NFL Week 17 Odds and Predictions: Best Picks Against the Spread
Here’s a quick look at all Week 17 NFL games, played Sunday unless noted.
Atlanta Falcons at Buffalo Bills
At 7-8, the Falcons aren’t eliminated from playoff contention but they aren’t making it. They beat visiting Detroit on Sunday 20-16. Tight end Kyle Pitts caught six passes for 102 yards and barring an injury should set the NFL single-season rookie record for receiving yards by a tight end, which is 1,076 yards by Hall of Famer Mike Ditka of the Bears in 1961. Buffalo retook the AFC East lead with a 33-21 win in New England. Josh Allen threw for 314 yards and three scores and led the team in rushing again with 64 on the ground.
Pick ATS: Atlanta (alternate line of +14.5)
New York Giants at Chicago Bears
Nothing to see here as both teams play out the string – the Giants somewhat lose either way. Their first-round draft pick could get worse with a victory, but they also own Chicago’s first-round pick. New York reportedly already has decided to bring back coach Joe Judge and QB Daniel Jones next season, although Jones is done for this year injured. New York was dominated Sunday in a 34-10 loss to Philadelphia as both Jake Fromm and Mike Glennon were terrible under centre. Chicago was without its top two QBs Sunday due to injury but Nick Foles led a last-minute 25-24 win in Seattle. Not clear if rookie QB Justin Fields will make it back from his ankle injury this week.
Pick ATS: Chicago
Kansas City Chiefs at Cincinnati Bengals
Potential AFC playoff preview. Kansas City won its eighth straight game Sunday, 36-10 over Pittsburgh, to clinch yet another AFC West title and the Chiefs will be the conference’s top seed if they win out. The NFL’s best receiving tight end, Travis Kelce, was out Sunday in COVID protocols. Running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire left with a collarbone injury. Cincinnati leads the AFC North and blasted Baltimore 41-21 on Sunday behind a franchise-record 525 yards passing from Joe Burrow, fourth-most in NFL history.
Pick ATS: Cincinnati
Miami Dolphins at Tennessee Titans
This could be a first-round playoff preview if the Fins can earn an AFC wild-card spot. It’s a short week for Miami, which has to have a victory, after visiting New Orleans on Monday to close Week 16. The Titans’ magic number to clinch the AFC South is one. They beat the visiting 49ers on Sunday, 20-17. Randy Bullock booted a 44-yard field goal with four seconds remaining. A.J. Brown caught 11 passes for 145 yards and a TD after being activated off injured reserve.
Point spread: Titans -3.5
Pick ATS: Tennessee (alternate line of -3)
Las Vegas Raiders at Indianapolis Colts
The Raiders kept their playoff hopes alive with a 17-13 home win over Denver. Josh Jacobs rushed for 129 yards. Star tight end Darren Waller was out again injured. The Colts were 22-16 upset winners in Arizona on Saturday and are in great position to earn an AFC wild-card spot. Jonathan Taylor continued his MVP push with 108 yards rushing (despite the offensive line missing three starters) and has an outside shot at 2,000 yards – he has 1,626.
Pick ATS: Las Vegas
Jacksonville Jaguars at New England Patriots
First pro matchup of rookie first-round QBs in the Jags’ Trevor Lawrence, who has disappointed, and Patriots’ Mac Jones, who probably will win NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. Jacksonville lost its seventh in a row Sunday, 26-21 at the Jets and lost top running back James Robinson to a torn Achilles that may delay his 2022 season as well. Lawrence had a fourth straight game with no TD passes. The Pats lost their second straight and the AFC East lead Sunday, 33-21 vs. Buffalo. Jones looked like an overmatched rookie in throwing for just 145 yards and two picks.
Pick ATS: Jacksonville
Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints
The Panthers go for the season sweep as they beat the Saints 26-7 in Week 2 when Sam Darnold and Jameis Winston, respectively, were the teams’ starting QBs. New Orleans is on a short week as it hosted Miami on Monday to close Week 16. Carolina lost its fifth in a row Sunday, 32-6 at home to Tampa Bay in its home finale. The heat is rising on Coach Matt Rhule, who probably doesn’t know who is starting QB for this game is yet.
Point spread: Saints -7
Pick ATS: New Orleans (-6.5 alternate line)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New York Jets
Tampa Bay won 32-6 in Carolina on Sunday despite Tom Brady being without Pro Bowl receivers Mike Evans (maybe can play this week) and Chris Godwin. In his first game in more than two months, Antonio Brown caught 10 passes for 101 yards. Tampa clinched the NFC South but still is pushing for the conference’s top seed. Any shot the Jets had of picking first in the 2022 NFL Draft ended with Sunday’s 26-21 win over Jacksonville. Rookie QB Zach Wilson had a 52-yard TD run, the longest TD run by a Jets QB in history.
Pick ATS: New York
Philadelphia Eagles at Washington Football Team
These clubs just played Week 15 and Philadelphia won 27-17 as Washington was very thinned-out by COVID, including its two top quarterbacks. The WFT was embarrassed Sunday night in Dallas, 56-14. Defensive tackles Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne scuffled on the sideline in the blowout. It was the most lopsided loss by Washington in series history. The Eagles won their third in a row Sunday, 34-10 over the Giants. Jalen Hurts threw for two scores but running back Miles Sanders broke his hand. He might be able to play through it.
Point spread: Eagles -3.5
Pick ATS: Philadelphia (alternate line of -3)
Denver Broncos at Los Angeles Chargers
Denver upset Los Angeles 28-13 in Week 12. Broncos rookie cornerback Patrick Surtain II had two interceptions, one returned 70 yards for a touchdown. Denver’s playoff chances are all but gone following a 17-13 loss in Las Vegas on Sunday. Starting QB Teddy Bridgewater was out injured and Drew Lock predictably struggled. The Chargers would miss the playoffs as things stand as they were upset 41-29 in Houston missing a handful of key players in protocols. Still no excuse.
Pick ATS: Los Angeles
Houston Texans at San Francisco 49ers
Houston has ended its chance to pick first in the 2022 NFL Draft with back-to-back wins after upsetting the short-handed Chargers on Sunday, 41-29. The Texans rushed for 189 yards and rookie QB Davis Mills was a very efficient 21-for-27 for two TDs. The Niners were short favourites at Tennessee but lost 20-17, blowing a 10-point halftime lead. Jimmy Garoppolo threw for 322 yards but two picks.
Pick ATS: Houston
Arizona Cardinals at Dallas Cowboys
Potential NFC playoff preview, although the Cardinals are imploding as they lost a third straight game on Christmas, 22-16 against the Colts. Arizona’s Matt Prater missed two field goals, including a potential go-ahead try early in the fourth quarter, and an extra point. Top running back James Conner was out injured. Dallas clinched the NFC East and crushed Washington on Sunday, 56-14. The Cowboys’ 42 first-half points tied the franchise record for points in a half.
Pick ATS: Dallas
Detroit Lions at Seattle Seahawks
Detroit lost 20-16 in Atlanta on Sunday and still has a shot to pick first in the 2022 NFL Draft. Starting QB Jared Goff was out in the COVID protocols and backup Tim Boyle threw an interception at the Atlanta 1 with 33 seconds remaining. Seattle is guaranteed its first double-digit loss season under Pete Carroll after giving away a 25-24 game to Chicago on Sunday in the final minute. There are going to be some significant changes on that team in the off-season.
Pick ATS: Detroit
Los Angeles Rams at Baltimore Ravens
The Rams won their fourth straight Sunday, 30-23 at Minnesota, to take sole possession of first in the NFC West. Cooper Kupp’s potentially historic season continued with 10 catches for 109 yards – he could become the first player with 150 catches and/or 2,000 yards receiving in a season. Baltimore lost its fourth in a row Sunday, 41-21 in Cincinnati again without injured QB Lamar Jackson. My guess is Jackson plays this week because now the team has to win.
Pick ATS: Los Angeles (alternate line of -2.5)
Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers
Sunday night game. Green Bay will be the NFC’s top seed if it wins out and QB Aaron Rodgers is likely to repeat at league MVP. He had three more TD passes in a 24-22 win over Cleveland on Christmas. Minnesota lost 30-23 at home to the Rams, although Justin Jefferson set an NFL record for most receiving yards in a player’s first two seasons. The Packers lost in the Twin Cities 34-31 on Nov. 21. Aaron Rodgers and Kirk Cousins combined for 726 yards passing and seven TD throws. Greg Joseph hit the winning field goal from 29 yards out as time expired.
Pick ATS: Minnesota (alternate line of +7.5)
Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers, Monday
Perhaps Ben Roethlisberger’s final home game. Both clubs are on the outside of the AFC playoff field currently. The Browns lost 24-22 in Green Bay on Christmas thanks to four Baker Mayfield interceptions. The Steelers were dominated Sunday in Kansas City, 36-10. Canadian wideout Chase Claypool had four catches for 41 yards. Pittsburgh won in Cleveland in Week 8, 15-10. The Steelers lost their placekicker right before halftime and that affected the game plan in the second half.
Pick ATS: Pittsburgh (alternate line of +3.5)
