Week Seventeen NFL News

Not a very good day for the New England Patriots this Sunday in Houston. Although they had the AFC Eastern division locked up coming into their game against the Texans, the 34-27 loss to Houston puts them in danger of dropping to the conference's fourth seed.

Some might say, "So what, does that really make a difference?"

Maybe not, but the Patriots left their starters in for most of the game and the unthinkable happened. They may have lost wide receiver Wes Welker with a knee injury...

Sunday afternoon in the Meadowlands, the playoff picture is simple for the New York Jets when they host the Cincinnati Bengals; win and their in, lose and they're out.

The Jets play the final regular-season game at Giants Stadium against the Bengals this Sunday night against a Cincinnati team that may be expected to rest some key players after already clinching the AFC North.

NFL odds makers expect that too as they are calling the Jets a heavy home favorite. The spread is sitting in double digits as the line sits at...

Sunday afternoon when Arizona host the Green Bay Packers, the Cardinals still have an outside chance of earning the No. 2 seed and a bye next weekend.

The Green Bay Packers locked up a wild-card spot last weekend when they pounded the Seattle Seahawks 48-10 at Lambeau Field. The win was their sixth in the last seven games for the Packers and it assured them of a meeting with the fourth seeded team in next week's NFC Playoffs.

NFL odds makers are calling the Cards a slight home favorite as the spread in Vegas is at about a field goal. The line is sitting at...

When the Dallas Cowboys host the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday afternoon in Arlington, both teams have already secured a playoff spot, however that certainly won't stop each team going all out.

There will be plenty at stake Sunday with the winner claiming the NFC East title and possibly a first-round bye. At 10-5, the Cowboys are trying to win their second division title in three years and the Eagles, at 11-4, seek their first since 2006.

NFL odds makers see this one being pretty close. The spread in Vegas is sitting at about a field goal. The line is at...

The New York Giants played themselves right out of the NFC playoff picture last week with a shocking 41-9 home loss to the Carolina Panthers. Now, at 8-7, New York can only spoil postseason seeding for Minnesota when they head to the Metrodome to take on the Vikings in their finale.

Brett Favre and the Vikings will look to not blow the No. 2 seed and get a much needed win heading into the playoffs. Minnesota is 11-4, but they are doing their best to ruin a great season as they have lost three of four down the stretch.

NFL odds makers are calling the Vikings a heavy road favorite in this one. The spread in Vegas is sitting at...

Sunday in Land Shark Stadium, the Miami Dolphins get set to host the Pittsbugh Steelers in a big AFC conference match-up with both team's last chance for a wild-card spot on the line. Although both teams need help, a win in this game is the only way they can advance.

The Steelers and the Dolphins are both mired in inconsistent seasons. Pittsburgh, lost five straight in November and December before pulling out wins in their last two games to claw themselves back into the race.

NFL odds makers are calling the Steelers...

The New York Jets fired coach Eric Mangini on Monday. The coach once called Man-Genius now being called Man-Jobless was let go one day after the Jets failed to make the playoffs in the AFC after an 8-3 start.

During a press conference, Jets owner Woody Johnson called the move a judgment call.

"I don't think it was one thing," Johnson said. "We had to go in a different direction. There's nothing specific. It's just a call we made. Hopefully, it's correct."

It is a very simple playoff equation in San Diego on Sunday night as the Chargers host the Denver Broncos. Win and you are in the postseason with the AFC West Division title. Odds makers are calling the surging Chargers home favorites in this do or die game. NFL betting lines have San Diego at -7 with the total in the game 49.5.

These two might as well consider this the first round of the playoffs as the 7-8 Chargers host the 8-7 Broncos. With the Chargers holding the tie-breaker, the winner of this game will represent the AFC West in the postseason.

To get to this point the Chargers have won three straight...

Sunday afternoon the Dallas Cowboys head to Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia to take on the Eagles in a game that could make or break both of these teams' seasons. Odds makers are calling the Eagles slight home favorites against their division rival. NFL betting lines have Philadelphia at -1.5 with the total in the contest sitting at 40.5.

For the visiting Cowboys their playoff outlook is pretty simple, win and they will earn a spot in the post-season. The only other unlikely way they could get in is if they were to tie in Philadelphia...

Sunday afternoon the Tampa Bay Buccaneers host the Oakland Raiders, in Raymond James Stadium, with their playoff lives on the line. Odds makers are calling the Buccaneers home favorites as they enter week 17 needing a win to make the post Tampa Bay at -13 with the total in the game sitting at 39.5.

At 9-6, the Bucs have lost three straight and now need a win and help to get into the post-season. Tampa Bay can clinch a wild card with a win against Oakland and a Dallas lost to Philadelphia.

Tampa lost a couple of tough division games on the road to start the stretch but...