Schrock's Week 17 picks: Can 49ers finish season on high note?

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Well, we made it.The worst betting week of the NFL season has arrived. That's right, folks, Week 17 is here.With some teams planning on sitting their starters, some with nothing to play for and others fighting for their playoff lives, things get truly wacky during the final week of the regular season.The 49ers will look to cap off what has been a forgettable season by springing an upset on the NFC West champion Seattle Seahawks, who still have an outside chance at the No. 1 seed. The Raiders will look to finish the season at .500 and claim there was at least minimal progress from a season ago.Meanwhile, the Arizona Cardinals are facing John Wolford with a shot at the playoffs on the line, and, wouldn't you know it, the Dallas Cowboys still have a shot to win the NFC East.Try to refrain from betting this week. But if you must, then let's get to the picks.RECORD: 113-107 ATS (142-80-1 SU)

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Line: Browns -6.5

The Steelers will end up benching the majority of their starters, not caring whether or not they get the No. 2 or 3 seed. Mason Rudolph is in at quarterback.

If the Browns get their receiving corps back, I think they'll punch their ticket to the playoffs, but the Steelers will cover this number.

If the Browns can't beat Mason Rudolph, then they shouldn't be in the playoffs.

Pick: Browns 24, Steelers 20

2/16

Line: Cowboys -3

How are the Cowboys still alive in the playoff hunt? Seriously, we need to cancel the entire NFC East.

The Giants have completely fallen off after their upset win over the Seahawks. Jason Garrett's offense continues to be a complete train wreck with zero innovation.

This is a loser leaves town match and I'd love to pick the Cowboys, but something tells me Garrett has something up his sleeve for his old team.

Giants in an upset.

Pick: Giants 23, Cowboys 21

3/16

Line: Packers -5.5

Man, this was the Bears' worst nightmare. They were hoping the Packers would have the No. 1 seed wrapped up and would rest Aaron Rodgers and Co.

That's not happening now.

Mitchell Trubisky has been better, but the Packers have to be dying for the opportunity to clinch home-field advantage and ruin their rival's season on the final Sunday.

Bet the Packers. Lock it in.

Pick: Packers 27, Bears 20

4/16

Line: Bucs -6.5

The Falcons are a dumb team. Don't bet on their games. Stay as far away as you can.

Atlanta went up 17-0 on the Bucs two weeks ago and almost didn't cover. I think the Falcons will play hard in Raheem Morris' swan song as interim head coach.

Tom Brady does enough to win, but the Falcons cover again.

Pick: Bucs 27, Falcons 24

5/16

Line: Ravens -11.5

There's a simple rule to live by: Lamar Jackson kills bad teams.

Are the Bengals a bad team? No question. A win gets the Ravens into the playoffs.

Baltimore in a rout.

Pick: Ravens 34, Bengals 13

6/16

Line: Colts -14

The Jaguars have tanked properly. They beat the Colts in Week 1 and then lost 14 in a row to lock up the No. 1 seed.

Now, with Trevor Lawrence secure, they can try their best to spoil Indianapolis' playoff hopes.

I don't think the Jags get the win, but they'll cover the number.

Pick: Colts 27, Jags 21

7/16

Line: Vikings -7

It turns out having no coach at all is in fact worse than Matt Patricia running your team. Who knew?

Neither of these teams has anything to play for, but the Lions flat out stink apart from Matthew Stafford who probably won't play.

Don't bet it. Don't watch it. Forget it's happening.

Pick: Vikings 26, Lions 17

8/16

Line: Titans -7.5

Man, I have to stop betting on the Texans. Deshaun Watson is fantastic but he's got less than zero help. I mean, come on, they couldn't even get off the field against Brandon Allen.

The Titans need a win to clinch the division. The Texans don't own their first-round pick so they aren't looking at improving draft positioning.

Texans cover but the Titans punch their ticket to the playoffs.

Pick: Titans 28, Texans 24

9/16

Line: Patriots -3.5

No one wants anything to do with this game. The Patriots' offense has been a train wreck all season and the Jets, aside from the past two weeks, have been an utter abomination.

The first meeting between these two teams was a three-point Patriots win and that's probably where this one lands. Bill Belichick's hatred for the Jets won't let him lose this one.

Pick: Patriots 23, Jets 20

10/16

Line: Saints -6.5

All the Panthers do is play in close games. Of their 10 losses, Carolina has only lost two games by more than eight points and both of those were against the Buccaneers.

The Saints have their sights set on the No. 2 seed, so I don't see them coming out flat Sunday. But this one will be tight. Saints by a hair.

Pick: Saints 27, Panthers 23

11/16

Line: Bills -4.5

Brian Flores has gotten a lot of credit for how he's handled Miami's quarterback situation. I'm not sure that's warranted.

Tua Tagovailoa almost cost Miami a spot in the playoffs with his performance against the Raiders. Flores is giving Tagovailoa the start in Buffalo, but I don't think Ryan Fitzpatrick can save the Fins from another slow start.

Pick: Bills 31, Dolphins 26

12/16

Line: Chargers -3.5

The Chiefs have everything locked up. Don't expect to see Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce or Tyreek Hill in this game.

Kansas City still will be tight but Justin Herbert gets a win to cap off his Rookie of the Year campaign.

Pick: Chargers 28, Chiefs 24

13/16

Line: N/A

Jared Goff is out, so Wake Forest legend John Wolford will get the nod with the playoffs on the line.

Kyler Murray is questionable with a leg injury but is trending toward playing.

Take the Cards if the line is anywhere under 3.5. If Kliff Kingsbury can't beat John Wolford, then he doesn't deserve a third season.

Pick: Cardinals 24, Rams 20

14/16

Line: Football Team -2

Alex Smith might be back from a calf injury. If not, then the Football Team's playoff hopes rest in Taylor Heinicke's semi-capable hands.

The Eagles were absolutely demolished once Fletcher Cox went out against the Cowboys. He'll be evaluated throughout the week, but I have a hard time seeing him suit up in a meaningless game.

WFT's defense remains stout and Chase Young is incredible, but I'm not sure how they will score points if Smith can't play.

I'm going to roll with the Eagles because I hate myself. I'd just stay away.

Pick: Eagles 27, WFT 24

15/16

Line: Raiders -2.5

The Raiders' season has absolutely fallen off a cliff.

A month ago they were 6-3 and the darlings of the NFL. A 1-5 stretch has them eliminated from the playoffs and staring at another 7-9 season if they can't get a win in Denver.

Are the Raiders going to get up for what is a meaningless game in Denver? It's not expected to be below 40 degrees which is good news for Derek Carr.

Take the Raiders in a close one to end the season the right way.

Pick: Raiders 27, Broncos 23

16/16

Line: Seahawks -5.5

This was supposed to be the grand finale for the 49ers' "Revenge Tour." Instead, they'll just be happy to have the season in the rear-view mirror.

Kyle Shanahan's team showed a lot of heart in beating the Cardinals last week. But with no Brandon Aiyuk and no Trent Williams to go along with the laundry list of other injuries, I can't see the 49ers keeping this close.

Seahawks coast.

Pick: Seahawks 30, 49ers 17

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