Dan Caesar’s week 17 NFL picks

Jaguars at Texans

Kickoff: 10 a.m.

Records: Jacksonville 3-12; Houston 8-7

Line: Texans by 9 1/2

Overview: Houtson still has an outside chance at the playoffs, but has QB Case Keenum making his second start after being just OK last week. Jacksonville has been playing better of late, but still ranks 30th in offense. However, Houston’s defense gets a lot of publicity because of J.J. Watt - but the unit is just 21st overall.

Pick: Texans, 23-16

Cowboys at Redskins

Kickoff: 10 a.m.

Records: Dallas 11-4; Washington 4-11

Line: Cowboys by 4

Overview: Dallas has little chance of improving its playoff position, so it could rest some of its regulars for part of this one. But RB DeMarco Murray (broken hand), who played sparingly last week, is set to go.

Pick: Redskins, 24-21

Colts at Titans

Kickoff: 10 a.m.

Records: Indianapolis 10-5; Tennessee 2-13

Line: Colts by 7

Overview:Tennessee is done after this one and Indianapolis is locked into the No. 4 AFC playoff seed, so it has nothing to gain and may not play some starters much – if at all – although receiver T.Y. Hilton is expected to get some work after sitting out last week.

Pick: Colts, 23-20

Browns at Ravens

Kickoff: 10 a.m.

Records: Cleveland 7-8; Baltimore 9-6

Line: Ravens by 13 1/2

Overview: Baltimore must win and get help to make the playoffs, and gets a break because Cleveland is set to start QB Connor Shaw. Teams whose QB makes his first NFL start, as he does, are 23-52 over the last nearly eight seasons (2-4 this year).

Pick: Ravens, 24-10

Bills at Patriots

Kickoff: 10 a.m.

Records: Buffalo 8-7; New England 12-3

Line: Patriots by 5

Overview: New England has locked up the top seed for the AFC playoffs, and might use some key players little, if at all. Meanwhile, Bills probably will be without two of their top defensive players – tackle Marcell Dareus (knee) and cornerback Stephon Gilmore (concussion). Tough call.

Pick: Patriots, 27-20

Bears at Vikings

Kickoff: 10 a.m.

Records: Chicago 5-10; Minnesota 6-9

Line: Vikings by 6

Overview: Benched Jay Cutler is back as Bears’ QB because his replacement, Jimmy Clausen, is ailing. Cutler will face the NFL’s No. 8 pass ‘D’ as Chicago tries to end a losing streak of four games. Minnesota rookie QB Teddy Bridgewater faces the NFL’s second-worst pass defense.

Pick: Vikings, 28-20

Eagles at Giants

Kickoff: 10 a.m.

Records: Philadelphia 9-6; New York 6-9

Line: Giants by 2 1/2

Overview: Sinking Philadelphia has little to play for. New York also is out of the running, but plays hard, has won three in a row and WR Odell Beckham Jr. has been on a tear. QB Eli Manning faces the NFL’s No. 25 pass ‘D’ here.

Pick: Giants, 31-27

Jets at Dolphins

Kickoff: 10 a.m.

Records: New York 3-12; Miami 8-7

Line: Dolphins by 6

Overview: Likely Rex Ryan’s finale as New York’s coach. His defense is stout (No. 6 in the league), the players like him and should be keyed up to deliver a big performance for him. Miami has been up and down, but its playoff hopes ended last week.

Pick: Jets, 20-17