NFL Picks Week 17: 4 Favorites That Should Beware of the Dog

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The NFL's Week 17 schedule is ripe with underdogs that are ready to bite the favorites and end the regular season on a winning note. Last week I correctly picked three out of four underdogs against the spread and now have an 8-3-1 record in my last three weeks.

With another inviting list of underdogs, here are four favorites that should beware of dog in Week 17 of the NFL.

Philadelphia Eagles

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The Philadelphia Eagles head into the last week against the Washington Redskins in what amounts to a meaningless game. To say that this has been a disappointing season for the Eagles is an understatement. A team once predicted to win the Super Bowl is now limping to the end of the regular season.

The Eagles' best player, LeSean McCoy, could likely miss this game, and quarterback Michael Vick is always one hit away from leaving the game.

The Redskins have been out of playoff contention for a while now, but they still play tough in every game they play. The Redskins are 6-1 against the spread (ATS) in the last seven games against an NFC opponent, and they are getting too many points in this game.

Washington Redskins (+9)

Baltimore Ravens

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The Baltimore Ravens are headed to the playoffs, but they now control the destiny of their AFC North rivals, the Cincinnati Bengals.

If the Bengals win this game, they are in the playoffs and have begged the fans to show up for this huge game. The Bengals' strength is stopping the running game and that is big as the Ravens live and die by the play of running back Ray Rice.

The Bengals are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games as a home underdog, and the Ravens are 0-4-1 ATS in their last five meetings.

The Bengals come to play and make it to the playoffs.

Cincinnati Bengals (+2)

Denver Broncos

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The Buffalo Bills exposed the Broncos last week and put forth a game plan that Romeo Crennel can use this week when the Kansas City Chiefs head to Denver. Crennel has announced that, although the Chiefs are not going to the playoffs, they will be playing everyone and going all out to win this game.

Crennel is playing for a chance at keeping his job, but Kyle Orton needs no motivation to win this game. Orton was waived by the Broncos in favor of Tim Tebow, and a win here would justify the veteran quarterback.

The Broncos are 16-36-3 ATS in their last 55 games as a home favorite and 15-34-2 ATS in their last 51 home games.

The Chiefs upset the Broncos in the season finale.

Kansas City Chiefs (+3)

New York Giants

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The New York Giants and the Dallas Cowboys meet up in the biggest game of the week in the NFL. The winner will claim the NFC East title and get a ticket to the NFL postseason.

The Giants have already beat Dallas once, coming from behind in dramatic fashion on the road. Now the Cowboys hope to get revenge in this vital game.

Both teams come into this game banged up, but the most notable injury is to Dallas quarterback Tony Romo. After smashing his hand on a helmet in the game against the Philadelphia Eagles, the Cowboys sat Romo out for the remainder of the game.

X-rays were negative, and all indications point toward Romo starting this game, which is very good news for the Cowboys. The Cowboys are 7-1 ATS in their last eight games as an underdog, and the Giants are 0-4-1 ATS in their last five games as a home favorite.

The underdog is a perfect 5-0 against the number in the last five meetings, and the Cowboys beat the Giants in week 17.

Dallas Cowboys (+3)

James Brown is a B/R Featured Columnist and can be followed on Twitter here. Feel free to contact James at [e-mail]. James is also a contributor at Bookie Blitz football picks website.