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NFL Betting Predictions: Week 17 Opening Line Report and Picks

by Jason Radowitz - 12/28/2020

Tua Tagovailoa Miami Dolphins

By now you’ve heard about Dwayne Hasksins being released by the Washington Football team a week after being in a strip club with no mask on. He violated team and league policies and lost his captaincy while doing so.

But because Alex Smith was inactive and couldn’t start, the Washington Football Team made an exception and let him start and play over the weekend against the Panthers.

He was awful and was benched after three quarters with the Panthers leading by multiple scores.  Washington’s chances of making the playoffs dwindled with that loss, and Washington’s head coach showed off his power and waived Haskins out of town.

Haskins was drafted as the 15th overall selection by Washington on April 2019. It’s not even 2021, and Haskins is now off the team. This is the same player who beat out Joe Burrow for the starting quarterback spot at Ohio State.

Haskins is essentially why this year’s first overall pick, Burrow, went to LSU. Things haven’t worked out for him in the NFL. His focus seems to lack at times.

Head coach Ron Rivera put out a statement that read

"This afternoon I met with Dwayne and informed him that we would be releasing him," coach Ron Rivera said in a statement. "I told him that I believe it benefits both parties that we go our separate ways. We want to thank Dwayne for his contributions these last two seasons and wish him well moving forward."

Haskins wrote his response on Twitter, saying, "My time with the WFT has unfortunately come to an end," Haskins wrote on his private Twitter account. "I thank the team & fans for the opportunity to play for the team I grew up rooting for. I take full responsibility for not meeting the standards of a NFL QB & will become a better man & player because of this experience."

Washington has not done well drafting quarterbacks, but there’s a real chance that they’ll look at this year’s college football class of quarterbacks and draft another potential franchise quarterback.

In a brutal NFC East, the three teams that don’t make the playoffs are going to be kicking themselves. The Eagles are eliminated from the playoffs, but the Giants, Cowboys, and the Football Team all have a chance going into the final week of the season.

The Cowboys would clinch with a win and Washington loss.

The Giants would clench with a win and Washington loss.

The Football Team would clinch with a win.

Washington vs Eagles (-1.5, 43): The Football Team just needs to win to make the playoffs. They’re facing an Eagles team that is mathematically eliminated. But that doesn’t mean the Eagles won’t try. Washington will start Taylor Heinicke if Alex Smith remains out with a calf injury. That doesn’t scream win to me. No matter who the quarterback is, if Jalen Hurts and the Eagles offense can do some kind of damage offensively, the Football Team will lose their chance at a playoff spot. Pick: Eagles

Cowboys vs Giants (+2.5, 45): The Cowboys offense has looked really solid in the last two weeks. Now they’ll chuck it around a Giants defense that seems like they’re getting tired and fatigued. The defense that was once really good hasn’t been all that special recently. I’m not sure the Giants offense will score enough to stick around. It’s a rivalry game and a must win for both teams. It’s going to be close, but I’d believe the Cowboys finish the job here and make the playoffs by 11:30pm EST at night. Pick: Cowboys

Dolphins vs Bills (-2.5, TBD): Tua Tagovailoa was pulled for Ryan Fitzpatrick on Thursday night against the Raiders for underperforming. Once Fitz Magic came in, the Dolphins offense surged, and they ended up winning. The Dolphins will go back to Tagovailoa for Week 17, in a game where if the Dolphins win, they’re in the playoffs. Other scenarios would be enough for the Dolphins to make the playoffs. However, if they win they wouldn’t need to worry about anything else. If the Ravens, Browns and Colts lose, they’re in the playoffs. The Bills already clinched and will likely try to rest their players to limit injuries.  Pick: Dolphins

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