The Jets will send Rex Ryan out by keeping things close

JETS (3-12) at DOLPHINS (8-7), 1 p.m.

LINE: Dolphins by 5 1/2; O/U: 42

TV: Ch. 2; Radio: ESPN (98.7)

I write this column with a heavy heart. It's most likely the last time I'll wax poetic about Rex Ryan as Jets coach. So in honor of my "favorite" NFL leader, here is my homage to Rexy:

"Our time together was but fleeting.

Like me you enjoyed: football, cracking jokes as well as eating.

Your Jets reached AFC championship games, two straight.

Your offense was good, your defense was great.

You went from fat to thin, but so did your chances of victory from good to slim.

Your best line was: 'Let's go eat a (gosh darn) snack.'

My hope is that the Jets (somehow) bring you back."

Gang Green is 13-3 against the spread (ATS) in last 16 trips to Miami, and 22-9-1 ATS in last 32 games vs. Fins. Farewell, Rex. The pick: Jets

EAGLES (9-6) at GIANTS (6-9), 1 p.m.

LINE: Giants by 3; O/U: 52 1/2

TV: Ch. 5; Radio: WFAN (660, 101.9)

If you would have told me a month ago, that the Giants would have finished this season better than Philly, I would have thought you were crazy. But that's the case for Big Blue, who have won (and covered) three straight games. Congrats to the Philadelphia Eagles, who became the third team since 1990 to have a 9-3 record at one point during a season and NOT make the playoffs. Maybe now the Mark Sanchez talk will quiet down. The same goes for the anti-Tom Coughlin comments from November. (The man is a great coach and leader.) I know Coughlin's crew has covered eight of their last 10 Week 17 games. However, Philly is 9-3-1 ATS in last 13 meetings with the G-men and 6-1 ATS in previous seven games in swamps of New Jersey. The pick: Eagles

1 P.M. GAMES

CHARGERS (9-6) at CHIEFS (8-7)

LINE: Chiefs by 3; O/U: 421/2

The Chiefs need to win and also need help (Ravens' and Texans' losses) to make the playoffs. It's much easier for the Bolts: win and they're in. I know they're on the road, but getting almost a field goal? They very well could win this outright. Philip Rivers is 34-8 overall since 2006 in December and January regular-season games. The pick: Chargers

BROWNS (7-8) at RAVENS (9-6)

LINE: Ravens by 10; O/U: 411/2

Last week's Texans' win vs. the Ravens was one of the biggest surprises of Week 16. Baltimore needs a victory vs. the Browns and losses by both the Chargers and Bengals to reach the postseason. I think they take care of business against banged-up Brownies, but it's a week too late. The pick: Ravens

JAGUARS (3-12) at TEXANS (8-7)

LINE: Texans by 91/2; O/U: 401/2

Texans also need a lot of help: wins by the Browns and Chiefs, and a 'W' over the visiting Jags is the only way they reach the playoffs. Jags (3-1-1 ATS last 5 in Houston) keep this one closer than expected. The pick: Jaguars

COWBOYS (11-4) at REDSKINS (4-11)

LINE: Cowboys by 51/2; O/U: 49

Dallas can become the first team since the 2007 Patriots to finish a season unbeaten on the road (8-0). Interestingly, four of the last five teams to have perfect road records reached the Super Bowl. Hmmm. Redskins are 8-1 ATS in last nine series games, but I think Dallas avenges 20-17 OT home loss to Washington. The pick: Cowboys

COLTS (10-5) at TITANS (2-13)

LINE: Colts by 7; O/U: 461/2

The Colts are locked in as the No. 4 seed and will host the loser of the Steelers-Bengals contest. Tough call, because Titans are locked in at No. 2 in 2015 draft unless Bucs win. The pick: Colts

BILLS (8-7) at PATRIOTS (12-3)

LINE: Patriots by 41/2; O/U: 44

With the AFC's No. 1 seed locked up, as well as home-field advantage, would Pats coach Bill Belichick give some of his starters, in essence, close to three weeks off? I doubt it. The pick: Patriots

BEARS (5-10) at VIKINGS (6-9)

LINE: Vikings by 61/2; O/U: 44

Welcome back, Jay Cutler! I won't be shocked by anything here. However, the Vikings are tied for first with an NFL-best 10-5 record ATS (with Arizona). Works for me. The pick: Vikings

SAINTS (6-9) at BUCS (2-13)

LINE: Saints by 4; O/U: 47

I'm so happy I predicted in the preseason that New Orleans would win the Super Bowl this season. (Thanks a lot, guys!) Underdogs went 11-5 ATS last week, and home underdogs were 6-2 ATS. However, Bucs don't want to lose No. 1 overall pick in 2015 NFL draft which they'll cinch with a loss. Marcus or Jameis? The pick: Saints

4:25 P.M. GAMES

CAROLINA (6-8-1) at ATLANTA (6-9)

LINE: Falcons by 4; O/U: 471/2

TV: Ch. 2

This one decides the NFC South title as well as a first-round home playoff game. The Panthers went seven straight games without a win this season, while the Falcons haven't been plus-.500 since September. Matt Ryan is 11-0 overall when the Falcons are home favorites of more than a field goal vs. NFC South foes. Still, I'll take the points in what should be a nail-biter. The pick: Panthers

LIONS (11-4) at PACKERS (11-4)

LINE: Packers by 71/2; O/U: 47

TV: Ch. 5; Radio: WFAN (joined in progress)

This is for the NFC North crown and a first-round bye. The loser will be the No. 6 seed. The Lions have lost 23 straight road games at Green Bay (including the playoffs) and last beat the Packers away from Motown on Dec. 15, 1991. Wow! Pack are 9-3 ATS as favorites this season, but QB Aaron Rodgers (calf) has been limited this week. Even with a one-sided history at Lambeau, this is just too big a number for such a big game. The pick: Lions

RAMS (6-9) at SEAHAWKS (11-4)

LINE: Seahawks by 121/2; O/U: 41

The Seahawks will finish as the NFC West champs and earn a first-round bye with a victory. (They could also be the NFC's No. 1 seed with some various permutations.) St. Louis is 1-6 ATS in last seven trips to the Emerald City. Does Seattle repeat? The pick: Seahawks

CARDINALS (11-4) at 49ERS (7-8)

LINE: 49ers by 6; O/U: 361/2

The only way the Cards improve upon their No. 5 seed is if Seahawks lose. Good luck to Cards rookie QB Logan Thomas. On the other side, hasta luego, Jim Harbaugh! My guess is that he ends up in Michigan, but Raiders' Black Hole is a neat destination, too. The pick: 49ers

RAIDERS (3-12) at BRONCOS (11-4)

LINE: Broncos by 14; O/U: 48

The Broncos have won six straight vs. Oakland, and can clinch the No. 2 seed (and a first-round bye) with a win. Peyton Manning looks to rebound from Sunday night's four-pick performance in loss to Bengals. I'd buy down a point here if I could, but will take a slight lean with the favorite. The pick: Broncos

SUNDAY NIGHT

BENGALS (10-4-1) at STEELERS (10-5)

LINE: Steelers by 31/2; O/U: 48

TV: Ch. 4; Radio: WFAN (660, 101.9)

The Steelers would host a first-round game and clinch the AFC North with a 'W'. The Bengals, coming off an impressive win vs. Denver, earn a home playoff game with a win or tie. They need a win and the Raiders to upset the Broncos to move up as the AFC's No. 2 seed (not likely). Cincy is 2-5 ATS in last seven vs. Steelers and 8-20-1 ATS in last 29 games overall in series meetings. Plus, Bengals QB Andy Dalton (flu) and WR A.J. Green (biceps) both missed practice time this week. The pick: Steelers