NFL picks against the spread: Eagles, Cowboys, Dolphins are underdog picks of the week

Week 17 is a hard week to gauge when it comes to betting because you have some teams that are tanking or have mailed it in. Others are fighting for their playoff lives and then there are so many rivalry games that it makes it very diffcult to handicap.

Here is my attempt to pick the winners against the Vegas spread.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Atlanta Falcons: There is no line anywhere for this game. Atlanta has already wrapped up their top seed, so you might see a let down. However, playing at home is what they like to do and Tampa is not great at stopping aerial attacks. Take Atlanta straight up.

New York Jets at Buffalo Bills (-3.5): Mark Sanchez returns after Greg McElroy is hurt. They still stink. Take the Bills and give up the points.

Baltimore Ravens at Cincinnati Bengals (-1): Basically a picke'm game, Cincy is on a bit of a roll. But the Ravens started clicking on offense. Take the underdog here for the win.

Chicago Bears (-3) at Detroit Lions: The Lions are terrible. Did you see the effort against the Cardinals? They have their cars warming up outside the stadium. Take the Bears by at least a touchdown.

Houston Texans (-7) at Indianapolis Colts: The Texans are playing for home field. They will be ready. But Andrew Luck and the Colts will keep it interesting. Texans win, but take the points.

Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints (-5): The Saints have locked up Sean Payton and will roll playing ta home. Give up the points here and take the Saints by 10.

Philadelphia Eagles at New York Giants (-8): Upset alert! Michael Vick returns with something to prove and the Giants just aren't all the way back. The Eagles with an upset win to send off Andy Reid and Vick.

Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers: This game is also not being bet upon. Too much uncertainty. No lines anywhere. Steelers win their home finale.

Jacksonville Jaguars at Tennessee Titans (-4): Well, this is the stinker of the day. Two very bad teams. The Jags just don't have enough firepower and the Titans will play well in front of their crowd. Take the favorite Titans and give up the four points.

Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos (-16): Remember my rule -- never bet on the Chiefs. I'll take my chances with that huge spread.

Oakland Raiders at San Diego Chargers (no line): Vegas hates this game an nobody is taking bets. Terrelle Pryor and Philip Rivers? I see why, but I like the Chargers for the win.

Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers (-17.5): This has disaster written all over it. Brian Hoyer will start for Arizona on the road. SF already won by three TDs in AZ earlier this season. As big a spread as it is, Arizona's offense is atrocious. Give up the points here.

St. Louis Rams at Seattle Seahawks (-12): Seattle has put up 150 points in three games. That's all you need to know. Seahawks by three scores.

Green Bay Packers (-3.5) at Minnesota Vikings: The chance for Adrian Peterson to break the record. It won't happen. Green Bay will get too far ahead. Packers by 10.

Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots (-11): As good as Tom Brady has the Pats playing, Miami's running game will speed up the game to keep it close. Take the points.

Dallas Cowboys at Washington Redskins (-3.5): This is the game for all the marbles in the NFC East. It is the type of game that cries Cowboys' choke. Not this time. I'm putting money on Tony Romo, as crazy as that sounds.