With two weeks left within the common season, the playoff image is coming into focus, however there’s nonetheless hope for groups on the skin trying in.
The Los Angeles Chargers and Denver Broncos are within the driver’s seat for the No. 6 and seven seeds within the AFC. In the meantime, within the NFC, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Atlanta Falcons are combating for the NFC South title.
With all this in thoughts, we glance now to Week 17.
Under, you’ll discover my picks towards the unfold utilizing traces from the BetMGM on-line sportsbook.
Los Angeles Chargers vs. New England Patriots
The Patriots are coming off a unbelievable Week 16 highway efficiency towards the Payments. Now, they’re going to host the Los Angeles Chargers travelling East. The Chargers have allowed 263 or extra passing yards and a number of touchdowns of their final two video games. Patriots QB Drake Maye is coming off a 261-yard, two-touchdown efficiency. He is accomplished 67.6 per cent of his passes and has 389 dashing yards. They’re going to be aggressive sufficient to cowl.
Cincinnati Bengals vs. Denver Broncos
The Bengals shut down the passing assault of the Cleveland Browns in Week 16, however I consider that was extra who was working the offence than their defence. Earlier than Week 16, the Bengals allowed a number of passing touchdowns in 5 straight video games. The Broncos offence has scored 29 factors or extra in 5 straight video games. They’ll have the ability to dangle in there towards this glorious Bengals offence.
Los Angeles Rams vs. Arizona Cardinals
The Rams scored 19 factors or much less within the final two video games, whereas the Cardinals scored 30 or extra. The Cardinals beat the Rams earlier this season 41-10. I’m anticipating the Cardinals and QB Kyler Murray to move the ball effectively right here. The Rams have allowed 250-plus passing yards in two of the final three video games and 4 passing touchdowns in that very same stretch.
PICK: Cardinals +6.5 (-110)
New York Jets vs. Buffalo Payments
I took the Payments as double-digit favourites at house in Week 16, and so they barely squeaked by, however this one feels completely different. The Jets are an odd staff in that their offence is transferring the ball effectively, however they barely scored in Week 16, and their defence permits loads of factors. They scored simply 9 factors in Week 16 regardless of by no means punting. The Payments might cowl this sport even when they rating simply 21.
Las Vegas Raiders vs. New Orleans Saints
Given how unhealthy the Raiders are, it is perhaps tough to think about, however I feel this Saints squad could also be worse. There’s merely nobody on offence. Their high receiver of their 34-0 loss in Week 16 was tight finish Foster Moreau, with two catches for 33 yards. Rookie QB Spencer Rattler led the staff in dashing with 28 yards. I can’t consider I’m saying this, however take the Raiders on the highway.
Carolina Panthers vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
I’m conflicted about this sport. The Panthers have been pretty stable towards the move currently, however Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield has 9 passing touchdowns and 288 or extra passing yards in every of the final three video games. In the meantime, the Panthers offence is coming off a 36-point effort. That mentioned, they scored simply 14 factors at house in Week 15 towards the Dallas Cowboys because the favorite. The Buccaneers win this one by 10.
PICK: Buccaneers -8 (-110)
Tennessee Titans vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
At this level, the Jaguars are taking part in for the No. 1 general choose after shedding to the Las Vegas Raiders final week. It’s unclear if the Titans will begin Mason Rudolph or return to Will Levis, however both method, I feel they’ve the higher assortment of ability gamers and the higher defence. I’ll take the Titan plus the singular level.
Indianapolis Colts vs. New York Giants
The Giants are seemingly with out QB Drew Lock, working again Tyrone Tracy Jr., and perhaps extra. I don’t belief the Colts’ passing assault with Anthony Richardson on the helm, however that’s OK as a result of the Giants are the second-worst dashing defence within the NFL, surrendering 142.6 per sport. Now they’re going to must take care of Colts RB Jonathan Taylor, who ran for 218 yards and three touchdowns towards the Titans. This Giants offence is much too inept.
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Dallas Cowboys
Eagles QB Jalen Hurts left Week 16 with a concussion, making a Week 17 begin extremely unlikely. If that’s the case, I anticipate the Cowboys to cowl on the highway. The offence has been taking part in pretty effectively currently, scoring 27 or extra in 4 of its final 5 video games. The priority for them is their run defence. I do consider they’ll get steamrolled by Eagles RB Saquon Barkley, however I’m not able to belief Kenny Pickett sufficient to select aside the Cowboys’ defence. The Cowboys squeak by with the duvet.
PICK: Cowboys +9.5 (-110)
Miami Dolphins vs. Cleveland Browns
If Dorian Thompson-Robinson fits up, I’ll all the time take the opposite staff. To be blunt, DTR merely isn’t a very good QB. The Bengals are twenty eighth in factors allowed per sport, even after Week 16, the place they allowed simply six to the Browns. The Browns’ offence can not transfer the ball with DTR underneath middle. It’s not taking place.
PICK: Dolphins -6.5 (-110)
Inexperienced Bay Packers vs. Minnesota Vikings
The Packers had a shutout win on Monday Night time Soccer, however some gamers, together with Christian Watson and Evan Williams, bought banged up in that sport. Packers QB Jordan Love hasn’t turned the ball over not too long ago, however the Vikings’ defence is without doubt one of the finest within the league concerning interceptions, averaging 1.47 per sport. Love might be higher than his three-interception efficiency towards the Vikings earlier this season, however Minnesota will cowl at house.
Washington Commanders vs. Atlanta Falcons
In his first NFL begin, Michael Penix Jr. and the Falcons beat the Giants. Nonetheless, I don’t suppose the identical might be mentioned this week. The Falcons have a league-low 26 sacks this season. When stored clear within the pocket, Commanders QB Jayden Daniels completes 76.7 per cent of his passes for two,563 yards, 15 touchdowns, and simply 4 interceptions. He’ll choose aside the Falcons defence.
PICK: Commanders -4 (-110)
Detroit Lions vs. San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers have an opportunity to do some injury on offence towards this depleted Lions defence, however it will likely be extraordinarily tough to maintain up with the Lions’ scoring. The 49ers enable one dashing landing per sport to opposing RBs, and have given up a number of landing passes in three of their final 5 video games. The road of three.5 seems like a entice, however I’ll trip with the Lions right here on the highway as they get their revenge from the 2023 NFC championship sport.