has not lost since October, and its defense has improved drastically after being one of the league’s worst. Kansas City should also return tight end Travis Kelce, who missed last week’s blowout win against the Pittsburgh Steelers on the COVID-19 list. Expect this to be a shootout, in which case the Bengals could cover the spread.

Pick: Bengals +4

Falcons at Bills 11 a.m.

Line: Bills -14 | Total: 44.5 This could be considered a trap game for the Bills (9-6), who would lose their newly established grip on the AFC East if the Falcons (7-8) pulled off an upset. It would also be a reversal of every football norm if Atlanta, whose defense has surrendered 30 or more points six times, could carry out a win at Highmark Stadium, where below-freezing temperatures and snow are predicted at kickoff.

If Buffalo keeps Josh Allen upright against the pass rush, which it failed to do in a Week 9 loss to Jacksonville (a true trap game), the Bills will cover the spread easily.

Pick: Bills -14

Giants at Bears 11 a.m.

Line: Bears -6 | Total: 38.5 The Bears (5-10) and the Giants (4-11) have been two of the worst teams in the league, but Giants coach Joe Judge is reportedly staying for at least one more season, while Matt Nagy’s future in Chicago is unclear. The result of this game is unlikely to change either of those circumstances, though the Bears will probably win.

Pick: Bears -6

Raiders at Colts 11 a.m.

Line: Colts -7 | Total: 45

The Colts (9-6), for all intents and purposes, have secured the top wild-card spot, making this game more important for the Raiders (8-7), who still technically have a chance at the playoffs, according to math. Indianapolis placed Carson Wentz on the COVID-19 list this week, and coach Frank Reich said it will not be clear until Sunday if he will pass protocols. If Wentz cannot play, rookie Sam Ehlinger will start. Jonathan Taylor is still the league’s leading rusher (1,626 yards on 297 carries), and the Raiders’ defense is average against the run (14th in yards allowed, with 1,736).

Pick: Colts -7

Dolphins at Titans 11 a.m.

Line: Titans -3.5 | Total: 41 It’s time for the Dolphins (8-7) to face reality. Their seven consecutive wins have given them (at least for now) the AFC’s final wild-card spot, but those victories came against the COVID-19-ravaged New Orleans Saints and Ravens, and the weak prey of the Giants, Texans, New York Jets (twice) and Carolina Panthers — teams that will all be selecting in the top eight of the upcoming draft.

Pick: Titans -3

Jaguars at Patriots 11 a.m.

Line: Patriots -15.5 | Total: 41.5 As we’ve said in previous weeks, the Jaguars (2-13) have been the NFL’s universal “get-right” opponent: the doormat that allows an elite team to get its rhythm back after a frustrating loss. Now it’s New England’s turn. The Patriots (9-6) have lost back-to-back games after Mac Jones’ production slipped from his normally efficient standards. In losses to the Colts and Bills, Jones completed 51.9 percent of his passes, a far cry from his 67.2 percent completion rate for the season, and threw two interceptions in both games.

Pick: Patriots -15.5

Buccaneers at Jets 11 a.m.

Line: Buccaneers -13.5 | Total: 41.5

The Buccaneers (11-4) can coast to the playoffs while key starters heal, as their next two games are against the Jets (4-11) and Panthers, the league’s bottom-feeders. Running back Leonard Fournette (hamstring) is on injured reserve, and receiver Mike Evans’ status is unclear as he looks to clear COVID19 protocol.

Pick: Buccaneers -13.5

Eagles at Washington 11 a.m.

Line: Eagles -4 | Total: 45 The Eagles (8-7) are currently in the NFC’s final wild-card slot and have a 55 percent chance to make the postseason, according to the Times’ Playoff Predictor. That probability increases to 78 percent with an altogether likely win against Washington (6-9). NFL teams rarely take a beating like the Football Team did against Dallas last week, and the sideline skirmish between Daron Payne and Jonathan Allen epitomized the frustration of Washington’s season.

Pick: Eagles -4

Panthers at Saints 2:25 p.m.

Line: Saints -6.5 | Total: 39 Third-string quarterback Ian Book, a rookie, started for the Saints (7-8) last week as 21 players were placed on the COVID-19 list. Taysom Hill and Trevor Siemian were cleared to return, and Hill is expected to lift an offense that has scored 12 total points over the last two games.

Pick: Carolina +6.5

Texans at 49ers 2:05 p.m.

Line: 49ers -13.5 | Total: 44 The 49ers (8-7), currently clinging to the NFC’s sixth seed, may be without quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, who reportedly tore the ulnar collateral ligament of his right thumb last Thursday.

If he is unavailable, rookie Trey Lance could make his second career start. That may be a welcome change for 49ers fans, who watched Garoppolo misfire on key throws in the team’s 3-point loss to the Titans last week.

Pick: 49ers -13.5

Lions at Seahawks 2:25 p.m.

Line: Seahawks -7 | Total: 42.5 In the long run, each embarrassing performance from the Seahawks (5-10) gives Russell Wilson more reason to force his way out of town. In the short turn, last week’s 1-point loss to the Bears, and the Lions’ (2-12-1) paltry record should motivate Seattle to save face at home.

Pick: Lions +7

Browns at Steelers 6:15 p.m. Monday ESPN

Line: Browns -3 | Total: 41 Both the Browns (7-8) and the Steelers (7-7-1) have less than a 20 percent chance of making the playoffs, and the winner of this game would need the Ravens, Chargers, Dolphins and Raiders to lose in order to make the season finale matter. Baker Mayfield’s four interceptions last week against the Packers cost the Browns a prime chance of improving their odds, but they should handle Pittsburgh with relative ease.

Pick: Browns -3