Hale's NFL Picks

The Week in Review

The playoffs are right around the corner!

Hale's Picks for Week 17

• Green Bay/Pittsburgh OVER 42
  
• Arizona/Dallas OVER 41.5
  
• San Francisco/Atlanta UNDER 48.5
  
• Patriots + 6: Hale has 3 words for the Colts' passing game: 62%. That's their percentage for the season, and 62% is also what the #27-ranked Patriots' pass defense gives up. Expect a big passing day here. But, the Patriots are underdog, and Hale's always taking notice when New England's getting points against a "middle-of-the-pack" team: 10-3 ATS against so-so teams, around 80% ATS against mediocre defenses. The Patriots have covered 5 in a row when getting between a field goal and touchdown on the road. The Colts? As a favorite, they haven't covered the spread at home since 1992 (0-8 ATS), including 0-4 this season. Indy has failed 10 times in a row at home as favorite against AFC teams. Want more? Let's talk series matchups. When New England visits the Colts in Indianapolis, the Patriots have covered 7 times in a row, going back to 1988, and 9 of 10 (they couldn't cover a 13-point spread in 1986). Take the points.
  
• Broncos + 3:Denver's lost 8 in row at the Raiders, and covered only once there since 1989. In ALL the meetings between these two teams, the Raiders have covered 6 of the last 7.. the only fail being that 27-0 blowout that took the wind out of the Raider sails. Oakland would love to avenge that Monday night whipping, but has some problems. Hostetler is gone, and the Raiders have averaged 18 yards rushing on 13 carries the last 2 games. Denver enjoys taking points on the road, and is 4-0 ATS where their opponent is coming off a loss. The Raiders are 1-5 as HomeFav against a top team, and 1-6 ATS as HomeFav after 2 fails in row. Hale takes the Bronc's on this one.

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