Alright y’all, we are back on the football buzz after what seems like an eternity since our last set of games. This is looking like a very interesting weekend indeed, with some teams battling it out for the top spot in their division, others fighting for their playoff lives, and some contemplating whether to tank or not for a better draft pick.

Fantasy is also coming to a conclusion, so if you’re in your respective Super Bowl final (like myself) or relegation battle, best of luck – get that bread.

NAP: 9 – 4.

CURRENT RECORD: 83-93.

Jacksonville Jaguars @ New England Patriots: Patriots -16.5 (NAP)

Jaguars:

• Current Record: 2-13 (0-7 away).
• Offence (Yards Per Game, ESPN): Overall – 308.0 (27th) // Passing – 203.1 (23rd) // Rushing – 104.9 (23rd).
• Defence (Yards Allowed Per Game, ESPN): Overall – 353.2 (20th) // Passing – 229.7 (14th) // Rushing – 123.5 (24th)
• Points Per Game Stats, ESPN: PPG Scored – 14.5 (32nd) // PPG Allowed – 26.4 (27th).
• Turnover Differential: -19 (32nd).
• Injury Report (Out): Dawuane Swoot – DE, Shaquill Griffin – CB, James Robinson – RB, Dakota Allen – LB.

Patriots:

• Current Record: 9-6 (3-5 home).
• Offence (Yards Per Game, ESPN): Overall – 343.9 (17th) // Passing – 221.5 (17th) // Rushing – 122.4 (9th).
• Defence (Yards Allowed Per Game, ESPN): Overall – 315.5 (3rd) // Passing – 193.7 (3rd) // Rushing – 121.9 (23rd)
• Points Per Game Stats, ESPN: PPG Scored – 25.9 (11th) // PPG Allowed – 17.3 (2nd).
• Turnover Differential: +7 (8th).
• Injury Report (Out): Nelson Agholor – WR. Eight questionable – Harris, Hightower, Folk, Barmore, Jackson, Meyers, Philips, Dugger.

The sun-kissed Jacksonville Jaguars travel to cold and wintery Foxborough later today to take on the New England Patriots and oh lord, this could be an ugly one if you are a Jags fan. Luckily enough, you’re probably not. The Patriots are looking to get back on the horse after suffering two successive defeats, at the hands of the Colts and Bills. The good news, the Patriots are 6-0 versus the Jaguars in Belichick era, so if there is ever a get right game, this is it. The Patriots have obviously struggled in that two game stretch, but they will not be meeting the same defensive prowess this evening. The Patriots are a run first team and the Jaguars are one of the worst teams in the league at stopping the run. No doubt Josh McDaniels will scheme up a dominant running game plan, with Mac Jones picking his passes where necessary.

On the Jaguars side of the ball, it’s hard to see where they are going to move the ball well against one of the best defensive units in football. The Jaguars are last in points scored and the Patriots are second best in points allowed. Trevor Lawrence has as many tackles as passing touchdowns since week 8. One! (Shout out to NFL.com for that great stat). The Jaguars might score three points in this game. This could be a bloodbath. 33-3 Patriots.

Kansas City Chiefs @ Cincinnati Bengals: Chiefs -4.5

Chiefs:

• Current Record: 11-4 (4-2 away).
• Offence (Yards Per Game, ESPN): Overall – 396.1 (3rd) // Passing – 285.1 (2nd) // Rushing – 111.0 (17th).
• Defence (Yards Allowed Per Game, ESPN): Overall – (21st) // Passing – 245.7 (25th) // Rushing – 116.5 (20th)
• Points Per Game Stats, ESPN: PPG Scored – 28.1 (4th) // PPG Allowed – 20.4 (5th).
• Turnover Differential: +3 (10th).
• Injury Report (Out): Clyde Edwards-Helaire.

Bengals:

• Current Record: 9-6 (4-4 home).
• Offence (Yards Per Game, ESPN): Overall – 365.9 (12th) // Passing – 259.0 (8th) // Rushing – 106.9 (22nd).
• Defence (Yards Allowed Per Game, ESPN): Overall – 344.9 (17th) // Passing – 252.8 (29th) // Rushing – 92.1 (4th)
• Points Per Game Stats, ESPN: PPG Scored – 27.3 (7th) // PPG Allowed – 21.6 (13th).
• Turnover Differential: -2 (20th).
• Injury Report (Out): Cam Sample – DE, Jalen Davis – CB.

This is looking like the game of the weekend. The Chiefs are on fire at the moment, winning their last eight games. The Bengals are brimming with confidence after destroying their AFC North rival Baltimore Ravens 41-21 last week. Joe Burrow threw for the fourth most yards in a game in NFL history and will look to continue that form into this massive AFC contest. While that was an insane performance, I wouldn’t be getting too carried away, as the Ravens are currently the worst secondary in the entire NFL. Joe Burrow’s granny could have thrown for 300+ yards last week. The Bengals, as a whole, are a team we shouldn’t be getting too ahead of ourselves with. They are certainly a team for the future, but when they face good teams in the here and now, they struggle sometimes. Three weeks ago, they lost to the 49ers in an overtime thriller and got blown out by the Chargers the week before that. The Bengals run defence is stout, but their passing defence is hella weak. They currently sit in 29th position, in terms of stopping the pass, and if there is one thing the Chiefs and Mahomes do well, it’s throw the pigskin. Mahomes should feast and with the Chiefs playing arguably the best defensive football in the league (fewest points allowed since week 8 – 12.9), I like them to cover the spread here. Regardless, it should be a great game to watch.

Denver Broncos @ LA Chargers: Chargers -7

Broncos:

• Current Record: 7-8 (3-4 away).
• Offence (Yards Per Game, ESPN): Overall – 329.0 (19th) // Passing – 212.3 (19th) // Rushing – 116.7 (13th).
• Defence (Yards Allowed Per Game, ESPN): Overall – 320.9 (6th) // Passing – 210.7 (5th) // Rushing – 110.2 (13th)
• Points Per Game Stats, ESPN: PPG Scored – 19.9 (23rd) // PPG Allowed – 17.3 (1st).
• Turnover Differential: +3 (9th).
• Injury Report (Out): Teddy Bridgewater – QB, Bradley Chubb – LB, Jonathan Cooper – LB, Kenny Young – LB, Jerry Jeudy – WR, Tim Patrick – WR. Courtland Sutton is likely to be out as well, according to reports.

Chargers:

• Current Record: 8-7 (4-4 home).
• Offence (Yards Per Game, ESPN): Overall – 390.2 (4th) // Passing – 280.5 (4th) // Rushing – 109.7 (18th).
• Defence (Yards Allowed Per Game, ESPN): Overall – 363.8 (22nd) // Passing – 223.5 (12th) // Rushing – 140.3 (29th)
• Points Per Game Stats, ESPN: PPG Scored – 27.2 (4th) // PPG Allowed – 27.4 (31st).
• Turnover Differential: 0 (17th).
• Injury Report (Out): Jared Cook – TE, Kenneth Murray Jr. – LB.

If Teddy Bridgewater and his receiving group were playing today for the Broncos, I would be all over them. But they aren’t and Drew Lock has to step in for Teddy, and if there is one thing I won’t be doing, it’s siding with the Broncos with Drew Lock under center. He is just not the same guy as Teddy Two Gloves. The Broncos, as a whole, have been hit or miss in recent weeks. Their defence has been hitting and their offence has been missing. They are currently joint first in points allowed per game and haven’t conceded more than 17 points since they played the Chiefs (22 points conceded) in week 13. However, they have only one win in that stretch, beating the Lions in week 14. To make matters worse in today’s escapade, the Broncos will be without 13 players and one coach. Their whole passing game is missing, so it will be ground and pound all day. While the Chargers are horrendous at stopping the run, they can put more focus on it today, knowing that it will be tough for the Broncos to hurt them though the air.

The Chargers are on a disappointing two game losing streak after losing to the mighty Texans last week in Houston. The Chargers still put up 29 points in the loss and were only stopped on two drives. Unfortunately, they couldn’t stop the Texans moving the chains. On the bright side, LA were without a number of star players like Joey Bosa, who return to the lineup this week. If Herbert can continue moving the ball well, they should get the job done and keep their playoff hopes alive. Chargers by nine.

Arizona Cardinals @ Dallas Cowboys: Cardinals +6.5

Cardinals:

• Current Record: 10-5 (7-1 away).
• Offence (Yards Per Game, ESPN): Overall – 376.5 (8th) // Passing – 254.4 (10th) // Rushing – 122.1 (10th).
• Defence (Yards Allowed Per Game, ESPN): Overall – 324.3 (8th) // Passing – 210.7 (6th) // Rushing – 113.7 (15th)
• Points Per Game Stats, ESPN: PPG Scored – 26.3 (10th) // PPG Allowed – 20.4 (6th).
• Turnover Differential: +10 (5th).
• Injury Report (Out): Jordan Phillips – DE, Marco Wilson CB. Plenty questionable, James Connor etc.

Cowboys:

• Current Record: 11-4 (5-2 home).
• Offence (Yards Per Game, ESPN): Overall – 409.5 (1st) // Passing – 282.7 (3rd) // Rushing – 126.9 (6th).
• Defence (Yards Allowed Per Game, ESPN): Overall – (19th) // Passing – 240.7 (20th) // Rushing – 109.5 (12th)
• Points Per Game Stats, ESPN: PPG Scored – 30.5 (1st) // PPG Allowed – 20.5 (7th).
• Turnover Differential: +14 (2nd).
• Injury Report (Out): Quinton Bohanna – DT.

This is such a close one to call on the spread. This definitely isn’t a selection I am confident about, but I thought it would be a fun game to review. Both teams are top ten in points scored and points allowed, which is insane going. The Cowboys are first in points scored following their 56-14 demolition of the Football Team last week. The Cardinals are dropping down the points scored list, with some saying they are in crisis mode, having lost their last three games. But they will be forgiven for two of those losses (Colts and Rams). They just haven’t been the same team since DeAndre Hopkins went on IR. The Cowboys have won their last four, but three of those have been within their own division. Two wins against the Football Team and one win over the Giants.

The form, stats and injury report would say that this is a Cowboys shoe in, but my gut is saying the Cardinals will hold on and keep this closer than the bookies are saying it will be. Kyler Murray has never lost in AT&T stadium, so I am going to roll with him in this case. I’m not sure the Cardinals take the money line win here, but I think they keep it within the 6.5.

All Week 17 Picks:

• Atlanta Falcons @ Buffalo Bills: Bills -13.5
• Jacksonville Jaguars @ New England Patriots: Patriots -16.5
• Kansas City Chiefs @ Cincinnati Bengals: Chiefs -4.5
• Las Vegas Raiders @ Indianapolis Colts: Raiders +7.5
• LA Rams @ Baltimore Ravens: Rams -4.5
• Miami Dolphins @ Tennessee Titans: Titans -3.5
• New York Giants @ Chicago Bears: Giants +6
• Philadelphia Eagles @ Washington Football Team: Eagles -3.5
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ New York Jets: Jets +14
• Denver Broncos @ LA Chargers: Chargers -7
• Houston Texans @ San Francisco 49ers: 49ers -12.5
• Arizona Cardinals @ Dallas Cowboys: Cardinals +6.5
• Carolina Panthers @ New Orleans Saints: Under 38.5
• Detroit Lions @ Seattle Seahawks: Lions +7
• Minnesota Vikings @ Green Bay Packers: Under 42.5
• Cleveland Browns @ Pittsburgh Steelers: Steelers +3.5

€5 to €500 Challenge

J.