This might not be the longest week in NFL history but it will be close to it with games stretching from Wednesday lunchtime to Monday night local time.
That means we get games on Thursday, Friday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday on our screens, all of which have potential playoff or draft implications.
It kicks off with the Kansas City Chiefs on the verge of claiming the AFC’s top seed when they host a Pittsburgh team desperately fighting off Baltimore in the AFC North, with the Ravens travelling to Houston to take on the Texans.
On Monday morning the NFC takes centre stage with two potentially season defining clashes.
Minnesota and Green Bay will be going to the playoffs, but they will be eager to finish as high in the standings as possible, while the Vikings have to win to keep their hopes of the division title and home field advantage alive.
Then we have Washington on the verge of securing their playoff spot, hosting an Atlanta team that needs to win out to claim the NFC South.
Check out our previews and best bets for all 16 games over the next five days below.
One more win is all that the Chiefs need to lock up home field advantage in the playoffs and it would make for a pretty decent Christmas present for Andy Reid and company.
However they will have to deal with a desperate Steelers slide looking to arrest a two game slide against a pair of Super Bowl contenders.
Thankfully for them, this game will be at home where they have gone 5-1 on the season but backing them to upset Kansas City is a massive risk to take, especially at that price.
Instead, we can find a bit more value in the total market, neither offence is really lighting it up and both have quite strong defensive units.
This might be a very slow race to 20 points.
Under 43.5 Points @ $1.90
The Ravens will be keeping a very close eye on proceedings in Pittsburgh before their game kicks off knowing that any drop off from their AFC North rivals will open the door to the division title.
Of course they will have to take care of business in Houston to capitalise on said slip up, but the Ravens are deserved favourites in this market.
Houston just has not been the same team in the second half of this season, really struggling for consistency.
The injuries at receiver have not helped with Tank Dell the latest addition to the “gone for the season” list and it has really stifled their productivity.
Outside of one early season blowout they have been in all of their losses but when it comes time to make a play, they just haven’t been able to.
Lamar Jackson has been able to make those plays and that is why he is in the mix for another MVP title, so I’ll be backing him and his team to deck the halls of NRG Stadium in purple and black.
Baltimore to Win by 1-13 Points @ $2.15
It’s almost last call for the Seattle Seahawks as their season goes on the line against the Bears.
Thankfully for the visitors, things are starting to fade out in the Windy City with the team on a nine game losing streak, five of which have been by double digit margins.
With nothing to play for and the roster awaiting a new coaching staff, we might see some business decisions being made by the home team.
Which should allow Seattle to keep their year going into the final game of the season.
Seattle to Cover -3.5 @ $1.90
The first game in the Sunday triple header will basically come down to how long the Chargers want to let the Patriots hang around.
New England outplayed Buffalo in stretches last week but a mistake filled second half doomed them to their 12th loss of the 2024 season.
Not that they will mind as it left them with the provisional second pick in the draft, which should help them add to their talent deficient roster.
Meanwhile, LA has a simple win and in scenario for the playoffs and they should be able to take care of business with a run heavy approach.
LA Chargers to Cover -4 @ $1.90
Not to hyperbolise but this game will basically decide if there will be any intrigue in the final makeup of the AFC playoff field in Week 18.
If Cincinnati wins, they will move to within one game of Denver and also keep the dreams of Indianapolis and Miami alive.
They are a decent chance of doing it, having won three in a row but Denver will be easily the toughest opponent out of that group.
Should the Broncos spring the upset on the road, they will book their playoff spot and leave Week 18 to decide the seedings.
Both teams can score for fun, especially the Bengals although that is in large part out of necessity because their defence is awful.
It could go either way with so much to play for, but we are going to see a whole lot of touchdowns, so back the over.
Over 50 Points @ $1.90
Another team riding a late season winning streak with an eye on a playoff berth is the LA Rams.
If they can make it five in a row when they host the Cardinals this weekend they will be on the precipice of another NFC West division title, or win it if the Seahawks get upset by the Bears on Friday.
Not to mention they will have the added motivation of avenging a 41-10 loss in Arizona back in Week 2.
Given the Cardinals eliminated themselves with an overtime loss in Carolina last week, they might not be firing on all cylinders either.
LA Rams to Cover -6 @ $1.90
After losing in Dallas last week, Tampa Bay has no more margin for error, needing to win out and hope Atlanta falters to get into the playoffs.
Which means they cannot afford a slip up against Carolina in this game, especially after getting pushed into overtime when they met back in Week 13.
On that occasion the Panthers gave Tampa all they could handle, and they have already played spoiler to Arizona’s postseason aspirations last week.
However Tampa is a much better team than Arizona and the Bucs should be able to win the game, even if it’s a bit closer than they would like.
Not to mention Tampa’s quest to keep Mike Evans’ streak of 1000 yard seasons alive means he is worth backing as a value add for a same game multi.
SGM: Tampa to Cover -2.5, Baker Mayfield 225+ Passing Yards, Mike Evans Over 78.5 Receiving Yards @ $3.43
There are some good rivalries in the NFC East and despite their season being over and done with, Dallas would love to deal another blow to Philadelphia before their playoff run begins.
The Eagles will likely be without Jalen Hurts after he picked up a concussion in last week’s loss to Washington and the drop off to Kenny Pickett is significant.
It will also allow the Dallas defence to key on Saquon Barkley and stifle him as he chases down Eric Dickerson’s single season rushing record.
Points are likely to be at a premium in this game with both teams limited through injury and the star power heavily weighted towards both defences.
The Eagles should be able to win it at home but the under looks like the far more appropriate play.
Under 38.5 Points @ $1.90
By the time this game kicks off, Indianapolis could be eliminated from playoff contention, or suddenly dreaming of a very realistic possibility.
While their fate is unknown at publish, the Giants know exactly what they need to do in this game and that is lose.
Currently holding the first overall pick in the draft, they simply have to lose this week and next to give themselves complete freedom over who to take in April’s draft.
Which means they will not be too upset if Jonathan Taylor decides to continue his impressive form from last week and run all over the Giants.
SGM: Indianapolis to Win and Jonathan Taylor Anytime Touchdown @ $2.11
5-10 hosting 3-12 with neither team in contention for a playoff berth means this is the game to avoid.
Neither team is anywhere close to full strength and both know big changes are coming in the offseason so it’s in their best interests just to get through it in one piece.
Perhaps the only good offensive player left to bet on is Raiders star rookie tight end Brock Bowers so let’s see if he can find the end zone.
But if you don’t have an obligation to bet on this game for your day job, nobody would blame you for avoiding it.
Brock Bowers Anytime Touchdown @ $2.75
Buffalo’s remarkable streak of scoring 30+ points in a game was brought to a halt by New England somewhat surprisingly last weekend.
Although the greater concern is over the health of Josh Allen with the MVP frontrunner dealing with injuries on both arms, although none appear to be serious enough that his season is in jeopardy.
If they win this game they lock up the second seed in the AFC, which means we should see Allen playing even if he is closer to 70% healthy.
The Bills have gone 4-0 in the division and the Jets are flat out bad, take the team that has something to play for.
Buffalo to Cover -8.5 @ $1.90
Here’s another game where neither team has a whole lot to play for and a loss would be incredibly beneficial come April.
Currently occupying the third and fourth spot in the draft order with similar 3-12 records, the winner could drop down as low as eighth and the winner could land in the first spot.
In Week 14 we saw these two sides play out a 10-6 win for Jacksonville, so let’s take the under and pretend this game doesn’t actually exist.
Under 40 Points @ $1.90
When the schedule came out seven months ago, this had all sorts of potential to be a good game between two teams that made the postseason in 2023.
Just like Indianapolis, Miami could be eliminated from contention by kickoff or see a very clear path to playoff football.
All they can do though is work to take care of business and try to finish on a high note so that the scrutiny on the players and coaches is minimised.
Cleveland is just flat out bad and cannot score points, which has put their defence under all sorts of pressure and they just have not been able to answer the call in the last few weeks.
Miami should find a way to win and comfortably outscore the Browns.
SGM: Miami to Cover -6.5, De’Von Achane 50+ Rush Yards & Anytime Touchdown @ $3.42
If Minnesota is going to steal the NFC North and home field advantage from the Detroit Lions, they have to do it the hard way.
Green Bay is fighting for playoff seeding and will not roll over, but a Vikings win would set up a winner take all Week 18 clash next week against the Lions.
The Vikings won a back and forth clash in Week 4 31-29 and their defence has been showing a bit of vulnerability in the last few games.
However their offence is starting to click, scoring over 23 points in every game since Week 11 and Sam Darnold is playing very well.
But the best bet for this game is going to be built around the running backs, with Aaron Jones taking on his former team and Josh Jacobs seemingly magnetised to the end zone.
Pair up those two as touchdown scorers with a Vikings win for a solid value SGM.
SGM: Minnesota Win, Josh Jacobs and Aaron Jones Anytime Touchdowns @ $5.72
Michael Penix was fine on debut but he is going to have to be more than fine when the Falcons host the presumptive Rookie of the Year Jayden Daniels.
Thanks to an injury aided win over Philadelphia last week, the Commanders are in the box seat for a Wild Card berth and are tough to back against.
Their defence is going to be a much tougher assignment for Penix in his second start and that is going to be the difference in this game.
Back the Commanders defence to have their way with the rookie and move closer to the postseason.
Washington to Cover -4 @ $1.90
A second loss this season did not ruin the Detroit Lions season as they went into the cold in Chicago and dominated the Bears last week.
Now if fate goes their way (for once), they could book a weekend off in January and make sure that the next time they have to leave their home will be for the Super Bowl in New Orleans.
Even if they do not have the opportunity to secure home field advantage, they will have plenty to motivate them against a banged up 49ers side.
If nothing else there will be some comfort having lost the NFC Championship in this stadium back in January.
Back in May this looked like a late season blockbuster, now it looks like a pretty big mismatch.
San Francisco to Cover -3.5 @ $1.94
2023
Even though we are now three years into the 18-week NFL regular season, Week 17 still feels like it should be the last set of games before the playoffs begin.
However the extra week may come in handy when it comes to sorting out the incredibly muddled playoff picture in both conferences.
In the NFC four teams have locked up their spot and two have secured division titles, leaving eight to battle for the remaining three places.
Just two teams have locked up their postseason spot in the AFC but none of the divisions have been won, although that could change in the coming days.
With a full set of 16 games on the cards, there’s a lot to get to so read on for our previews and best bets for Week 17 in the 2023 NFL season.
Cleveland has one of the more simple equations in front of them this week, if they beat the hapless Jets they will be in the playoffs while a loss means they will have to hope for some help elsewhere.
Not to mention their incredibly slim hopes of winning the AFC North rely on a win here and frankly, they should make mince meat of the Jets.
Sure they won last week over Washington despite their best efforts to throw away a 20 point lead, but they are not an NFL team on offence and the Browns defence is going to have a field day.
Having the line at -7.5 does leave open the chance for a backdoor cover with a garbage time touchdown so I’ll just land on Cleveland to win straight up and throw in a couple of player markets for a SGM.
SGM: Cleveland to Win, Joe Flacco 225+ Pass Yards, Jerome Ford 50+ Rush Yards & Anytime TD @ $7.23
Not only are the Lions going to the playoffs, they will be doing so as division champions for the first time in three decades, but there is still business to attend to.
Currently locked in a three way tie with Philadelphia and San Francisco for the top seed in the NFC, they have to try to win out to get home field advantage.
That honour might elude Dallas who is a game behind but they are still lurking for the NFC East division title so they can’t exactly roll over either.
Playing this game at AT&T Stadium is a massive boost for the Cowboys given they have gone 7-0 there this season but they are way too short against this Lions team who seem to make every game closer than it needs to be.
Both teams love to score a lot of points and I’m expecting a shootout between two of the more dynamic offences.
There are plenty of combinations to go with in this market so overthinking it is very much a possibility here.
I’ve landed on the over to go with Goff and Prescott to combine for 600 yards, both will spread the ball around and to round it out, a couple of dynamic playmakers to find the end zone.
SGM: Over 53.5 Points, Jared Goff & Dak Prescott 600+ Combined Pass Yards, Jahmyr Gibbs & CeeDee Lamb To Have 2+ TDs Combined @ $7.73
If the Eagles were playing to their potential, taking them to cover the -10.5 line would be one of the easier choices of the week.
Even though they broke a three game losing streak with an eight point win on Boxing Day over the Giants, they still look out of sorts.
Arizona isn’t much worse than the Giants and they can at least score some points, so they should be able to move the ball on an Eagles defence that has given up at least 20 points in their last five games and seven of their last eight.
Maybe this is where Philadelphia flicks the switch and looks like the team that cruised to the Super Bowl last season but until they get it together I’m going to take them straight up and pair it with the over for a bit of value.
Philadelphia to Win and Over 48.5 Points @ $2.10
I really don’t know what to make of this game because both teams have been largely bad this season but have shown flashes of potential at random points.
That makes taking either team on a potentially scary proposition considering Chicago has a quarterback playing for his career in the Windy City and Atlanta has some dangerous skill position players.
Just on the numbers, Chicago as a $1.60 favourite is always an odd prospect but Atlanta has really struggled on the road, with their last two games totalling 37 points, although the weather was a factor there.
Both teams are more than happy to run the ball so this could be one of the faster games of the season and if both get their ground game going, we should see both find a way to 20.
Over 38 Points @ $1.94
At the time of writing, there is nothing encouraging coming out of Jaguars camp regarding the status of Trevor Lawrence.
After being a doubt last week and missing practice, he turned in a stinker against Tampa before being pulled for a shoulder injury.
Right now they are saying he is feeling better but still not up to throwing a whole lot which is a massive red flag.
That being said, Carolina isn’t exactly a team you should feel great about backing regardless of the opponent so this has all the makings of an unders game as both sides try to slog it out.
Under 38 Points @ $1.90
Don’t look now but the Rams are one of the form teams in the NFC and they could lock up a playoff spot with a win and a Seattle loss (which I wouldn’t be counting on).
They put out a statement with a big win over New Orleans last week and are favoured for this trip to New Jersey.
The Giants season is over but they are not going down without a fight, opting to bring back Tyrod Taylor for this game but that has just stopped me taking LA to win by two touchdowns.
Taylor might be able to keep it close but with the way the Rams are rolling I’m not backing against them.
LA Rams to Cover -5.5 @ $1.90
Decades from now, the world’s brightest minds will study the Raiders win in Kansas City and fail to comprehend how they won despite not completing a pass after the end of the first quarter and not scoring an offensive touchdown.
Not a bad way to back up a 40 point win over your division rivals though.
But at some point that luck has to come to an end and the inconsistent Colts might provide that stumbling block.
With both teams very much alive in the AFC playoff race I’m expecting a fair bit of fire in this one but at home, I’ll take the Colts to get the job done… just.
Indianapolis to Win by 1-13 Points @ $2.25
Not many people would have expected this game to be the one that decided AFC home field advantage but the winner of this will finish as the top seed heading into the playoffs.
The fact this game is in Baltimore is a huge edge for the Ravens with the raucous crowd behind them and while the Dolphins are not exactly bad on the road at 4-3, they just don’t quite execute as well.
Injuries have been a major problem for both teams but it’s tough to look past the names on Miami’s list including Tua Tagovailoa, Raheem Mostert and Jaylen Waddle.
Baltimore might have won more games by double digits than one score this season but I’m expecting them to be pushed all the way here before Lamar Jackson cements his MVP case with a big drive.
Baltimore to Win by 1-13 Points @ $2.20
A playoff berth beckons for Buffalo but to lock it up here, they need to win and have at least two other results go their way.
If both teams were playing to their capacity the Bills winning and covering the 13 point line would be automatic but they seem to be forcing themselves to play at the level of their opponents and New England might be able to give them some problems.
After all, the Patriots beat them in Week 7 (somehow) but a lot has changed for Bill Belichick’s side since then.
There is every chance the Pats find a way to hang around in this game and make Buffalo sweat but Josh Allen and company should find a way to get over the line as the game rolls on.
SGM: Buffalo to Win, Josh Allen and James Cook Anytime TD Scorers @ $4.58
Tipped by many to fall off after the retirement of Tom Brady, Tampa has rallied around Baker Mayfield and put together a four game winning streak.
Now they can win another NFC South division title despite starting the season as $9.00 outsiders if they beat the Saints.
New Orleans can set up a very interesting Week 18 however if they manage to spring the upset here, but their record is a very soft 7-8 and they have one quality victory all season.
If they do manage to pull it off it will be because of their defence but after seeing them get shredded in LA last week, I’ll be backing the Bucs at home.
Tampa Bay to Cover -2.5 @ $1.90
Last time the 49ers had an unbeaten run brought to a halt, it kick started a three week losing streak but I’m not expecting that to be repeated here.
Washington is going with the “safer” option at quarterback in Jacoby Brissett but they could bring back prime Warren Moon and it wouldn’t make a difference here.
San Francisco is going to be very annoyed about losing to Baltimore last week and will set out to make amends.
The Commanders will be the unfortunate victims of this bounce back performance.
San Francisco to Cover -13 @ $1.94
No time like the present for CJ Stroud to return to the Texans lineup after missing the last two games with a concussion.
That boost could be enough to propel the Texans home in the AFC South with the dynamic rookie a true difference maker for Houston.
Tennessee is done and dusted in the playoff race and while they would love to knock off their rival, I just can’t see it happening with the way this side is trending.
Two weeks ago the Texans won in overtime in Nashville without Stroud and with him back in the lineup, this should be enough to make it a slightly more one sided affair.
Houston to Cover -5 @ $1.90
One more win will be enough for Mike Tomlin to extend his remarkable streak of never having a losing season as a head coach, but he’s going to have to do it the hard way on the run home.
Not only is that streak on the line, Pittsburgh needs to win one if not both of its remaining games in Seattle and Baltimore to make the playoffs.
This one means quite a lot to Seattle as well with their playoff fate on the line, however they do have a very winnable game next week in Arizona, but it’s not something you really want to leave until the last moment.
I just can’t see Seattle handing the ball to Pittsburgh as many times as Cincinnati did last week and the Seahawks have won five of their last six at home with the only loss coming at the hands of San Francisco.
Pittsburgh is no San Francisco and I’ll back the home team to take one step closer to the playoffs here.
Seattle to Cover -3.5 @ $1.94
Something is really off in Kansas City, but it’s not the presence of Taylor Swift in one of the luxury suites.
Patrick Mahomes just doesn’t seem to be able to handle the attrition of the 2023 NFL season and his frustrations have boiled over repeatedly in the last month.
Just how understandable those blowups are is a matter for debate another time, but this is the hand he has been dealt heading into January.
Cincinnati came crashing back to earth last week in Pittsburgh and Jake Browning showed why he is a backup, but they should still be able to stay competitive here.
This Chiefs team is good enough to win but they are not good enough to expect any blowout victories from, so I’ll back them just to edge out a feisty Bengals team.
Kansas City to Win by 1-13 Points @ $2.30
It’s all coming crashing down in Denver with Russell Wilson benched for the rest of the season, bringing an end to his brief Broncos tenure.
Now they will turn to Jarret Stidham to get them through the next two weeks and he showed in Las Vegas last season that he’s not entirely awful as a quarterback.
Payton will find a way to make it easy on him as they host the Chargers so they should be able to move the ball and score some points.
LA moved on from Brandon Staley and in their 24-22 loss to the Bills last week, showed just how happy they were to be free from his control, playing with much more discipline and energy than they have in a very long time.
This game really could go either way so I’m just going to take the over and hope it’s tight going into the fourth quarter.
Over 37.5 Points @ $1.90
It’s rare for the Sunday Night Football game to be the last one of the week but it’s wrapping up here to accommodate the college Semi Finals on Tuesday (AEDT).
These NFC North rivals will know heading into this game that a loss here most likely ends their playoff hopes, so there is plenty on the line.
After showing some signs of life with Josh Dobbs, the Vikings have spiralled downwards losing four of their last five and switching to Nick Mullens at quarterback.
This might be an overly simplistic approach but it’s hard to have any faith in a guy that has thrown six interceptions in two starts.
Green Bay isn’t exactly looking that dangerous themselves, nearly losing to Carolina last week but any chance to take on Nick Mullens is a good enough justification for me on this tip.
Green Bay to Win @ $2.10
2022
We’ve reached the pointy end of the NFL season with only two weeks remaining!
Week 17 continues on Monday morning with the Dolphins and Patriots headlining the early slate – the loser almost guaranteed to miss out on the playoffs entirely.
Green Bay’s resurgence has cast a spanner in the works of the NFC playoff picture, and the Packers will fancy themselves at home against the Vikings in another key divisional showdown from Lambeau Field.
Finally, the NFL has saved the best for last this week with the Bills and Bengals back in action on Tuesday morning. It’s been three years since the two sides last met, and it’s fair to say we might be looking at an early AFC Championship Game preview!
The stakes are high on Friday for the first time in what feels like forever.
A win for the Cowboys could make the race for the NFC East crown very interesting with Jalen Hurts still on the sideline in Philly, while the Titans are suddenly in serious danger of missing the playoffs after suffering their fifth-straight loss to the Texans last week.
With Ryan Tannehill still on the sideline, I feel confident in Dallas winning this game by a comfortable margin. The Cowboys do have some big injury concerns with Micah Parsons, DeMarcus Lawrence, and Tony Pollard all listed as questionable, but they are still the superior team on both sides of the ball.
On the back of a confidence-boosting win over the Eagles last week, I expect the Cowboys top-class pass rush to make this a nightmare 60 minutes for Malik Willis.
Tip: Back the Cowboys to Cover the Line (-10.5 Points) @ $1.90
The NFC South has been a pimple on the face of the NFL all season, and this game will be another firm reminder that this mediocre Bucs team could make the playoffs with a record below .500.
Fortunately, this game is anything but a given after the Panthers set new franchise records in rushing and total yards last week in their shock win over Detroit.
In comparison to the Bucs, scoring points hasn’t been a huge issue for the Panthers this season, particularly over the last month in wins over the Lions, Seahawks, and Broncos.
You could argue Carolina is the more in-form team heading into this game, especially after the Bucs failed to score a touchdown until late in the fourth quarter of their overtime win against Arizona.
It’s worth noting the line for this game has firmed from +7 into +3, so I think the bookies are wary of Carolina as they hope to keep their faint playoff hopes alive.
Tip: Back the Panthers to Cover the Line (+3 Points) @ $1.90
Bit of a nothing game between two sides that were pegged to struggle at the beginning of the year.
All eyes will be on J.J. Watt in the second-last game of his storied career, but in terms of betting, this one has “low-scoring slugfest” written all over it.
Scoring points has been a huge challenge for Arizona post Kyler Murray’s injury, while the Falcons have failed to score more than 20 in each of their last four games
Tip: Under 41 Total Points @ $1.90
A game between the Lions and Bears at this time of year typically means nothing, but with Detroit still in the thick of the playoff race, this one is choc-full of importance.
The Lions did themselves no favours last week in their stunning loss to the Panthers, a result that further highlighted some of their hot and cold tendencies on offence.
The defence also gave up a record number of yards on the ground to D’Onta Foreman, which doesn’t bode well against Chicago’s one-two punch at running back, or the elusive Justin Fields.
Chicago’s defence doesn’t inspire much confidence, but given four of the last five games between these two sides have been decided by less than a touchdown – and the fact the underdog has covered in five of their last six meetings – I think the Bears are a much better chance than the line suggests.
Tip: Back the Bears to Cover the Line (+6 Points) @ $1.90
This might be one of the toughest games to pick this week.
Washington’s playoff hopes hang on a win and other results going their way, while the Browns are still a mathematical chance, even if it would take a miracle.
The Commanders have opted for Carson Wentz to see out the season at quarterback, but if Ron Rivera has done his homework, he’ll know the ground game is the key to beating Cleveland.
The Browns currently rank fifth in rushing yards allowed, allowing an average of 134 a game.
With that in mind, I think the safest play here is back Brian Robinson to find the end zone with Antonio Gibson still listed as questionable.
Tip: Brian Robinson Anytime Touchdown Scorer
If you missed out on Denver’s Boxing Day massacre against the Rams, lucky you.
The Russell Wilson experiment has fallen flat on its face, leaving upper management no other choice but to fire Nathaniel Hackett in his first year as head coach.
A game against the Chiefs at Arrowhead is far from what the doctor ordered, particularly with Patrick Mahomes and the rest of the Kansas City offence looking to prove a point following a few close shaves recently.
More importantly, the top seed in the AFC is still up for grabs, so this one basically has statement Chiefs win written all over it.
Tip: Back the Chiefs to Cover the Line (-13.5 Points) @ $1.90
A game against the hapless Colts couldn’t have come at a better time if you’re a Giants fan.
Last week’s heartbreaking loss to the Vikings has left the G-Men with some work to do in terms of making the playoffs, but they should have no trouble moving the ball and putting up points against what is arguably the most disappointing team of the season.
Indy’s miserable 3-20 loss to the Chargers last week proved that not even Nick Foles can resurrect this franchise, and it’s become blatantly obvious that there is some serious unrest going on behind the scenes.
Defensively, the Colts have been tough to throw the ball against, but they’ve struggled to contain the run all year – setting up what could be a massive day for Saquon Barkley.
Tip: Back the Giants to Win & Saquon Barkley Anytime Touchdown
The Jags are in control of their own destiny from here on out.
With Tennessee in a slump, Jacksonville is now the favourite to claim the AFC South – something no one predicted heading into Doug Pederson’s first year as head coach.
The Jags have been scoring points for fun in their last three wins over the Titans, Cowboys, and Jets, but they’re about to face a feisty Texans outfit that has challenged some of the NFL’s very best in recent weeks.
Houston took Dallas and Kansas City to the sword before last week’s well-deserved win over the Titans, and I wouldn’t be surprised if the secondary – a unit that ranks 17th in passing yards allowed – makes this a challenge for Trevor Lawrence and company.
Better yet, the Texans have won nine straight over the Jags dating back to 2017, so this is somewhat of a hoodoo game for the home side.
Tip: Back the Texans to Cover the Line (+4.5 Points) @ $1.90
It’s fair to say the loser of this AFC East showdown won’t be featuring in the playoffs.
Despite their best second-half efforts, the Patriots fell short of the Bengals last week, while the Dolphins suffered their fourth straight loss to the Packers.
The news around Tua Tagovailoa’s recent concussion isn’t good, which does make this game tricky to bet on at time of publish.
With or without their star quarterback though, it’s hard to feel good about the Dolphins after Tua threw a handful of crucial interceptions last week.
Unless Miami can get their ground game sorted – an area that has proven a challenge all year – it’s worth betting on the Patriots in this one.
Tip: Back the Patriots to Win
The Eagles fell short in the end, but Minshew Mania was back in full swing last week in the loss to Dallas.
Some crucial turnovers cost Philly a chance to knock off their rivals, but with an opportunity to sew up the division crown and the top seed in the NFC, it’s hard to see the Eagles losing this game.
New Orleans has found some form over the last month with wins over the Falcons and Browns, but for a team averaging only 330 yards on offence, the Saints will need to really dig deep against one of the highest scoring teams in the league.
Even worse, the Saints have had problems holding onto the ball, which doesn’t bode well against Philly’s elite pass rush.
With a 2-5 record on the road this year, I can’t see New Orleans pulling this one out.
Tip: Back the Eagles 14+ @ $2.85
Ravens fans can breathe easy knowing they’ve done enough to punch their playoff ticket, but these next couple of weeks could prove testing with Brett Hundley still starting in place one the injured Lamar Jackson.
A win over a big-time division rival would be handy momentum heading towards the postseason, but on the flip side, the Steelers have just as much to play for sitting on the fringe of the AFC Wild Card picture.
Mathematically, the Steelers only have a 2.5% chance of making it in, but I think their chances of winning this game on Monday are drastically higher.
That said, this Ravens defence has been much better recently, allowing less than 20 points to each of their last four opponents.
Pittsburgh squeaked out a 16-14 win when these two met only three weeks ago, but with both sides ranking Top 10 in fewest passing yards allowed, I feel much more comfortable taking the Under.
Tip: Under 35 Total Points @ $1.90
It’s only fitting that these two sides should meet with a fortnight remaining.
To their credit, the Seahawks put up a decent fight at Arrowhead against the Chiefs, but ultimately lacked the offensive firepower to keep up on the scoreboard.
Likewise, the Jets unraveled in what was likely Zach Wilson’s final start in New York, leaving Mike White firmly in charge of the Jets’ playoff destiny from here on out.
Geno Smith returns to face his former side, just one of the fascinating storylines heading into this game.
From a betting perspective though, I think it all boils down to which version of the Jets defence shows up.
This is still a unit that has allowed the fifth-fewest passing yards and ranks 11th against the run, which doesn’t bode particularly well for a Seahawks team that hasn’t cracked 20 points in two straight weeks.
Tip: Back the Jets to Win @ $1.80
Somehow, the Raiders still hold a 0.1% chance of making the playoffs, but really, this game is all about the Niners.
You might not know it, but San Francisco currently holds the longest-winning streak in the NFL (eight games) which arguably makes them the hottest team to beat heading towards the playoffs.
Defensively, you could also argue the 49ers boast the best unit in the NFC, while young quarterback Brock Purdy continues to grow with confidence each week.
On the flip side, the Raiders have been awful when it comes to giving up large chunks of yards – particularly through the air. This is also a unit that has given up nearly 24 points to opponents this year – bad news if Deebo Samuel somehow makes his return from injury.
Tip: Back the 49ers to Cover the Line (-10.5 Points) @ $1.90
The Vikings have already done enough to secure the NFC North crown, but they’d love nothing more than to put a final dagger in Green Bay’s late playoff hopes.
Three wins on the trot has left Green Bay in firm control of its own destiny with two games remaining, and although the defence continues to give up large chunks of yards, there’s been plenty to like about the offence in recent weeks.
Aaron Rodgers is nursing a slight knee injury heading into this one, but it won’t be enough to discount No. 12 from the game.
That said, the Packers have bigger problems to account for.
The Vikings famously torched Green Bay 23-7 in Week 1 of the season, largely thanks to a stellar 184-yard, two touchdown day from Justin Jefferson.
I have no doubt the Packers will keep up on the scoreboard this time around, particularly against a Vikings secondary that has been susceptible to big plays themselves.
Still, the Packers have had real issues stopping teams on third down, and if defensive coordinator Joe Barry fails to get the match ups right this time around, this could be another long day for the folks at Lambeau.
Tip: Back the Vikings to Cover the Line (+3.5 Points) @ $1.83
With the Rams at 5-10, this battle of Los Angeles has had some of the shine taken off it, but from the Chargers’ point of view, it still holds plenty of importance.
Brandon Staley’s squad can go a long way to locking up the second Wild Card seed with a win, although as we’ve seen all season, victory is anything but guaranteed when it comes to this 2022 Chargers squad.
Last week’s win over the Colts was comfortable, but their previous victories over the Titans and Dolphins – two out of form teams – has left a lot to be desired.
The Rams also come into this game with some confidence following a 51-14 beatdown over the Broncos on Boxing Day. Defensively, the Rams have been one of the toughest teams to run the ball against this year, so if the pass rush can put some pressure on Justin Herbert, this one might be interesting.
Tip: Back the Rams to Cover the Line (+6.5 Points) @ $1.90
It’s hard to believe it’s been three years since the Bills and Bengals last met.
The first chapter in what might be a long-running rivalry between Joe Burrow and Josh Allen will be written on Tuesday, and while this game should feature its fair share of points, I think I’m firmly in the corner of the Bills.
They say great teams find ways to win games, and the Bengals have done that, but I do have some question marks surrounding their slow first-half efforts and their offence in general.
It feels as though they aren’t taking some of the chances down-field that we’ve become used to seeing, and if they meet a team like Buffalo – one that knows how to stop the running game – I do wonder if Burrow can get the job done on his own.
Tip: Back the Bills to Win @ $1.87
2021
For almost three decades, Week 17 of the NFL season was normally the last chance for teams to get into the playoffs.
With the new, expanded schedule however, Week 17 will be the penultimate act with 13 AFC teams still alive in the race for Super Bowl LVI.
Over in the NFC six teams are in the mix for the final two playoff spots and both San Francisco and Philadelphia could clinch a playoff berth with a win and other results going their way.
As is the case with every active sporting league at the moment, the shadow of Covid looms large and could turn many of these games on his head.
We are previewing all 16 NFL games this weekend and have found our best bets so read on and see who we are backing.
Two weeks ago, New England was the top seed in the AFC and in control of its playoff destiny however back to back losses have dropped them to the sixth seed and in real danger of missing the playoffs.
Their supposedly brutal defence has been exposed by two offences that play with very different styles.
On the plus side, they have built their success this season beating overmatched teams and Jacksonville is definitely a bad team with their 2-13 head to head record.
To make it worse, the Jaguars have gone 4-11 against the spread, which is why the Patriots are -15.5 favourites on a two game losing streak.
New England will see this as a get-right game and they will look to fix up a few of the issues that have been plaguing them in the past fortnight.
Back New England to Cover -15.5 and Over 41.5 Points @ $3.50
The Bills are rolling and just recorded the biggest win of their season to date.
Now comes the challenge of backing up from that win and taking care of business against a team they are expected to dominate.
A win against Atlanta would all but secure a second straight AFC East title regardless of New England’s result and with the form Josh Allen is in, he should have a big day against the Falcons defence.
Back Buffalo to Cover -14.5 @ $1.94
Without a doubt, this is the biggest game in the AFC this weekend with the Bengals hosting the Chiefs.
A win for Cincinnati would clinch the AFC North while Kansas City could secure home field advantage with a win and a Tennessee loss.
While a Bengals victory would set up for a dramatic Week 18 in the AFC all over the place, it is tough to back against Kansas City in their current form.
They have claimed their last eight in a row and are now one of the more reliable teams against the spread compared to earlier in the year when they just could not cover.
Add in the Bengals relative youth and inexperience on the big stage and backing Kansas City at the line just makes more and more sense.
Back Kansas City to Cover -5.5 @ $1.90
Baltimore’s fall continues as they now sit at 8-7 and on the wrong side of the AFC playoff divide thanks to a four game losing streak.
That slump can almost exclusively be attributed to an already depleted roster taking more hits, with the most notable absence in the last few weeks is quarterback Lamar Jackson.
It sounds like the quarterback is a real chance of coming back this weekend but the Rams defence could very easily send him back to the sideline with how physical they are.
Barring a Covid outbreak on the Rams, this line looks way too small in favour of the visitors and I’ll back the Rams to win and cover on the road.
Back the LA Rams to Cover -3.5 @ $1.90
Indianapolis is able to clinch a playoff berth if they can take care of business against a Vegas team that showed some fight for the first time in a month against Denver last week.
At the time of writing, the Colts are favoured by a touchdown and based on their recent form, they should have no trouble covering that line.
They have one of the best records in the league against the spread, going 10-5 with the handicap and 4-2 as a favourite.
While Jonathan Taylor was held out of the end zone for the first time since Week 3 against the Cardinals, he managed to tally over 100 yards again.
This is the game to go for the SGM and I’ll take the Colts to cover on the back of a big day from Taylor.
SGM: Indianapolis to Cover, Jonathan Taylor Over Total Rush Yards & Anytime TD Scorer
Having a healthy AJ Brown made a huge difference for the Titans in Week 16 as the Titans took another step towards the AFC South title and kept the pressure on Kansas City for home field advantage.
Miami made it seven wins in a row against a depleted New Orleans side on Monday Night Football but it’s hard to see them having a whole lot of luck against this Titans side.
They need to continue their winning streak to hold onto a playoff spot but the Titans look like they are returning to form and perhaps more importantly, something close to full health.
Back Tennessee to Cover -3.5 @ $1.90
One of only a handful of dead rubber games at this time of year, the Bears and Giants are just playing out the schedule.
Chicago at least showed some signs of fight in their win in Seattle last weekend while the Giants just don’t have the personnel to compete.
There’s a case for Chicago at the line but when there’s two bad teams facing off, you may as well take the over and hope there are a few touchdowns.
Back Over 37.5 @ $1.90
It’s hard to believe that Washington is even alive in the playoff race after their humiliating loss at in Dallas last week.
But if they can sort their stuff out before Philadelphia comes to FedEx Field, they can really throw a cat amongst the pigeons.
However the dysfunction on that team is a major red flag and they appear ready to pack it in.
Philadelphia is rolling and they should have no trouble winning this one comfortably.
Back Philadelphia to Cover -3.5 @ $1.90
Tom Brady had plenty of success against the Jets throughout his Patriots career and it should be no different as he brings his Buccaneers side to MetLife Stadium.
In spite of a handful of notable absences, the Buccaneers are a much better team than the Jets and losing would actually help New York out in terms of draft positioning.
Take Brady and the Buccaneers by a lot.
Back Tampa Bay to Cover -13.5 @ $1.90
It is possible to read too much into one result and that is why the Texans win over the Chargers last week is going to be treated as an anomaly rather than an encouraging sign.
However the 49ers loss to the Titans raised major questions over the offence’s ability to score enough points against good teams.
Defensively the 49ers did not do a whole lot wrong last week and they should be able to keep them under 20 points.
And they may need to with Jimmy Garoppolo battling a thumb injury and Trey Lance still very much an unproven commodity at this level.
San Francisco should win this game however the price looks too low given the issues in San Francisco, so the play to take is the under.
Back Under 44 Points @ $1.90
Denver is one of those teams that in just about any other season would be three games out of the playoff picture but through a combination of good fortune and sheer stubbornness they could vault up to a wild card spot by beating their AFC West rivals.
The Chargers should be comfortably in the playoff picture were it not for a horrible return against Houston last week that now has them on the outside looking in.
Now they have to win out, starting with this game against a Denver side that has really given them some problems including a 28-13 Broncos win at Mile High in Week 12.
This is a game that could be a blowout either way however the likely return of a handful of Chargers players from the Covid list should strengthen their case.
Denver will be stubborn and hang around but the Chargers are the better team and should be able to scrape by with a win.
Back the LA Chargers to Win by 1-13 Points @ $2.30
Arizona may not want to discuss the possibility that they are in the midst of another late season collapse, but it sure looks like that is the best description for their three game losing streak.
To make matters worse they head to Dallas this week to face a team that just put up 56 points and is only continuing to improve.
Arizona might be able to move the ball a bit on this Cowboys defence, but when Dallas gets going, few teams are able to match them point for point.
Take Dallas in a high scoring affair as they roll towards the postseason.
SGM: Dallas to Cover -5.5 and Over 51.5 Points @ $3.69
There is a very strong chance that 10 points will be enough for either team to win this game.
While New Orleans should receive a number of reinforcements after a depleted roster fell to Miami on Monday Night Football, the impact of the returning players will be felt more on their defence.
Carolina sounds like they are turning to Sam Darnold again after he has recovered from injury however there is not a lot going for the 5-10 Panthers.
With points likely to be at a premium, the under appears to be the way to go.
Back Under 38.5 Points @ $1.90
It would be somewhat fitting for Detroit to simultaneously blow their shot at the first overall pick while also helping a Seattle side that has already traded away its first rounder.
While there may be some value on offer in the touchdown scorer markets, this game is going to be given the ultimate insult of being called a “stay away at all costs”.
NO BET
Green Bay is the NFC North champion again and now they can turn their attention to securing home field advantage.
By the time they kick off at home to the Vikings, they will know if Dallas has lost and that will still be on the line.
Minnesota won the first meeting between the teams in November 34-31 and has the offence to match Green Bay point for point.
We should see a close, high scoring contest unfold with both teams a good chance of finishing in the 30’s.
You have to like the Packers at home, even though the Vikings are fighting for their playoff lives but I’ll pair a close Packers win with the over.
SGM: Green Bay by 1-13 and Over 47.5 @ $5.54
Cleveland returns to the site of last season’s wild playoff win over the Steelers as they try and re-insert themselves into the AFC’s race for this season.
Injuries and Covid continue to leave the Browns severely undermanned but they have the better team when healthy and if they can field something close to a full strength team, they should handle the struggling Steelers.
Pittsburgh was severely overmatched in Kansas City last weekend and has struggled at home this season, going 3-5 against the line at Heinz Field.
Despite both teams being lead by their defences, the over should be in play purely because of the likely plethora of turnovers both teams are going to throw up.
Back Cleveland to Cover -3.5 and Over 41.5 Points @ $3.70
2020
Week 17 in the NFL shapes up to be a memorable one with the AFC South and the NFC East division titles still up for grabs.
Several teams like the Browns, Dolphins, Bears and Cardinals all face do-or-die scenarios with a handful of division rivalry games only complicating matters.
With only a week until the Wild Card round, be sure to find out who we’re tipping in our 2021 NFL Week 17 Preview below.
In what has been a forgettable year for everyone involved in the NFC East, it’s only fitting that the division will be decided once and for all on Monday.
The Cowboys can clinch the crown with a win or a tie and a Washington loss, while the Giants can pull off the unthinkable with a win and Washington loss.
It goes without saying that these two sides have largely been unpredictable all season, but you do have to side with Dallas in this scenario based on recent form.
Andy Dalton has steered the Cowboys to three much-needed wins over the Bengals, 49ers and Eagles, and it’s safe to say the Giants aren’t much more of a challenge than any of those teams.
New York, meanwhile, has lost three straight to the Cardinals, Browns and Ravens, while they won’t feel good about their seven-game losing streak against the Cowboys that dates all the way back to 2017.
Tip: Back the Cowboys to Win @ $1.77
It’s quite simple for the Ravens this week: win and you’re in.
Baltimore’s three-game losing streak feels like a distant memory following four straight wins over the Cowboys, Browns, Jaguars and Giants, but they do need to keep their eye on the price this week against a Bengals team that would love to play spoiler.
Cincinnati has done just that in recent weeks reeling off two impressive wins over the Steelers and Texans.
Facing this red-hot Ravens team is obviously a much bigger ask though, especially when you consider Baltimore has won four straight over Cincinnati dating back to 2018.
The Ravens made short work of the Bengals 27-3 when they met back in October in a game that was dominated by Baltimore’s defence.
Despite two impressive wins, the Bengals still ranks second in the league in sacks allowed, so it’s difficult to see them coping with Baltimore’s pass rush for a full four quarters.
Tip: Back the Ravens to Cover the Line (-13 Points) @ $1.94
Believe it or not, this shapes up to be a very important game for the Bucs despite the fact they’ve already locked up a playoff berth.
A win for Tampa Bay would secure the top Wild Card seed next week, meaning the Bucs would face a favourable matchup against the winner of the NFC East.
These two side have played out a couple of classics over the last calendar year and it would not be surprising if this one went right down to the wire.
The Falcons have nothing left to play for at this point other than the fact they’d probably like to snap their four-game losing streak, but as we’ve seen several times this year, you just never know when Matt Ryan might get hot.
Unfortunately, star wide receiver Julio Jones remains 50/50 to play after missing several weeks with a hamstring injury, meaning the Falcons could go into this game shorthanded against one of the top scoring teams in the league.
Aside from the playoff scenario, the Bucs will also sense the importance of this game in terms of momentum heading into the postseason.
Tampa Bay has played to an outstanding 5-1 record against the spread as the home favourite against the Falcons, and with some added rest on their side following last week’s drubbing of Detroit, they do look a good bet to add to win this one big.
Tip: Back the Bucs to Cover the Line (-6 Points) @ $1.90
The Bills are far and away the biggest threat to the Chiefs in the AFC this year as they continue to mow down just about everyone in their path.
Buffalo has already locked up the AFC East division title, but they should be hungry to spoil Miami’s party on Monday for the second time.
Simply put, the Dolphins’ best chance at earning a playoff berth is by winning this game, but they could also sneak in with the likes of a Ravens, Browns or Colts loss.
The Dolphins went a long way to helping their cause last week with a narrow win over the Raiders, but they won’t hold fond memories of this Bills team after losing a three-point nail-biter way back in Week 3.
Obviously a lot has changed since then and it does appear the Dolphins are being undervalued a little laying +3 at the line.
Stopping the likes of Stefon Diggs and Josh Allen would take a special effort, but considering Miami has allowed the fewest points in the league all year, they might just be the team to do it.
Tip: Back the Dolphins to Cover the Line (+3 Points) @ $1.90
Bit of a nothing game this one between two sides that have largely been disappointing all year.
Both the Lions and the Vikings are looking to end their season on a high note by snapping a three-game losing streak, but it’s difficult to feel overly confident in either side.
Minnesota defeated Detroit comfortably when they met back in Week 1 by a score of 34-20, but when you factor in how poorly they’ve played defensively in recent weeks against the Bucs, Bears and Saints, it’s almost surprising to find the Vikings so short in the market.
On a similar token, the Lions have been awful defensively all season leading the league in points allowed.
The last two games between these sides have gone Over the Total, so based on everything we’ve seen, it’s worth backing that trend to continue.
Tip: Over 54 Total Points @ $1.87
Easily the game of the week as the Browns look to secure a well-deserved playoff spot for the first time since 2002.
Pittsburgh is probably the team most fans feel the least confident in heading into the playoffs after losing three straight games to Washington, Buffalo and Cincinnati prior to last week’s win over the Colts.
That said, the Steelers have safely held the Browns in check over the last few seasons winning three of their last four games.
It was hardly a contest when these two sides met back in October with the Browns losing 38-7, but fortunately, the Browns should have it much easier this time around.
The Steelers have chosen to rest Ben Roethlisberger ahead of the playoffs, setting up a fascinating rematch between backup Mason Rudolph and Browns defensive end Myles Garrett.
As a result, the line for this game has ballooned to -10 in favour of Cleveland, but that might be a little generous considering how lethal the Steelers’ defence can be.
It’s also worth reminding everyone the Browns lost to the Jets last week, so the +10 about Pittsburgh looks too good to pass up.
Tip: Back the Steelers to Cover the Line (+10 Points) @ $1.90
Nothing on the line in this one, but it should be plenty of fun nonetheless.
The Jets and the Patriots put on a show when they last met back in November and based on everything we’ve seen from these two sides in recent weeks, we could be in for another shootout.
New York has locked themselves in at the No. 2 spot in the draft following back-to-back wins over the Rams and Browns, while the Patriots have slumped to 6-9 on the season following three straight losses.
New England’s long list of injuries has made life tough in Foxboro and it would not be the least bit surprising to watch Sam Darnold light up the Patriots defence for a decent chunk of points.
The Jets have successfully scored 20 points or more in three of their last five games, so the 18 Point Total looks a little on the short side against a Patriots defence that has really struggled in the second half of the season.
Tip: Jets Over 18 Points @ $1.85
A win for the Titans this week would see them lock up the AFC South crown for the first time since 2008 on Monday as they prepare to face the division rival Texans.
Tennessee was handed a harsh dose of reality last week against the Packers as the offence struggled to cope with the snow and ice at Lambeau Field, but the good news is the Titans have typically been a great bounce-back bet all season.
Mike Vrabel’s side has played to a 3-1 record following a previous loss, which spells potential disaster against a sorry looking Houston side that simply gave up last week in a six-point loss to the Bengals.
Plenty is going wrong on and off the field in Houston right now and they really don’t look up to winning this game.
To make matters worse, the Texans rank second in the league in rushing yards allowed, meaning we should see plenty of Derrick Henry early and often.
Tip: Back the Titans to Cover the Line (-7.5 Points) @ $1.90
Seattle secured their first NFC West title since 2016 last week with a win over the Rams, but the job is far from over as Pete Carroll’s side still stands a chance at locking up a first round bye.
It might take something close to a miracle, but the Seahawks could claim the first seed in the NFC if they beat San Francisco, Green Bay loses and the Saints lose or tie.
Judging by the odds, it might seem as though the Seahawks should win this game comfortably, but it wouldn’t be the least bit surprising if San Francisco was to keep it close.
The Niners pulled off one of the upsets of the season last week against the Cardinals, while they’ve also covered the line in three of their five games against division opponents.
San Francisco’s defence is still very much a threat, and based on how turnover prone Russell Wilson has looked at times this season, there’s a chance the Niners could keep this interesting.
Tip: Back the 49ers to Cover the Line (+6 Points) @ $1.90
It’s only fitting that the Bears and the Packers should meet in the final week of the season with so much on the line.
The road to the Super Bowl will run through Lambeau if the Packers win this game, while the Bears can actually sneak into the playoffs with a win, a Cardinals loss, or a tie.
It’s safe to say Bears fans loathe the sight of Aaron Rodgers, particularly after the way he carved up Chicago’s defence on the way to a 41-25 win just over a month ago.
The Packers’ defence also made life very difficult for Mitch Trubisky in his return to the starting role and Mike Pettine’s crew will be out for blood once again as they look to secure a first round bye.
Not that he needs any further motivation, but this is also a chance for Rodgers to lock up the MVP award with another huge performance similar to the one he had last week against Tennessee.
The Packers should be out to prove a point against a team they love beating, while the Bears will be looking to keep up with the NFC’s best offence on the scoreboard.
The Total went Over when these two sides got together last month, and with so much to play for, you can expect plenty of points.
Tip: Over 52 Total Points @ $1.90
The scheduling gods have delivered a real treat here between two NFC West foes.
The Rams relinquished their chance at the division title last week with a sloppy loss to the Seahawks, but they can still secure a playoff berth with a win, a tie, or a Bears loss/tie.
For the Cardinals, they can head back to the postseason for the first time since 2015 with a win, a tie or a Bears loss.
You don’t have to rewind far to find the last meeting between these two sides. The Rams came away with a 10-point win last month in the desert, and there’s a very good chance they pull off the season sweep on Monday.
Los Angeles has played to a very impressive 4-1 record following a previous loss this year, while perhaps more importantly, they’ve also won seven straight games over Arizona dating back to 2017.
The Cardinals’ offence presents a real challenge for almost any team, but if there’s one mind in the game that can work his way around it, it’s Sean McVay.
The Rams really do deserve a playoff spot after what has been a huge turnaround season, and although this game should be close, Los Angeles looks great value with some insurance at the line.
Tip: Back the Rams to Cover the Line (+3 Points) @ $1.90
This is a big game for the Colts as they look to bounce-back from an embarrassing loss to the Jets last week.
Indianapolis can still clinch the division with a win and a Titans loss. If Tennessee wins, they can also settle for a playoff spot with a win and either a Ravens, Browns or Dolphins loss.
There’s obviously plenty at stake for Frank Reich’s side and a game against the league’s worst side couldn’t have come at a better time.
The Jaguars have locked up the No. 1 pick in next year’s draft, and after losing their last three games by 20-points or more, it’s highly doubtful they pull off a miracle against one of the league’s top defences this week.
Tip: Back the Colts to Cover the Line (-14 Points) @ $1.90
Normally this would be an exciting game between two fierce rivals, but since there’s nothing left to play for, it shapes up to be nothing more than a bit of fun.
The Chiefs have already chosen to rest Patrick Mahomes with the first seed secure, meaning we’ll be treated to some vintage Chad Henne action for the first time in forever.
With Mahomes absent (and likely a few others), the line for this game has swung in the Chargers’ favour at -3.5 and they do look a good chance at covering.
Kansas City’s defence has looked a little vulnerable in recent weeks against the Falcons, Saints and Dolphins, and with no Mahomes to bail them out of jail, this does shape up as a very winnable game for LA to close out the season.
Tip: Back the Chargers to Cover the Line (-3.5 Points) @ $1.90
The playoff implications continue here with the Saints heading to Carolina to face the Panthers.
The Packers own the tie-breaker over the Saints for the first seed, but New Orleans can still claim a first-round bye with a win, a Green Bay loss and Seattle win.
Obviously all of that is easier said than done, especially against a Panthers team that has really found its stride in recent weeks.
Carolina nearly pulled off a comeback win against Green Bay a fortnight ago before they went on to defeat Washington last week on the road.
The Panthers’ defence has largely been responsible for this late season purple patch, and it wouldn’t be surprising if they make life difficult for the half-strength Drew Brees.
Carolina has also proven difficult to run the ball against this year, so the Saints won’t be able to rely solely on Alvin Kamara to carry the load.
This game definitely looks like one that could throw a spanner in the works, so back the Panthers to keep it close.
Tip: Back the Panthers to Cover the Line (+6.5 Points) @ $1.94
This shaped up to be an interesting game with the Raiders hoping to make a late playoff push. Or at least, that was the case before Vegas somehow blew a late lead last week against the Dolphins.
Now, nothing more than bragging rights are on the line between these two fierce rivals.
The Broncos were no match for Vegas when they met back in November, but they should relish the chance at spoiling the Raiders’ chance to finish an even .500 for the first time since 2016.
This really is one of the most difficult games to pick of the entire week, largely because both teams are riding significant losing streaks.
That leaves only the trends to fall back on, and fortunately, they don’t disappoint.
The last eight games between these two sides have all gone Under the Total, so go ahead and back a low-scoring game.
Tip: Under 51 Total Points @ $1.90
Washington really hurt its chances at the NFC East crown last week with a loss to the Cardinals, but the good news is they aren’t done yet.
WFT can still secure the division title with a win, a tie, or a Cowboys loss/tie, but they’ll need to produce their best against an Eagles team looking to finish up on a high note.
Philly’s season hasn’t gone to plan and neither did last week’s blowout loss to the Cowboys.
The Eagles seemed to be in the driver’s seat early on, right before the defence completely fell apart allowing 377 yards and three touchdowns to Andy Dalton.
Like most games this week, this is a real dart throw, but you do have to like Washington to bounce back.
Jalen Hurts really struggled last week against an improving Dallas defence, which doesn’t fill you with confidence against a Washington team that has allowed the fifth-fewest points and recorded the sixth-most sacks on the year.
Tip: Back Washington to Win @ $1.80
2019
The 2019 regular season wraps up on Monday as the final race for a playoff spot draws to a dramatic conclusion.
Several teams can decide their fate this week with either a victory or results going their way, making this one of the most exciting final weeks to a regular season in recent memory.
For the final time, we’ve previewed all 16 games, so be sure to read our 2019 NFL Week 17 tips below.
After losing to the Patriots last week in Foxboro the Bills can finally focus on what really matters: carrying momentum into the playoffs.
The Bills lost no admirers last week as Sean McDermott’s side managed to put up 17-points on the league’s best defence. Josh Allen wasn’t disgraced in the loss either, making it surprising to find Buffalo favoured by only -1 at home.
New York successfully played the role of spoiler last week handing the Steelers a devastating 16-10 loss. After so many gaffes to start the season the Jets have steadied to a more respectable 6-9 record, but even so, it’s still tough to back against Buffalo here.
The Bills have nothing left to play for in terms of seeding, meaning they could rest some of their star players. Either way, Buffalo holds a league-best 4-0 record against the spread following a loss this year, so it’s still worth taking the Bills to Cover.
Tip: Back the Bills to Cover the Line (-1 Point) @ $1.91
The Bengals and the Browns will be desperate to put a forgettable season behind them with one last win on Monday.
Cincinnati came so close to pulling off a miracle come-from-behind victory over the Dolphins last week only to fall short in overtime. The Browns, however, weren’t quite as lucky in their comfortable loss to the Ravens.
There isn’t much to get excited about in this game with both teams simply looking to end the season on a high note. The bookies also appear to be having a tough time with the Browns favoured by only -2.5 points.
Cleveland has been a horrible betting play against Cincinnati covering in only two of their last 10-games. Therefore, it’s probably safer to play on the Total in this one considering both teams rank bottom ten in points.
Tip: Under 45 Total Points @ $1.88
The Patriots have the AFC East sewn up for another year as they now set their sights on clinching the second seed in the AFC.
New England’s strength of schedule plays well into their favour this week with the 4-11 Dolphins coming to town – a team that hasn’t won in Foxboro since 2008.
Miami is a frisky team that can put up points on any opponent, but after the Patriots’ rediscovered some of their mojo on offence last week, it’s difficult to see New England allowing the opportunity to secure the second seed slip through their fingertips.
Tip: Back the Patriots to Win & Over 45 Total Points @ $1.98
Other than some last-minute divisional bragging rights, there isn’t much left to gain from this game.
The Chiefs have the AFC West and the third seed locked up, but they could potentially move as high as the second seed if New England loses to Miami.
We know what you’re thinking, the chances of that happening are slim, but for the sake of keeping this preview interesting, that’s perhaps the only reason to tune into this game.
Finishing 5-11 or 6-10 won’t mean much to Charger fans, but it could go a long way to determining the team’s draft position.
Other than that, the Chiefs are a perfect 5-0 against the spread vs divisional opponents, so with home-field advantage, back Kansas City in a blowout.
Tip: Back the Chiefs to Cover the Line (-9 Points) @ $1.96
There is tremendous value on offer in this game between two teams with absolutely nothing left to play for.
Tampa Bay stands a chance at finishing an even 8-8 after losing a nail-biter to the Texans last week, while the Falcons are simply looking to finish the season on a high note by extending their winning streak to four.
The Falcons have won two of their last three games against the Bucs, although they won’t hold particularly fond memories of their 35-22 loss to Tampa Bay back in Week 12.
Since there is almost even money on offer head-to-head, it’s tempting to back either team outright, but the safest play is probably on the Total. The Over has saluted in exactly 66.7% of Tampa Bay’s home games this season, while it has also gone Over in the last three games between these two sides.
Tip: Over 49 Total Points @ $1.96
The Bengals and the Browns will be desperate to put a forgettable season behind them with one last win on Monday.
Cincinnati came so close to pulling off a miracle come-from-behind victory over the Dolphins last week only to fall short in overtime. The Browns, however, weren’t quite as lucky in their comfortable loss to the Ravens.
There isn’t much to get excited about in this game with both teams simply looking to end the season on a high note. The bookies also appear to be having a tough time with the Browns favoured by only -2.5 points.
Cleveland has been a horrible betting play against Cincinnati covering in only two of their last 10-games. Therefore, it’s probably safer to play on the Total in this one considering both teams rank bottom ten in points.
Tip: Under 45 Total Points @ $1.88
The NFC North has been one of the most fascinating divisions all year, so it’s kind of a letdown to see the Vikings and Bears meet with very little on the road.
Minnesota has already clinched the sixth seed in the NFC behind a 10-5 record. That said, Mike Zimmer’s side has plenty to prove following last week’s meltdown against the Packers on Monday Night Football.
At their best, the Vikings are one of the most talented teams in the league, but as we saw last week, sometimes playcalling can cancel that out.
The offensive line also played a big part in Minnesota’s loss as Kirk Cousins was sacked five times. There were also several questionable coaching decisions – like a 4th and 1 timeout in the fourth quarter – that has caused plenty to question the Vikings’ legitimacy.
But as far as this game goes, we should see the Vikings play with a chip on their shoulder.
Minnesota lost 16-6 to Chicago back in September, while we’ve typically seen the Vikings respond from a previously flat performance in a very big way.
The Vikings are 4-0 against the spread following a previous loss this year and also 6-1 straight-up in their last seven home games against the Bears. With that in mind, it’s worth backing Minnesota to silence some of the doubters.
Tip: Back the Vikings to Cover the Line (-1 Point)
The second of two NFC North showdowns gets underway from Ford Field in Detroit, only this time around, there’s plenty on the line.
Green Bay’s impressive win over the Vikings last week was enough to clinch the NFC North, but with a chance to steal the No. 1 seed in the NFC this week – it’s safe to say Matt La’Fleur’s team still has unfinished business.
If the Packers beat the Lions and the Seahawks defeat the 49ers, Green Bay will be awarded the first seed. There are also a handful of scenarios where the Packers could wind up with the third seed.
The Packers, like so many of the other top contenders in each conference, are 4-1 against the spread vs division opponents this year. Green Bay had its hands full with the Lions when the two met back in October, but with no Matthew Stafford to worry about, back the Packers to earn a clean sweep of the NFC North – and their first win in Detroit since 2017.
Tip: Back the Packers to Cover the Line (-12.5 Points) @ $1.92
It’s a long shot, but there is still a scenario where the Raiders make the playoffs.
Oakland would claim the sixth seed in the AFC if they 1. Win at Denver, 2. The Steelers lose to the Ravens, 3. The Titans lose to the Texans and, 4. The Colts win in Jacksonville.
Obviously, it’s going to take a miracle for Oakland to sneak in at 8-8, but all they can do is take care of business this week in Denver, right?
Unfortunately, the Raiders don’t have the best track record at Mile High. You have to rewind back to 2015 to find Oakland’s last win in Denver, which explains the -3.5 line in favour of the Broncos.
Denver is by far one of the most underwhelming 6-9 teams in recent memory. The defence is among the league’s best, and if it wasn’t for trouble at quarterback, we’d probably be talking about the Broncos making the playoffs and not the Raiders.
Considering their track record in Denver and the fact Josh Jacobs is on the sidelines, taking the Broncos to hand the Raiders one last loss before they venture to Vegas only seems fitting.
Tip: Back the Broncos 1-10
It’s a simple scenario this week for the Eagles: win and you’re in.
Philly’s victory over the Cowboys last week moved the Eagles one step closer to claiming their 11th NFC East division title, but more importantly, returning to the playoffs.
The Eagles are now faced with a winnable game against the Giants, but since this is one of the NFL’s great rivalries, you can expect Big Blue to relish the chance at potentially spoiling Philly’s season.
New York won a 41-35 overtime thriller last week against the Redskins to improve to 4-11. It’s been a rough season in the Big Apple all over, but if there’s one team you don’t want to underestimate, it’s the Giants.
There’s still no word on whether Eli Manning will suit up for one last hurrah, but either way, there’s every chance we see New York put up points on this banged up Eagles defence.
Philly has allowed 22.5 points-per-game to opponents this year, so rather than risking it on the head-to-head market, back the Giants to end the season with some points on the board.
Tip: Giants Over the Points Total
After so much mid-season excitement, the AFC South turned into a bit of a fizzer as the Colts drifted from the rest of the pack.
Now at 7-8, the Colts have a chance to finish an even .500 in a season the team – and the fans – would probably rather forget.
The Jaguars have even less to play for at 5-10, although Jacksonville will be hungry to make up for 33-13 loss to the Colts back in November.
It’s difficult to get a read on these two teams with only one win from their last five games. If there is one thing to hang your hat on though, it’s Indianapolis’ near-perfect 4-1 record against the spread vs division opponents.
Tip: Back the Colts to Cover the Line (-4 Points) @ $1.92
The script is set for the Cowboys this week as they need to beat the Redskins and also have the Eagles lose to the Giants to defend their NFC East crown.
It’s a very likely scenario if you’re a Cowboys fan, even if there was very little to like about last week’s 17-9 loss to the Eagles.
Dallas took care of the Redskins 31-21 when these two sides met back in September, lending itself to the whopping -10.5 line. A lot has changed since then in Dallas however, and it’s probably worth mentioning that the Cowboys are 3-4 following a previous loss this year.
The Redskins are one of the friskiest teams in the NFC capable of piling on points against some of the conference’s best teams. Washington gave Green Bay a run for its money last month before putting up 27-points on the Eagles a fortnight ago.
The bookies continue to undervalue the Redskins’ offence that has now put up 20-points or more against its last four opponents. Fortunately, that offers a perfect betting play in this crucial NFC East game.
Tip: Redskins Over the Points Total
Nothing is ever straightforward in the AFC North, so it’s only fitting that the Steelers’ playoff chances boil down to one last game against their bitter division rival.
For Pittsburgh to sneak into the sixth seed they not only need to beat the Ravens, but they also need the Titans to lose to the Texans. Really, there’s a 50/50 chance it all pans out in the Steelers’ favour, but Mike Tomlin’s side can at least rest a little easier knowing Baltimore is likely to rest several of its star players.
With that in mind, it’s no surprise to find the Ravens as outsiders this week. Baltimore has opened as minor +2 underdogs, but even with Mark Ingram (and perhaps others) on the sidelines, it’s still worth taking the Ravens to win this game.
Baltimore is 8-2 against the spread following two or more consecutive wins this season, while it’s also worth noting the Ravens are playing at home.
It’s likely we see the Ravens defence treat this as a ‘statement’ type game with so many offensive players on the sidelines. Throw in the fact the Steelers are also down to their third string quarterback – as well as James Conner being limited in practice all week – and you have the makings of an upset (if you can call it that).
Tip: Back the Ravens to Win @ $2.10
Tennessee is hanging on for dear life in the AFC playoff picture as they hope to win one last game to clinch the sixth seed.
The Texans have nothing left to gain here other than bragging rights with the division and the fourth seed locked up, leaving head coach Bill O’Brien with a decision to make this week when it comes to resting his starters.
Our bookmakers have obviously factored that in by listing the Texans as +3.5 underdogs. On one hand, that line is mighty tempting considering only a field goal separated these two sides a fortnight ago, but on the other, it’s worth backing the trends to do the talking.
We’ve been harping on this all year when it comes to Houston – but take a look at their run of form.
The Texans have consistently gone loss, win, win all year long, making the Titans a viable betting play with their season on the line.
Tip: Back the Titans 1-10
There is nothing more than bragging rights on the line here as the Cardinals and the Rams both hope to end 2019 on a high note.
Los Angeles’ slow fade from playoff contention came as no surprise with signs of a serious Super Bowl hangover present all season. The Cardinals, meanwhile, shocked the world last week with their stunning win over the Seahawks in Seattle.
Arizona is gearing towards something very special in the coming seasons and it wouldn’t be the least bit surprising to see head coach Kliff Kingsbury try and send a statement to the rest of the league.
Unfortunately for the Cardinals though, they may have to go without star quarterback Kyler Murray this week. This year’s No. 1 overall pick left last week’s game midway through the third quarter with a hamstring injury – a problem that has cost him practice time all week.
The Rams at -7 also looks to be a risky bet considering how frisky the Cardinals’ offence can be.
That said, with no Kyler Murray and the Rams sporting a 4-1 record against the spread vs division opponents, it’s worth backing Los Angeles to pick up where they left off during last week’s heartbreaker against the Niners.
Tip: Back the Rams to Cover the Line (-7 Points) @ $1.92
Game of the week, game of the month, and maybe, game of the year.
Not only is the NFC West title on the line, but also a variety of playoff implications.
For Seattle, a win secures the division crown while a Packers and Saints loss also hands the Seahawks the first seed.
For the Niners, the task is much simpler: win, and the division and the first seed are yours.
These two sides played out a regular season classic back in Week 10 as the Seahawks won 27-24 in overtime. The Niners have waited two long months to get their hands on Seattle for revenge, and it appears the bookies think San Francisco can do just that.
At first glance, the -3.0 line in favour of the Niners on the road almost appears to be a mistake.
San Francisco has earned a reputation for losing games on the final play this season, which surely makes spread bettors nervous with only a field goal to play with.
Still, this just feels like one of those times where it’s worth siding with the bookies. San Francisco has covered the spread in five of its seven games this year, while the uncertainty at running back – even with Marshawn Lynch returning – has to factor in to Seattle opening as underdogs.
Tip: Back the 49ers to Cover the Line (-3 Points) @ $1.92
2018
It’s the last chapter of the 2018 regular season, and for many teams, the last chance to make the playoffs.
Everything is on the line this week for the Colts, Eagles, Ravens, Steelers, Titans and Vikings, but that isn’t to say value can’t be found in all 16 match ups this weekend.
We’ve previewed all the numbers and odds you need to know, and our complete 2018 NFL Week 17 Preview can be found below.
Two straight losses have sunk the Dolphins to 7-8 on the season, but there is a chance Miami can finish the year at .500 with a win over the 5-10 Bills this week.
Buffalo weren’t embarrassed during their 24-12 loss to the Patriots last week, although it became painfully clear (once again) that Josh Allen has some serious issues when it comes to throwing the ball with accuracy.
The rookie threw two interceptions last week while the rest of the Bills offence converted just two of their 12 opportunities on third down. And in case you hadn’t heard, Miami’s defence ranks fourth in the league in takeaways.
Punters should take note of Miami’s less than encouraging record against Buffalo, however. The Dolphins are 4-6 in their last 10-games against the Bills, but the good news is, the Total has resulted in the Under in five of their last seven.
Tip: Back Under 40 Total Points @ $1.87
Green Bay treated their fans to a well-deserved Christmas present last week defeating the Jets in comeback fashion.
It took an extra quarter of overtime for Aaron Rodgers to work his magic, but the Packers played perhaps their most exciting game of the season – which says a lot considering how far this team has fallen.
Detroit, well let’s just say the Lions weren’t quite so lucky against the Vikings. Now at 5-10, Matt Patricia’s side was picked apart by the Vikings as Matt Stafford failed to throw a touchdown for the fourth time this season.
To think, this bitter NFC North rivalry has quite literally decided the division in recent years, but now there’s nothing more than bragging rights on the line.
The Packers were blown out by the Lions in Detroit earlier this year thanks to four missed field goals from kicker Mason Crosby, but considering the Lions are 2-5 on the road this year, Detroit might find themselves on the back foot at Lambeau this week.
With both sides struggling to stop both the run and pass on defence, stick with the line – Green Bay are 5-2 in their last seven home games as spread favourites against Detroit.
Tip: Back the Packers to Cover The Line (-8 Points) @ $1.91
The 10-5 Texans have clinched a spot in the playoffs, but they’ll need to take care of the Jaguars this week if they hope to win the AFC South.
You have to like Houston’s chances against the 5-10 Jaguars, especially with the news of Blake Bortles starting this week’s game.
These two sides met back in October, a game the Texans took complete control of winning 20-7. It is worth noting however, Jacksonville’s defence limited Deshaun Watson to just 139 passing yards, which doesn’t spell good news following last week’s shortcomings against the Eagles.
Houston rely heavily on their fast-tempo, read option offence. When that fails, along with the offensive line, everything basically goes south.
Backing a Jacksonville upset on the road is out of the question, but after the Eagles put up 519 yards on Houston’s defence last week, a close game is likely.
Fortunately Jacksonville don’t have the same offensive skill-power as the Eagles, but their secondary is well established to give Houston a scare.
Tip: Back the Texans 1-6 @ $4.20
The Patriots locked up the AFC East for another year last week defeating the Bills 27-12. Forgive us if you’ve heard this before though, because something still doesn’t feel quite right in New England.
There’s no two ways about it, Tom Brady is far from healthy. The future Hall of Famer thinks he’ll play again next year, but as far as this season is concerned, Brady’s basically playing on one leg and making some very uncharacteristic throws.
It doesn’t help that tight end Rob Gronkowski is also less than 100%, as well as the obvious lack of depth at the wide receiver position. You can make do without both against the Bills, but come playoff time, who knows.
As for the Jets, New York somehow managed to lose last week against Green Bay. It was another encouraging performance from rookie sensation Sam Darnold, but he’ll face the toughest task of his young career this week in New England.
The Patriots haven’t lost to the Jets at home since 2011, and are a perfect 7-0 at Gillette Stadium this year. There’ll be plenty of lessons to take away from this game for the Jets, but a win won’t be among them.
Tip: Back the Patriots To Cover The Line (-14 Points) @ $1.91
This game holds no meaning for either side, and really, it wouldn’t be the least bit surprising to see a few of New Orleans’ stars receive limited reps.
A month ago this looked to be a big game for Carolina’s playoff chances, but seven straight losses and a season-ending injury to quarterback Cam Newton more than cancelled those plans.
The Saints will be looking at this game as nothing more than a tune up for the playoffs, and they get to enjoy it in front of their home fans – something they’ll see a lot of through January.
Last week’s narrow 31-28 win over the Steelers highlighted a few issues on defence for the Saints, but as so often is the case, when one chip is down another stands up, and that’s exactly what Drew Brees and Alvin Kamara accomplished last week.
New Orleans will rest Brees at some point during this game, but the Saints; 10-3 record against the spread in their last 13 games still makes them worth backing.
Tip: Back the Saints to Cover The Line (-9.5 Points) @ $1.91
The NFC East belongs to the Cowboys, but Dallas will still be hungry for a 10-6 record.
It wasn’t pretty, but the Cowboys’ 27-20 win over the Bucs at home last week was enough to get the job done. Not for the first time this season it was the defence who stole the show, forcing two turnovers and a pair of sacks on quarterback Jameis Winston.
For the Giants, the Dallas defence is the last thing they want to see right now. New York lost a heartbreaker last week against the Colts on a last minute Eli Manning interception, and with a career high 46 sacks to his name, the future Hall of Famer is likely in for another rough day in the pocket.
The Cowboys open this one as six-point favourites, which looks a little short. Dallas are 7-3 in their last 10-games against New York, fresh from a 20-13 win earlier in the season. Expect the defence to do the talking in what could be a statement game for America’s Team.
Tip: Back the Cowboys 7-12 @ $4.75
On paper this game looks nothing more than a battle between two NFC cellar dwellers, and while you may be right, it could also go a long way to determining who finishes second in the NFC South.
At 6-9, the Falcons occupy the second spot behind New Orleans thanks to a two-game winning streak. A 24-10 win over the Panthers last week was the high point in this otherwise lost season, but not far behind are the 5-10 Bucs, who are capable of an upset on any given Sunday.
The last meeting between these two was actually a high-scoring (and exciting) affair, with the Falcons winning 34-29 thanks to a huge day 346-yard day from quarterback Matt Ryan.
The funny thing is, neither of these sides can play defence, with each ranking Top 10 in passing yards allowed.
If you’re looking for a safe bet, the Falcons are 4-2 in their last six games on the road in Tampa, but given the state of the secondaries, the Points market looks the play. The Total has resulted in the Over in four of Atlanta’s last five games against the Bucs.
Tip: Back Over 50.5 Total Points @ $1.91
Everything is at stake for the Chargers this week in more ways than one.
All they can do is win against the Broncos and hope for a Chiefs loss to the Raiders, which would not only gift Los Angeles the AFC West crown, but also home field advantage throughout the playoffs.
It’s a scenario that could very well happen, but the Chargers need to remain focused entirely on Denver. The good news for LA is running back Phillip Lindsay is out for the remainder of the season underdoing wrist surgery, leaving the bulk of Denver’s scoring chances in the hands of Matt Cassel.
Defence is perhaps the only thing that can win this game for the Broncos, and they’ll have their hands full with Philip Rivers, Melvin Gordon and the rest of the Chargers’ playmakers.
LA have scored the fifth-most points in the league this season, although Denver did hold on for a 23-22 upset over the Chargers back in November.
The upset pick is intriguing this week considering the Chargers’ tendency to choke in crucial moments year after year. Denver’s 8-2 record against Los Angeles in their last 10 games makes it even more worthwhile. .
Tip: Back the Broncos To Win @ $3.40
The Chiefs are in control of their own destiny this week. Win, and they clinch the AFC West title and home field advantage throughout the playoffs. Lose, and well, things get a lot tougher throughout the playoffs.
Since this game is being played at Arrowhead you have to feel close to 100% confident in the Chiefs’ chances this week. Oakland haven’t defeated the Chiefs in Kansas City since 2012, and as their 1-6 record on the road suggests, this probably isn’t the season for a Raiders upset.
To paint an even uglier picture for Oakland, the Chiefs will also be out for a little revenge after last week’s 38-31 loss in Seattle. It was a game Kansas City had every chance at winning, but a failed onside kick ultimately put an end to the Chiefs’ comeback hopes.
After starting the season with so much promise only to finish with plenty of question marks, complete annihilation of the Raiders this week would go a long way to convincing everyone that the Chiefs are a real threat in the postseason. With a perfect 5-0 record in their last five games against the Raiders at home, expect nothing else.
Tip: Back the Chiefs to Cover The Line (-13 Points) @ $1.91
A first round bye in the playoffs is on the line for the 12-3 Rams this week, something that is vitally important considering running back Todd Gurley’s health remains questionable.
A win over the Niners or a Bears loss/tie week would secure it for Los Angeles, but nothing is certain when it comes to this San Francisco side.
Despite losing by five-points to the Bears last week, the Niners had a very realistic opportunity to pull off the upset – or at least that would have been the case if quarterback Nick Mullens decided to run for a first down rather than throw a game-ending hero interception on the final drive.
Even so, Mullens alone is enough of a factor to make life interesting for an opposing defence, but he’ll need to be at his very best on the road this week. The Rams pummelled San Francisco 39-10 when they met in October, and as their 6-1 home record suggests, nothing comes easy at the Coliseum.
Tip: Back Under 49 Total Points @ $1.91
The Seahawks earned themselves a spot in the playoffs last week with a huge home win over the Chiefs.
There’s nothing on the line for Seattle this week, but a clean sweep over one of their division rivals will entice head coach Pete Carroll to play his starters.
Aside from winning and losing though, this game is worth watching for one important reason: Larry Fitzgerald. The future Hall of Famer could be calling it a day as the game prepares to lose one of the greatest receivers to ever grace the turf.
As far as betting goes, you can’t look past Seattle at home. The Russell Wilson-Doug Baldwin connection is alive and well after a 126-yard, one touchdown performance against the Chiefs last week.
With Cardinals’ rookie quarterback Josh Rosen nursing an elbow injury, Seattle’s defence should also enjoy a field day.
Tip: Back the Seahawks 13-18 @ $4.50
There’s only one way the Eagles can clinch a last minute playoff berth this week, and that’s by beating the Redskins.
An Eagles victory as well as a Vikings loss would see Philly through to the Wild Card round, and after last week’s Nick Foles heroics, you can’t help but root for the Eagles and their underdog story – again.
After a brilliant last second touchdown from Deshaun Watson looked to put the game out of reach, Philly fought back to set up Jake Elliott for the game winning 35-yard field goal.
The offence is starting to click, and all of a sudden the Eagles look as exciting as they did a year ago.
Philly enter this one as six-point favourites, although they are 2-4-1 in their last seven games against the spread.
Given how little the Redskins have to rely on offensively, the Points market looks the safest here.
Tip: Back Over 44 Total Points @ $1.91
As so often is the case, the NFC playoff picture boils down to a classic NFC North rivalry in the final week of the season.
Instead of Green Bay/Detroit, this time it’s the Vikings and the Bears.
Minnesota can clinch a playoff berth with a win or a tie, or of course, an Eagles loss or tie. The Bears are no easy beat though, even on the road. The defence has taken it up a notch allowing nothing but field goals last week in a win over the 49ers.
Chicago will be relying heavily on the pass rush again this week against a Vikings offensive line that has allowed only 36 sacks all year.
Minnesota’s game plan will be equally simple: mix run and pass to set up lanes for Dalvin Cook to exploit, something that has worked wonders ever since Minnesota made a change at offensive coordinator.
Last but not least, home field advantage can’t be stressed enough for the Vikings. US Bank Stadium is as tough as it gets, particularly with playoffs on the line. Neither of these teams like to give up rushing yards, which should take the Mitch Trubisky factor out of the equation.
Tip: Back the Vikings 1-6 @ $4.20
The Ravens’ 22-10 statement win over the Chargers last week was enough to earn them top spot in the AFC North with one game remaining.
To clinch the division all Baltimore need to do is win, but to also clinch a first round playoff bye, they’ll be relying on a Patriots and Texans loss.
A lot needs to happen for the Ravens, and it all starts at home against the Browns. Cleveland were mathematically eliminated from the postseason last week despite beating the Bengals 26-18, but as we’ve seen all year, this Browns team can’t be taken lightly.
Looking to finish the season 8-7-1, the Browns could finish with their first winning record since 2007. It’s been a long time coming, but there is the simple matter of the Ravens’ defence to attend.
Baltimore completely shut down the Chargers’ ground game last week, and also made life tough for Philip Rivers, recording two interceptions and four sacks.
The Browns will feel confident knowing they beat the Ravens 12-9 earlier this year, but that was before Lamar Jackson was under centre. With the defence playing lights out, make sure you’re on the Ravens this week.
Tip: Back the Ravens 1-6 @ $4.20
There’s no two ways about it, the only way the Steelers can make the playoffs is by winning this week.
A Pittsburgh win and a Ravens loss/tie would crown the Steelers the AFC North champs. But if Baltimore and Pittsburgh were to both win, the Steelers could still make the playoffs if the Colts or Titans somehow tied.
It’s a long shot for the Steelers, but in their favour is a cakewalk match up against the Cincinnati Bengals.
An upset certainly isn’t off the cards, however it’s tough to see the Steelers struggling against a Bengals defence that ranks Top 5 in passing and rushing yards allowed.
The last time these two met back in October the Steelers walked away with a 28-21 victory thanks to a huge day on the ground from James Conner. Pittsburgh’s star running back has practiced all week, and it looks as though he’ll play on Monday.
Tip: Back the Steelers to Cover The Line (-14.5 Points) @ $1.91
It’s hardly the way you want to close out the regular season, but this AFC South grudge match is actually one of the most important games of Week 17.
Believe it or not, the Colts can clinch the division with a win and a Texans loss. They can also clinch a playoff berth simply by beating the Titans.
For Tennessee, the stakes are equally as high. It might take a miracle, but the Titans could clinch the division with a win, a Texans loss, a Patriots loss and a Ravens loss or tie.
Lots to get your head around, right?
Not to worry, as far as this game goes, we should see plenty of defence on display, which makes the Unders a good bet.
The Titans have allowed the fourth fewest rushing touchdowns this year, while the Colts have been equally impressive against the run – Indianapolis held Rookie of the Year favourite Saquon Barkley to just 43-yards on the ground last week.
The Colts enter as four-point favourites, and their 12-2 record against the Titans is hard to ignore. After two years on the sidelines, this feels like the coming of age moment for Andrew Luck to send the Colts to the playoffs.
Tip: Back the Colts to Cover The Line (-3.5 Points) @ $1.95
2017
It is the final week of the NFL regular season and there are still a number of Playoffs positions on the line.
The Baltimore Ravens, Tennessee Titans, Buffalo Bills and Los Angeles Chargers are locked in battle for the final two Playoffs berths in the AFC, while it is toss-up between the Seattle Seahawks and the Atlanta Falcons for the sixth seed in the NFC.
We have analysed every game set to take place in this crucial round of NFL fixtures and our complete NFL Week 17 tips can be found below.
The Over has saluted in six of the past eight games played by the Detroit Lions at home and nine of the past ten games played by the Green Bay Packers on the road.
Back Over 44 Points
A win will secure a first round bye in the NFL Playoffs for the Minnesota Vikings.
Minnesota have won five of their past six games as home favourites and their record against the line is just as strong.
The Chicago Bears have won only two of their past eight games as away underdogs and their record against the line is just as bad.
Back Minnesota To Beat The Line (-12 Points)
The Indianapolis Colts have lost their past six games and the Houston Texans their past five.
The Under has been a successful betting play in six of the past eight home games played by the Colts and this looks set to be another low-scoring affair.
Back Under 41.5 Points
The Pittsburgh Steelers need to win to remain in the hunt for the number one seed, while the Cleveland Browns are still chasing their first win of the season.
Pittsburgh have won seven of their past eight games as home favourites and they are 4-4 against the line in this scenario.
Cleveland look set to become just the second team in NFL history to go through an entire season without winning a game and they are impossible to trust from a betting perspective.
No Bet
A win will secure the number one seed in the AFC for the New England Patriots.
New England have won seven of their past nine games as home favourites and they are 6-3 against the line in this scenario.
The New York Jets have lost their past six games as away underdogs and they are 1-1-4 against the line.
Back New England To Beat The Line (-15.5 Points)
The Washington Redskins have won only two of their past seven games on the road, while the New York Giants have lost five games on the trot.
No Bet
The Philadelphia Eagles have already confirmed the number one seed in the NFC, while the Dallas Cowboys are now out of NFL Playoffs contention.
Philadelphia have won all eight of their games at home this season and they are 6-2 against the line.
Dallas have won five of their past six games as away favourites and are 4-1-1 against the line in this scenario.
No Bet
The Jacksonville Jaguars have already secured the AFC South Title, but a win for the Tennessee Titans will clinch them a NFL Playoffs berth.
The Titans have won six of their past seven games as home favourites and they are 4-1-2 against the line in this scenario.
They have more to play for than Jacksonville and they can return to the NFL Playoffs for the first time since 2008.
Back Tennessee To Beat The Line (-4.5 Points)
A win will give the Buffalo Bills chance to end their NFL Playoffs drought – the longest in the NFL.
Winning away from home has been an issue for Buffalo and they have won only two of their past eight games on the road.
The Miami Dolphins have won two of their past six games as home underdogs, but they are only 2-1-3 against the line in this scenario.
No Bet
The Baltimore Ravens will secure a place in the NFL Playoffs with a win over the Cincinnati Bengals.
Backing the Under in games involving these two sides has been a profitable play this season and the Under has saluted in 14 of the past 23 games played between the two sides.
Back Under 41 Points
The Los Angeles Chargers need to win this game and hope other results go their way to secure a place in the NFL Playoffs.
Los Angeles have won five of their past six games, but they have still been a losing betting play as home favourites.
It has been a season to forget for the Oakland Raiders and they have lost three games on the trot, while they have won only one of their past seven games as away underdogs.
No Bet
The Seattle Seahawks need to win and hope that the Arizona Cardinals lost to qualify for the NFL Playoffs.
Seattle have won four of their past six games as home favourites, but they are only 2-4 against the line in this scenario.
Arizona have lost their past four games as away underdogs and they have failed to cover the line in each of these defeats.
No Bet
The Los Angeles Rams need to win this game to keep themselves in the hunt for the number two seed in the NFC.
Los Angeles have won four of their past six games as home favourites and they have covered the line in each of these wins.
The San Francisco 49ers have won four games in a row with Jimmy Garoppolo as their quarterback and he was outstanding against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The Jaguars have won two of their past seven games as away underdogs, but they are 5-2 against the line in this scenario.
Back San Francisco To Beat The Line (+3 Points)
This is the biggest game of the weekend.
A win will secure the Atlanta Falcons a playoff berth, while the Carolina Panthers are still an outside chance of winning the NFC South and securing a first-round bye.
The Falcons have won seven of their past ten games as home favourites and they are 6-4 against the line in this scenario.
Carolina have won three of their past five games as away underdogs and they are 4-1 against the line in this scenario.
Back Carolina To Win @ $2.75
The Kansas City Chiefs have already secured the AFC West Title and they have won three games on the trot.
Winning away from home has not been an issue for Kansas City and they have been a profitable betting play as away underdogs.
It has been a season to forget for the Denver Broncos, but they remain a tough team to beat in front of their home fans.
Back Kansas City To Win @ $2.50
A win for the New Orleans Saints would deliver them the NFC South title.
New Orleans have won their past three games as away favourites and they have covered the line in each of these wins.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have lost their past three games as home underdogs and their record against the line is not much better.
Back New Orleans To Beat The Line (-7 Points)
2016
It is the final week of the 2016 NFL regular season and every single game will be played between divisional rivals.
The six teams that have qualified for the NFL Playoffs in the AFC have already been decided, but there are still two NFL Playoffs berths up for grabs in the NFC.
This is our final chance to find winners in the NFL regular season and you can find our tips for each clash below.
The Cincinnati Bengals have won four of their past seven games as home favourites for a narrow loss, while Baltimore have lost their past six games as away underdogs.
Back Cincinnati To Win @ $1.74
The Tennessee Titans have won three of their past four games as home favourites and are 2-2 against the line in this scenario.
Houston have won only two of their past seven games as away underdogs and have the same record against the line.
Back Tennessee To Beat The Line (-3 Points)
Tampa Bay have won only one of their past three games as home favourites and Carolina are 2-1 against the line as away underdogs.
Back Carolina To Beat The Line (+6 Points)
The Indianapolis Colts have won four of their past six games as home favourites and have the same record against the line.
Jacksonville have won just one of their past eight games as away underdogs and are 4-4 against the line in this scenario.
Back Indianapolis To Beat The Line (-4.5 Points)
Miami have won seven of their past eight games and they are 4-0 as home underdogs.
The New England Patriots have won six of their past six games as away favourites and are 5-3 against the line in this scenario.
Back Miami To Beat The Line (+9.5 Points)
Minnesota are 3-2 against the line as home favourites, while the Chicago Bears have lost their past six games as away underdogs.
Back Minnesota To Beat The Line (-5 Points)
The New York Jets have lost their past four games as home underdogs, while the Buffalo Bills are 1-1 as away favourites.
No Bet
Philadelphia have won three of their past four games as home favourites, while Dallas have won their past three games as away underdogs for a big profit.
No Bet
Pittsburgh have won their past six games and are 4-2 against the line as home favourites, while the Cleveland Browns have lost their past seven games as away underdogs.
Back Pittsburgh To Beat The Line (-7 Points)
The Los Angeles Rams have won just one of their past five games as home underdogs and the Arizona Cardinals’ record as away favourites is not much better.
No Bet
The Denver Broncos have won five of their past seven games as home favourites and they are 3-1-3 against the line in this scenario.
Oakland have won four of their past six games as away underdogs and they are 5-1 against the line in this situation.
Back Oakland To Beat The Line (+1.5 Points)
The Kansas City Chiefs have won their past three games as away favourites and have an identical record against the line, while the San Diego Chargers are 1-1 as away underdogs.
Back Kansas City To Beat The Line (-5.5 Points)
Washington have won only three of their past six games as home favourites for a loss, while the New York Giants have lost their past four games as away underdogs.
No Bet
The Atlanta Falcons have won just three of their past seven games as home favourites and are 2-5 against the line in this scenario.
New Orleans have won three of their past seven games as away underdogs and are 5-1-1 against the line.
Back New Orleans To Win @ $3.20
Seattle have won just two of their past five games as away favourites and are 1-4 against the line in this scenario, while San Francisco have won two of their past six games as away underdogs.
No Bet
The Detroit Lions have won their past two games as home underdogs, while the Green Bay Packers are 2-2 as away favourites.
Back Detroit To Win @ $2.45