Lucas' Locks: Week 17 NFL Picks
- Lucas Jay Ferreira
- Dec 31, 2023
- 3 min read
Updated: Jan 1, 2024
Last Week: 6-6-1
Last Week's Locks: 2-1
Season Record: 43-42-6
We stayed above .500 with a decent week. A couple of games really could've swung the week. The god damn Jets being my main target of that. The locks would've hit for a nice parlay if not for them blowing that game. Jacoby Brissett did all that just to be back out with an injury this week. Really put his all into covering the spread. The Packers had a pretty impressive choke job as well. If you bet a favorite and you know they won't cover do you root for them to just lose outright? If they're not covering they may as well lose right? That's my math at least.
Nevertheless it's a new week! Late in the season can be tricky. Injuries. Huge spreads. Coaches getting fired. Who's going to show up this week? Who's going to find themselves another step closer to the playoffs? 14 games on the slate this Sunday! Week 17 NFL picks coming at ya!
Packers (+1.0) @ Vikings
The Packers have been a difficult team for me to figure out. At time Jordan Love looks like the real deal. At others I have no idea how I'm watching the same QB. He's been more of the real deal as of late. Because of that the Packers are still alive in the playoff hunt. He'll be squaring off against a new Minnesota QB. The rookie out of BYU, Jaren Hall. He was the QB first in line to take over for Kirk Cousins. He suffered a concussion and hasn't been heard from until now. I wouldn't like the Packers if this spread was any bigger than a field goal. Considering it's practically a pickem I'll take the Packers as a lock outright. NFC North Sunday Night Football with the playoffs on the line gotta love it.
Texans (-4.0) vs Titans
There were times this year where people talked of C.J. Stroud as a potential MVP. They weren't far off either. His dynamic play transformed this Texans team. DeMeco Ryans and company have them well ahead of schedule. Stroud missed the last 2 games where the Texans went 1-1. They're still very much in the playoff hunt as he squares off with Will Levis and the Titans who are not in the playoff hunt. I think if the Texans win out they'll win the division. That's why I really like them today. It seems like a fishy spread. but I'm not buying that. Stroud is the OROY. He's healthy. He's been a big performer (3631 YDS - 20 TD - 5 INT). Lock the Texans in!
Raiders (+3.5) @ Colts
The Raiders are alive and well in the playoff hunt. Their defense has been incrdible under Pierce. Since he took over they rank 1st in PPG Allowed (15.3), 1st in DEF TDs (4), 1st in Penalties (24) T-6th in Takeaways (13), and T-5th in Sacks (24). It requires a full team effort at the end of the day, but Pierce has created an indenity for the Raiders. An idenity that should get him hired as the HC and possibly get the Raiders to the playoffs. Maxx Crosby and company will make life for Minshew very difficult. Just look at what they did to Pat Mahomes and Andy Reid a week ago (14 points allowed. Mahomes: 235 YDS - 1 TD - 1 INT). If they can accomplish that against those two, what makes us think they can't do the same to Shane Steichen and Gardner Minshew? Love what they've been able to do this season, but I don't see it this week. Raiders. Outright.
Week 17 NFL Picks
Patriots +14.0
Bears -3.0
Raiders +3.5
Giants +6.0
Eagles -12.5
Buccaneers -2.5
49ers -14.0
Panthers +3.5
Dolphins +3.0
Texans -4.0
Steelers +4.5
Chargers +3.0
Chiefs -6.5
Packers +1.0
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