Despite adding a playoff spot to each conference this year, we still have many meaningless games, and we are likely going to have an 11-win team miss in the playoffs. Looking at the scenarios this week, Miami, Baltimore, and Cleveland need to win, and they are in. Any loss of Miami, Baltimore, Cleveland, and Tennessee and a Colts win would mean the Colts are in. If they all win, the Colts are out, and they are the 11-win team that would miss. Green Bay needs to win to lock up the home field and bye so they will have everything to play for. If the Bears lose, the Cardinals game becomes a lot more important. Looking at spreads, Buffalo are four-point favorites, so it suggests starters will go as they want the two-seed to try and avoid KC until the conference championship. Both Kansas City and Pittsburgh are already resting players. The Browns and Chargers are both favorites in this one. The NFC East games are important as the Cowboys need a win to keep their playoff hopes alive and Washington, being flexed to the Sunday night game, needs a win, and they are in. If they lose and Dallas wins, the Cowboys are in.

Game

Spread

Total

MIA @ BUF

BUF -4.5

47.5

BAL @ CIN

BAL -11.5

44.5

PIT @ CLE

CLE -7

42.5

MIN @ DET

MIN -7

54.5

NYJ @ NE

NE -3

40

DAL @ NYG

DAL -3

44.5

ATL @ TB

TB -6.5

50.5

GB @ CHI

GB -5.5

50.5

LV @ DEN

LV -2.5

50.5

JAX @ IND

IND -14

50

LAC @ KC

LAC -3.5

44

ARI @ LAR

LAR -1

X

SEA @ SF

SEA -5.5

46

NO @ CAR

NO -6.5

48

TEN @ HOU

TEN -7.5

56.5

WAS @ PHI

WAS -1.5

43

MIA @ BUF

Both of these teams have something to play for this week as Miami needs to win and they are in, while the Bills would clinch the two-seed with a win. Vegas at the moment believes the Bills will be going out for this week but it is still something to monitor. Miami's skill position players have been limited of late with the injury to most of the wide receivers. With Tua under center, we could see him be pulled again as the Bills offense keeps on rolling. I like Buffalo this week to take care of business if everyone is involved.

BAL @ CIN

Baltimore has been cruising of late and the soft schedule continues. They get Cincinnati as massive favorites and should clinch a playoff spot. Cincinnati has been competitive of late and a double-digit spread is a lot but the Ravens defense is the difference compared to the Bengals last few opponents. Baltimore should take care of business and it is hard to see them letting this one even come down to a one-possession game.

PIT @ CLE

The odds have already indicated Pittsburgh is using this as a bye week and the Browns are now favored by a touchdown. This is a Browns team that just lost to the Jets so there is a chance they could come out and not cover such a large spread but overall they should take care of business. Pittsburgh should be subpar against the run this week and the backs should have a field day. Getting the wide receivers back is a plus.

MIN @ DET

The Detroit showing on Saturday against Tampa was a team that has given up on the season and has no interest in winning a football game. Minnesota is someone to jump on this week with them possibly getting Justin Jefferson that rookie record and even if they give some other guys volume in the backfield, they have enough talent to run all over this Lions defense. I would take the Vikings up until eight or nine points this week.

NYJ @ NE

There isn't much meaning to this one as the Jets are locked into the two-seed and I guess the Patriots can improve their position with a loss. New England continues to look awful offensively and this game isn't a lock for New England. Without Stephon Gilmore on the defensive side, we saw the Bills crush them through the air. While New York is nowhere near the Bills, they still have moved the ball the last few weeks against above-average teams. Both should be rather run-heavy this week so I would look more towards the under rather than wagering the spread.

DAL @ NYG

The NFC East square off against each other this week and there are division implications to talk about. Dallas needs to win and Washington needs to lose for the Cowboys to get in. New York wins and Washington loses, the Giants are in based off division record (4-2). Both teams will be coming out with an all or nothing approach but Dallas is certainly the more talented group offensively but defensively the Giants have been stingy at times this season. I'd still lean Dallas in this spot and with this spread as they should go with the run game and control this one.

ATL @ TB

Death, taxes, and Atlanta Falcons blowing leads. That was the case again against the Chiefs and that was the case the week before against the Bucs. Tampa Bay has some seeding implications trying to face the winner of the NFC East but other than that there isn't much for them here. The Bucs are still favored by a touchdown and will be playing their usual starters. Falcons games have been on the lower-scoring side of late, but this week both secondaries should struggle and offenses should put up solid points. I like the over but the Falcons I could see covering.

GB @ CHI

A win for the Packers and they are the number one seed. Green Bay is a far better team and the only real matchup issue is a red-hot David Montgomery against their run defense that has not been much better than last season. That won't be enough for the Bears to overcome this one as Aaron Rodgers might have sealed the MVP last week and the offense continues to put up monster numbers.

LV @ DEN

The Raiders had no issues with the Broncos last time out but they are in a tough stretch where they continue their free fall from once being in the playoff picture. Las Vegas are slight favorites but I wouldn't comfortably place money on them this week. Their defense has been even worse over the past few weeks and I like both Melvin Gordon and the Broncos to take advantage of that this week. However, games that feature two teams with nothing to play for can be tricky.

JAX @ IND

Indianapolis are two-touchdown favorites this week in a must-win game for them. The Colts need to rebound after losing to the Steelers despite leading 24-7 at halftime. The Jaguars are locked into the number one pick, so this game has no meaning for them. They are already without James Robinson and will be starting Mike Glennon again. The Colts should roll behind the legs of Jonathan Taylor and leave it up to the other teams to get them into the playoffs.

LAC @ KC

Kansas City is resting their starters this week, hence the Chargers being favored on the road against the Chiefs. The Chargers should take care of business behind the arm of Justin Herbert. Chad Henne is starting for the Chiefs and while they still have a decent rushing attack and some speedsters at wide receiver, it is tough to see them winning this week as they are already moving forward to the playoffs.

SEA @ SF

Seattle would need the Saints and Packers to both lose and they would need to win for them to have a shot at the one-seed but they will know that before the game starts as the Saints play in the early window. Seattle hasn't been a good team ATS this season and the offense continues to be very lackluster in the second half. However, they have improved defensively of late. With the 49ers banged up and without two starting wide receivers, it is tough seeing them putting up points.

NO @ CAR

New Orleans can still have the number one seed but need the Packers to lose. This game is early so they will trot out their normal starters against a Panthers team that will likely not play for a draft pick improvement and try and finish the year on a high note. Carolina's defense has been a major problem this season and now faces Alvin Kamara who is coming off a six-touchdown game. The Saints should handle this one but it will be interesting to watch Drew Brees and see how he operates this week.

TEN @ HOU

The last time these two met, they went into overtime. Tennessee needs this game more than Houston, although Houston has no draft picks to try and improve on with a loss so they should just solely be trying to knock off the Titans. Both of these defenses are horrendous but the Titans have the better skill position players to take advantage of it. Covering is questionable but this game should get up over 50 and come near an over.

WAS @ PHI

Flexing this game to Sunday night is just icing on the cake for watching plenty of abysmal offenses in 2020. Washington might have Alex Smith and Terry McLaurin back which would be a plus but Taylor Heinicke is likely going to be the starter. Philadelphia came out strong against Dallas then fell flat the rest of the way. Washington has a strong defense which is carrying them this year but they will have a tougher time facing a more mobile quarterback compared to Carson Wentz.

NFL Week 17 FAQ

How Can I Bet On Football?

If you are a resident within one of these states: NY, NJ, PA, NH, PA, RI, WV, OR, IN, IA, NV, AR, DE, MS, NM, you can legally bet on the NFL. Sportsbooks are available, and some of them also offer mobile betting.

What Are Opening Lines?

Opening lines are the very first lines put out to the public by oddsmakers. They are put out early, and then adjustments will be made. Getting in on opening lines is where bettors can have an advantage before the lines change.

When Does Week 17 Start?

The last week of the regular season is on Sunday, January 3rd 2021. Every team will play on Sunday, which is usually the case for the final week.

What Is A Game Total?

A total set for a game is the set number. You can bet the over or under on for total points. If a game is set at 54.5, you can bet either over or under the total combined points between the two teams.

Why Do Lines Change?

Lines can change for various reasons. If there is an injury leading up to the game that has a major effect on the potential outcome, the line will adjust based on the news. Weather is another reason why it can change.

Who Is The Biggest Favorite Of Week 17?

The Colts are -14 point favorites over the Jacksonville Jaguars. Indianapolis needs a win and some help to get into the playoffs, despite winning 10+ games.



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