NEW YORK, NY – No intro. No bee-ess. Here’s two Free NFL Picks To Pay Off Holiday Bills with…
The Kansas City Chiefs entertain playoff thoughts and the San Diego Chargers without the services of starting quarterback Alex Smith who has a lacerated spleen. Jeez, it hurts just to say that and if you’re Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid, it also hurts that you have to start career clipboard-holder Chase Daniel under center for this game. Oddly enough or as the oft-remembered Yogi Berra saying goes, “It’s deja vu all over again” because last year Daniel started Week #17, also against the Chargers, to rest Smith for the playoffs. It is a little different this time around as Kay Cee needs a win and some help to gain entry into the NFL playoffs.
For San Diego, fresh off its improbable comeback last week versus the 49ers, it’s a win and you’re in scenario and considering the quarterback match-up and Phillip Rivers’ 8-0 record in final games of the season, the Bolts look like a sure thing today. Yup, ‘cuz we all know a sure thing when we see it and that’s when I jump off that bandwagon and go the other way. I’ll take a chance on the Chiefs in this one, as the Las Vegas lines makers are telling you everything you need to know; Kanas City opened as a field goal favorite, and despite the news concerning the QB switch have remained a slight favorite at minus one. Hey, this is why they call it gambling but rest assured if you back the Chiefs with a buck or two, Chase Daniel played well enough to win last year’s game but a late missed field goal in regulation gave the Chargers the opportunity to win in overtime. Who own da Chiefs? Today… you should!
Final Score: Chiefs 24, Chargers 20
Picks: CHIEFS -1 and OVER 40.5
The Oakland Raiders have been a pesky bunch since interim head coach Tony Sparano took over early in the season. The Silver & Black might be 3-12 but to those who like to spend Sunday’s investing in an NFL team or two, the Raiders are a fairly impressive 8-7 against the spread and showed they haven’t folded up the tent by beating a playoff hopeful in the Buffalo Bills. Don’t worry buffalobilly84, I’m sure the Sabres will cheer you up soon enough, like in 2020. But I digress, Oakland seems to have found a quarterback in Derek Carr and now must put some pieces around him and shore up a defense centering around former Buffalo Bull, Khalil Mack. Good things are on the horizon for the Raiders but maybe not today as they travel to Denver who blew the doors off them earlier in the year, 41-7.
The Broncos can clinch the #2 seed in the AFC with a win, have to look to get Peyton Manning and the offense primed for the playoffs, and need to shake the lethargy they’ve shown recently. 
Surprisingly, Denver is 7-8 against the spread this year despite a perfect 7-0 mark straight up at home and laying two touchdowns is always a tall task but I’m thinking they are up for the challenge of a playoff tune up.
Score: Broncos 44, Raiders 20
Picks: DENVER -14 and OVER 48
That’s it. Check out more of my Free NFL Pick at The Gambler’s Source. Feel free to comment below and come back tomorrow for West Coast Craig, who could make nose-picking appetizing.
