NFL Picks Week 17: 10 Upsets You Can Bet The House On

The NFL's mission to create parity has largely succeeded. This has led to the term "On Any Given Sunday" to never hold more truth. Not only does this add limitless enjoyment to the season, but great financial possibilities to those that can predict them.

With some teams playing out the string, others relishing a spoiler role and others fighting for their playoff lives, is there a better week for upsets? While predicting the upsets is certainly an inexact science, the following are ten you will be kicking yourself if you do not capitalize upon.

10. Seattle Over St. Louis

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ST. LOUIS - OCTOBER 3: Sam Bradford #8 of the St. Louis Rams scrambles against the Seattle Seahawks at the Edward Jones Dome on October 3, 2010 in St. Louis, Missouri. The Rams beat the Seahawks 20-3. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

One game, winner takes all in the NFC West. In what became the division that someone had to win, these two sub-500 teams are battling for the crown. The Seahawks have been struggling. The Rams have been the far more consistent team all year and the handled the Seahawks easily earlier in the season.

That game was in St. Louis, though. Qwest Field is one of, if not the, loudest places to play in the NFL. While rookie QB Sam Bradford has had a solid rookie outing, he is still a rookie. Look for the Seahawks fans to be rabid and for the Seahawks defense to stack the box and force Bradford to beat them over the top. A tough task for any rookie QB.

9. Miami Over New England

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MIAMI - OCTOBER 4: Brandon Marshall #19 of the Miami Dolphins runs with a catch against the New England Patriots at Sun Life Field on October 4, 2010 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)

The New England Patriots have absolutely nothing to play for. They have it all locked up. On the other side, the Dolphins are out of playoff contention, but their individual future's are not out of the woods. In fact, they are in the middle of the woods.

The Dolphins coaches will likely be coaching for their jobs and their players know they will either be trying to be the guy that saves their coaches job or auditioning for the next coach. The game is in New England, but the Dolphins have played better on the road all season.

8. Houston Over Jacksonville

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JACKSONVILLE, FL - NOVEMBER 14: Joel Dreessen #85 of the Houston Texans runs the ball before being tackled by Austen Lane #92 during a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field on November 14, 2010 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Mike

The Jaguars were bolstered by a mid-season winning streak and they are still in contention for a division crown. However, Maurice Jones-Drew has been slowed by injuries and he has taken his team's momentum with him. The Jaguars last two opponents have forced the Jaguars to beat them over the top and they haven't been able to.

The Texans anemic pass defense has killed them all season. It is only slightly worse the Jaguars though. The Texans have the much stronger passing game and they will end their disappointing season on a high-note.

7. Tampa Bay Over New Orleans

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TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 17: Running back Carnell Williams #24 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is stopped just short of the goal line by defensive lineman Anthony Hargrove #69 of the New Orleans Saints during the game at Raymond James Stadium on October 17, 2010

With their game still remaining in Week 16, it looks like the Saints will not have anything to play for in Week 17. They will be the first seeded NFC Wild Card team. That means no bye-week for the defending Super Bowl Champs.

Look for Week 17 to become their de facto bye week. Tampa Bay is currently tied for the second and last NFC Wild Card spot. They have everything to play for. The heightened intensity of the Bucs will make up for their matchup inadequacies. 

6. Arizona Over San Francisco

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GLENDALE, AZ - NOVEMBER 29: Wide reciever Andre Roberts #12 of the Arizona Cardinals runs with the football after a reception against the San Francisco 49ers during the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on November 29, 2010 in Glendale, Arizo

The 49ers lost a lot in Week 17. They lost their playoff hopes and their Head Coach. These are hard things to bounce back from with only one game remaining. The Cardinals have had a rough season, but they have showed some flashes of point scoring.

They also still have WR Larry Fitzgerald and the 49ers have struggled to stop WRs all season. Look for Fitz to be the difference against the disinterested 49ers who likely have already mentally ended their season.

5. Chicago Over Green Bay

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CHICAGO - SEPTEMBER 27: Offensive guard Mark Tauscher #65 of the Green Bay Packers blocks against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on September 27, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Never underestimate the motivation of a week off to a NFL player. That is exactly what the Bears are playing for. The Packers will be fighting for their playoff lives, but their injuries and the Bears will prove to be too much to overcome.

The Packers have struggled all year to find a consistent rushing attack, which leaves the burden of victory on their passing game. Look for the Bears top-flight passing defense to hold down the Packers just enough to allow their average offense to lead them to victory.

4. Minnesota Over Detroit

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MINNEAPOLIS - SEPTEMBER 26: Adrian Peterson #28 of the Minnesota Vikings plays against the Detroit Lions during the game at Mall of America Field on September 26, 2010 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

The Lions have made strides this year. The Vikings have also made strides--although their strides are backwards. The Vikings will be playing this game on short rest and the status of QB Brett Favre will likely be up in the air.

I am not going to bet against Favre playing in this one. I also am not going to bet against Favre walking away from the game on a victory. Look for the Vikings to be down late and set-up the late comeback.

3. Denver Over San Diego

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SAN DIEGO - NOVEMBER 22: Mike Tolbert #35 of the San Diego Chargers in action against Denver Broncos at Qualcomm Stadium on November 22, 2010 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

The Chargers came into Week 16 fighting for their playoff lives and they laid an egg. Now their season is over and for the first time in recent history, they will be playing a meaningless December game.

For a team that has struggled all year with crippling mental lapses this is a recipe for disaster. The Broncos have improved under interim coach Eric Studesville and Tim Tebow has added some much needed life into the offense. Look for a somewhat resurgent Denver team to capitalize on the Chargers' mistakes. 

2. Washington Over New York Giants

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 05: Chris Snee #76 of the New York Giants in action against the Washington Redskins on December 5, 2010 at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Giants defeated the Redskins 31-7. (Photo by Jim Mc

You see those sparks flying from a stumbling object moving down the highway? Well, that is the Giants season and the wheels have come off. The Giants had their hearts ripped out two weeks ago by Michael Vick and the Eagles and they failed to recover.

The Giants enter the game on the heels of a blowout in a big contest. Now they need all kinds of help to get into the playoffs and they can't even help themselves. Mike Shannahan may be coaching for his career in this one. The Redskins looked much better than expected last week and they should be jumping at the chance to end their rival's season.

1. Oakland Over Kansas City

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OAKLAND, CA - NOVEMBER 07: Matt Cassel #7 of the Kansas City Chiefs is sacked against the Oakland Raiders during an NFL game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on November 7, 2010 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

The only thing the Chiefs have left to play for is wild card positioning. The Raiders had their playoff hopes ended in Week 16, but they have been a resilient group all season. Their resiliency has been on full display against the AFC West.

The Raiders will enter the game with a 5-0 record in their division. While the Chiefs have been perfect at home, they will be looking ahead to the playoffs. The Raiders season consists of one more game. They will get the run game going and send the season out with a victory.