THAD NEWS BROWNS: The Steelers will have no problem shutting down the Browns and fill-in quarterback Thaddeus Lewis. (AP)
If You go by Justin Tuck’s stunningly honest quote about not knowing whether the Giants will answer coach Tom Coughlin’s clarion call to honor, pride and dignity, you would think the Giants already have given up the ghost.
If you believe in Victor Cruz’s prediction to our Steve Serby the Giants will win and have the other dominoes fall the right way to put them in the playoffs, you might think they are now at least fully engaged.
Show up or curl up? With these Giants, it’s tough to know.
One thing we do know is that if the Bears are running away from the Lions on the out-of-town scoreboard, the Giants will have all the excuse they need to check out. We also can suspect Andy Reid will have some surprises in store on his way out the door after 14 seasons.
The pick: Eagles +7 1/2.
Jets (+3 1/2) over BILLS: Mark Sanchez’s return makes this just another Jets-Bills game with both teams doing worse than was expected. Coach Rex Ryan is 6-1 against the Bills because — no matter what else is going on — the Jets always can run the ball against them.
Jaguars (+4) over TITANS: When you lose 55-7 in Week 16 to fall to 5-10, as the Titans did, how do you rally the troops for one last game? At least the Jaguars have been somewhat competitive of late and will be hungry for a third win.
Texans (-7) over COLTS: The Texans get the No. 1 AFC seed with a win, but likely would have to play next week if they lose. Strong motivation. The Colts get coach Chuck Pagano back from his leukemia treatments so it will be an emotional day, but because they are locked in to the No. 5 seed, the goal will be to keep Andrew Luck healthy.
SAINTS (-5) over Panthers: A .500 record seems to mean something to the Saints, possibly as a way to thumb their noses at Commissioner Goodell. Hardly a gimme because Cam Newton will have his fun against Saints defense.
Bears (-3) over LIONS: Bad matchup — for the Giants! Lions have few receiving threats other than Calvin Johnson, and Megatron got his all-time record last week. Brian Urlacher and Matt Forte are still iffy for the Bears, but this is do or die.
STEELERS (-4 1/2) over Browns: If the Browns have to start Thaddeus Lewis at quarterback and don’t have the services of Trent Richardson, it’s hard to envision them scoring at all here.
Buccaneers (+8 1/2) over FALCONS: Atlanta has clinched top seed in NFC, so nothing good can happen here except continued good health. A chance for the Buccaneers to save some face after five straight losses.
BENGALS (-2 1/2) over Ravens: The Ravens conceivably could move past the Patriots and into the 3 seed in the AFC, but with all the injuries on defense, they pretty much have signaled that it’s all hands on deck for next week.
Dolphins (+10) over PATRIOTS: The Dolphins’ 289 points allowed are second-fewest in the AFC, which goes well with such a large spread. The Patriots play at 4:25 and need the Texans to lose to the Colts at 1 (possible) and Broncos to lose to Chiefs at 4:25 (lol). By halftime there might be no motivation left for coach Bill Belichick’s team.
VIKINGS (+3 1/2) over Packers: The Vikings’ motivation of win-and-in trumps the Packers’ desire to earn a bye. Adrian Peterson had 210 yards in Green Bay earlier this month in a game thrown away by Christian Ponder. He can make a run at 2,000 (needs 102) and Eric Dickerson’s all-time record (needs 208 to break).
Chiefs (+16) over BRONCOS: Kansas City rushed for more than 350 yards last week — and lost! Unreal, but that type of ground success goes nicely with this large a line, and though Broncos have some upward mobility opportunities, they need only to win, not romp.
CHARGERS (-7 1/2) over Raiders: Week 17 of a lost season is a tough time to work in a new quarterback, as the Raiders must do with Matt Leinart or Terrelle Pryor.
Cardinals (+16 1/2) over 49ERS: As atrocious as the Cardinals are, they give up just 22 points per game. With Mario Manningham out and Vernon Davis concussed, 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh may have to play for a closer victory here.
Rams (+10 1/2) over SEAHAWKS: The Seahawks’ hopes for a bye may dry up quickly. Rams played two tough games against Niners and already have a 19-13 win over Seattle.
REDSKINS (-3) over Cowboys: Robert Griffin III and the Redskins have come too far to not finish the job and win their first NFC East title since 1999. On the other side, Tony Romo’s career has been sometimes-dazzling but inevitably ill-fated.
BEST BETS: Steelers. Buccaneers, Rams.
LOCK OF THE WEEK: Steelers (Locks 6-10 in 2012.)
LAST WEEK: 12-4 overall, 3-0 Best Bets.