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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Cletis Cutts

Betting the Line: NFL Week 17

With two weeks to go in the regular season, there is still a lot to be decided.

In the AFC, only the Baltimore Ravens and Miami Dolphins have assured playoff spots, but neither has yet locked down a division title. Seven teams are either 8-7 or 7-8, so there is plenty of uncertainty as to who will grab playoff spots. In the NFC, three division titles have been decided, but you also have seven teams that are either 8-7 or 7-8.

All 16 games in Week 17 involve at least one team that is still in the hunt for a playoff spot, which will make every win and every loss critical for those who are looking to keep their seasons alive deep into January.

Odds provided by BetMGM Sportsbook

New York Jets (+260) at Cleveland Browns (-350)

The Jets have won two of their last three but are huge road underdogs (7.5 points at -110 for both teams). The Browns defense is too strong for a Jets team that has been extremely inconsistent. Take the Browns and lay 7.5 points (-110).

Detroit Lions (+220) at Dallas Cowboys (-275)

This game has one of the bigger Over/Under numbers of the year (53.5 points at -110 for both Over and Under). We’ve been sucked into this trap too many times this season with games that are supposed to be high-scoring shootouts. When a 28-24 game is still under, the number is too high. Take Under 53.5 points (-110).

New England Patriots (+500) at Buffalo Bills (-700)

Very few double-digit favorites have covered this season, and the Bills are favored by a ton (12 points at -110 for both teams). The Bills have been hot lately, and the Patriots are going to struggle to score. In their last home game, Buffalo beat Dallas by 21 and can do the same to the Patriots. Take the Bills and lay 12 points (-110).

Atlanta Falcons (+130) at Chicago Bears (-155)

This game has a very low Over/Under (38 points for both Over and Under). Both teams have hit under this number in a lot of games. But both will be taking risks, because they have nothing to lose at this point in their seasons and can pull out calls from the back of the playbook. Take Over 38 points (-110).

Las Vegas Raiders (+150) at Indianapolis Colts (-185)

The Colts are solid home favorites (3.5 points at -110 for both teams). The Raiders road victory last week against the Chiefs was their first road win since Week 1. The Colts should win, but the Raiders are getting too many points for a game that should be very close Take the Raiders plus 3.5 points (-110).

Los Angeles Rams (-210) at New York Giants (+170)

The Rams are big road favorites (4.5 points at -110 for both teams). The Rams have won five of their last six games, and their only loss came to the Baltimore Ravens. They have scored 28 or more points in their last five games, and the Giants just can’t keep up with them. Take the Rams and lay 4.5 points (-110).

Arizona Cardinals (+425) at Philadelphia Eagles (-600)

The Eagles are massive home favorites (10.5 points at -110 for both). Eight of the Cardinals’ last 10 losses have been by 10 or more points, with their three most recent losses coming by 23, 16 and 11 points. Take the Eagles and lay 10.5 points (-110).

New Orleans Saints (+130) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-160)

The Buccaneers are a standard home favorite (3 points at -110 for both teams). The Bucs are playing their best football of the season having won four straight, and they pounded the Saints 26-9 in New Orleans in their first meeting. Take the Buccaneers and lay 3 points (-110).

San Francisco 49ers (-800) at Washington Commanders (+575)

The Over/Under on this game is high (49. 5 points at -110 for both Over and Under). The 49ers were humbled by the Ravens last week and will look to put a beating down on the Commanders. They could hold them to 13 or fewer points, which will make hitting the Over more difficult. Take Under 49.5 points (-110).

Carolina Panthers (+230) at Jacksonville Jaguars (-275)

The Jaguars have lost four straight but are still strong favorites (6.5 points at -110 for both teams). If Trevor Lawrence is ruled out, this number should drop. If he can play, expect Jacksonville to respond against the team with the league’s worst record with the Jaguars’ season on the line. Take the Jaguars and lay 6.5 points (-110).

Miami Dolphins (+145) at Baltimore Ravens (-175)

The Ravens have been beating people up and are solid home favorites (3.5 points at -115 Dolphins, -105 Ravens). Baltimore is likely going to try to control the ball and slow down the Dolphins, but that requires touchdowns scored to be an effective strategy. Baltimore should win, but the Dolphins should keep it close by being on the attack all game long. Take the Dolphins plus 3.5 points (-115).

Tennessee Titans (+180) at Houston Texans (-225)

The Texans have been erratic but remain solid home favorites (4.5 points at -110 for both teams). Houston is winning but not blowing teams out. The Titans’ last three losses have each been by three points, and too many of their games come down to the final couple of minutes. Take the Titans plus 4.5 points (-110).

Pittsburgh Steelers (+150) at Seattle Seahawks (-185)

The Over/Under is one of the lowest on this week’s schedule (41.5 points at -110 for both Over and Under). The Seahawks have scored 20 or fewer points in their last three games and five of their last six. The Steelers have scored 20 or fewer points in seven of their last nine games. Too many things point to a field position game. Take Under 41.5 points (-110).

Los Angeles Chargers (+140) at Denver Broncos (-165)

The Broncos are a standard home favorite for a division game (3 points at -105 Chargers, -115 Broncos). The Broncos benching Russell Wilson will result in another matchup of unproven backup quarterbacks. In that instance, you take the best defense and that’s Denver. Take the Broncos and lay 3 points (-115).

Cincinnati Bengals (+260) at Kansas City Chiefs (-350)

The Chiefs have been brutal but remain strong home favorites (7 points at -110 for both teams). Those laying points on the Chiefs have been burned too often, but Patrick Mahomes & Co. need to have a game where all three phases click and they look like the defending champs. Take the Chiefs and lay 7 points (-110).

Green Bay Packers (+110) at Minnesota Vikings (-130)

The Vikings’ quarterback play has been brutal over the last month, and the young Packers are trending in the right direction, winning four their last six. This is an elimination game for the loser, and the Vikings are missing too many key players to compete. Take the Packers on the moneyline (+110).


Gannett may earn revenue from sports betting operators for audience referrals to betting services. Sports betting operators have no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. Terms apply, see operator site for Terms and Conditions. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help is available. Call the National Council on Problem Gambling 24/7 at 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, OH), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN). Must be 21 or older to gamble. Sports betting and gambling are not legal in all locations. Be sure to comply with laws applicable where you reside.

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