With a jampacked Sunday of NFL action, marking the final week of the season, keeping your eye on every matchup is going to be key towards a fruitful betting experience.
Thus, this comprehensive NFL betting guide serves up all the important information ahead of Sunday’s NFL schedule that features 7 games in the 1 PM ET slot, 8 games crammed into the 4:25 PM ET slot, and a Sunday /Night Football showdown between the Washington Football Team and Philadelphia Eagles, set to wrap up the day’s proceedings while also putting a bow on the entire 2020 regular season.
We’ve got you covered from injuries, betting trends and stats, tips, and, much, much more… Basically, all things that could impact how week 17 unfolds for your choice NFL picks.
Miami Dolphins (10-5-0) vs. Buffalo Bills (12-3-0)
Sunday, January 3, 2021 – 1:00 PM ET at Bills Stadium, Buffalo
Editor's Note: Dolphins backup QB Ryan Fitzpatrick tested positive for COVID-19 this Thursday, he won't play against the Bills. No other Dolphins players were identified as high-risk close contacts.
The Miami Dolphins pulled off a dramatic come-from-behind win over the Las Vegas Raiders on Saturday night, with Ryan Fitzpatrick throwing the “no-look-pass” of the season to set up a game-winning field goal that lifted the Dolphins to the 26-25 win over the Raiders. Fitzpatrick came into the game in the second half after Brian Flores decided rookie Tua Tagovailoa wasn’t cutting it, and the offense needed some “Fitzmagic” to spark into life. In hindsight, the sagacious decision proved to be the difference-maker.
In the meanwhile, the recently crowned AFC East champions, Buffalo Bills, picked up from where they left off at Mile High in week 15. Descending on the eliminated New England Patriots with a new-fangled verve and swagger that Bill Belichick was unused to seeing from the Bills. Indeed, it led to never before seen outbursts of frustration from Belichick as Buffalo thoroughly outplayed, outmuscled, and outshot the Patriots in a 38-7 win that had the Bills comfortably covering as the closing 6.5 to 7 point road chalk, depending on the respective top sportsbook in question.
The stakes are high for this AFC East showdown between the Dolphins and Bills, especially for Miami that needs the win to confirm its wildcard spot in the playoffs. However, a loss might still propel Miami into the playoffs, depending on the outcome of several other contests that will playout concurrently on Sunday’s early 1 PM ET slot. Brian Flores announced immediately after the game that Tua Tagovailoa will start for the Dolphins.
The Bills moved into the second seed following the win over the Patriots, jumping ahead of Pittsburgh Steelers (12-3-0). However, a win in week 17 would be needed to confirm the No.2 seed beyond any doubt if the Steelers go all out for their final contest against the Browns in pursuit of the second seed as well.
All told, betting on this game will rest heavily on the starting line-up that Sean McDermott fields. If he rests his starters or not is going to have an impact on the NFL odds. That information is yet unknown, meaning bettors will have to stay tuned for the betting scene to take shape.
Key Injuries:
MIA: WR J. Grant Sr. (ankle), WR D. Parker (hamstring), G S. Kindley (knee), DE S. Lawson (shoulder), and LB E. Roberts (knee) are day-to-day.
BUF: RB T. Yeldon (back) is out indefinitely;
| TV Network: CBS |
| Live Stream: fuboTV, DirecTV, CBS |
| Opening Line: Bills -4 (-105) with BookMaker |
| Fans in Stadium: No (until further notice) |
| Full Game Preview: Dolphins vs. Bills Picks |
Baltimore Ravens (10-5-0) vs. Cincinnati Bengals (4-10-0)
Sunday, January 3, 2021 - 1:00 PM ET at Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati
The Baltimore Ravens have rattled off four straight wins down the stretch to move inside the AFC playoff frame, but they need a win in week 17 to confirm their playoff spot. Should the unthinkable happen, the Ravens could very well miss out on January action – an outcome that would send seismic shockwaves through NFL betting markets. After all, the Ravens were amongst the top pre-season betting faves to win SBLV.
To be fair, the Ravens have had one of the easiest NFL schedules in December, and thanks to that advantage they’ve capitalized with an impressive run of form. The four-win Bengals represent the fourth under .500 team in Baltimore’s last five games, a matchup that most NFL bettors are confident the Ravens will take full advantage of, despite Cincy’s two-game winning streak ahead of week 17. The Bengals are after upsetting the Pittsburgh Steelers and Houston Texans, the latter of which represents coach Zac Taylor’s first road win in his two-year tenure with Cincinnati.
On paper, this is a total mismatch – a fact nowhere more so evident than across multiple sports betting sites where the Ravens are laying double digits to the Bengals. In fact, the Ravens are the only double-digit faves at present in week 17 NFL markets. Color the world shocked if the Bengals throw a spanner in the works. That said, if the Ravens were to lose, their playoff hopes wouldn’t necessarily be dashed; that is, so long as the Browns and/or Colts lose as well.
Key Injuries:
BAL: RB J. Dobbins (chest), DE Y Ngakoue (thigh) CB T. Bonds (knee), CB J. Smith (shoulder), CB M. Peters (calf), and G. P. Mekari (back) are day-to-day.
CIN: CB W. Jackson III (concussion), C B. Finney (back), T J. Williams (knee), LB L. Wilson (foot), WR T. Boyd (concussion), and LB J. Evans (hamstring) are day-to-day.
| TV Network: CBS |
| Live Stream: fuboTV, DirecTV, CBS |
| Opening Line: Ravens -11.5 (-110) with BookMaker |
| Fans in Stadium: Yes (18% of capacity) |
| Full Game Preview: Ravens vs. Browns Picks |
Pittsburgh Steelers (12-3-0) vs. Cleveland Browns (10-5-0)
Sunday, January 3, 2021 - 1:00 PM ET at FirstEnergy Stadium, Cleveland
Pittsburgh Steelers clinched the AFC North title behind a come-from-behind win over the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers started slowly and quickly fell behind 24-7 to the Colts, but a second-half surge saw them erase the 17-point deficit and clinch the 28-24 victory. The win averted a potential four-game losing streak and clinched Pittsburgh’s first division title since 2017.
The Cleveland Browns, meanwhile, suffered a shocking 23-16 loss to the New York Jets that put a damper on their playoff aspirations. The Browns were forced to play without their top four receivers due to Covid-19 protocols, although few expected it would be quite so detrimental against the one-win Jets. It so happens that it was, and Baker Mayfield stoically took the blame for Cleveland’s loss in his post-game presser.
How this AFC North showdown pans out depends entirely on Mike Tomlin’s approach to this week 17 contest. It’s no secret that the Steelers were cheated out of a proper bye week in 2020, losing their scheduled week off due to the disruption caused by coronavirus outbreaks within their opponent’s camps. In fact, there’s an argument to be had that the lack of proper rest finally caught up with the Steelers a few weeks ago. At the start of their three-game decline three weeks ago, losses to Washington, Buffalo, and Cincinnati effectively wiped out their chance to secure the AFC’s No.1 seed, which now belongs to the Kansas City Chiefs (14-1-0).
If Tomlin rests his starters, the NFL odds are likely to swing in favor of the Cleveland Browns in the betting. That said, a second-tier Steelers team isn’t going to necessarily roll out the welcome mat. Tomlin’s teams have a tendency to play tough, no-nonsense football. That won’t change no matter who Tomlin fields. Furthermore, the status of Cleveland’s receiving corps is another consideration. Evidently, if the loss to the Jets is anything to go by, Baker Mayfield clearly needs to have his go-to targets available for this game. Without Landry, Higgins, Peoples-Jones, and Hodge, the Browns offense isn’t quite so potent.
Oddsmakers have rolled out an initial serving that puts the Browns in considerable favor, underlining the notion that Tomlin may decide to rest his starters after all. That said, Mike Tomlin has yet to confirm such a decision, which means NFL bettors looking to bet this game might want to wait before pulling the trigger for week 17 NFL picks.
Key Injuries:
PIT: S M. Allen (shoulder), LB O Adeniyi (shoulder), RB A.McFarland Jr. (illness), and K C. Boswell (groin) are day-to-day.
CLE: C N. Harris (knee), LB S. Takitaki (ankle), LB T. Davis (ankle), S R. Harrison Jr. (shoulder), G W. Teller (ankle), and T J. Willis Jr. (illness) are day-to-day; LB B. Goodson (illness), WR K. Hodge (illness), WR D. Peoples-Jones (illness), WR R. Higgins (illness), WR J. Landry (illness) and LB J. Phillips (illness) are out indefinitely.
| TV Network: CBS |
| Live Stream: fuboTV, DirecTV, CBS |
| Opening Line: Browns -6.5 (-110) with BookMaker |
| Fans in Stadium: Yes (17% of capacity) |
| Full Game Preview: Steelers vs. Browns Picks |
Minnesota Vikings (6-9-0) vs. Detroit Lions (5-10-0)
Sunday, January 3, 2021 - 1:00 PM ET at Ford Field, Detroit
How well the Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions bounce back after their respective brutal outings over the holidays might say a lot about the character of these two teams. Otherwise, it’s a meaningless contest between divisional rivals that are looking ahead to enjoying a playoff season from the comfort of their own sofas.
The Vikings were eviscerated by the New Orleans Saints in a 52-33 decision on Christmas Day that will probably haunt them for years to come. The Vikings started well enough, even competitively for the first-half of the game. But then the floodgates opened and the Vikings couldn’t do anything but watch helplessly as Alvin Kamara went utterly nuclear, running up a record-tying six touchdowns. In the loss, the Vikings were effectively eliminated from the playoffs.
On Saturday, the Detroit Lions suffered similar such embarrassment behind a 47-7 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Lions were shorthanded, banged up, embattled, and downtrodden ahead of the game, not to mention missing a good chunk of their staff due to the risk of Covid-19. All of which helped the Buccaneers to ruthlessly capitalize on in the pursuit of their playoff aspirations.
The Lions have nothing to play for save pride. But even that is debatable when the Lions are likely to be one of the teams to undergo a complete overhaul in the offseason. Quarterback Matthew Stafford suffered an ankle injury that forced him out of the game. His availability for Detroit’s final game of the season is therefore questionable, although Stafford has built a reputation for being one of the toughest quarterbacks in the league. In the absence of Stafford, the Lions quarterback situation is dire indeed.
Today is a good day to appreciate Matthew Stafford‘s toughness. pic.twitter.com/IGh0xhjGhF
— Footballism
(@FootbaIIism) December 21, 2020
(@FootbaIIism)
The Vikings might be out of the playoffs, but playing for their beleaguered head coach Mike Zimmer might well be an incentive to finish the game on a high note. That and the fact that the Lions are there for the taking could yield a winning account for Minnesota in week 17. Bookies have yet to post a complete NFL betting market on this game, but anything less than favorable odds for Minnesota would be surprising.
Key Injuries:
MIN: LB E. Kendricks (calf), TE K. Rudolph (foot), LB T Dye (concussion), DT J. Johnson (knee), DE J. Holmes (groin), FB C. Ham (quadricep), LB T.Davis (ribs), and RB A. Mattison (concussion) are questionable Sunday.
DET: QB M. Stafford (ankle), DT D. Shelton (knee), OL T. Crosby (ankle), OL F. Ragnow (throat), LB J. Collins Sr. (neck), and S J. Kearse (hip) are day-to-day.
| TV Network: FOX |
| Live Stream: fuboTV, DirecTV, FOX |
| Opening Line: Vikings -3.5 (-120) with Bovada |
| Fans in Stadium: No (until further notice) |
| Full Game Preview: Vikings vs. Lions Picks |
New York Jets (2-13-0) vs. New England Patriots (6-9-0)
Sunday, January 3, 2021 - 1:00 PM ET at Gillette Stadium, Foxboro
After seemingly playing hard to win the Trevor Lawrence stakes, the NY Jets made an unexpected and unthinkable about-turn in week 15 that few would have predicted. Beating the Los Angeles Rams on the road against the NFL odds, snapping, in turn, a carefully constructed 13-game losing streak that had them on the inside track for the No.1 overall draft pick in 2021. As if that weren’t t enough to impress on everyone that the mission to snap up Lawrence was being well and truly abandoned, the Jets served up a second straight win over the Cleveland Browns in week 16 at MetLife. Obviously, once again, doing so against the betting odds.
Thus, the Jets arrive at the final lap around the 2020 regular season SURGING ahead of a divisional showdown with the New England Patriots. Whether they can maintain the momentum remains to be seen, but they’re catching the Patriots on a short week and on the heels of an intolerable 38-9 loss to the newly-minted AFC East champions, the Buffalo Bills.
As far as meaningless contests go between two sides with nothing left to play for save pride, this game got suddenly interesting. Sam Darnold has come on in spades in the last few games, playing with confidence and determination, which was sorely absent in the early weeks of the season. The team in general appears to be playing with more heart than it did at the start. By contrast, the wheels have well and truly come undone for the Patriots, who are trundling out of week 16’s debacle with the assuredness of a deflated tire. Across the bench, an air of defeat and disenchantment prevails, including Cam Newton, who was benched after a mostly ineffective first half.
Whether Cam Newton starts in this week 17 contest remains up in the air. It will likely impact the NFL betting line to a certain extent, but Bill Belichick has yet to confirm which quarterback will get the start.
Key Injuries:
NYJ: RB F. Gore (lung), OL J. Andrews (groin) and CB J. Guidry (knee) are day-to-day.
NE: TBD
| TV Network: CBS |
| Live Stream: fuboTV, DirecTV, CBS |
| Opening Line: Patriots -3.5 (-105) with BookMaker |
| Fans in Stadium: No (until further notice) |
| Full Game Preview: Jets vs. Patriots Picks |
Dallas Cowboys (6-9-0) vs. NY Giants (5-10-0)
Sunday, January 3, 2021 - 1:00 PM ET at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford
The NFC East showdown between the Dallas Cowboys and the NY Giants is one of the most important games on the early NFL betting schedule in week 17, potentially decisive towards the NFC East title. If the Washington Football team loses to the Philadelphia Eagles in Sunday night’s primetime NFC East showdown, then the winner of this encounter will clinch the divisional title.
Thus, it’s a win-and-in prospect that rests before both the Cowboys and NY Giants, who’ll have to wait to find out their fate at the end of the day’s proceedings. Talk about a dramatic finish for the worst division in the league that is set to send a team without a winning record into the playoffs.
After starting 3-9 SU on the season, the Dallas Cowboys have reeled off three straight victories at the expense of Cincinnati, San Francisco, and Philadelphia to climb up to a 6-9-0 SU. Andy Dalton is spearheading Dallas’ late-season surge with an offense that is finally clicking at a level projected by preseason prognosticators that circled Dallas as the team to beat in the division’s NFL futures. Dandy Andy even rallied his side from a 14-3 deficit to the Eagles to lift Dallas to a 37-17 win on Sunday that kept their slim January hopes alive.
As for the Giants, they’re riding a three-game losing streak into week 17, thanks to setbacks against Arizona, Cleveland, and Baltimore. Arguably, the strength of schedule has worked against the Giants in the closing weeks of the season. However, so have key injuries, poor play-calling, and suspect strategy cost them in the last few games.
The Giants took it to the Cowboys in week 5 but came out on the wrong side of the 37-34 decision. A lot has changed for both outfits since then, namely both launching improbable playoff pushes in the second half of the season. At early doors, bookmakers opened the game with the Cowboys tipped at -2.5. Early betting seems to have moved the NFL line to Cowboys -3.
Key Injuries:
DAL: S D. Thompson (concussion), CB R. Robinson (knee), and S X. Woods (ribs) are day-to-day.
NYG: LB O. Ximines (shoulder), RB D. Freeman (ankle), LB K. Fackrell (calf), CB D. Holmes (knee), WR G. Tate (calf), and RB E Penny (illness) are day-to-day.
| TV Network: FOX |
| Live Stream: fuboTV, DirecTV, FOX |
| Opening Line: Cowboys -2.5 (-107) with BookMaker |
| Fans in Stadium: No (until further notice) |
| Full Game Preview: Cowboys vs. Giants Picks |
Atlanta Falcons (4-11-0) vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-5-0)
Sunday, January 3, 2021 - 1:00 PM ET at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa Bay
Coulda, woulda, shoulda. The story of the Atlanta Falcons in 2020 is one of the gifts that keeps giving. The Atlanta Falcons rose to the occasion in week 16 to give the Kansas City Chiefs a run for their money, despite being eliminated from playoff contention weeks ago. But a missed field goal attempt, which could have tied the game in the dying seconds, saw the Falcons settle on yet another disappointing defeat. While leaving many wondering as the pigskin sailed gaily past the posts about what might have been in the looming overtime. Only those NFL bettors that banked on Matt Ryan and the Falcons as the double-digit road underdogs (+11 at closing doors) emerged winners.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, meanwhile, clinched a playoff spot for the first time in over a decade with a comprehensive 47-7 win over the Detroit Lions. While the Lions were severely banged up ahead of the game, their shortcomings shouldn’t take away from what was a complete performance by the Buccaneers. Coming as it did just before the playoffs, a sign that the star-studded Bucs may well be rounding out into form at the perfect time.
If the Bucs hope to better their seeding in the playoffs, a win over the Falcons will be crucial towards that end. As it is, the Bucs are holders of the sixth seed, on course for a showdown with either the Packers, Saints, or Seahawks. Should the Bucs improve their seeding to No.5 in the NFC frame, it would mean a potentially rewarding date with the NFC East champions (which at this point in time could be either Washington, Dallas, or NY Giants).
The Bucs beat the Falcons in week 15, coming from behind to clinch the 31-27 win on the road. It wasn’t a straightforward game, with Tom Brady and the offense struggling terribly in the first half. And yet, despite that narrow victory, as well the Falcons’ competitive spirit in recent weeks,’ the market on this game is firmly cornered with the Bucs, with Tampa Bay laying -6.5 to the Falcons, effectively whiffing at a touchdown across the NFL odds board.
Key Injuries:
ATL: WR J. Jones (hamstring), DT M. Davidson (knee), DB D. Dennard (quadricep), G J. Carpenter (groin), C A. Mack (concussion), and RB Q. Ollison (illness) are day-to-day.
TB: CB C. Davis (groin) is day-to-day.
| TV Network: FOX |
| Live Stream: fuboTV, DirecTV, FOX |
| Opening Line: Buccaneers -6 (-110) with BookMaker |
| Fans in Stadium: Yes ( 25% of capacity) |
| Full Game Preview: Falcons vs. Buccaneers Picks |
Green Bay Packers (12-3-0) vs. Chicago Bears (8-7-0)
Sunday, January 3, 2021 - 4:25 PM ET at Solider Field Stadium, Chicago
The Green Bay Packers lead the NFC race for the No.1 seed behind a 12-3-0 SU mark, a record they augmented by notching a statement win over the Tennessee Titans at Lambeau Field on Sunday night. Aaron Rodgers and Co. were utterly dominant in the 40-14 victory, while Rodgers unequivocally advanced his case for the MVP award in the eyes of his peers and NFL media analysts. The job’s not done yet, for Green Bay and Aaron Rodgers personally. A win over the Bears would cement the coveted top seed and bye into the playoffs.
The Chicago Bears are enjoying a mini-surge down the stretch, clinching their third straight win to improve to an 8-7-0 SU mark that puts them in direct control of their playoff destiny. Beat the Packers, and they’re January bound. Lose to the Packers, and they still might clinch a wildcard in the playoffs with the right result in the Cardinals vs. Rams game. The Bears need a Cardinals loss to advance.
It’s been quite the remarkable turnaround for Chicago, who only last month boasted an anemic offense, a clueless defense, and a head coach that was perched firmly on the hot seat. Today, the offense is firing at all cylinders, Mitch Trubisky is enjoying a renaissance, a run game has materialized out of nowhere, and the defense is playing inspired football. That said, it's worth pointing out that during this positive run of form, the Bears haven’t faced a single winning team. Instead, they’ve capitalized on a soft spot in the schedule with Houston, Minnesota, and Jacksonville, outscoring the triplet 110-51. Most recently, the Bears decimated the Jaguars 41-17.
A lot rests on the outcome of this game for both teams, putting a great premium on the win. As the team with the better track record of success, the Packers quite rightly opened as the -4 road chalk.
Key Injuries:
GB: T R. Wagner (knee), G S. Stepaniak (knee), TE J. Sternberger (concussion), RB J. Williams (quadricep), and S W. Redmond (concussion) are day-to-day.
CHI: CB B Skrine (concussion), CB J. Johnson (shoulder), and TE D. Harris (ankle), is day-to-day.
| TV Network: FOX |
| Live Stream: fuboTV, DirecTV, FOX |
| Opening Line: Packers -4 (-110) with BookMaker |
| Fans in Stadium: No (until further notice) |
| Full Game Preview: Packers vs. Bears Picks |
Las Vegas Raiders (7-8-0) vs. Denver Broncos (5-10-0)
Sunday, January 3, 2021 - 4:25 PM ET at Empower Field at Mile High, Denver
The Las Vegas Raiders officially played themselves out of contention on Saturday, with a disheartening 26-25 loss to the Miami Dolphins. Then again, after the Raiders began losing their way in the second half of the regular season, last weekend’s loss might be considered par for the course. The Denver Broncos, who were eliminated from postseason contention a while back, are also coming off a losing account in week 16 to the Los Angeles Chargers.
All told, this is one of several meaningless contests on the week’s football betting card. Had the Raiders built on a solid 6-3 SU start, this might have been an important game towards the AFC playoff frame. Unfortunately, in typical Raiders fashion, they flattered to deceive. Perhaps, Jon Gruden should have started Marcus Mariota against the Miami Dolphins instead of Derek Carr, who was visibly hindered by a groin injury he picked up the week prior. His opposite Brian Flores certainly showed no such misgivings, benching Tua Tagovailoa in favor of Ryan Fitzpatrick to guide the Dolphins to the victory without fuss or faffing about.
Jon Gruden has announced Derek Carr will start this week 17 contest, but given how disappointed the Raiders are likely to be after their season spectacularly imploded, there’s a chance for a let-down performance in this game. On the flip side, the Broncos have nothing to lose. Moreover, Drew Lock is playing for his NFL career, hoping to come back next season as the de facto starter.
Where the betting is concerned, the Raiders appear to be attracting the bulk of early betting, causing the NFL line to move in their favor. As it is, the Raiders are laying -2.5 with most online gambling sites.
Key Injuries:
LV: DE T. McKinley (groin), DE C. Ferrell (shoulder) and G D. Good (ankle) are day-to-day.
DEN: TE J. Butt (hamstring), WR T. Cleveland (illness), LB B. Chubb (ankle), and WR K. Hamler (concussion) are day-to-day.
| TV Network: CBS |
| Live Stream: fuboTV, DirecTV, CBS |
| Opening Line: Broncos -2 (-110) with BookMaker |
| Fans in Stadium: No (until further notice) |
| Full Game Preview: Raiders vs. Broncos Picks |
Jacksonville Jaguars (1-14-0) vs. Indianapolis Colts (10-5-0)
Sunday, January 3, 2021, 4:25 PM ET – Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis
The Jacksonville Jaguars’ season comes full circle this week, back to the very same matchup with the Indianapolis Colts against which they started their 2020 campaign brightly. Then, the Jaguars masterminded the shock 27-20 win in Jacksonville over the highly fancied Colts. A lot has changed since then, namely the Jaguars losing EVERY SINGLE game since week 1. Thus, raising the obvious question: how motivated will Jacksonville be to play playoff spoilers?
The Jaguars are down in the dumps, with the locker-room having to contend with the added unsettling situation of an uncertain future, never mind all of a sudden getting up for a game. Nobody knows who’s coming or going. Speculation about head coach Doug Marrone’s position within the organization is rife, his job seen to be on the line now that the Jaguars almost certainly have the inside slant on the Trevor Lawrence stakes with the worst record in the league. Most NFL observers believe Marrone is likely to be one of several “Black Monday” casualties – the day after the last Sunday of the regular season when traditionally franchises around the league start their housecleaning measures with a view towards the next season.
The Indianapolis Colts are coming off a disappointing 27-24 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field, a game in which they were in full control after building up a 24-7 lead until they bottled it in the second half. By virtue of the defeat, the Colts failed to take the initiative in the AFC South race, instead slipping to a 10-5-0 SU mark. On the bright side, the Colts found out that the divisional title was still in play when the Titans lost to the Packers on Sunday night. Whether they take the initiative in week 17 remains to be seen.
Philip Rivers and the Colts would win the AFC South with a win and a loss by the Titans in week 17. However, with Tennessee facing a winnable matchup against the Texans, Indy’s likeliest course to the postseason is via a wildcard berth that would be clinched through a victory along with a loss by either the Ravens, Dolphins, or Browns.
Thus, this is a must-win game for the Colts, who are in a tricky position despite having an overall solid season. Regardless of where the Colts end up in the AFC playoff picture (inside or outside), they’re expected to be massive faves with various top-rated online sportsbooks for what is a straightforward matchup against a team that threw in the towel a long time ago.
Key Injuries:
JAX: RB J. Robinson (ankle), FB B. Miller (concussion), and WR C. Johnson (hamstring) are day-to-day.
IND: T W. Holden (ankle), WR M. Pittman Jr. (concussion), S K. Willis (concussion), T A. Castonzo (knee), and WR M. Johnson (quadricep) are day-to-day.
| TV Network: CBS |
| Live Stream: fuboTV, DirecTV, CBS |
| Opening Line: TBD |
| Fans in Stadium: Yes (20% of capacity) |
| Full Game Preview: Jaguars vs. Colts Picks |
Los Angeles Chargers (6-9-0) vs. Kansas City Chiefs (14-1-0)
Sunday, January 3, 2021 - 4:25 PM ET at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City
The Kansas City Chiefs edged the Atlanta Falcons 17-14 on Sunday to improve to a stellar 14-1-0 SU mark that was enough to clinch the No.1 seed in the AFC. The Los Angeles Chargers, meanwhile, are playing out the string after being eliminated from the postseason several weeks ago. Most recently, the Chargers defeated the Denver Broncos 19-16 to clinch their third straight win down the stretch.
Considering the fact that the Chiefs have extracted maximum benefit out of the 2020 regular season, there’s little motivation to win their final game of the season. As such, head coach Andy Reid, mindful of the importance of January’s Super Bowl defense campaign to Kansas City, may choose to rest most of his starters. That notion hasn’t been confirmed by Kansas City, but it's nonetheless seeing some traction across with a few bookmakers that have taken to press understated early NFL odds for this game. Heritage Sports for example has the Chiefs laying merely -1.5 to the Chargers at early doors. Most sportsbooks however appear to be holding off with their serving of odds until it becomes clearer who is actually going to get the start here.
The Chargers season may be done, but the team is still fighting for its embattled head coach Anthony Lynn, whose position is under threat according to NFL insiders. The Chargers are riding a three-game winning streak into week 17, which includes wins over Atlanta, Las Vegas, and Denver. Overall, the Chargers are 8-7-0 ATS on the season with a 3.9 losing margin on average. Earlier in the season, rookie Justin Herbert and the Chargers had the Chiefs on the ropes before succumbing to a narrow 23-20 loss.
To all intents and purposes, this game is a tossup for NFL picks. On one hand, if the Chiefs field a B-team, the Chargers might prove to be the smart play. Then again, the Chiefs may be deeper in quality, skill, and talent, meaning that even a second-tier side could potentially come through at the expense of the Chargers.
Key Injuries:
LAC: T B. Bulaga (foot), WR K. Allen (hamstring), DE J. Bosa (concussion), CB C. Hayward Jr. (hamstring), and S R. Jenkins (ankle) are day-to-day; S D James Jr. (knee) and LB U. Nwosu (knee) are on I-R.
KC: WR S. Watkins (calf), LB D. Wilson (knee), and LB B. Niemann (hamstring) are day-to-day.
| TV Network: FOX |
| Live Stream: fuboTV, DirecTV, FOX |
| Opening Line: Chiefs -1.5 (-108) with Heritage Sports |
| Fans in Stadium: Yes (22% of capacity) |
| Full Game Preview: Chargers vs. Chiefs Picks |
Arizona Cardinals (8-7-0) vs. Los Angeles Rams (9-6-0)
Sunday, January 3, 2021 - 4:25 PM ET at SoFi Stadium, Inglewood
The Cardinals were dealt an unexpected setback on Saturday following a 20-12 upset by the Niners. Similarly, the Rams came out on the wrong side of a 20-9 decision to the Seattle Seahawks, marking their second defeat in as many weeks following the embarrassing loss to the NY Jets.
With both NFC West hopefuls dropping their games in week 16, things are all of a sudden looking dicey where playoff aspirations are concerned. Everything hinges on the outcome of this game, which is essentially an elimination showdown that holds the promise of a wildcard spot.
Kyler Murray took a big hit late in the game against the Niners, prompting some concern about his fitness and availability to play on Sunday. According to coach Kliff Kingsbury, the team is optimistic Murray (leg) will suit up for this pivotal game. Arizona needs a win here and a loss by the Bears to the Packers to secure their safe passage.
Arizona’s chances may have inadvertently improved though in the last few hours, albeit under the worst circumstance possible. The Los Angeles Rams announced that Jared Goff underwent surgery to his broken thumb early Monday, essentially ruling him out of this pivotal NFC West tilt. This means that an unknown offensive pivot is set to lead the Rams for the season-defining game, John Wolford. The AAF’s Arizona Hotshots export is set to make his NFL debut for the Rams on Sunday, turning the market on its head.
Lookahead lines had the Rams in favor over the Cardinals, but with this latest development, the market is likely to be readdressed before it hits the board again. As such, most sportsbooks are holding back NFL odds, for the time being, waiting for more concrete information before making their assessment available for public betting.
Key Injuries:
ARI: QB K. Murray (leg), CB D. Kirkpatrick (hamstring), OL L. Gallard (undisclosed), and TE M. Williams (ankle) are day-to-day.
LAR: RB D. Henderson Jr. (ankle) is day-to-day; QB J. Goff (thumb) is out for Sunday.
| TV Network: CBS |
| Live Stream: fuboTV, DirecTV, CBS |
| Opening Line: Rams -4 (-108) with Heritage Sports |
| Fans in Stadium: No (until further notice) |
| Full Game Preview: Cardinals vs. Rams Picks |
Seattle Seahawks (11-4-0) vs. San Francisco 49ers (6-9-0)
Sunday, January 3, 2021 - 4:25 PM ET at State Farm Stadium, Glendale
The Seattle Seahawks clinched the NFC West crown for the first time since 2016 following a hard-fought 20-9 win over the Los Angeles Rams. Pete Carroll’s side could still earn the No.1 seed in the NFC conference with a win over the San Francisco 49ers in week 17, along with a Packers loss and a Saints loss. However, they can’t take anything for granted. The Niners may be out for the season, but they’re not going down without a fight. As evidenced by San Francisco’s upset win over the Arizona Cardinals on Saturday, thus playing spoiler in Arizona’s playoff bid.
It wouldn’t be a stretch to assume Kyle Shanahan’s side will be motivated to do the same to the Seahawks in their season’s finale. Indeed, last season, the Niners clinched the No.1 seed and the divisional title at the expense of a win over the Seattle Seahawks that was decided with a last-gasp goal-line stop. It was one of the most riveting contests of the season, setting up an equally intriguing contest once again for NFL bettors to sink their teeth into in the last week of regular-season NFL betting.
The Niners are set to field C.J. Beathard for a second straight week, as Garoppolo remains a question mark and Nick Mullens is out for the season. The young signal-caller had a standout game, throwing for three touchdowns in the win over the Cardinals. The Niners' offense was boosted by the return of George Kittle and Robert Salah’s defense putting in a strong showing. The Niners' defense isn’t as formidable as it was last season due to a rash of injuries, but they showed up last week.
Bearing in mind that the conference’s No.1 seed is in play, Carrol is likely to field his best starting line up for Sunday’s late afternoon tilt with the Niners in Glendale. Conference rivals Packers and Saints are playing concurrently, meaning late changes to the day’s game plan that would turn any early NFL picks on their head are unlikely. Bookmakers tip this game quite predictably with the Seahawks, who have more to lose than the Niners do in a loss.
Key Injuries:
SEA: WR J. Gordon (suspension), CB Q. Dunbar (knee), CB T. Flowers (hamstring), S D. Randall (foot), G M Iupati (neck), DT J. Reed (chest), and CB J. Stanley (hamstring) are day-to-day.
SF: QB J. Garoppolo (ankle), DL D. Jordan (knee), DB J. Ward (concussion), DT J. Kinlaw (knee), and CB R. Sherman (calf) are day-to-day; QB N. Mullens (elbow) is out for the season.
| TV Network: FOX |
| Live Stream: fuboTV, DirecTV, FOX |
| Opening Line: Seahawks -4 (-110) with BookMaker |
| Fans in Stadium: No (until further notice) |
| Full Game Preview: Seahawks vs. 49ers Picks |
New Orleans Saints (11-4-0) vs. Carolina Panthers (5-10-0)
Sunday, January 3, 2021 - 4:25 PM ET at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte
The New Orleans Saints clinched the NFC South crown on Friday following a commanding 52-33 win over the Minnesota Vikings. It was a standout game by Sean Payton’s side on Christmas Day, throwing down the gauntlet just in time for the playoffs as the Saints wrapped up their fourth consecutive NFC South crown.
Overall, the Saints came out with a focused determination against a desperate Minnesota Vikings team. Drew Brees threw for 311 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions, while the offense finished with 583 total yards. It also featured a record-tying, six-touchdown performance by RB Alvin Kamara that he’ll be hard-pressed to replicate anytime soon.
Most importantly, the Saints kept their slim hopes for the No.1 seed alive. Given that only the top seed gets a bye into the postseason, it’s never been more important to finish at the top of each conference than it is this season. But a lot would have to fall the way of New Orleans for that to happen. To begin with, the Saints would have to take care of their own business against the Panthers. Then Green Bay (12-3-0) would have to lose to the Chicago Bears, and Seattle (11-4-0) would have to win over the San Francisco 49ers. As it is, the Packers have the inside track for the NFC’s No.1 seed.
New Orleans has the 1-0 head-to-head edge over the Carolina Panthers after taking the narrow 27-24 win in week 7. A lot has changed for the Panthers since entering their week 7 contest with the Saints sporting a 3-3-0 SU mark. Following the loss to the Saints at the Superdome, the Panthers slipped to a 3-4 SU losing record on the season, from which they never recovered. In fact, the Panthers went on to lose six of their ensuing 8 contests.
Last week’s 20-13 win over Washington snapped a three-game losing streak for Carolina. While it was a nice confidence boost ahead of week 17’s tilt with the NFC South champs, it had a lot to do with the poor play of Dwayne Haskins, whose three interceptions practically gifted the game to Matt Rhule’s side. The Panthers won’t be getting any favors from the Saints, who have the incentive to win this game.
On the whole, this is going to be an intriguing NFC South contest because the Panthers could potentially put a dent in New Orleans’ top playoff aspirations by virtue of the upset. However, the NFL odds are stacked against the Panthers, as they’re catching 6 to 6.5 points depending on the sports betting site in question.
Key Injuries:
NO: DT M. Brown (shoulder), C N. Easton (concussion), S M. Williams (ankle), G A. Peat (ankle), and DE T. Hendrickson (shoulder) are day-to-day; LB K. Alexander (Achilles) is out for the season.
CAR: DE B. Burns (Stinger), T R. Okung (calf), DE A. Larkin (shoulder), CB T. Pride Jr. (groin), and T T. Scott (shoulder) are day-to-day.
| TV Network: FOX |
| Live Stream: fuboTV, DirecTV, FOX |
| Opening Line: Saints -6 (-115) with BookMaker |
| Fans in Stadium: Yes (7% of capacity) |
| Full Game Preview: Saints vs. Panthers Picks |
Tennessee Titans (10-5-0) vs. Houston Texans (4-11-0)
Sunday, January 3, 2021 - 4:25 PM ET at NRG Stadium, Houston
The Titans succumbed to a 40-14 defeat to the Green Bay Packers on a snow-covered Lambeau Field on Sunday night, a defeat that saw the Titans slip to 10-5-0 SU on the season. Houston is coming off an embarrassing 37-31 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, which pushed them down to a 4-11-0 SU mark on the season. Although both sides were losers in week 16 NFL betting, they’re enjoying contrasting fortunes in the broad spectrum of the 2020 regular season, an aspect that underscores the market for their upcoming showdown.
The Titans are intent on winning the divisional title, while the Texans are headed to the drawing board when all is said and done next Sunday. And yet, the Texans could leave an indelible impression on the AFC playoff race with an upset over the Titans that would dent Tennessee’s playoff aspirations. The question is: are the Texans motivated enough to pull off the feat?
All is not lost for Tennessee, despite the recent setback in Green Bay as they would still win the AFC South with a win in Houston in week 17. Should the unthinkable happen – a loss to the Texans in week 17 -- the Titans would no longer be in charge of their destiny. They’d need a Ravens, Dolphins or Colts loss to advance into the postseason.
The Texans left much to be desired in a loss to the Bengals in week 16, an unpalatable defeat that later prompted J.J. Watt to rip into his side’s overall poor performance and lack of motivation. However, more concerningly, Deshaun Watson had to leave the game after injuring his arm.
So, whether the Texans will be up for this divisional showdown remains to be seen. Much depends on the fitness of Deshaun Watson. Houston’s starter reportedly plans to tough it out in week 17, but the decision to start him for the throwaway game will be made later in the week by the coaching staff.
Predictably, the game is cornered with Tennessee across multiple sports betting sites, with the Titans laying -7.5, up by half-a-point after opening at -7
Key Injuries:
TEN: CB K. Fulton (knee) and LB D. Roberson (hamstring) are day-to-day; LB J. Brown (elbow) is on I-R; T I. Wilson (illness) and CB C. Milton (undisclosed) are out indefinitely.
HOU: QB D. Watson (arm), T L. Tunsil (ankle), T B. Qvale (concussion), CB P. Gaines (knee), RB C. Prosise (ankle), and RB D. Johnson (neck) are day-to-day; LB W. Mercilus (illness) and S E. Murray (illness) are out indefinitely.
| TV Network: CBS |
| Live Stream: fuboTV, DirecTV, CBS |
| Opening Line: Titans -7 (-119) with BookMaker |
| Fans in Stadium: Yes (18% of capacity) |
| Full Game Preview: Titans vs. Texans Picks |
Washington Football Team (6-9-0) vs. Philadelphia Eagles (4-10-1)
Sunday, January 3, 2021 - 8:20 PM ET at Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
Hot off the press: the NFL line for this Sunday Night Football showdown showed a conspicuous – if ever so slight –, lean towards the Philadelphia Eagles with several sportsbooks opening with the hosts tipped as the -1 home chalk. The initial outlook emerged despite the fact that the Eagles were taken down and eliminated from playoff contention in week 16 following a 37-17 loss to the Dallas Cowboys.
What the market thinking may have been at the start is a mystery. Clearly, the wrong team was favored in the eyes of NFL bettors, as Washington leapfrogged into unanimous favor almost instantly, as high as -2 by Monday night at a few online sportsbooks.
Nevertheless, the Eagles are in a position to play playoff spoiler in this contest, as the Football Team needs a win over Philadelphia to clinch the NFC East. The NFL flexed this NFC East showdown into Sunday’s primetime spot given the playoff implications it contains. Washington will win the NFC East with a win over Philly by virtue of having the best record in the NFC East. However, the Cowboys would take the division with a victory at the New York Giants and a Washington loss, or New York would also win the division with a win and a Washington loss.
The task before a banged-up Philly side is set to be led by rookie quarterback Jalen Hurts, according to Eagles head coach Doug Pederson who made the announcement on Monday. Hurts has been the better quarterback for Philly, despite a 1-2 SU record in his first three starts. Hurts is the first quarterback since 1950 to throw for over 800 yards and rush for over 200 yards in his first three starts. That said, Hurts is coming off his worst performance thus far, completing 21 of 39 passes for 341 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions. Hurts also twice fumbled the ball, one of which was a costly loss. He has six fumbles (one lost) since taking over the reins from Carson Wentz.
Washington’s quarterback situation was the subject of many a headline early Monday morning for two reasons. Firstly, Alex Smith’s return in week 17 looks like a real possibility. Secondly, the organization released a statement announcing it had cut Dwayne Haskins Jr., a decision that’s understandable after the second-year quarterback was benched in last week’s loss to the Carolina Panthers. Haskins' antics in recent weeks, his overall reckless behavior, his poor play over the course of the 2020 season, and other issues conspired to make the case for his dismissal a week before the season ended.
In a must-win contest, Washington’s odds of winning are best served with Alex Smith at the helm. Thus, paying close attention to news coming out of the nation’s capital will be key to betting this final game on Sunday’s schedule.
Key Injuries:
WAS: WR T. McLaurin (ankle), LB K. Pierre-Louis, QB A. Smith (leg), and LB T. Davis Sr. (personal) are day-to-day.
PHI: T J. Mailata (concussion), TE D. Goedert (ankle), RB J. Huntley (illness), DT F. Cox (stinger), TE R. Rodgers (shin), DE D. Barnett (calf), LB D. Riley (bicep), and LB S. Bradley (shoulder) are day-to-day.
| TV Network: NBC |
| Live Stream: fuboTV, DirecTV, NBC |
| Opening Line: Eagles -1 (-110) with BookMaker |
| Fans in Stadium: No (until further notice) |
| Full Game Preview: Washington vs. Eagles Picks |
The post NFL Week 17 Game by Game Guide: Matchups, Stats and Trends, Injury Report, and Odds appeared first on Picks.
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