NFL Picks Week 17: Reviewing Expert Predictions, Vegas Odds and Final Schedule

What better way to ring in the New Year than with a full day of NFL action?

All 32 teams are in play Sunday; it’s a wall-to-wall slate that is sure to satiate any football fan who is looking to park on the couch and rest up after celebrating the changing of the calendar the day before.While the playoff picture is nearly settled in terms of participants— just two teams outside the current crop of playoff teams are capable of forcing their way into the frame—plenty of reshuffling can take place on the final day.

The varying levels of meaning for each game can make predicting outcomes a difficult proposition. Two teams are in must-win situations if they want their season to continue. Top-tier squads might rest key players at the start of the game or after building up a sizable advantage, allowing for minor upsets or a late-game cover by the opposition.

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Some games are essentially meaningless, as contests between bottom-dwelling also-rans could swing on plays made by guys who are desperate to impress for next season. This last group of games might also feature coaches who are vying to keep their jobs. 

It’s the kind of murky week where you might call a psychic hotline for advice or perhaps dust off some tarot cards.Or you might check out what the experts from around the web have to say about the season’s final slate.

Here are the Week 17 schedule, odds and expert predictions to wrap up the regular season:

The Washington Redskins and Tampa Bay Buccaneers both need victories and quite a bit of help if either of them is to make the postseason. Washington is on the road against the New York Giants, who are locked into the NFC’s fifth seed no matter what happens.

Since the Giants can’t improve or worsen their position in Week 17, they have the luxury of resting key players, potentially opening the door for a Washington victory. However, the Redskins can’t count on the Giants coasting into the postseason.

“Yes. Everyone is going to play Sunday,” running back Rashad Jennings said, per ESPN.com’s Jordan Raanan.

Washington beat New York 29-27 way back in Week 3, thanks to a strong effort from Kirk Cousins and five field goals. A similar outcome is on the table for Sunday, especially if the Giants start to pull key players. All it takes is a deceptively comfortable lead or one key player to get hurt to spook coach Ben McAdoo into resting his starters.

On paper, the Bucs appear to have an easier matchup against the Carolina Panthers. The defending NFC champs are out of the playoff hunt with a 6-9 record and lost to the Atlanta Falcons 33-16 in Week 16. 

Tampa Bay will be without running back Doug Martin, who was suspended for four games for failing the league’s drug policy, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. According to a statement on Buccaneers.com, Martin will enter a drug treatment facility, saying he will “receive the help I truly need.”

Martin has struggled this season, …

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