Heading into Week 17 of the NFL schedule, we have several important games as teams start to set their sights on the playoffs. The NFL standings suggest Week 17 should have several non-competitive contests. However, this is the NFL, and this has been one of the most unpredictable seasons ever. What are our NFL betting picks and predictions for Week 17 in the NFL?
NFL picks and predictions Week 17 | NFL lines and odds
With just two weeks remaining in the regular season, many teams have their season on the line in Week 17. Upsets and controversies continue to permeate the NFL on a weekly basis. So how do the sportsbooks view Week 17?
Let’s take a look at the Week 17 picks, predictions, and NFL odds from DraftKings Sportsbook as of 2 PM ET on January 1.
Philadelphia Eagles (-4.5) at Washington Football Team
The Football Team’s season is all but over. Nevertheless, this is a game against a division rival, and the Football Team would love nothing more than to channel their inner Goldust and hit a Shattered Dreams on the Eagles’ playoff hopes.
Coming off a truly embarrassing blowout loss against the Cowboys, expect a much better performance from Taylor Heinicke and Terry McLaurin. The Eagles won the first meeting two weeks ago. I like the Football Team to get them back.
Eagles vs. Washington Prediction:Â Washington 22, Eagles 19
Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints (-6.5)
Another team coming off a bad loss is the Saints. This one wasn’t exactly their fault as COVID protocols forced them to start Ian Book at quarterback.
This week, the Saints will have Taysom Hill back and a much less formidable opponent in the Panthers. Even with Sam Darnold returning, the Saints should handle things at home.
Panthers vs. Saints Prediction:Â Saints 20, Panthers 7
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-13.5) at New York Jets
The Jets are coming off a win. They’re not winning two in a row. However, two touchdowns is a lot to lay on the road, and we’ve seen far stranger things happen this season.
Regardless, if the Bucs and Tom Brady don’t smash the Jets, I’ll be stunned.
Buccaneers vs. Jets Prediction:Â Bucs 35, Jets 10
Miami Dolphins at Tennessee Titans (-3.5)
This is easily one of the toughest games of the week to predict.
Both teams need this game. The Dolphins are trying to hang onto that final playoff spot in the AFC while the Titans need to stave off a push from the Colts for the division crown.
Miami is riding a seven-game winning streak, but this line suggests the Titans are the better team. It opened at 3.5, which seems to be begging you to take the Dolphins. I won’t fall for it! Ryan Tannehill and the Titans get it done at home.
Dolphins vs. Titans Prediction:Â Titans 27, Dolphins 22
Jacksonville Jaguars at New England Patriots (-16)
After winning seven straight games, the Patriots have dropped two in a row. One thing consistent about the Patriots all season is they beat up on bad teams.
The Jaguars are the worst team in the NFL. They’ve lost seven straight games. During that span, Trevor Lawrence has thrown exactly 1 touchdown pass. Patriots roll.
Jaguars vs. Patriots Prediction:Â Patriots 31, Jaguars 10
Las Vegas Raiders at Indianapolis Colts (-7)
The Raiders are coming off a much-needed but uninspiring home victory over the Broncos. It was one of the slowest games of the season with the two teams running a combined 111 plays.
This week, the Raiders get a red-hot Colts team trying to push the Titans for the division. It all depends on Carson Wentz’s status. If he can clear COVID protocols and be physically up to playing, the Colts roll. For now, I’ll assume Wentz is okay.
Raiders vs. Colts Prediction:Â Colts 27, Raiders 17
Kansas City Chiefs (-4.5) at Cincinnati Bengals
The Chiefs have figured it out offensively. In addition to winning eight straight, they’re averaging 39 points over their last three games.
Tyreek Hill should be fully recovered this week, and Travis Kelce returns as well. Patrick Mahomes is playing as well as ever, but so is Joe Burrow.
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The Bengals quarterback just dropped 525 yards and 4 touchdowns on the Ravens. There’s always a bit of inflation when it comes to Chiefs’ lines. But Kansas City being favored by more than a field goal has me concerned about what’s in store for the Bengals this week.
Chiefs vs. Bengals Prediction:Â Chiefs 31, Bengals 24
New York Giants at Chicago Bears (-6.5)
The Bears have no right to be touchdown favorites over anyone. They are coming off a thrilling victory over the Seahawks, but let’s not make that into more than it is. The Seahawks are not a good team.
The Bears are home against the hapless Giants starting either Mike Glennon or Jake Fromm. Whether it’s Justin Fields, Andy Dalton (it is, in fact Dalton this week), or Nick Foles, I just can’t in good conscience back the Giants right now.
Giants vs. Bears Prediction:Â Bears 23, Giants 13
Atlanta Falcons at Buffalo Bills (-14.5)
The Bills are coming off a much-needed road victory over the Patriots, putting them back in the driver’s seat for the AFC East. Meanwhile, the Falcons barely scraped by the Lions at home.
I just have no idea how the Falcons are going to stop the Bills. Josh Allen is playing MVP-caliber football, and Buffalo gets Cole Beasley and Gabriel Davis back this week. This feels like a blowout.
Falcons vs. Bills Prediction:Â Bills 38, Falcons 14
Sunday, Week 17: Free NFL picks and predictions
Let’s break down the remainder of the action on Sunday. Here are our Week 17 picks, predictions, and NFL odds for Sunday’s games as of 2 PM ET on January 1.
Houston Texans at San Francisco 49ers (-11.5)
The Texans stunned the Chargers last week. Rex Burkhead couldn’t be stopped, and Davis Mills is playing surprisingly competent football.
The 49ers will likely get Elijah Mitchell back, but they may have to start Trey Lance this week. There’s no question San Francisco will win this game, but 15 points might be too many.
Texans vs. 49ers Prediction:Â 49ers 27, Texans 17
Denver Broncos at Los Angeles Chargers (-7.5)
This is a must-win for the Chargers. They’ve dropped two straight and no longer control their own destiny for the seventh seed in the AFC.
The Chargers lost to the Broncos by two touchdowns when these teams last met. The Broncos are deploying a trio of practice squad wide receivers. I’d be surprised if Justin Herbert didn’t get back on track and beat a Broncos team forced to start Drew Lock once again.
Broncos vs. Chargers Prediction:Â Chargers 26, Broncos 16
Los Angeles Rams (-5.5) at Baltimore Ravens
Lamar Jackson returned to practice this week, but he does not look like someone capable of playing football. At least the Ravens get back Tyler Huntley.
The Rams are playing as well as ever, but one-score road favorites are always tricky. If the Ravens want any hope of making the postseason, they need this game. I’m just not sure they have enough, and I have no idea how they’re going to stop Cooper Kupp.
Rams vs. Ravens Prediction:Â Rams 31, Ravens 21
Detroit Lions at Seattle Seahawks (-7.5)
The Lions may have lost a tough one in Atlanta last week, but I must say, this is a gritty bunch. D’Andre Swift is back this week, and head coach Dan Campbell has Detroit motivated to finish the season strong.
The Seahawks are coming off a home loss against the Bears. Normally, I’d love them for a bounce back, but this Seahawks team is a special kind of bad. Will they really lose again at home? Probably not. But 7.5 is too many.
Lions vs. Seahawks Prediction:Â Seahawks 24, Lions 20
Arizona Cardinals at Dallas Cowboys (-6)
I can’t believe I’m saying this: Dallas has the best defense in the NFL. They are as hot as ever and generating turnovers at an alarming pace — 33 already this season.
Meanwhile, Kyler Murray is playing as poorly as he has since his rookie season. He’s thrown just 2 touchdowns over his past three games against 3 interceptions. He will get back on track eventually, but this is not the spot.
Cardinals vs. Cowboys Prediction:Â Cowboys 27, Cardinals 20
Sunday Night Football: Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers (-13.5)
The Vikings got the better of the Packers in an absolute thriller the last time these teams met. This week, it’s going to be in the single digits Sunday night at Lambeau, and the Packers have revenge on their mind.
Kirk Cousins is out due to COVID-19, thrusting Sean Mannion into action. I don’t know how the Vikings are going to score any points. Aaron Rodgers is comfortable with the cold. I am supremely confident in the Packers winning this game.
Vikings vs. Packers Prediction:Â Packers 28, Vikings 7
Monday Night Football: Week 17 picks and predictions
Let’s look at the current odds for the game and make our final pick and prediction for Week 17 of the 2021 NFL season.
Cleveland Browns (-3.5) at Pittsburgh Steelers
The Browns are road favorites in Pittsburgh, and rightfully so. Last week, the Steelers embarrassed themselves against the Chiefs. They couldn’t move the ball offensively and couldn’t stop the Chiefs’ B team operating without Travis Kelce and mostly without Tyreek Hill.
The Browns lost a nailbiter against the Packers in a game they probably would’ve won had Baker Mayfield not thrown 4 interceptions. Expect a better performance this time around with Nick Chubb torching the Steelers on the ground.
Browns vs. Steelers Prediction:Â Browns 27, Steelers 20
