NFL Pro Football 2007 Week 17 Picks late games

NFL Pro Football 2007 Week 17 Picks - late games

Fearless Rick's NFL Week 17 Picks - Late Games

Rick Gagliano | Dec. 30

All times Eastern - Click here for early games.

Pittsburgh (-3 1/2, 35 1/2) at Baltimore 4:15 pm pm - This is a meaningful game for the Steelers, as a win plus a loss by San Diego could propel them into the #3 seed in the AFC. With that tidbit on the line, expect the Steelers to play hard enough to hand the Ravens their 10th straight loss. Baltimore has devolved into one of the biggest disappointments of the 2007 season. No way can they climb out of this one. Pittsburgh has too much going for them to lose.

Prediction: Steelers 24 Ravens 10

Dallas at Washington (-9 1/2, 39 1/2) 4:15 pm - Shocking to see Washington such a huge favorite, but with nothing to lose here, Dallas probably will be resting an assortment of starters. Still, the line is so outsized as to make one wonder. Are Dallas defenders just going to fall down? Will the offense even score? Tony Romo is not going to play the entire game - that's for sure. He's still suffering from the effects of a sore thumb, injured in a losing effort at Philadelphia two weeks ago. He looked OK in a sleepwalk 20-13 win over Carolina last week, but Terrell Owens sprained an ankle and will not play. Terry Glenn will see action for the first time this season, but having Owens on the sidelines takes some of the steam out of Dallas' potent offense.

The Redskins have actually been playing excellent football of late, beating Chicago at home by 8, then winning consecutive road games over the Giants and Vikings by 12 and 11 points, respectively. Finally back home, they will have vocal fan support, and a win gets them in the playoffs. Washington lost 28-23 at Dallas in November, and a comfortable margin of victory would be desirable from the Redskins outlook. The line is large only to sucker Dallas money. The Redskins will head to the playoffs, winning by 10 or more.

Prediction: Redskins 28 Cowboys 13

Kansas City at N.Y. Jets (-6, 34) 4:15 pm - In a week full of bad, meaningless games, this one takes the cake. Take KC with points.

Prediction: Chiefs 17 Jets 16

Minnesota (-3, 41) at Denver 4:15 pm - The Vikings looked horrible against Washington, but Denver has no chance of making the playoffs and are an ordinary 4-3 at home this season. They also have a very suspect defense, meaning that Adrian Peterson and the Vikes can make hay on the ground. Big win, but the Vikings blew it last week.

Prediction: Vikings 34 Broncos 20

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San Diego (-8, 43) at Oakland 4:15 pm - If Pittsburgh wins, the Chargers will need this game to secure the #3 playoff spot. Of course, Vegas knows this, thus the line a point more than a TD. On the road, the Chargers will win handily.

Prediction: Chargers 28 Raiders 13

St. Louis at Arizona (-6, 47 1/2) 4:15 pm - The "almost bowl" pits two of the perennial disappointments from the NFC West at each others throats. Arizona can finish the season 8-8, but that's probably not enough motivation. St. Louis finishes on a high note, avenging an earlier 34-31 loss at home.

Prediction: Rams 38 Cardinals 24

Tennessee (-6 1/2, 39) at Indianapolis 8:15 pm - The Titans need to win in order to secure the last playoff spot in the AFC, and Indianapolis coach Tony Dungy is most accommodating by announcing that Peyton Manning will play less than one half of football and that he'll rest a good number of starters. That means Tennessee will be seeing plenty of open spaces in the defense and maybe not a very large Colts' lead at halftime. The Titans' offense, however, has not been dependable all season, and while they may win this game, they're likely to be one and done even if they make the playoffs. Let's hear it for the Browns!

Prediction: Colts 27 Titans 24

All times Eastern - Click here for early games

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