Chiefs (2-10) at Browns (4-8)
Time: 1 p.m. today.
Line: Browns by 6½.
The skinny: I can’t imagine how Romeo Crennel and the Chiefs have kept their focus on football. A week after playing their best game of the season, I think the emotional toll will finally catch up to them. The Browns (7-4-1 against the spread) have been one of the NFL’s best plays this season.
The pick: Browns.
Jets (5-7) at Jaguars (2-10)
Time: 1 p.m. today.
Line: Jets by 2½.
The skinny: We all figured there would be a quarterback controversy with the Jets, just not one involving Mark Sanchez and Greg McElroy! The funny thing is, this would’ve been the perfect week for the other quarterback — you remember Tim Tebow, right? — to start in his hometown. The Jaguars removed a tarp on the upper deck because of increased ticket sales. The Jets are 1-4 against the spread in their past five games, but Jacksonville is 1-5 against the spread at home.
The pick: Jets.
Ravens (9-3) at Redskins (6-6)
Time: 1 p.m. today.
Line: Redskins by 2½.
The skinny: It’s been some week for Robert Griffin III: He won his Monday Night Football debut and set the NFL single-season rushing record for a rookie quarterback. Then, his jersey and cleats from the game were requested by the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Later, he heard “RG3” chants at Tuesday night’s Heat-Wizards game (surprisingly won by Washington). Beating Baltimore (5-2-1 against the spread in its past eight road games) would be some encore, but I don’t see it.
The pick: Ravens.
Falcons (11-1) at Panthers (3-9)
Time: 1 p.m. today.
Line: Falcons by 3½.
The skinny: Has there ever been a more maligned 11-1 team in NFL history than Atlanta? Panthers defensive end Greg Hardy said Carolina is a “better team” than the NFC South champ Falcons. Really, Greg? Atlanta is 6-1-1 against the spread in its past eight games as favorites of four or less points.
The pick: Falcons.
Bears (8-4) at Vikings (6-6)
Time: 1 p.m. today.
Line: Bears by 3.
The skinny: Both have struggled in their past seven games: (Bears 2-5 against the spread; Vikings 1-5-1). The Bears have won — and covered — six in a row against Minnesota, which will be without Percy Harvin for the rest of the season.
The pick: Bears.
Cowboys (6-6) at Bengals (7-5)
Time: 1 p.m. today.
Line: Bengals by 3.
The skinny: This could be a sneaky good game between two teams on the outside looking in at their conference’s final playoff spot. Dallas is 4-2 against the spread on the road. Cincinnati is 3-7-1 against the spread in its past 11 at home.
The pick: Cowboys.
Chargers (4-8) at Steelers (7-5)
Time: 1 p.m. today.
Line: Off (Pittsburgh quarterback questionable).
The skinny: Ben Roethlisberger (shoulder, ribs) is questionable, so there’s no line. I’ve seen the Steelers favored by a touchdown. They’re 14-0 all time at home during the regular season against the Chargers — the best home record against an opponent in NFL history. The Chargers will keep it close against a rusty Big Ben, or Charlie Batch.
The pick: Chargers.
Titans (4-8) at Colts (8-4)
Time: 1 p.m. today.
Line: Colts by 5½.
The skinny: Since losing to the Jets, the Colts have reeled off six wins — and covers — in their next seven games and find themselves in the No. 5 spot in the AFC playoffs. The Titans are 1-4 against the spread in their past five games.
The pick: Colts.
Rams (5-6-1) at Bills (5-7)
Time: 1 p.m. today.
Line: Bills by 3.
The skinny: The Bills are 3-1 against the spread in their past four games. It’s worth a shot.
The pick: Bills.
Eagles (3-9) at Buccaneers (6-6)
Time: 1 p.m. today.
Line: Buccaneers by 7½.
The skinny: Tampa (7-3-2 against the spread) is playing for its postseason lives. The Eagles (2-9-1 against the spread) got a rare cover last week but still lost their eighth game in a row.
The pick: Buccaneers.
Dolphins (5-7) at 49ers (8-3-1)
Time: 4:05 p.m. today.
Line: 49ers by 10.
The skinny: The Dolphins are 11-2 against the spread in their past 13 games against teams with a winning record. The 49ers are 0-4 in their past four games against teams with a losing record. Too big of a spread for me.
The pick: Dolphins.
Cardinals (4-8) at Seahawks (7-5)
Time: 4:25 p.m. today.
Line: Seahawks by 10.
The skinny: If the season ended today, Seattle would be the NFC’s sixth seed. You can be sure to hear grumbling in Dallas, Washington and Tampa if that holds true after Week 17 considering the Seahawks’ “Fail Mary” win against Green Bay. Seattle is 8-4 against the spread, including 5-0 against the spread at home. The Cardinals, who will start John Skelton at quarterback, have lost eight in a row. They’re 2-5 against the spread in their past seven games in Seattle. Fade the trends and take the points.
The pick: Cardinals.
Saints (5-7) at Giants (7-5)
Time: 4:25 p.m. today.
Line: Giants by 5.
The skinny: Well, things took an interesting turn in D.C. on Monday night, didn’t they? I expected a close game, but not a Redskins win. Now, the Giants find themselves in the familiar position of having to come up big in their final four games. Drew Brees, Marques Colston and the high-powered Saints offense will be eager to erase last Thursday’s game, but I believe this will be one of those home games when the Giants dominate against a talented opponent (see: Packers).
The pick: Giants.
Lions (4-8) at Packers (8-4)
Time: 8:20 tonight.
Line: Packers by 7.
The skinny: Green Bay has won 10 consecutive NFC North games, and is 21-8 against the spread in its past 29 against NFC North opponents.
The pick: Packers.
Texans (11-1) at Patriots (9-3)
Time: 8:30 p.m. Monday
Line: Patriots by 3½.
The skinny: This could be a preview of the AFC title game. The Patriots have won 11 of their past 12 Monday night games and are 19-1 overall in their final four games of the season since 2007. The Texans, 8-4 against the spread in 2012 and 17-5-2 against the spread in their past 24 against the AFC, will keep it a field-goal game.
The pick: Texans.
— John Boell, Newsday
