If you have been paying attention to How to Bet for this whole National Football League campaign, you will know that I have been preaching about certain teams from the start.
And also, maybe when they might have been down in the dumps after a tough start.
For reference, I give you exhibit one, the Kansas City Chiefs. When they were 3-4, you could not find too many people willing to back them at 16/1 to win the Super Bowl. Well, if you took them at those odds, or really anywhere up the line until about maybe six weeks ago (when you still could have gotten them at odds of more than 10/1), you have to like your chances right now.
Currently, the Chiefs head into Week 17 of the NFL season at +475 to win the Super Bowl, and an incredible +170 to win the AFC for the third year running.
There are a few more teams that I have my eye on right now to do some damage in the playoffs, and most of them have some challenging contests in Week 17.
The Los Angeles Rams (big up @kev3point0) have climbed all the way back to the summit of the NFC West, after winning four in a row while watching the Arizona Cardinals lose three-straight. LA is now back to 9/1 to win the Super Bowl, and +450 to win the NFC.
Dallas has jumped back into the discussion as well, after annihilating WFT 56-14 Sunday night. The Cowboys are sitting at 10/1 to win the Super Bowl, and 5/1 to win the NFC.
Of course, Tampa Bay and Tom Brady (+650 SB, +300 NFC) are still the defending NFC and NFL champions, while the road to the Super Bowl looks to be going through Green Bay (+425 SB, +200 NFC), so it might be hard to look past either of them.
The two AFC South teams that should be (WILL BE) in the playoffs intrigue me right now as well. Once again, it is VERY TOUGH to look past the Chiefs, but the Tennessee Titans (+1800 SB, +800 AFC) and Tennessee Titans (+2000 SB, +850 AFC) should be getting some play right now. The Colts have Jonathan Taylor (NEW JERSEY REPRESENT) in the backfield, and Carson Wentz looked like a decent QB in last week’s victory.
Tennessee is going to get Derrick Henry back, and according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, may well have him back for next week’s contest. The Titans also should have Julio Jones back, but might struggle this week due to the large amount of players on the COVID-19 reserve list: I can’t stress this enough, you HAVE to check the injury list daily at this point before you put any bets in this weekend.
So with all of that in mind, which are the biggest games of NFL Week 17? Nine of the 16 games this week have two teams (well, some of them are a SLIGHT stretch) that each harbor playoff hopes, and will need the win either to get in, lock up a division, or for seeding.
Take a look below, as I break them down, and then check out the How to Bet podcasts for our favorite games of the week.
NFL Week 17 Odds
Here are your updated NFL Week 17 odds, all in one place. Check back daily to see updates.
NFL Week 17 Opening (LOOKAHEAD) Spreads
- Las Vegas Raiders +8.5 vs. Indianapolis Colts -8.5
- Atlanta Falcons +14 vs. Buffalo Bills -14
- New York Giants +4.5 vs. Chicago Bears -4.5
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers -12 vs. New York Jets +12
- Carolina Panthers +7 vs. New Orleans Saints -7
- Philadelphia Eagles -3 vs. Washington Football Team +3
- Kansas City Chiefs -4 vs. Cincinnati Bengals +4
- Jacksonville Jaguars +16 vs. New England Patriots -16
- Miami Dolphins +3 vs. Tennessee Titans -3
- Denver Broncos +6 vs. LA Chargers -6
- Houston Texans +15 vs. San Francisco 49ers -15
- Arizona Cardinals +2.5 vs. Dallas Cowboys -2.5
- Detroit Lions +9 vs. Seattle Seahawks -9
- LA Rams -3 vs. Baltimore Ravens +3
- Minnesota Vikings +6.5 vs. Green Bay Packers -6.5
- Cleveland Browns +1 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers -1
NFL Week 17 Updated (LOOKAHEAD) Spreads
- Las Vegas Raiders +7.5 vs. Indianapolis Colts -7.5
- Atlanta Falcons +14 vs. Buffalo Bills -14
- New York Giants +6 vs. Chicago Bears -6
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers -13 vs. New York Jets +13
- Carolina Panthers +6.5 vs. New Orleans Saints -6.5
- Philadelphia Eagles -4 vs. Washington Football Team +4
- Kansas City Chiefs -5 vs. Cincinnati Bengals +5
- Jacksonville Jaguars +15 vs. New England Patriots -15
- Miami Dolphins +3.5 vs. Tennessee Titans -3.5
- Denver Broncos +6 vs. LA Chargers -6
- Houston Texans +15 vs. San Francisco 49ers -15
- Arizona Cardinals +5.5 vs. Dallas Cowboys -5.5
- Detroit Lions +7.5 vs. Seattle Seahawks -7.5
- LA Rams -3 vs. Baltimore Ravens +3
- Minnesota Vikings +6.5 vs. Green Bay Packers -6.5
- Cleveland Browns -3 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers +3
WEEK 17 SCHEDULE
Sunday, Jan. 2
Las Vegas Raiders (8-7) at Indianapolis Colts (9-6), 1 p.m. EDT (FOX and fubo.TV)
The first game on the list is one of the big nine, and one of five that pit two teams above .500.
Las Vegas has been all over the place, but you have to give this team credit: the Raiders can get to 10-7 with two wins over teams they are battling with for a Wild Card spot in their final two weeks. The Colts have been one of the best teams in the NFL since mid-October, going 8-2 in their last 10. Taylor is a legitimate MVP candidate, and could carry Indy deep in the playoffs.
Atlanta Falcons (7-8) at Buffalo Bills (9-6), 1 p.m. EDT (FOX and fubo.TV)
The Falcons are hanging on by a thread in the NFC playoff race, and gutted out a 20-16 win over the Lions Sunday. Look, it was not pretty, but at least it gave Atlanta a chance in its final two games.
Buffalo IS BACK! All of a sudden, the Bills lead the AFC East after a big win over the Pats Sunday, and have to beat Atlanta and the Jets to win the division. The big question here is, do you trust Buffalo to cover a more than two TD spread? That is a dodgy call.
New York Giants (4-11) at Chicago Bears (5-10), 1 p.m. EDT (CBS and fubo.TV)
Why are you even looking at the words I have written here? There are 10 other games that are much better to bet on than this one. Both teams stink, and both have coaching staffs/ GMs that are not long for this league.
I mean I guess the Bears should win and cover, because NY is so banged up and terrible. But a touchdown, with this stinky Chicago team? Really?
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (11-4) at New York Jets (4-11), 1 p.m. EDT (FOX and fubo.TV)
Another two-touchdown spread with a team that is losing players left and right after every game, eh? I really like Tampa Bay, but this has been like rolling a stone uphill all season with one hand tied behind your back; I just wish we get to see the Bucs at (close to) full strength in the playoffs.
The Jets beat the Jags 26-21, and will now finish 4-13: not good enough to pick in the top two in the upcoming draft, but maybe high enough to get a very good player. But they won’t, because they are the Jets, and will probably take a punter with the pick.
Philadelphia Eagles (8-7) at Washington Football Team (6-9), 1 p.m. EDT (FOX and fubo.TV)
I told you before the season this Philadelphia team was going to be close to .500, and I told you before the season to hammer Philly’s team total, which was around six wins. Bar the one wobble against the Giants four weeks ago, the Eagles have been good down the stretch: they have won five of six, and three-straight. A fourth win in a row should get this team in the playoffs.
Philly beat Washington two weeks ago, 27-17, and WFT is limping to the line. If you can get the Eagles here at -3, it is a steal, but anything below -6 should be worth it.
Kansas City Chiefs (11-4) at Cincinnati Bengals (9-6), 1 p.m. EDT (CBS and fubo.TV)
Massive game for both teams here seeding wise, but maybe more importantly for the Bengals, it is a chance to matchup with a potential playoff foe. Kansas City has won eight in a row since a 3-4 start, and its defense has been lights out over this run. But Joe Burrow will be a test for the Chiefs.
I can’t believe they didn’t flex this game to later, or to Sunday Night. This should be a fantastic contest, and a taste of what the playoffs are going to be like.
Jacksonville Jaguars (2-13) vs. New England Patriots (9-6), 1 p.m. EDT (CBS and fubo.TV)
Jacksonville did the hard part: it lost to the Jets on Sunday. Now, it has to hope the Lions can beat Seattle in what could be (it is) Russell Wilson’s last home game for the Seahawks.
New England needs to regroup here after losing two straight games, and gets a chance to do it as a -15 or more favorite. That is a lot of points, and one of four games that will be around or more than two touchdowns. These are the types of games I like to parlay with alternate spreads.
Miami Dolphins (8-7) vs. Tennessee Titans (10-5), 1 p.m. EDT (CBS and fubo.TV)
Miami is red hot. After losing seven in a row to fall to 1-7, the Dolphins have now WON seven in a row to get to 8-7. Miami controls its own playoff destiny at this point, and has one of the best defenses in the NFL.
Tennessee could be without some key players, but they could also be back in the fold: you HAVE to check the injury report. The Titans might be (are) getting Henry back next week, and a win here could help them lock up the second seed in the AFC.
Los Angeles Rams (11-4) at Baltimore Ravens (8-7),1 p.m. EDT (FOX and fubo.TV)
The Rams have done exactly as they were supposed to over the last month to get back into the NFC West race, and now lead it. Now, LA wants to do two things: get as high up in the seedings as they can, and get healthy heading into the postseason.
For Baltimore, this season has turned from dream to nightmare. The Ravens are decimated on both sides of the ball, but this line is still a field goal. Also, why is this a 1 p.m. kickoff?
Denver Broncos (7-8) vs. Los Angeles Chargers (8-7), 4:05 p.m. EDT (CBS and fubo.TV)
Neither of these teams deserve to get in the AFC playoffs, but a win for either could keep it alive going into Week 18.
How can you trust the Chargers in this game? They just lost to the Texans! How can you trust the Broncos in this game? They have been so inconsistent!
Pass.
Houston Texans (4-11) vs. San Francisco 49ers (8-7), 4:05 p.m. EDT (CBS and fubo.TV)
Should the 49ers be 15-point favorites against ANY team? Houston has won two in a row, and put up 41 last week against the Chargers. Davis Mills and Rex Burkhead were great last week for Houston. Plus, Jimmy Garoppolo suffered what a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter was a torn ulnar collateral ligament of the right thumb, as well as a fracture in the same thumb.
Once again, I don’t understand this line. San Francisco has to win this week, because the 49ers have the Rams next week. I mean, San Fran probably wins here, but -15? Really?
Arizona Cardinals (10-5) vs. Dallas Cowboys (11-4), 4:25 p.m. EDT (FOX and fubo.TV)
Massive, massive game for both teams. Arizona needs to stop the rot, as the Cardinals come in losers of three-straight. Remember, the Cards started the 2021 season 7-0.
Dallas looked like world-beaters on Sunday Night Football, outclassing WFT 56-14. This should be a good quarterback battle between Kyler Murray and Dak Prescott, but it is Prescott that looks to be in stirling form heading into the playoffs. Tough call here, but the Cowboys have been good since a little midseason wobble.
Detroit Lions (2-12-1) vs. Seattle Seahawks (5-10), 4:25 p.m. EDT (FOX and fubo.TV)
Once again, why are you even looking at this? I don’t know that Seattle should be a -8 favorite against ANY TEAM right now, after losing to the CHICAGO BEARS last week.
Detroit actually played decent again last week, but is winless on the road in 2021. But once again, are you really taking either team in this contest?
Carolina Panthers (5-10) at New Orleans Saints (7-8) , 4:25 p.m. EDT (FOX and fubo.TV)
How bad have the Panthers been? I can answer that: they have been ATROCIOUS. On some level, I don’t care about the injuries, because the QBs stink. They had Teddy Bridgewater last season, and get what they get now.
The Saints lost Monday night, but are still (just about) in the playoff race. New Orleans needs this one, and gets it. Hopefully, the line stays under -7.
Minnesota Vikings (7-8) at Green Bay Packers (12-3), 8:20 p.m. EDT (NBC and fubo.TV)
Huge game for both teams. Minnesota has to win to stay in the NFC playoff race, and already has a victory over the Packers this season.
Green Bay keeps winning games (somehow), but has not looked fantastic doing it. I could see another game like that here, although the more likely outcome is that the Packers put up 30+ points and lock up home-field advantage through the NFC postseason.
Read more about this game in our Best Bets Sunday Night Football guide.
Monday, Jan. 3
Cleveland Browns (7-8) at Pittsburgh Steelers (7-7-1), 8:15 p.m. EDT (ESPN and fubo.TV)
Somehow, neither of these teams are eliminated from postseason play, and they actually still both have chances to win the AFC North. If Cleveland wins out, it would be 9-8, with two wins over the Bengals, who have to play Kansas City this week. If Pittsburgh wins out, it would be 9-7-1, which might be enough if the Bengals lose out (depending on the Ravens).
Crazy, right?
Read more about this game in our Best Bets for Monday Night Football guide
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