I love this time in NFL because of the scenarios and situations that play out. We can see that Dallas vs. Philadelphia game in week 17 will probably decide the division winner. 9-7 should win the NFC East. Lions will win the NFC North. 49ers were embarrassed by the Seahawks and need to sprint now to the finish line to secure a #5 seed and strengthen their psyche.
Scam Newton and the Panthers are still the wild card here and no one knows if their white hot streak will continue into the post season or just makes for a good Cinderella story for 2013.
With all that said there are 4 plays I like for this coming week that I recommend for SBR.
(a) Lions +3 at Eagles - Two evenly matched teams but the Eagles have a 4 game winning streak and are at home. This is why I take the Lions here. 10-6 is where I see Detroit and they probably lose next week at Baltimore then win out vs. G-Men and Vikings to the end the season. This could be a good old fashioned shoot out but Suh and the Lions defense is slightly more legit than Phillly's....that should do it.
(b) Cowboys +1.5 at Bears - Weather should be cold and Cowboys running game should benefit them here with a healthy DeMarco Murray. I think him and Romo's arm will out duel a McKown and a Bears team that won't be as into this game with their star QB still out. I think Dallas takes this one in Chicago to keep pace and try to pull ahead of the Eagles.
(c) Chargers vs. Giants - OVER 48 - Two QB's who will be pass happy. Both want to show their respective teams had the better draft pick in that 2003 draft. Secondary for both teams are nothing special either. Should be high scoring as the weather won't be that bad this week.
(d) San Francisco 49ers (-2.5) vs. Seahawks - Both these teams hate each other. Seahawks embarrassed the Niners in Seattle earlier this year and Kaepernick has never faced this team in San Francisco. Harbaugh, Kaepernick and the rest of the Niners will be hungry for revenge and looking to obtain the #5 seed over Carolina or New Orleans. 11-5 is their target to end the season and they should obtain it.
Good luck with all your bets.