We’ve pretty much known who the players would be for the last couple of weeks, but it’s now official. The NFL playoff bracket is out as are the game times and first spreads. We’ll also take a look at the updated NFL draft order too.
The New England Patriots (14-2) have home field advantage in the AFC and the Kansas City Chiefs are the No. 2 seed. In the NFC, the Dallas Cowboys (13-3) have home field, with the Atlanta Falcons (11-5) as the two-seed.
The Playoff Picture is official.#NFLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/xnmwYZ10Zu
— NFL (@NFL) January 2, 2017
Saturday
Oakland at Houston (-3.5, 36.5 O/U)
It could come as a shock that Houston (9-7) is favored here, but that’s only because the Raiders (12-4) will probably be starting rookie Connor Cook at quarterback. It’s a sad ending to what looked like a magical season for Oakland. Kick off is scheduled for 4:35 p.m.
Detroit at Seattle (-8, 42.5 O/U)
That’s a nice, fat line for this game and, frankly, I don’t get it. The Lions will lose this one, coming in on two straight pretty rough defeats, but the Seahawks haven’t looked good in back-to-back weeks since October. I expect this one to move to -6 before kick off. Game time is 8:15 p.m.
Sunday
Miami at Pittsburgh (-10, 47 O/U)
It took an outstanding effort from the Dolphins (10-6) to make the playoffs, going 2-1 with back up quarterback Matt Moore to finish the season. The Steelers (11-5) are one of the three legitimate Super Bowl contenders in the AFC bracket, so that -10 is probably a fair starting line. Kick off is 1 p.m.
New York Giants at Green Bay (-4.5, 44 O/U)
Considering the haphazard play of the Giants (11-5) offense, you might expect this line to be bigger. But the sportsbooks are smart here. Eli Manning can turn it on in the playoffs and he’s ruined the postseasons for the Packers (10-6) before. Game time is 4:40 p.m.
Top 20 NFL Draft order set
1. Cleveland Browns (1-5)
No surprise here. The Browns are in business to get their franchise quarterback and have about 100 more picks to work with over the next couple of seasons. I’ll say it again, Browns. DeShaun Watson is your guy. Don’t outsmart yourselves.
Browns on the clock with Nos. 1, 12 picks in 2017 NFL Draft: Cleveland holds multiple 1st… https://t.co/Acjug9TPpc
— Dan Walter (@TradeviewHere) January 2, 2017
2. San Francisco 49ers (2-14)
The new coaching regime will get it’s pick of players, but my guess is quarterbacks go one and two again, with Mitch Trubisky coming off the board here.
3. Chicago Bears (3-13)
The Bears are probably looking for a quarterback too, but if they’re smart, they’ll wait until later to pull that trigger. For some reason scouts are enamored with DeShone Kizer from Notre Dame. I am not.
4. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-13)
Again, a new coaching staff is blessed with a high pick. This one could be solid trade material, with the two top defensive ends still on the board.
5. Tennessee Titans (from the Los Angeles Rams [4-12])
6. New York Jets (5-11)
7. San Diego Chargers (5-11)
Whoever the new coach is, he’ll have a lot of pieces already in place. A No. 7 pick, especially with QBs going at the top two spots, should result in a steal in this draft.
8. Carolina Panthers (6-10)
The bright side for the 2015 NFC Champions is they’ll have the opportunity to get a real impact player here to help with a return to the postseason in 2017-18.
The #Panthers have the 8th overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft
More Info » https://t.co/CcFuYKX88G pic.twitter.com/C1NiDu7gY3
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) January 2, 2017
9. Cincinnati Bengals (6-9-1)
10. Buffalo Bills (7-9)
Like the Bears, 49ers and Browns, the Bills need a quarterback. Who they pick as their head coach will have a lot to do with who they end up with. They could also be a team that wants to package a bunch of picks to move up for Trubisky at No. 2.
11. New Orleans Saints (7-9)
Will the Saints have a new coach? We’ll probably find out in the next few days. If they do this pick becomes very interesting.
12. Cleveland Browns (from the Philadelphia Eagles [7-9])
13. Arizona Cardinals (7-8-1)
14. Philadelphia Eagles (from the Minnesota Vikings [8-8])
or
14. Indianapolis Colts (8-8)
This one will be decided with a coin flip as both teams tie for the No. 14 spot.
16. Baltimore Ravens (8-8)
17. Washington Redskins (8-7-1)
18. Tennessee Titans (9-7)
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-7)
20. Denver Broncos (9-7)
There’s an excellent chance this pick will belong to the Dallas Cowboys by the time the draft rolls around in April.
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