Sam Farmer’s NFL picks Week 17

Miami at New England

Records: 7-8; 13-2.

When: Sunday, 10 a.m.

TV: none. DirecTV: 704.

Line: Patriots by 4. O/U: 43.

With No. 1 seeding in hand, the Patriots might just pull Tom Brady and other key players to get backups experience. Dolphins are motivated by pride. Patriots 24, Dolphins 17

Buffalo at N.Y. Jets

Records: 4-11; 10-5.

When: Sunday, 10 a.m.

TV: none. DirecTV: 705.

Line: Jets by 1. O/U: 39.

The Jets say Mark Sanchez will start despite a sore shoulder. Their defense has been vulnerable in recent weeks, and the Bills can take advantage of that. Bills 21, Jets 17

Cincinnati at Baltimore

Records: 4-11; 11-4.

When: Sunday, 10 a.m.

TV: none. DirecTV: 706.

Line: Ravens by 9. O/U: 43.

The Ravens have lost three in a row to the Bengals, and Joe Flacco has played poorly in those games. He’ll atone for those with a win here. Ravens 27, Bengals 17

Pittsburgh at Cleveland

Records: 11-4; 5-10.

When: Sunday, 10 a.m.

TV: Channel 2. DirecTV: 707.

Line: Steelers by 6. O/U: 37.

With a first-round bye dangling as incentive, the Steelers have big motivation to win. Ben Roethlisberger is already in playoff mode. Steelers 21, Browns 14

Oakland at Kansas City

Records: 7-8; 10-5.

When: Sunday, 10 a.m.

TV: none. DirecTV: 708.

Line: Chiefs by 3. O/U: 43.

The Chiefs haven’t lost at home, and they say they’re going to play their starters all the way through. Don’t buy it. Raiders 23, Chiefs 17

Carolina at Atlanta

Records: 2-13; 12-3.

When: Sunday, 10 a.m.

TV: none. DirecTV: 709

Line: Falcons by 14. O/U: 41.

No way the Falcons are going to let this opportunity pass them by. Matt Ryan is among the league’s elite quarterbacks, particularly when he’s at home. Falcons 24, Panthers 13

Minnesota at Detroit

Records: 6-9; 5-10.

When: Sunday, 10 a.m.

TV: none. DirecTV: 710.

Line: Lions by 3. O/U: 42.

Joe Webb was impressive against the Eagles, so this should be interesting. Lions are getting Calvin Johnson back and are at home. That’s the difference. Lions 24, Vikings 21

Tampa Bay at New Orleans

Records: 9-6; 11-4.

When: Sunday, 10 a.m.

TV: Channel 11. DirecTV: 711.

Line: Saints by 7. O/U: 47.

The Saints coasted into the postseason last year and wound up winning the Lombardi Trophy. But this time, they have an outside chance at the top seeding. Saints 30, Buccaneers 20

Jacksonville at Houston

Records: 8-7; 5-10.

When: Sunday, 1:15 p.m.

TV: none. DirecTV: 712.

Line: Texans by 3. O/U: 46.

This could be Jack Del Rio’s last game with the Jaguars. With a flicker of postseason hope, his team should handle the deflated Texans. Jaguars 24, Texans 21

Tennessee at Indianapolis

Records: 6-9; 9-6.

When: Sunday, 1:15 p.m.

TV: none. DirecTV: 713.

Line: Colts by 10. O/U: 48.

Peyton Manning isn’t going to get his team this far only to lose a make-or-break game at home. Won’t be as close as three weeks ago. Colts 28, Titans 20

San Diego at Denver

Records: 8-7; 4-11.

When: Sunday, 1:15 p.m.

TV: Channel 2. DirecTV: 714.

Line: Chargers by 3. O/U: 47.

Unfamiliar spot for both teams, dead in late December. Tim Tebow was impressive last week, but that was against Houston’s horrendous pass defense. Chargers 35, Broncos 20

Chicago at Green Bay

Records: 11-4; 9-6.

When: Sunday, 1:15 p.m.

TV: Channel 11. DirecTV: 715.

Line: Packers by 10. O/U: 41.

Now that the Bears have clinched a first-round bye, they can rest their starters if they like. The Packers need this one, and that gives them the edge. Packers 28, Bears 24

Dallas at Philadelphia

Records: 5-10; 10-5.

When: Sunday, 1:15 p.m.

TV: none. DirecTV: 716.

Line: Off the board. O/U: Off.

The Eagles are locked in at the No. 3 seeding, yet they don’t want to enter the playoffs on the same sour note as the Minnesota loss. This is a confidence game. Eagles 31, Cowboys 17

N.Y. Giants at Washington

Records: 9-6; 6-9.

When: Sunday, 1:15 p.m.

TV: none. DirecTV: 717.

Line: Giants by 4. O/U: 44.

Giants still have a pulse, so they’re motivated. It hurts that they won’t have injured receiver Hakeem Nicks, although they should be able to hang on. Giants 24, Redskins 20

Arizona at San Francisco

Records: 5-10; 5-10.

When: Sunday, 1:15 p.m.

TV: none. DirecTV: 718.

Line: 49ers by 6. O/U: 38.

Interim Coach Jim Tomsula is popular with team. San Francisco will do for him what Cowboys did for Jason Garrett, and Vikings did with Leslie Frazier. 49ers 21, Cardinals 17

St. Louis at Seattle

Records: 7-8; 6-9.

When: Sunday, 5:15 p.m.

TV: Channel 4.

Line: Rams by 3. O/U: 41.

If Matt Hasselbeck can’t play — and it looks as if it will be Charlie Whitehurst — the Seahawks will be hard-pressed to pull this one off. Rams will advance. Rams 20, Seahawks 17