Happy New Year and Happy Fantasy Super Bowl week! I hope everyone had a good Christmas and Holiday. We return after going 3-3 two weeks ago. We have been slowing down some after a very good start, so let’s try to pick up the pace again as we close the 2022 season out. Our overall record now stands at 59-40-2 (58%), 44-29-2 on sides, and 15-11 on Totals.

Continue reading for my predictions and best bets for Week 17 of the NFL season.

Denver Broncos @ Kansas City Chiefs

These two teams combined for 62 points back in Week 14 where the total was just 45 points. Denver appeared to lay down last week against the Rams and subsequently Nathaniel Hackett was fired after the 51-14 loss and a horrific 4-11 record in his first season with the Broncos. The Chiefs still need this game for the bye and will be playing all out. The Broncos will be looking to rebound after a horrific performance. Ultimately, Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs will put up 30+ and Russell Wilson will do just enough to push this over.

The Pick: Over 45

Indianapolis Colts @ New York Giants

The Colts have been nothing short of a disaster this season. Matt Ryan was a failure in his first year with the Colts and probably should just hang his cleats up. Last week the Colts moved to Nick Foles who was even worse but will stick with him for the rest of the year because of contract reasons with Ryan. The Colts’ season is completely lost, while a win for the Giants will move them into the playoffs.

Furthermore, Brian Daboll has done a great job with the Giants this year. I expect them to win this game, cover this spread and make their first playoff appearance since 2016.

The Pick: Giants -5.5

Carolina Panthers @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Betting on Tampa Bay this year is like going to Burger King and expecting the Whopper to taste as good as when you were younger. You hear the “BK Have It Your Way” commercial, drive to Burger King, order the Whopper, eat it and just come away unsatisfied. Then you probably do the same thing again a few weeks later with the same result. This is like backing the Bucs this year.

The talent is all there, with Tom Brady, the Buccaneers’ defense, Leonard Fournette, Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, etc. It all sounds great, but they just continue to disappoint over and over again. Why then am I backing them? Because I’m a sucker for the Whopper still and seemingly Brady against Sam Darnold in a revenge game with the playoffs on the line so just sounds too damn good. I don’t see Brady laying down this easily and think they’ll still pull out a win and sneak into the playoffs.

The Pick: Buccaneers -4, Under 40

New York Jets @ Seattle Seahawks

Jets fans are excited once again with the return of Mike White who didn’t throw a single touchdown in his last two starts and went 1-2 as a starter. The White love continues to be out of control. Overall, the team and fans grew impatient with Zach Wilson basically throwing him under the bus and leaving him for something that might be better in the short term but will ultimately disappoint. Wilson is clearly talented with a ton of ability but makes everything harder for himself by not taking the easy throws and then missing those throws when he does take them. He’s not processing or anticipating very well either.

Still, this White obsession, not dressing Wilson and benching him for Chris Strevler seems counterproductive for his development and confidence. Wilson actually has the potential to turn this team into a real contender, that’s why this is all so frustrating. Maybe he will be the guy at some point but maybe it will be with another team, just like the quarterback they are playing against in Geno Smith. That would be typical Jets.

Anyway, even with the “Great White Hope”, the Jets’ offensive line is falling apart as is the run game and their defense even showed some holes last week against the Jaguars. I don’t see why they are favored on the road in a tough environment against a Seattle team that is also battling for the playoffs. They are a miserable franchise. I feel like Randy Quaid in Major League right now.

The Pick: Seahawks +1.5

Minnesota Vikings @ Green Bay Packers

The Packers are playing playoff football from here on out and will also have revenge on their mind after losing to the Vikings 23-7 in Week 1. The Vikings have been pulling the rabbit out of their hat week in and week out, but their magic will run out in Lambeau. Aaron Rodgers seems to be finding a way to get it done, despite the lack of pass catchers and injuries to his wide receivers.

Finally, I think the Packers will find a way to sneak into the playoffs and that starts this week at home against Minnesota.

The Pick: Packers -3

Thanks for reading, everyone have a great New Year, and all the best this week with your picks and in your Fantasy Championship games. You can follow me on Twitter @FantasySavvy.