NFL Week 17 Picks

The Buccaneers have been road darlings for bettors this season and we expect the money to keep coming in this weekend when they travel to New Orleans.

Tampa Bay at New Orleans (-7.5 at BetUS)

The Buccaneers have to win this week if they're going to have a shot at the playoffs. They need a ton of help as well, so I wouldn't bet on a postseason trip for the Bucs. What I would bet on them doing, though, is upsetting the Saints ATS.

The Buccaneers have been road warriors this season with an amazing 5-2 record SU and 6-1 mark ATS. Last week Tampa Bay played arguably their best game of the season after throttling Seattle 38-15 behind a five-touchdown performance from Josh Freeman.

The Saints have booked their ticket to the postseason, but they still have something to play for this weekend with the No. 1 seed in the NFC still within reach. We'll still go against the Saints, though, because of their 3-4 ATS record at home this season. We also like the stat that shows the Bucs at 7-1 ATS in their last eight games as more than a TD underdog.

Pick: Tampa Bay +7.5

Jacksonville at Houston (+2.5 at 5Dimes)

A few weeks ago it finally looked like this was Jacksonville's season. Then it all came crashing down with back-to-back losses to the Colts and Redskins. This weekend at 5Dimes Sportsbook the Jags are 2.5-point favorites versus Houston despite missing David Garrard and having Maurice Jones-Drew considered questionable with a knee injury that sidelined him last week.

So we've got a Jaguars offense led by Trent Edwards and at best getting a less-than-100% Jones-Drew back, and they're favored? Really? The Texans' defense may be a train wreck, but their offense is still a beast and should be able to get past a walking wounded Jags squad.

Pick: Houston +2.5

Dallas at Philadelphia

The Cowboys and Eagles square off in a meaningless game this weekend; Dallas is going nowhere and the Eagles have already clinched the NFC East. That likely means a day of rest for Michael Vick and a number of other Philadelphia starters.

The Cowboys will also be without a few starters due to injury. Third-string QB Stephen McGee gets the start this week after Jon Kitna went down with a hip injury.

The Cowboys have gone OVER the total in 12 straight games and the Eagles are 9-2 OVER in their last 11, which may lead some bettors to take the OVER this weekend. We're not buying that, though, with Dallas starting the inexperienced McGee and the Eagles sitting Vick and likely a few other big names from their offense.

Pick: UNDER the total