NFL Spreads Week 17: Best Picks Against the Spread
The final week of the regular season has NFL bettors weighing some tricky point spreads.
For a number of teams, Sunday’s game is the biggest of the season. For others, it’s just 60 more minutes before they can pack up and fly off to a sunny vacation. That’s why navigating through the Week 17 odds board is always so difficult.
NFL Odds
NFL Spreads Week 16 Best Picks Against the Spread
Sunday January 3, 2016
Baltimore Ravens at Cincinnati Bengals
Point spread: Bengals -9
Total: 41.5
A Cincinnati win here combined with a Denver loss at San Diego to clinch a first-round bye. The Bengals are a good bet to hold up their end of the bargain, but the Broncos should take care of business against the Chargers.
Pick against the spread: Bengals -9
Detroit Lions at Chicago Bears
Point spread: Bears -1
Total: 46
You can always count on the Bears to show up after the games matter. They earned an upset on the road last week in Tampa Bay after dropping three in a row to dash any remaining playoff hopes.
Pick against the spread: Bears -1
Jacksonville Jaguars at Houston Texans
Point spread: Texans -6
Total: 45.5
The Texans win the AFC South with a victory here and will have Brian Hoyer (concussion) back under centre. Hoyer could be a little rusty but the Texans will do just enough to take the crown.
Pick against the spread: Jaguars +6
New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins
Point spread: Patriots -10.5
Total: 47
Are all of New England’s injuries going to be too much for the Patriots to overcome? Brady and Gronkowski can only do so much.
Pick against the spread: Dolphins +10.5
New Orleans Saints at Atlanta Falcons
Point spread: -4
Total: 52
What a disappointing season for each of these teams. Atlanta surely had a higher upside, but New Orleans’ collapse is embarrassing. After the Falcons snapped Carolina’s unbeaten season, don’t be surprised if they suffer a letdown here.
Pick against the spread: Saints +4
New York Jets at Buffalo Bills
Point spread: Jets -3
Total: 43
Rex Ryan’s Bills can spoil the New York Jets’ playoff plans, but injuries may get the best of Buffalo in this one. The Bills are banged up all over the roster and may not have the firepower to keep up with the No. 7 total offence in the NFL.
Pick against the spread: Jets -3
Philadelphia Eagles at New York Giants
Point spread: Giants -3.5
Total: 51.5
The Eagles have already fired their coach and you have to think Tom Coughlin’s leash is at least getting tighter in New York. Another loss could prove costly.
Pick against the spread: Eagles +3.5
Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns
Point spread: Steelers -10 / Steelers -10.5
Total: 47
If the Steelers make the playoffs, they could do serious damage. They’ll need a win Sunday to get to the dance and should be able to run up the score on a Browns club that allows almost 27 points per game.
Pick against the spread: Steelers -10
Tennessee Titans at Indianapolis Colts
Point spread: N/A
Total: N/A
Pick against the spread: N/A
Point spread: Cowboys -3.5
Total: 39
The Cowboys have shut down Dez Bryant for the last game of the season and he’s the only reliable offensive weapon they have. Washington doesn’t have much to play for with a playoff game at home coming up – then again, neither does Dallas.
Pick against the spread: Washington +3.5
Oakland Raiders at Kansas City Chiefs
Point spread: Chiefs -6.5 / Chiefs -7
Total: 43.5
The Chiefs have won nine straight, covering in seven of those tilts, and have covered in four of their last five with the Raiders.
Pick against the spread: Chiefs -6.5
San Diego Chargers at Denver Broncos
Point spread: Broncos -9
Total: 41
There’s just not much left in the cupboard for Philip Rivers and the San Diego Chargers, while Brock Osweiler looks like the real deal after last week’s performance against Cincinnati.
Pick against the spread: Broncos -9
Seattle Seahawks at Arizona Cardinals
Point spread: Cardinals -7 / Cardinals -6.5
Total: 47
The Cardinals may end up being your best bet to win the Super Bowl, but -7 at home to a hot Seattle team is a hefty number even with Arizona playing for home field advantage in the playoffs.
Pick against the spread: Seahawks +7
San Francisco 49ers at St. Louis Rams
Point spread: Rams -3.5
Total: 37.5
It’s a case of too little, too late for the St. Louis Rams, but they have won three in a row down the stretch. The big mismatch in this one it’s the St. Louis defensive line against San Francisco’s offensive line.
Pick against the spread: Rams -3.5
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Carolina Panthers
Point spread: Panthers -10.5
Total: 46.5
Now that the pressure of an undefeated season is gone, the Panthers will use this one as a playoff tune-up. Carolina says its starters will play, but there’s no reason to risk injury in the second half. That could give the Bucs a chance to make it close down the stretch.
Pick against the spread: Buccaneers +10.5
Sunday Night Football
Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers
Point spread: Packers -3.5
Total: 43.5
Aaron Rodgers can only do so much and that could be the downfall of the Green Bay Packers. Unless the Cheeseheads get better protection from the offensive line and more separation from their wide receivers, the Vikings are going to be in this game. The Packers might end up winning the division, but it may come down to a field goal either way.
Pick: Vikings +3.5
