NFL Picks, Week 17: 49ers host Cardinals as huge favorites

The final weekend of the 2012 NFL regular season is upon us, and the 49ers host the Arizona Cardinals as huge favorites. The line has moved a little bit and the 49ers sit as 17 point favorites against Arizona. The Cardinals are wrapping up a season that started with great promise after a 4-0 start, but has quickly fallen apart as Arizona subsequently went 1-10. They will be giving Brian Hoyer his first career start in a game the 49ers need to not only win, but dominate.

A dominating win does not mean the 49ers would be back on track and ready to make noise in the playoffs. Rather, it would at least give fans a modest boost moving forward. The 49ers will likely be playing without Justin Smith, and potentially Vernon Davis depending on how the week proceeds. And yet, the 49ers need to get an "easy" win the sense that they need to control this game from start to finish as much as possible.

An ugly win, or even a loss does not mean it's the end of the world. Momentum is not a necessary thing for winning the Super Bowl. Teams have stumbled into the playoffs and turned the ship around in time to get the Lombardi Trophy. However, this is not so much about momentum, as it is about confidence and just getting the ship righted sooner rather than later.

Buccaneers @ Falcons (No line): Bucs win

Jets @ Bills (-3.5): Bills cover

Ravens @ Bengals (-3): Bengals cover

Bears (-3) @ Lions: Bears cover

Texans (-7) @ Colts: Texans cover

Panthers @ Saints (-6): Saints cover

Eagles @ Giants (-7): Eagles cover, Giants win

Browns @ Steelers (No line): Steelers cover

Jaguars @ Titans (-4): Titans cover

Chiefs @ Broncos (-16): Broncos cover

Raiders @ Chargers (No line): Raiders win

Cardinals @ 49ers (-17): 49ers cover

Rams @ Seahawks (-11): Seahawks cover

Packers (-3) @ Vikings: Vikings win outright

Dolphins @ Patriots (-10): Patriots cover

Cowboys @ Redskins (-3.5): Redskins cover

Overall Record
Versus the spread: 112-104-6
Overall: 150-74-1