As the NFL season barrels towards its climax, Week 17 presents a slate of crucial games with significant playoff implications. Expert predictions and betting lines are in, offering a roadmap for one of the final regular-season weekends. The analysis, sourced from Covers.com, provides insights into which teams are expected to cover the spread, with home teams denoted in capital letters.
Key Matchups and Expert Analysis
The spotlight shines on several marquee games this week. In a matchup with significant point spread implications, the Cincinnati Bengals are favored by 7.5 points at home against the Arizona Cardinals. Analysts highlight a perfect storm for a Bengals blowout: Arizona is missing multiple key players, faces a challenging road environment, and must contend with Cincinnati's overwhelming offensive star power led by quarterback Joe Burrow. The prediction is for the Bengals to put up huge points in this contest.
Another intriguing game features the Green Bay Packers as 2.5-point favorites over the visiting Baltimore Ravens. This game is likely to become a battle of backup quarterbacks, and the Packers are seen as having superior depth across their roster, making them the safer bet, especially playing at Lambeau Field.
Additional Week 17 Predictions
The expert picks extend across the entire league schedule. The Dallas Cowboys are expected to handle business, favored by 7 points on the road against Washington. Meanwhile, the Detroit Lions are a 7.5-point favorite to bounce back against the Minnesota Vikings, despite a recent puzzling performance.
In the AFC West, the Denver Broncos are a substantial 13-point favorite over the Kansas City Chiefs, a line that acknowledges Denver's season-long struggle to win by large margins versus Kansas City's typical prime-time resilience. The Houston Texans, getting 2.5 points, are tipped to challenge the Los Angeles Chargers, whose previous success came against a weaker Dallas defense.
Other notable selections include:
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-5) over the Miami Dolphins, as the Bucs fight for their playoff lives.
- New York Jets (+13) to cover against the New England Patriots, due to mounting injuries for the favorites.
- Cleveland Browns (+3) at home against the Pittsburgh Steelers, anticipating a classic rivalry upset.
Playoff Implications and Late-Season Trends
Several games carry direct consequences for the postseason picture. The New Orleans Saints, favored by 2.5 points over the Tennessee Titans, are noted for their persistent competitive drive. The Jacksonville Jaguars, rolling since their bye week, are a 6.5-point favorite against the Indianapolis Colts.
The Seattle Seahawks, needing a win to secure the No. 1 seed, are a 7.5-point favorite over a Carolina Panthers team that may have little to play for. In a high-stakes NFC battle, the Philadelphia Eagles are a slight 1.5-point road favorite against the Buffalo Bills, with Josh Allen's MVP-caliber play facing a resurgent and dangerous Eagles squad.
The San Francisco 49ers, riding a five-game winning streak where no victory has been by fewer than 11 points, are a 3.5-point favorite over the surprising Chicago Bears. Finally, the Los Angeles Rams are a 7.5-point road favorite against the Atlanta Falcons, with the analysis succinctly summarized by four words: "Prime Time Kirk Cousins."
The expert's record stands at 111-122-7 for the season, following a 5-9-2 performance last week. These Week 17 picks aim to navigate the unpredictability of the NFL's penultimate regular-season weekend, where every point and every play can alter the path to the playoffs.
