NFL Upsets for Week 17: Five Barking Underdogs That Could Bite on Sunday

It’s the last week of the NFL regular season, and most of the playoff picture is in place.

It can be difficult to determine what teams will fold up camp for the year, and what teams will come out swinging on Sunday. A quick examination can explain what teams need wins to get into the playoffs, but that does not mean they will show up to play on game day.

Here are five possible upsets for Sunday.

Washington Redskins (+4.5) over New York Giants

Sam Greenwood/Getty Images

JACKSONVILLE, FL - DECEMBER 26: Quarterback Rex Grossman #8 of the Washington Redskins is pressured by Jeremy Mincey #94 of the Jacksonville Jaguars during the game at EverBank Field on December 26, 2010 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/

The New York Giants gave up a big lead against the Philadelphia Eagles two weeks ago, and they may have given up on their season at the same time.

After losing the lead against the Eagles, the Giants looked like they had a hangover last week against the Green Bay Packers. Despite their struggles, they are still a surprising 4.5 point favorite on Sunday.

The Redskins and the Rex Grossman era got a signature win over Jacksonville last week and will have no problem getting up for a divisional rival at home.

The Giants are 1-5 ATS in their last six games following a loss and 2-5 ATS in their last seven games overall. The Redskins are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games as an underdog of 3.5-10.0 and 5-2-2 ATS when playing a team with a winning record.

The Redskins would love to play spoiler in this spot and send the Giants home with a loss and a shot at missing the postseason.

Washington (+4.5)

Dallas Cowboys (+3) over Philadelphia Eagles

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GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 25: Quarterback Stephen McGee #7 of the Dallas Cowboys scrambles with the football during the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on December 25, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals de

The Philadelphia Eagles schedule is unforgiving and a week of rest is something that is sorely needed. That became evident when head coach Andy Reid announced that Michael Vick will not start in this game. Without Vick the Eagles are still listed as three point favorites for this game.

The Cowboys season was over a long time ago, yet they always come to play. Offensive coordinator turned head coach Jason Garrett wants to be head coach, and ending the year on a winning note would help his chances.

The Cowboys are 4-0 ATS in the last four games against a winning team and a perfect 4-0 ATS in the last four games as an underdog. The Cowboys are live dogs against the Eagles on Sunday afternoon.

Dallas (+3)

Seattle Seahawks (+3) over St. Louis Rams

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SEATTLE, WA - DECEMBER 19: Running back Marshawn Lynch #24 of the Seattle Seahawks rushes against the Atlanta Falcons at Qwest Field on December 19, 2010 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

This is one of the most important games for this weekend, as the winner will be crowned NFC West division champs and the losers go home.

The Seattle Seahawks come into this game in a mini slump, losers of three straight ball games, but it is a bit surprising to see the latest line posted for this game.

The Rams are vastly improved with Sam Bradford at quarterback but still have a losing record on the season. It may be asking too much to have them a win a road game.

The Seahawks under Pete Carroll are not doing as well as they had hoped but could still get to the playoffs with this win. They have one of the best home-field advantages in all of football, and the crowd will be loud for a national televised game.

The Seahawks are 5-2 ATS in their last seven games against the NFC West and 4-1 ATS in their last five home games against a team with a losing road record.

The Rams are 1-4 ATS in their last five meetings in Seattle and lose this close game to the Seahawks.

Seattle (+3)

Cincinnati Bengals (+10) over Baltimore Ravens

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

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 Ravens still have a shot at getting the North if Pittsburgh stumbles against the Browns which is highly unlikely. The Ravens will be scoreboard watching, but they better pay attention to the Bengals. The Ravens are expected to win so it is not a surprise that they are double digit favorites in this contest.

Remember the Bengals already beat the Ravens once this year and are still playing to save some jobs down the stretch.

The Bengals are 9-3 ATS in their last 12 meetings, and the underdog is 5-1 ATS in the last six games of this series. The Ravens are 2-5 ATS in their last seven games after allowing less than 15 points in their previous game and 3-8 ATS in their last 11 games in January.

Carson Palmer is looking better with younger wide receivers that want to play on, and the Bengals have a shot at the biggest upset of the week.

Bengals (+10)

Buffalo Bills (+3) over NY Jets

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ORCHARD PARK, NY - DECEMBER 26: Ryan Fitzpatrick #14 of the Buffalo Bills readies to pass against the New England Patriots at Ralph Wilson Stadium on December 26, 2010 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

The NY Jets made the playoffs last week as they backed in due to other teams losing. In fact, the Jets have looked less than impressive over the last several weeks. Yet, they are still three-point favorites in this game.

The Bills faded from the playoff picture early in the 2010 campaign but always put up a fight on Sunday afternoons.

The Jets are 5-11 against the spread (ATS) in their last 16 games as a home favorite and 1-4 ATS in their last five games as a favorite of 0.5-3.0.

The Bills are 5-1 ATS in their last six games as a road underdog and 7-2-1 ATS in their last 10 games overall.

The Bills could easily upset the floundering Jets in Week 17.

Buffalo (+3)

Matt Regaw is a B/R Featured Columnist and the founder of BookieBlitz.com, your one-stop shop for sports articles, previews and predictions. Feel free to contact Matt at [e-mail]