scorecard
  1. Home
  2. sports
  3. news
  4. NFL Week 17 is here and we picked the winner of every game

NFL Week 17 is here and we picked the winner of every game

Tyler Lauletta   

NFL Week 17 is here and we picked the winner of every game
Dak Prescott.AP Photo/Ron Jenkins
  • NFL football is back for another week of action.
  • Through 16 weeks, our picks are 124-115-1 against the spread.

Football is back for another week of action.

Last week, our picks against the spread went a middling 9-7. With just two full weeks of games left on the schedule, let's finish the year out strong.

As was the case last week, with COVID-19 once again causing chaos in the depth charts of some teams, it's more important than ever to check in with the teams you're planning on betting to ensure you know who will be available come kickoff. There are few worse feelings than thinking you've made a great bet only to realize moments later that your team is down three starting linemen.

With that word of caution, take a look below at our best bets against the spread for Week 17 of the NFL season (* indicates home team).

LAST WEEK: 9-7
OVERALL: 124-115-1

Philadelphia Eagles (-3.5) over Washington Football Team*

Philadelphia Eagles (-3.5) over Washington Football Team*
Jalen Hurts.      AP Photo/Matt Rourke

Philadelphia is rolling and Washington is reeling. By the time Sunday is over, the Eagles will have secured a spot in the playoffs.

New York Jets* (+12.5) over Tampa Bay Buccaneers

New York Jets* (+12.5) over Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Michael Carter.      AP Photo/Frank Franklin II

Probably a game to avoid if you can. The Buccaneers are more than 12 points better than the Jets, but it's easy to seem them winning comfortably without covering the number. This is a lot of points to give in the NFL. If you have to pick a side, close your eyes and take the points.

Cincinnati Bengals* (+5) over Kansas City Chiefs

Cincinnati Bengals* (+5) over Kansas City Chiefs
Joe Burrow.      AP Photo/Emilee Chinn

Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow had a Mahomes-esque performance last weekend, throwing for 525 yards, good for fourth-most in NFL history. The Bengals might not be able to beat the Chiefs, but they should have enough firepower to keep things close.

Las Vegas Raiders (+6.5) over Indianapolis Colts*

Las Vegas Raiders (+6.5) over Indianapolis Colts*
Derek Carr.      AP Photo/Rick Scuteri

With COVID-19 protocols in flux, it's unclear whether or not Colts quarterback Carson Wentz will be able to start in this game. I'll likely take the Raiders, regardless, but would feel better about it once Wentz's status is clear.

Los Angeles Rams (-3.5) over Baltimore Ravens*

Los Angeles Rams (-3.5) over Baltimore Ravens*
Sean McVay and Matthew Stafford.      AP Photo/Jeff Lewis

Lamar Jackson returned to practice for the Ravens with a noticeable limp. The vibes are bad in Baltimore, and the Rams need this win to hold on to their place atop the NFC West.

Atlanta Falcons (+14) over Buffalo Bills*

Atlanta Falcons (+14) over Buffalo Bills*
Cordarrelle Patterson.      AP Photo/Danny Karnik

Too many points. Cordarrelle Patterson is good for one touchdown for the Falcons. If Atlanta can find one more from the other 52 guys on the roster, they have a shot at covering here.

Jacksonville Jaguars (+15) over New England Patriots

Jacksonville Jaguars (+15) over New England Patriots
Trevor Lawrence.      AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack

Betting a rookie quarterback against Bill Belichick is usually a no-brainer, but this is an awful lot of points to give a Mac Jones-led offense that has only averaged 17 points per game over their past three outings. The Jaguars may only need 7 points to cover.

Chicago Bears* (-6) over New York Giants

Chicago Bears* (-6) over New York Giants
Cole Kmet.      AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson

It feels terrible laying a touchdown with this Chicago Bears team, but the Giants are that bad. New York is currently claiming that both Mike Glennon and Jake Fromm will get time on Sunday. I'll bet against that every time I can.

Miami Dolphins (+3.5) over Tennessee Titans*

Miami Dolphins (+3.5) over Tennessee Titans*
Tua Tagovailoa.      AP Photo/Matt Dunham

The Dolphins have won seven straight, making them the hottest team in football aside from Kansas City. The Titans are good but they've lost three of their last five including disappointing showings against the Texans and Steelers. Take Miami to win another one and take one more step to the most improbable playoff run in years.

San Francisco 49ers* (-12.5) over Houston Texans

San Francisco 49ers* (-12.5) over Houston Texans
Trey Lance.      AP Photo/Ashley Landis

Jimmy Garappolo might be out with an injury, but I believe in Trey Lance and the 49ers running game. The Texans are not as good as their win over the Chargers last week made them look.

Los Angeles Chargers* (-6.5) over Denver Broncos

Los Angeles Chargers* (-6.5) over Denver Broncos
Justin Herbert.      AP Photo/Gregory Bull

The Chargers loss to the Texans last week was one of the most embarrassing performances by any team this season. They can't play that bad two weeks in a row. This feels like a good bounce-back spot for Justin Herbert and company.

New Orleans Saints* (-6.5) over Carolina Panthers

New Orleans Saints* (-6.5) over Carolina Panthers
AP Photo/John Bazemore

The Saints looked dreadful last week, but thankfully quarterbacks Taysom Hill and Trevor Siemian returned to the roster from their COVID-19 absences. With a win, the Saints are very much alive in the NFC playoff race. New Orleans just has more to play for than Carolina here.

Dallas Cowboys* (-5.5) over Arizona Cardinals

Dallas Cowboys* (-5.5) over Arizona Cardinals
Dak Prescott.      AP Photo/Ron Jenkins

Dak Prescott and the Cowboys are looking like one of the most dangerous teams in the NFL. The Cardinals are in a tailspin, having lost three straight games. Can't bet them until they prove they can still score.

Seattle Seahawks* (-7) over Detroit Lions

Seattle Seahawks* (-7) over Detroit Lions
Russell Wilson.      AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps

This is a good game to stay away from, as it's always hard to tell what will happen in a game between two teams with nothing to play for. With the Seahawks defending home turf, they strike me as the better bet, but your money is better spent elsewhere.

Green Bay Packers* (-6.5) over Minnesota Vikings

Green Bay Packers* (-6.5) over Minnesota Vikings
Aaron Rodgers.      AP Photo/Aaron Gash

Aaron Rodgers at home in primetime against a divisional opponent. Don't overthink it.

Cleveland Browns (-3.5) over Pittsburgh Steelers*

Cleveland Browns (-3.5) over Pittsburgh Steelers*
Baker Mayfield.      AP Photo/David Richard

The loser of this game is officially eliminated from postseason contention, and it feels like the Browns are the team that should play into Week 18 with their playoff hopes alive.

READ MORE ARTICLES ON


Popular Right Now




Advertisement