NFL FOOTBALL PICKS ATS - FREE WEEKLY EXPERT PREDICTIONS

This is the rematch that everyone has been waiting for. The total line suggests another track meet between these two high-powered offenses. However, each team's defense has been able to step up its game when necessary. Each side also has the ability to move the ball on the ground to also keep the scoring lower than expected.

Beating the Saints SU in the Superdome is a tall task, but I am taking the Rams and the favorable 3.5-point spread to cover.

The Saints have been able to establish themselves as the team to beat in the NFC this season, especially playing on their home field. However, betting against the Eagles right now comes with some added risk given their current form.

I would still pencil in New Orleans for next week’s NFC title game, but I am taking Philly and the eight points to keep things interesting enough to cover.

The Patriots will do what they are known to do in the playoffs and raise their game to an elite level that none have been able to replicate on a consistent basis. With an extra week of preparation to their advantage and a true home-field edge, the Patriots will easily cover this line and win by at least a touchdown.

I went with Seattle last week in a game between two evenly matched teams. Give credit to the Cowboys for winning that game, but they do not have the firepower on offense to hang with the Rams on the scoreboard in this week’s matchup.

They're favoring the Chiefs at home this weekend -5.5, but don't be surprised if we see the Colts sneaking out of Arrowhead with a victory. As great as Andy Reid is at head coaching, he has struggled in the playoffs with a record of 11-13, 1-4 in his time with the Chiefs. We'll see if Patrick Mahomes can be the difference. We like the chances.

Chicago should win this game at home behind one of the best defenses in the league. However, betting against Foles leading the Eagles in the postseason has proven to be a losing proposition. I cannot see the defending champs going down without a fight in a game that will remain much closer than most experts have predicted.

W

We’re looking forward to seeing Eric Weddle host his former team after playing eight seasons for the Chargers. The Chargers have an advantage at the quarterback position, as Rivers brings poise and leadership to the table. It remains to be seen how big of a spotlight Lamar Jackson can handle playing in the playoffs his rookie season. It’ll be interesting to see if the Ravens revert back to a proven playoff quarterback like Joe Flacco if Jackson struggles. Expect the Chargers defense to keep a QB spy in on most plays and look to limit the read option, which is what the Ravens like to do with Jackson.

This should be a good game right through the fourth quarter between two teams that match up extremely well against one another. I anticipate a low scoring game that should probably stay UNDER the current 43-point line with each defense helping to dictate the pace of play.

When it comes to my ‘best bet’ for Saturday night, I will take Seattle on the road (SU and ATS). Past postseason failures will continue to haunt the Cowboys.

For years, many have heralded in quarterback Andrew Luck as a rising star with the potential to be an MVP. After putting together a career year with a 98.7 QBR (67.3% pass completion percentage, 4,593 passing yards, 39 touchdown passes, and just 15 interceptions), the stage is set for Luck to make his claim as he is the architect of the Colts’ run to the post-season. Houston’s 28th ranked passing defense (260.4 yards per game) will be indeed accommodating and Luck will take advantage to lead the Colts to victory.

The Colts have been one of the hottest teams in the AFC over the second half of the season, but getting past Tennessee on the road with so much on the line for either side will be a tall task. This game comes down to Luck's ability to move the ball downfield and score points against the Titans' stout defense.

My lean would actually be towards the Titans playing at home, but my ‘best bet’ is the UNDER on the 44-point total line.

The Vikings are favored at -4 at home this week, as this is set to be one of Week 17’s most anticipated matchups.

The energy brought to the table by Foles at quarterback has also ignited a defense that gave up its fair share of big plays this year. Washington is playing at home against a bitter division rival, but I would still question how much intensity it will be able to muster on Sunday.

Philly does what it needs to do by winning SU while covering the 6.5 points on the road.

It remains to be seen if the Patriots decide to rest any of their players for the playoffs. If they do choose to sit Tom Brady, then look for Brian Hoyer to start at QB for the Patriots in Week 17. If Brady plays, then we'll take the Patriots in this matchup, but the Jets could sneak away with a win if the Patriots do decide to rest Brady.

The two teams not headed to the playoffs out of the AFC West are stuck playing for pride on Monday night. Neither of these teams has been easy to figure out this season from a betting standpoint with mixed results ATS.

The first meeting this season was tight with Denver winning by one point at home, but I have the Broncos pulling off the sweep with a much wider margin of victory than the current 2.5-point spread this time around.

The Chiefs continue to feel the pressure from Los Angeles in a tight division race and Seattle's margin for error to earn a wild-card playoff spot is getting rather slim. With so much on the line for either team, I actually see the defense being the focal point of this game.

Kansas City should win and cover if it plays to form, but my ‘best bet’ pick for Sunday night is the UNDER on an inflated total line.

This could end up being a very competitive game between two of the better play calling head coaches in the league between, Kyle Shanahan and Matt Nagy. The Bears are 3-3 on the road this season, while the 49ers are 4-3 when playing at home. Given the recent success of the Bears defense against offenses like the Rams and the Packers, we expect them to hold up well against a Nick Mullens led offense.

Houston’s fifth-ranked scoring defense (20.1 points per game) will set the pace for this affair and dictate from the get-go. The Texans rushing attack ranks 6th in the NFL producing 130.4 yards per game and Houston will deploy this approach to keep Philly’s 27th-ranked defense in terms of total yardage against per game (385.6 yards per game) to keep Philadelphia’s offense off the field, extend their possessions to create more scoring chances, and neutralize the hostile crowd. The Texans earned their 11th win of the season while also getting their first victory against Philadelphia in their franchise’s history.

With all of that said, we fully expect the Patriots to handle business at home this week. The Bills are preparing for next year’s draft, as the Patriots look to get healthy as they’ll roll into the playoffs in a couple weeks.

The Falcons will extend their winning streak against the Panthers to three games in what will be a comprehensive victory for Atlanta. Though the Falcons will not be returning to the post-season in 2018, they will take solace in the fact that they continue to hold the upper hand against a team that they have a severe case of acrimony towards.