Giants @ Vikings

The Vikings are in the playoffs and are hoping to secure a #2 seeding with victory here. The Giants won’t be participating in the post-season but we still prefer a proud but humiliated New York squad to this reeling Minnesota bunch. The Vikes have lost three of four and will be playing this one off a short week, overtime loss. G-men excel on the road, failing to cover in only seven of past 30 when traveling. New York ’s pass rush should rattle Minnesota ’s shaky front line enough to keep this one close.

TAKING: NY Giants +9 RISKING: 2.08 units to win 2 Pinnacle

Eagles @ Cowboys

Things bode well here for the Eagles. They’ve won six straight. While the Cowboys won the earlier meeting by a 20-16 counts, the Eagles have been victorious in eight of the past nine in second leg of their home-and-home with the Cowboys. Philadelphia will secure the #2 seed with a win, no matter what the outcomes of other games are. While Dallas has picked up the pace recently and remain a legit contender, it must finish strong. But with nine consecutive losses in their final regular season game and with Philadelphia’s success when traveling here, seeing will be believing.

TAKING: Philadelphia +3 RISKING: 2.1 units to win 2 Pinnacle

Titans @ Seahawks

The Seahawks packed it in weeks ago and there is no reason to believe that they show up for this one. Over its past three games, Seattle has been outscored 106-24. This host lacks a running game, has a 25th ranked defence and presents little fear with its passing game. The Titans are eliminated from post-season but will put forth a strong effort here today. Tennessee’s only losses in past nine games were at the hands of talented Colts and Chargers.

TAKING: Tennessee –4 RISKING: 2.16 units to win 2 Pinnacle

THE REST

Bears @ Lions

If it’s possible for the Bears to have a further letdown after this disappointing season, this could be the spot. After winning its ‘Super Bowl’ on Monday night, Chicago figures to be very flat for this irrelevant affair in addition to its plethora of injuries.TAKING: Detroit +3

Patriots @ Texans

The Texans need any two of Ravens, Jets or Broncos to lose and they must win to make the playoffs. Good luck with that. But Houston can finish season on four-game win streak and first winning season while Patriots likely to rest starters.TAKING: Houston –8

Steelers @ Dolphins

Both teams require minor miracles to qualify for the playoffs but with determining results unknown at kickoff, both will be putting forth full efforts. RB Ricky Williams nursing a sore shoulder and that will hinder Miami’s dependence on the ground game.TAKING: Pittsburgh –3

Colts @ Bills

The Colts couldn’t have been clearer when they sacrificed a perfect regular season by resting their stars last week. Same will occur this week with stars getting a few reps and then heading to the heaters. Bills could hang in against Indy’s reserves.TAKING: Buffalo

Jaguars @ Browns

The Browns were favoured for the first time last week against the lowly Raiders and managed a cover. Don’t expect lightning to strike twice. While the Jaguars are not exactly elite, they don’t deserve this type of disrespect from oddsmakers.TAKING: Jacksonville +1 ½

Saints @ Panthers

Panthers have upped their game but too little too late for them. The Saints have regressed since marquee Monday nighter against Patriots. New Orleans will rest players but not so sure they want to enter post-season on three-game skid.TAKING: New Orleans

Falcons @ Buccaneers

Atlanta determined to give franchise its first consecutive winning seasons despite not qualifying for playoffs. Tampa off a pair of road wins, including huge upset at New Orleans last week but this price range has us leery.TAKING: Atlanta –1 ½

49ers @ Rams

The Rams can finally accomplish something by doing what they do best. Lose. St. Louis secures much needed first pick in next year’s draft with a loss here. Facing a 49ers teams that treats every game like its playoffs, expect San Fran to aid the Rams in their quest.TAKING: San Francisco –7

Packers @ Cardinals

Expect a conservative contest in this one as these two could be right back here next week when playoffs begin. We’ll take any points being offered as neither squad will be anxious to show its best hand. Prefer under posted total..TAKING: Green Bay +3

Bengals @ Jets

Remarkably, if the Jets win they are in. It will be short visit to the playoffs if they do get by this one but either way, asking them to win by this large margin is a tall order. New York has been favoured by five or more three times this season and lost all three straight up.TAKING: Cincinnati +10

Chiefs @ Broncos

This has become a minefield for the Chiefs, having lost eight straight on this field in addition to earlier meeting in Kansas City resulting in 44-13 drubbing. Denver could be disinterested after early results but still prefer them to finish strongly against this chump.TAKING: Denver –13

Ravens @ Raiders

Baltimore controls its own destiny as a win grants them post-season activity. The Raiders would like nothing more than to play spoiler. We’ve seen Oakland knock off the Steelers, Eagles and Bengals in this price range and similar effort gets cover here.TAKING: Oakland +11

Redskins @ Chargers

The Chargers are locked into the #2 spot and with 10 straight wins, Norv Turner has vowed to keep the momentum going. The Skins were playing hard until recently and have dropped last pair by a combined 62-12.TAKING: San Diego –4