Sadly, it is the last week of the NFL regular season. With that, Week 17 offers us some games that will decide who will compete for the Super Bowl, as well as a few games that are ultimately meaningless for the playoffs. This article will dive into all of the NFL Week 17 odds, picks, and predictions for each game regardless of their playoff implications.
NFL Week 17 Odds, Picks, Predictions
Minnesota Vikings (-7) at Detroit Lions O/U 54.5
The Vikings and the Lions are eliminated from playoff contention, thanks mainly to defenses that have let them down all season. Many fantasy players have this Vikings defense to either thank or blame for their championship outcomes, as they allowed Alvin Kamara to go for a record-breaking six touchdowns in Week 16.
D’Andre Swift is not Alvin Kamara, but he should find plenty of success against this Vikings defense. We have no word on whether Matthew Stafford will play, and while all logic points to him sitting, I would not be surprised to see him trot out there Sunday. Interim head coach Darrell Bevell will want to prove he is a capable coach with a good showing Sunday. Stafford will have to play for this game to be competitive, leaving Bevell no choice but to roll him out there.
Cousins should tear up this Lions secondary, as he has a knack for playing like the $66 million quarterback that he is once games become irrelevant. Not having Dalvin Cook shouldn’t be a significant issue against this Lions defense. If Stafford plays, look at this total over. Without Stafford, I would bet the Vikings as long as these Week 17 odds remain the same.
NFL Week 17 Prediction: Minnesota Vikings 37 Detroit Lions 23
Miami Dolphins vs. Buffalo Bills (line and total currently unavailable)
The Dolphins will look to punch their ticket to the playoffs with a victory over AFC East rival Bills on Sunday. You’ll notice that odds are currently unavailable for the matchup as there is a lot of speculation of who will be suiting up for the Bills. While I expect Josh Allen, Stefon Diggs, and other vital starters to play, I do not expect it to be for long. The announcement that the Steelers, the Bills competition for the two seed, will also be resting their players furthers my confidence in this speculation.
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The Dolphins made the correct move in reverting to Ryan Fitzpatrick last Sunday as he gives them the best chance to win now. He has been yearning his whole career for an opportunity to lead a team to a playoff run, and I expect him to come out on fire on Sunday. Assuming we get confirmation that Bills players will be rested, I would play the Dolphins up to -7. I have no faith in these Buffalo backups, making this one of my best Week 17 picks.
NFL Week 17 Prediction: Miami Dolphins 27 Buffalo Bills 13
Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns (-10) O/U 42
The word coming in this morning is that the Steelers will rest Ben Roethlisberger and “may rest other starters” for Sunday’s game against the Browns. After an 11-0 start, the Steelers dropped three of their last four games. It is not surprising to see them look at Week 17 as a get right week before the playoffs get started, especially with the difference in the two versus three seed being reasonably insignificant.
What this, of course, means is that we will see a lot of Mason Rudolph. Rudolph was underwhelming in his chances last season, and I do not expect a drastic change in his capabilities. The Browns have everything to play for, as they clinch a Wild Card berth with a win. The Steelers have their sights set on a Super bowl, not this game.
My favorite of the NFL odds here is the under 42. I am also considering laying the points with the highly motivated Cleveland Browns.
NFL Week 17 Prediction: Pittsburgh Steelers 13 Cleveland Browns 24
Dallas Cowboys (-3) at New York Giants O/U 44.5
While their records do not reflect it, both these teams have lots to play for Sunday. The winner will claim the coveted title of NFC East champion with a loss by the Washington Football Team on Sunday Night Football. The Cowboys have won three straight entering Week 17 and certainly have the offensive firepower to match any team in the league.
What they lack, however, is any semblance of a capable defense. Despite having a winning streak, the Cowboys have allowed 28 or more points in four of their last six. They also allowed 34 points to the Giants in Week 5. They were able to outlast the Giants with 37 points of their own, but Dak Prescott played most of the game.
I think there will be points galore this week, making the over my favorite play of the Week 17 odds for this game. In my opinion, it’s a toss-up between these two teams; therefore, I will take the points with the Giants at home as well. I’ll be taking the Giants at plus money for one of my Week 17 picks.
NFL Week 17 Prediction: Dallas Cowboys 24 New York Giants 30
Atlanta Falcons at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-6) O/U 50
We are just two weeks removed from the Buccaneers overcoming a 17 point halftime deficit to beat Atlanta 31-27. Atlanta fans can breathe a sigh of relief as the Tom Brady that has come from behind to spoil the Falcons hopes will not likely play in the second half. In fact, it remains to be seen whether Brady plays much at all.
Bruce Arians stated that the Bucs are “going to play to win,” but I find that hard to believe. We saw Brady get rested in the second half of Week 16, and I expect Rob Gronkowski, as well as the team’s star wideouts, to join him in the second half of this Sunday’s game. The Falcons have played hard for Raheem Morris all year despite their losing record, keeping most of their losses to one score. As long as these Week 17 odds remain at six points, take the Falcons.
NFL Week 17 Prediction: Atlanta Falcons 27 Tampa Bay Buccaneers 31
New York Jets at New England Patriots (-3.5) O/U 40
While this match-up has zero playoff implications, it does feature several players that will be looking to prove that they deserve a roster spot in the NFL next year. Cam Newton is the apparent player who may be treating this game as a try-out, considering his one year contract. Patriots players like Damien Harris, Jakobi Myers, and Damiere Byrd will also be looking to prove themselves.
The New York Jets have won two straight games and will be looking to make it three Sunday. Like the Patriots, they have several offensive weapons who will be looking at this game as a chance to prove their worth moving forward. Sam Darnold, Breshard Perriman, and Jamison Crowder are the most notable here. When these two teams met in November, they combined for a total of 57 points. This is my favorite Week 17 total play of over 40. As for a side, I will pick the Jets to take a narrow victory.
NFL Week 17 Prediction: New York Jets 31 New England Patriots 20
Green Bay Packers (-5) at Chicago Bears O/U 52
The Packers will look to get the all-important first-round bye Sunday, so we can expect to see a heavy-dose of MVP front-runner Aaron Rogers and this explosive Packers offense. The Bears defense is solid and will be highly motivated as they are in with a win. Mitch Trubisky has looked like a competent NFL starter in the past few weeks. Despite this, I have my doubts about his capability against the top tier defenses.
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This should be a hard-fought NFC North matchup in the Chicago cold. Rodgers may try to put his stamp on the MVP race, but instead, I expect the Packers to count themselves lucky to come out of this game with a win. I’ll take the points with the Bears, but the under is one of my favorite Week 17 NFL picks.
NFL Week 17 Prediction: Green Bay Packers 20 Chicago Bears 17
Houston Texans at Tennessee Titans (-7.5) O/U 56.5
The Titans will look to lock up the AFC South with a victory Sunday. We should expect a flurry of points in this matchup of two high-powered offenses and two abysmal defenses. There is reason to question what kind of fight we will see from the Texans on Sunday. Despite JJ Watt’s viral speech, I doubt the Texans risk one of the league’s most valuable assets in Deshaun Watson for long in a meaningless game.
The Texans may hang around for a bit, and Deshaun Watson may remind the world why he is so valuable. Ultimately, expect Derrick Henry to eventually beat this Texans defense into submission in the second half. I would bet the Titans at -7, but with the hook, I am staying away. The over is worth a look here as well for Week 17 odds.
NFL Week 17 Prediction: Tennessee Titans 37 Houston Texans 28
Indianapolis Colts (-13.5) at Jacksonville Jaguars O/U 49.5
The Indianapolis Colts are on the outside looking in of the playoff race. They sit in a five-way tie for the wild Card at 10-5, but tiebreaker scenarios have them as eighth in the AFC and, therefore, out of the playoffs. They will need a win and a loss from one of the other four teams if they hope to make the playoffs. Lucky for them, they play the Jaguars, who gave up hope for the 2020 season a long time ago and look poised to take Trevor Lawrence with the first pick in the 2021 draft.
However, the Jaguars are not unfamiliar with playing the spoiler role. Their lone victory came against the Colts in Week 1, and they have many players that will be looking to prove themselves in Week 17. I expect them to play hard and get this cover against this Colts team that has struggled to put up points for much of 2020. This is the favorite of my Week 17 picks.
NFL Week 17 Prediction: Indianapolis Colts 27 Jacksonville Jaguars 20
New Orleans Saints (-6.5) at Carolina Panthers O/U 47.5
The Saints have plenty to play for, with the one seed and its corresponding bye week still in play. They will need a win and a Packers loss to lock this up, however. With both the Saints and Packers games in the afternoon slot, we do not need to worry about the Saints resting players at the last second following a Packers victory.
The Saints offense was humming in Week 16 during Drew Brees’ return, though Alvin Kamara did most of the heavy lifting. Brees has had some issues throwing the ball this year. I do not expect these issues to be miraculously resolved on Sunday. The Panthers have been competitive all year, and I don’t expect that to change on Sunday. Saints win but do not cover in a hard-fought game Sunday. This is not one of my favorite Week 17 picks.
NFL Week 17 Prediction: New Orleans Saints 23 Carolina Panthers 21
Seattle Seahawks (-5.5) at San Francisco 49ers O/U 46
The Seahawks have an outside chance to grab hold of the number one seed, and I expect them to do their part in securing it with a win against the 49ers. The Seahawks defense was the worst unit in the NFL for a large part of the year. However, they flipped a switch around Week 12 as they have not allowed over 20 points since.
Look for the Seahawks defense to carry this momentum into Week 17 against a 49ers offense dealing with a multitude of injuries. The 49ers’ defense isn’t healthy or playing well either. Look for Russell Wilson to continue to make playing quarterback look easy. Give me the Seahawks in a rout. This is one of my top Week 17 picks.
NFL Week 17 Prediction: Seattle Seahawks 31 San Francisco 49ers 13
Los Angeles Chargers (-3.5) at Kansas City Chiefs O/U 44
The Chiefs have already locked up the number one seed, hence why they are underdogs at home against the Chargers. The only motivation for the Chiefs here is to get Patrick Mahomes a chance at the MVP trophy. However, Andy Reid has this team set on a super bowl title defense. I ultimately expect all critical starters for the Chiefs to at least take the second half off.
The Chargers are still looking to work in rookie quarterback Justin Herbert. He will be given every opportunity in Week 17 to showcase his talents. The Chargers would also like this win so the record would show a victory against their AFC West foe. Anthony Lynn will be looking for the win to help solidify his job in 2021. Expect to see two teams at the complete opposite ends of the motivation spectrum Sunday. I will take the Chargers to cover with ease in one of my favorite Week 17 odds to play.
NFL Week 17 Prediction: Los Angeles Chargers 27 Kansas City Chiefs 17
Las Vegas Raiders (-2) at Denver Broncos O/U 50.5
The Raiders were eliminated from playoff contention last week by way of some late-game Fitzmagic. They now go to play the Broncos in a game with zero playoff implications. It is tough to predict how each team will come out. I’ll bet that Derek Carr will be looking to remind everyone that he is not why this Raiders team once again missed out on the playoffs.
Ultimately, I trust Carr’s consistency over the erratic play of his counterpart of Drew Lock. Expect the Raiders to get the victory here and the Broncos to move up the draft boards. Look to the over as long as the Week 17 total odds remain the same.
NFL Week 17 Prediction: Las Vegas Raiders 29 Denver Broncos 23
Arizona Cardinals at LA Rams (-1.5) O/U unavailable
The Cardinals seem to be trending in the right direction as the playoffs near. It is just in time for this team, as they lock up a Wild Card berth with a win in Week 17. Their opponents are trending in the exact opposite direction, as a recent loss to the Jets and injuries all over the place have left this team with significant question marks.
Jared Goff has been ruled out for this week, giving John Wolford the opportunity to start for the Rams. I will not pretend to know much about Wolford. However, I am not expecting much from him in this spot, with many of his weapons also out. Look for the Cardinals to easily win this game, leaving the Rams hoping the Packers can win and send them to the playoffs. I will not be taking any of the Week 17 odds for the Rams.
NFL Week 17 Prediction: Arizona Cardinals 27 Los Angeles Rams 16
Sunday Night Football
Washington Football Team (-1.5) at Philadelphia Eagles O/U 43.5
The Washington Football Team can clinch the NFC East with a victory Sunday. Yes, you heard that right. It is beyond impressive that this team is still in contention, given all of their turmoil. They won’t be in contention, even if they make the playoffs, but you have to respect this team’s fight.
The Football Team has relied on their defense to get them here. They will need them to step up one more time if they want to win. The Eagles have nothing to play for, but they have garnered a lot of momentum with Jalen Hurts under center. Ultimately, I expect the Football Team to grab victory and cover Sunday in a slugfest. The under is also a good Week 17 pick.
NFL Week 17 Prediction: Washington Football Team 17 Philadelphia Eagles 13
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