NFL Week 17 Odds, Best Bets & Predictions for Key Games

It’s the penultimate week of the NFL regular season, and we were treated to an action packed Christmas week last week. There were some teams who looked like they had eaten too much turkey (Broncos) and one team who many have claimed ‘won’ Christmas week in the NFL (Ravens). When all was said and done, there are still a lot of teams who can make the postseason while for others they are well and truly stuffed.

Nobody can afford to make any mistakes now. For many teams, they have been in playoff mode for a while, knowing any slip ups will leave them eliminated. Who will grasp the nettle this week as they look to continue playing into January? Let’s take a look at the key games for week 17.

NFL Saturday, December 30

Dallas Cowboys 🆚 Detroit Lions

Same old Cowboys? America’s Team headed to Miami last week hoping to put the talk of them being unable to win on the road to bed. Remember, they have won every home match but were 2-4 going into the Dolphins match. Well, better make that 2-5 after a heart-breaking loss to a walk off Jason Sanders field goal. In fairness, the Cowboys played well, holding the electric Dolphins offense to only one touchdown. However, the offense failed to capitalize, even though Dak put up respectable numbers, throwing for 253 yards and 2 TDs. The good news for Dallas fans is that they are at home this week, as they welcome the recently crowned NFC North champs, the Lions, into Jerry World. Detroit captured their division for the first time since 1993, with a 30-24 victory over Minnesota. Jahmyr Gibbs contributed 80 yards and 2 TDs, while receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown also had a day with 106 yards and a TD. Whisper it quietly, but the Lions may be eyeing the NFC 1 seed. This will be a stern test, though.

NFL Sunday, New Year’s Eve

Baltimore Ravens 🆚 Miami Dolphins

Wow. That was some performance from the Baltimore Ravens. To go into San Fran and largely dominate the Super Bowl favorites in that fashion really lays down a marker. The shouts for Lamar Jackson to win MVP will increase after he starred in this one, throwing for 252 yards and 2 TDs. His rapport with Zay Flowers continues, as he got 72 yards and a TD on the day. Many billed this as a Super Bowl preview, and there is no doubt the Ravens are firmly in the frame. They have a swarming defense and when Lamar is on song, they have a chance in any game. The Ravens welcome the Dolphins into Baltimore this week and they will also be feeling confident. Although the offense had a quiet week against Dallas, they got the job done and finally beat a team people consider as a ‘contender’. That will surely give the organization a lift and if they can follow that up with a road win against the Ravens, the buzz around these Dolphins really will pick up.

Seattle Seahawks 🆚 Pittsburgh Steelers

This is a game that has massive playoff implications. The Seahawks looked dead and buried a few weeks ago but a late win over the Eagles gave them a lifeline and another late win, this time against the Titans, gives them genuine playoff hope. Against the Eagles, backup QB Drew Lock led the game wining drive, against the Steelers, Geno Smith was back in and did exactly the same thing as a late TD toss to Colby Parkinson sealed a vital win. DK Metcalf is coming up with some clutch catches and even though these Seahawks are limited, they have fighting spirit and if they win out, they will be in. The Steelers head to the Pacific Northwest this week following a big win of their own against AFC North rivals the Bengals. Fittingly in Xmas week, QB Mason Rudolph had arguably his best game for the team, throwing for 290 yards and 2 TDs. George Pickens answered some criticism from fans and his own coach with an excellent display, catching 4 targets for 195 yards and 2 TDs. Both of these teams playoff hopes are handing by a thread, only a win will do.

Kansas City Chiefs 🆚 Cincinnati Bengals

It is officially time to say Kansas City are not very good this year, certainly not we have come to expect with a team led by Andy Reid and consisting of Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce. In their defeat to the Raiders last week, there were arguments on the side line and genuine bewilderment at the Chiefs losing another game to drop their record to 9-6. Nobody did anything of note on the offense and it now looks very likely Mahomes will have to do something he has never done before in his NFL career and play a playoff game on the road. They need to bounce back quickly, and will hope to do that this week against a Bengals team also reeling after losing last week. Jake Browning was making a name for himself entering the contest against the Steelers, but he came back down to Earth with a bump, throwing 3 interceptions in a horrible 34-11 loss. Like the Chiefs, the offense had an awful day and will be looking for redemption. There is history between these two teams of course, with the whole ‘Burrowhead’ narrative. This might not be an AFC Conference championship game, but it is still very important.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 🆚 New Orleans Saints

The Bucs are flying! Baker Mayfield is thriving at the moment. In their 30-12 victory over the Jaguars last week, he threw for 283 yards and 2 TDs. The ever consistent Mike Evans recorded 86 yards and 2TDs and all of a sudden the Bucs offense is humming as they take control of the NFC South. They have their playoff fate firmly in their own hands and playing like this nobody will fancy going into Florida to take on Baker and co in the postseason. They welcome a Saints team who can still make it in in a wide open NFC. The problem for New Orleans is, they are not playing well. In their defeat to the Rams last week, Derek Carr did some good things, like linking up with Chris Olave as the receiver posted 123 yards. But he also did some mind boggling things, which has been the theme of his season and career. He will need to play far better if the Saints stand a chance this week, and if they want to force themselves into the playoffs.

Parlay Picks for Week 17