NFL Week 17 Spread Picks: Sam Bradford, St. Louis Rams Playoff Bound

The NFL Week 17 finale is finally here. Playoff teams are looking to gain momentum before heading into the postseason, while those already eliminated are looking to end their disappointing seasons with one more victory.

Atlanta and Pittsburgh need one more division victory to seal their division crowns. New Orleans and Baltimore need to win and have the Falcons and Steelers lose to capture division titles.

The Jaguars, most likely without Maurice Jones-Drew and David Garrard, need to beat Houston and have Indianapolis lose to the Titans to take the AFC South division from the Colts.

The Giants, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Packers need wins to keep their playoff hopes alive, although the Packers road is easier as one victory over Bears, who already clinched a first round bye, gets them into the tournament.

Finally, the Seattle Seahawks host the St. Louis Rams with the NFC West division on the line in the regular season finale on Sunday Night Football.

It is sure to be an exciting Week 17 finale to the 2010 NFL season.

Note: Spreads are taken from Yahoo! Spreads as of December 29.

Carolina Panthers @ Atlanta Falcons (-14.5)

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ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 27: Roddy White #84 and Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons celebrate a first half touchdown during the game against the New Orleans Saints at the Georgia Dome on December 27, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty

The Jimmy Clausen experiment has been a disaster and the Carolina Panthers were awful against the Pittsburgh Steelers last week.

The Falcons let a game go against the Saints on Monday Night Football. Now, many will doubt whether or not their season was truly as successful as the Falcons wanted people to believe. They need to come out and dominate the worst team in the league at home. Expect a heavy dose of Michael Turner and Matt Ryan and Roddy White to reestablish their rapport before heading into the offseason.

Pick: Atlanta (-14.5)

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Cleveland Browns (+6)

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PITTSBURGH - DECEMBER 23: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers drops back to pass during the game against the Carolina Panthers on December 23, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

The Steelers got back on track against the lowly Carolina Panthers. They need to carry that momentum into the final week of the season before they head into the playoffs.

The Browns played very well all season but have fallen off a bit in recent weeks. Peyton Hillis has clearly worn down.

The Steelers take care of business on the road.

Pick: Pittsburgh (-6)

Minnesota Vikings @ Detroit Lions (-3.5)

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DETROIT - DECEMBER 05: Calvin Johnson #81 and Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions watch the clock run down during the game against the Chicago Bears at Ford Field on December 5, 2010 in Detroit, Michigan. The Bears defeated the Lions 24-20. (Photo b

The Vikings played the role of the spoiler in Week 16. They went on the road and upset the Philadelphia Eagles who were looking to fight for a first round bye.

Now that they got their big win out of the way, the Vikings can go back to their losing ways.

This will be a tough game for the Lions, but one that is not out of reach as long as Calvin Johnson is active.

The Lions are on a three game winning streak and come back home to their excited Detroit fan base. With the future looking bright, the Lions wrap up the season on a four-game winning streak.

Pick: Detroit (-3.5)

Oakland Raiders @ Kansas City Chiefs (-3.5)

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KANSAS CITY, MO - DECEMBER 26: Quarterback Matt Cassel #7 of the Kansas City Chiefs passes during the game against the Tennessee Titans on December 26, 2010 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

The Raiders are playing tough, but the Chiefs remain undefeated at home. Not many expect the Chiefs to do much damage in the playoffs. With a young team, Todd Haley cannot afford to let his team lose focus or take their feet off the gas pedal. The starters play and handle business at home, remaining undefeated before they host their Wild Card playoff game.

Pick: Kansas City (-3.5)

Miami Dolphins @ New England Patriots (-3.5)

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ORCHARD PARK, NY - DECEMBER 26: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots looks to pass against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium on December 26, 2010 in Orchard Park, New York. New England won 34-3. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

The Dolphins generally play the Patriots tough. Earlier in the season, the Patriots had a rough first half, but came out firing in the second half. The defense and special teams dominated the game. Bill Belichick has his inexperienced defense playing better, but they can still be the downfall of New England in upcoming weeks. Belichick still needs his defense to continue learning so expect the Patriots to close out the season with a bang. Tom Brady continues his historic pace, throwing for at least two touchdowns and refusing to turn the ball over.

Pick: New England (-3.5)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ New Orleans Saints (-7.5)

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TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 26: Quarterback Josh Freeman #5 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers throws a pass against the Seattle Seahawks during the game at Raymond James Stadium on December 26, 2010 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by J. Meric/Getty Images)

The Saints took care of business in Atlanta. Now they come back home and need help from Carolina to take the NFC South while defeating the Bucs at home.

The Saints should win the game, but these Buccaneers are not out of the playoffs just yet either. They can’t afford to watch the scoreboard. This young team will be giving it their all to win this game and push for a playoff spot.

Josh Freeman and LeGarrette Blount are on fire after manhandling the Seahawks.

The Bucs will keep this one close.

Pick: Tampa Bay (+7.5)

Buffalo Bills @ New York Jets (-1)

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CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 26: Mark Sanchez #6 of the New York Jets looks for a receiver against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on December 26, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defeated the Jets 38-34. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

The Jets backed their way into the playoffs last week despite losing to the Chicago Bears.

The Jets desperately need to get back on the right track, as they have looked awful over the past month. Even their win against the Troy Polamalu-less Pittsburgh Steelers wasn’t too convincing.

Rex Ryan needs Mark Sanchez, who is battling injury, to regain his confidence before heading into the postseason. He also needs his running game with LaDainian Tomlinson and Shonn Greene to regain its early-season groove.

In comes the Buffalo Bills, the perfect remedy. The Jets win easily against their division rival and feel overly confident before heading into the postseason.

Pick: New York (-1)

Cincinnati Bengals @ Baltimore Ravens (-10)

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CINCINNATI - DECEMBER 26: Carson Palmer #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals throws a pass during the NFL game against the San Diego Chargers at Paul Brown Stadium on December 26, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Bengals 34-20. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

The Bengals may have been one of the most disappointing teams of the year, but they actually beat the Ravens earlier this year. The Bengals are running the ball better. Carson Palmer doesn’t feel forced to feed Terrell Owens the rock anymore. Palmer has too much pride to just lay down in the last game of a disappointing season. Expect him to do everything in his power to keep this one close.

Pick: Cincinnati (+10)

San Diego Chargers @ Denver Broncos (+3.5)

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DENVER - DECEMBER 26: Quarterback Tim Tebow #15 of the Denver Broncos reacts after throwing a first quarter touchdown against the Houston Texans at INVESCO Field at Mile High on December 26, 2010 in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos defeated the Texans 24-23

With the Chargers eliminated from playoff contention, they have nothing to play for. They travel to Denver where they meet controversial rookie quarterback, Tim Tebow.

Tebow actually has a lot to play for as he looks to gain as much experience as he can before heading into the offseason.

This will be the best defense he has faced thus far, so it will be a nice measuring stick for the future of Denver. Expect Tebow to carry his 300-yard momentum from last week into the finale.

Pick: Denver (+3.5)

Chicago Bears @ Green Bay Packers (-10)

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GREEN BAY, WI - DECEMBER 26: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers rolls out of the pocket against the New York Giants at Lambeau Field on December 26, 2010 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

The Bears have a first round bye wrapped up and have no reason to risk losing starters to injury.

The Packers are still fighting for a playoff spot and will pull out all of the stops to make sure they get in.

All they need to do is win.

The Packers are clicking on offense and defense in the past two weeks and their momentum will carry over to the finale and into the playoffs.

Aaron Rodgers is on point again and the Packers cruise into the postseason.

Pick: Green Bay (-10)

Tennessee Titans @ Indianapolis Colts (-10)

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NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 09: Chris Johnson #28 of the Tennessee Titans runs with the ball against the Indianapolis Colts during the NFL game at LP Field on December 9, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

There is no doubt that the Colts will win this game. They faltered this season and need as much momentum as they can heading into the playoffs.

This spread is just too big though.

The Titans have called it quits, but this is a defense that Chris Johnson can shred. He will look to pad his stats as much as he can in the season finale. They played a close game a few weeks back. It’s still a division game and Jeff Fisher will look to salvage something this season.

Pick: Tennessee (+10)

Dallas Cowboys @ Philadelphia Eagles (No Spread)

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GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 25: Tight end Jason Witten #82 of the Dallas Cowboys stands on the field during the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on December 25, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the

The Cowboys lost in the last seconds to Arizona on Christmas night.

The Eagles inexplicably lost to the Vikings with extra time to prepare for Week 16, which cost them an opportunity at a first round bye.

With their hopes of the first round bye lost, Andy Reid gives his starters rest. Although this could bite the Eagles in the playoffs, Michael Vick has been beaten up recently.

Jason Garrett needs to show Dallas owner Jerry Jones that he is a more than capable coach following last week’s terrible loss. Defeating the playoff bound Eagles on the road is a decent start.

Jason Garrett, Jason Witten, Miles Austin and DeMarcus Ware still have too much pride. Even with Stephen McGee the most likely starter, the Cowboys go on the road and pick up the win.

Pick: Dallas (No Spread)

Arizona Cardinals @ San Francisco 49ers (-6.5)

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GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 12: Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald #11 of the Arizona Cardinals warms up before the NFL game against the Denver Broncos at the University of Phoenix Stadium on December 12, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the Bro

The Cardinals beat the Cowboys on Christmas night in what could only have been called their Super Bowl of this season. The 49ers were eliminated from playoff contention following their loss to the Rams last week. Even worse, head coach Mike Singletary was fired after the loss, which included a sideline blowout argument with second string quarterback Troy Smith.

The 49ers are too excited for the season to be over, while the Cardinals still have a bit of pride left under head coach Ken Whisenhunt.

Pick: Arizona (+6.5)

New York Giants @ Washington Redskins (+4)

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GREEN BAY, WI - DECEMBER 26: Eli Manning #10 of the New York Giants throws against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on December 26, 2010 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

The Redskins beat the Jaguars last week while the Giants laid a massive egg in Green Bay. The Giants need help to make the playoffs and cannot afford to lose another game. Their collapse against the Eagles created a hangover last week, they’ll regain focus and dominate the Redskins. The Giants will take care of this Rex Grossman hype that has extended long enough.

Pick: New York (-4)

Jacksonville Jaguars @ Houston Texans (No Spread)

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DENVER - DECEMBER 26: Running back Arian Foster #23 of the Houston Texas rushes with the ball as cornerback Perrish Cox #32 of the Denver Broncos defends at INVESCO Field at Mile High on December 26, 2010 in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos defeated the Tex

The Jaguars stumbled last week to Washington without Maurice Jones-Drew. They gave it their all for the AFC South division title in Indianapolis two weeks ago. They still have a chance at the playoffs if they win and the Colts lose. On the road though, Houston will close out the season as strong as they started. They’ll ride Arian Foster to a victory.

Pick: Houston (No Spread)

St. Louis Rams @ Seattle Seahawks (+3)

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ST. LOUIS, MO - DECEMBER 26: Sam Bradford #8 of the St. Louis Rams passes against the San Francisco 49ers at the Edward Jones Dome on December 26, 2010 in St. Louis, Missouri. The Rams beat the 49ers 25-17. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

It remains to be seen if Matt Hasselbeck (hip) or Charlie Whitehurst will start for Seattle. Seattle is a tough place to play, but the Seahawks have been so inconsistent on offense and defense, their home field advantage may be irrelevant.

Sam Bradford and Steven Jackson have been on a mission. They have led the terrible NFC West division for most of the season and will see to it that they accomplish their turn around and enter the playoffs.

It’ll be an intense, exciting and close game, but the Rams manage to pull it out.

Pick: St. Louis (-3)