NFL Picks Week 17: Playoffs is the Prize

Nov 10, 2013; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens running back Bernard Pierce (30) runs with the ball as Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict (55) defends at M

Ravens @ Bengals -6 — O/U 44.5

The line has moved by a field goal in this contest. The Bengals are 7-0 in the Jungle and Baltimore is playing for their playoff lives. Last week vs. the Patriots Joe Flacco really looked like he hadn’t practiced all week. That leads me to believe that his knee injury is much more of a problem that initially reported. The Bengals played in what many thought was a trap game and pummeled the hapless Vikings 42-14.

The defending Super Bowl Champs will get no favors from Marvin Lewis and the Bengals this week. They’d love nothing more than to take them out for all the marbles. I look for Cincinnati to deliver the knockout punch vs. the Ravens this week. I’ll take the Bengals and lay the -6.