Weekly Wager: Week 17

For the season, Weekly Wager is 30-21 with 2 pushes. 8-8 on college games, 22-13-2 in NFL. Keep an eye out this weekend for a special Weekly Wager: BCS edition. With that said, here are the picks for this week:

Washington @ Philadelphia (-8.5) - SUN 1:00PM - FOX
Has anyone noticed that the calls for Andy Reid's head have gotten much quieter? I think the Eagles finish the season at 8-8 with a win at home against the 'Skins on Sunday. While the Eagles haven't played their best ball at home, going 2-5 on the season, I expect LeSean McCoy and Michael Vick to lead the Eagles to victory. The Eagles are 7-8 ATS this year and only cover when they win. I expect this game to continue the trend in sloppy fashion - Eagles are tied for the most turnovers on the season with 36 and the 'Skins are third with 34. Look out for the Eagles next year, they will have a chip on their shoulder all season...Philadelphia 31, Washington 17

Carolina @ New Orleans (-8.0) - SUN 1:00PM - FOX
This one is a bit risky because Sean Payton could pack it in early, but I think the Saints get their eight straight win in convincing fashion as they fight for the #2 seed in the NFC and try to make sure Brees stays ahead of Brady in setting a new record for most passing yards in a season. Payton may see the #2 seed slipping away during the game depending the score of the 49ers game, but I think Brees will play long enough to make sure he's beat out Brady for the record. While Cam Newton has had a ridiculous season and exceeded almost everyone's expectations, the Panthers defense doesn't have a chance against the Saints offense on turf and in a dome. The Saints have won ATS in each of their last seven games and are 9-0 ATS in their last 9 on turf. Look for the Saints to put up +40 points for the third straight game...New Orleans 41, Carolina 28

Pittsburgh @ Cleveland (+6.5) - SUN 4:15PM - CBS
Look for Big Ben to return and lead the Steelers to a comfortable victory over the Browns. With a W and a Ravens loss, the Steelers would enjoy a bye in the first round of playoffs. While the Browns' record doesn't show it, they have been playing teams close and were it not for a late 79-yard touchdown against the Steelers last time around, the game would have ended as a 7-3 loss. This might lead some bettors to take Cleveland, but the last matchup caused the Steelers some trouble with Big Ben's ankle sprain taking him out of the game for part of the 2nd quarter and returning with mediocre play in the 2nd half. If Roethlisberger can't go, Charlie Batch has proven he can win as a starter who is now 5-2 as the Steelers' starting QB. The Steelers should win by a TD and get their 3rd 12-win season in four years...Pittsburgh 17, Cleveland 10

Dallas @ New York Giants (-2.5) - SUN 8:20PM - NBC
This one makes me a little nervous because I know Tom Coughlin has struggled in getting his players to come out fired up for big games, but I think this team has learned its lesson after getting caught flat footed against the 'Skins a few weeks back. I expect the Giants to go 3-0 against the Ryan brothers this year after beating the bigger mouthed Ryan last week in the battle of NY. While the 'Boys defense stacks up well against the weak Giants running game, the secondary is one of the worst in the league and should get torched by Eli and Company. NBC finally got it right by putting the best game of the week on Sunday night ...New York Giants 31, Dallas 28