NFL Picks Week 17: Chicago Bears and Underdogs Sure to Pull off Upsets
Published by Austin Green on December 30, 2011
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears
The favorite in the NFL is never safe and the final week of the regular season is no exception.
That tired old cliche of “anybody can beat anybody on any given day” is as true as it is annoying. Expect these three teams to prove it on Sunday.
Chicago Bears over Minnesota Vikings
These two NFC North rivals had different starts to the season, but they’re both limping towards an early vacation.
The Bears started out 7-3 and looked like legitimate contenders in the NFC. Then, they became ravaged by injuries, losing starting quarterback Jay Cutler and running back Matt Forte for the season.
To make matters worse, leading receiver Johnny Knox underwent back surgery two weeks ago and Forte’s replacement, Marion Barber, is listed as questionable in Week 17.
Still, the Bears will beat Minnesota on Sunday.
The Vikings will be without Adrian Peterson, whose knee was completely shredded last week against Washington. It’s also unclear how effective Christian Ponder will be after suffering a concussion in the same game.
It won’t be pretty, but the Bears will snap their five-game losing streak this week.
Houston Texans over Tennessee Titans
The Titans are the more desperate team, but Houston won’t back into the playoffs on a three-game losing streak.
They’ve already clinched, so there’s some speculation that the Texans are happy to coast into the postseason. However, they’re not going to let a division rival sneak into the playoffs.
Houston’s offense is riddled with injuries, but their defense will carry them to victory in Week 17.
Seattle Seahawks over Arizona Cardinals
The Seahawks are out of the playoffs, but I don’t expect them to pack it in on Sunday. They’re playing a division rival and I’m expecting a huge game from Marshawn Lynch.
Lynch was snubbed from the Pro Bowl despite rushing for 1,118 yards and 12 touchdowns.
With a chip on his shoulder, you can expect Lynch to enter beast mode and run all over Arizona on Sunday.
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