NFL Week 17 Betting Recap
NFL Week 17 Betting Recap
The holiday season is now over so let’s get to recapping last week. Let’s go back and take a look at what happened in Week 17 of the NFL as teams vie for playoff spots and others are just playing for pride.
Thursday, Dec. 28
CLEVELAND (-6.5/33.5) over NY Jets 37-20
The Joe Flacco show continues as the 38-year-old beat his former time by throwing over 400 yards for the fourth straight game. He threw for 309 total yards, but 296 came in the first half. TE David Njoku was the primary target with 134 receiving yards as Amari Cooer was out with a heel injury and Elijah Moore suffered a head injury late in the first half and did not return. Fortunately for the Browns (11-5), they clinched the fifth spot and will stay there. The Jets (6-10) are finished as Trevor Siemian threw for 262 yards with a TD and a pick. Breece Hall added 84 rushing yards and nine catches for 42 yards and a TD on nine catches. The Jets are out of the playoff hunt.
Saturday, Dec. 30
Detroit (+3.5/54.5) over DALLAS 19-20
Detroit covered this game, but they had a chance to win with 23 seconds left when Dan Campbell decided to go for a two-point conversion. Jared Goff hit lineman Taylor Decker for the 2-point conversion, but it was waived off because Decker didn’t report as an eligible receiver. Game over. Dak Prescott threw for 345 yards and two TDs, while WR CeeDee Lamb caught 13 passes for 227 yards, including a 92-yard TD reception. Goff finished with 271 passing yards and threw two picks. Dallas is undefeated at home, while Detroit has clinched the NFC North title.
BALTIMORE (-3.5/46.5) over Miami 56-19
Lamar Jackson threw for 321 yards and five TD passes to help the Ravens clinch the No. 1 seed in the AFC. TE Isaiah Likely caught two TDs and rookie WR Zay Flowers added 106 receiving yards. Even though Miami started this game out strong, scoring the first TD and led the first quarter 10-7, it was over at that. The Dolphins (11-5) are playoff-bound, but have some injuries to deal with Buffalo coming up this week for the AFC East title. Tau Tagovailoa threw for 237 yards with two TDs and two picks. Rookie RB De’Von Archane ran for 107 yards and caught a TD pass. But the Fins lost OLB Bradley Chubb (knee) late in the game and also played without WR Jaylen Waddle (ankle) and RB Raheem Mostert (knee/ankle).
New England (+15.5/40.5) over BUFFALO 21-27
Buffalo won a tough game against a rival and at 10-6, still has not locked up a playoff spot. Josh Allen rushed for two one-yard TDs to lead the Bills, who had 27 points with 10:42 left in the third quarter and never scored again. Bailey Zappe threw for 209 yards, but was also picked off three times for the Pats, who fell to 4-12. Allen was banged up in this game, leaving late with a potential shoulder injury, but he’ll likely play this week against Miami.
Sunday, Dec. 31
CHICAGO (-2.5/39.5) over Atlanta 37-17
The Bears (7-9) are trying to finish the season off strong. Justin Field threw for 268 yards and a TD ran for 45 yards and a score. Khalil Herbert led the Bears with 124 yards on 18 carries and a TD. Atlanta (7-9) now has to win and get help this week to win the NFC South. They were outgained 432-307 in this game by a Chicago team that is now out of the playoffs.
HOUSTON (-5.5) over Tennessee 26-3
Rookie QB C.J. Stroud returned from missing two games due to a concussion to throw for 213 yards and a TD. Houston improved to 9-7 and also added their first defensive TD of the season when Sheldon Rankins returned from a fumble from Titans’ rookie QB Will Levis 13 yards for a score. Levis was also out last week due to a high ankle sprain and then suffered a foot injury after being sacked by Jerry Hughes. Ryan Tannehill replaced Levis and threw for 168 yards, but Tennessee amassed just 187 yards of offense and went 1-for-12 on third down.
JACKSONVILLE (-3.5/37.5) over Carolina 26-0
The Panthers’ offense did not show up in this game as QB Bryce Young was held to just 112 yards passing and a pick. Carolina (2-14) went 0-for-9 in road games and produced just 124 yards of total offense with seven first downs. The Jags (9-7) can now clinch the AFC South by winning at Tennessee. The Jags were led by Josh Allen, who recorded three sacks and now has a Jacksonville record of 16.5 sacks.
NY Giants (+6.5/43.5) over LA RAMS 25-26
The Rams lost the cover, but won the game and clinched a playoff berth as a wild card. Matthew Stafford threw for 317 yards and a TD, while Kyren Williams ran for three TDs with 87 yards. Rookie WR Puka Nacua caught five passes for 118 yards. The Rams defense was all over Tyrod Taylor with six sacks. Taylor threw for 319 yards and a TD for the 5-11 Giants, who have lost three straight. The Giants made this interesting thanks toa 94-yard punt return by Gunner Olszewski with 3:27 left to cut the lead to 26-25. The Giants also had a chance to win with 30 seconds left but Mason Crosby missed a 54-yard field goal.
San Francisco (-14.5/48.5) over WASHINGTON 27-10
The 49ers were sloppy after their Monday night loss to Baltimore. They did score the game’s final 17 points after the game was tied at 10-all with 4:33 left. Elijah Mitchell ran for 80 yards and a TD for San Francisco, who missed star RB Christian McCaffrey due to an ankle injury suffered early in the third quarter he rushed for 64 yards. Fortunately for the Niners (12-4), they have clinched the top seed in the NFC, so they can rest him and several others in their last game. Sam Howell completed 17 of 28 for 169 yards with a TD and two picks for the Commanders (4-12). Washington also played without starting corners Kendall Fuller and Benjamin St-Juste due to injuries. Jacoby Brissett (hamstring) was supposed to start for Howard, but was injured in practice last week.
Las Vegas (+3.5/42.5) over INDIANAPOLIS 20-23
The backdoor was open in Indianapolis and scored a touchdown with 43 seconds left to cover the game (Davante Adams one-yard reception). But they are now eliminated from playoff contention. Gardner Minshew threw for 224 yards and a TD, while Jonathan Taylor ran for 96 yards and a TD to keep the Colts (9-7) playoff hopes alive. Rookie Aidan O’Connell (299 yards) continued to impress with two TDs for the 7-9 Raiders. Adams caught 13 passes for 126 yards. Now the only question for the Raiders if interim coach Antonio Pierce becomes a full-time head coach next season.
Arizona (+12.5/48.5) over PHILADELPHIA 35-31
This was the shocker of the day and it shows handicappers that some teams will continue to fight, despite being eliminated from the playoffs. James Conner’s two-yard TD run with 32 seconds left put the Eagles in a tough situation. They are still 11-5 and in the playoffs, but will need help to win the NFC East. Kyler Murray competed 25 of 31 for 232 yards and three TDs against a troubled Philly pass defense. Conner ran for 129 yards on 26 carries. Jalen Hurts and the Eagles’ offense had the ball for just 20:21 and could only muster 275 yards to Arizona’s 449, so this should have been an easier Cardinals’ win.
New Orleans (+2.5/42.5) over TAMPA BAY 23-13
Tampa Bay crushed New Orleans in Week 4 26-9, but the Saints got their revenge. The Saints received a very strong defensive performance and a solid game from QB Derek Carr, who threw for 197 yards and threw TDs to Taysom Hill and Juwan Johnson. At 8-8, the Saints are batting with Tampa Bay for the NFC South division title. Baker Mayfield performed worse than his stats as he completed 22 of 33 for 309 yards with two TDs, but also had two picks.
Pittsburgh (+4.5/40.5) over SEATTLE 30-23
The Steelers moved closer to a playoff spot at 9-7 as Mason Rudolph completed 18 of 24 for 274 yards and George Pickens caught seven passes for 131 yards. Najee Harris rushed for 122 yards and two TDs to leave the Seahawks at 8-8 on the outside of the playoff picture. Geno Smith completed 23 of 33 for 290 yards and a TD, but the Seattle defense couldn’t stop the run or the pass. Pittsburgh, who has struggled at times to run the ball, ran for 145 yards in the first half.
DENVER (-3.5/39.5) over LA Chargers 16-9
The Jarrett Stidham era started off fine as he threw for 224 yards and a TD, but the Broncos were eliminated from the playoff hunt at 8-8, despite beating the Chargers (5-11). Stidham got the start over Russell Wilson, who had lost three of the previous four games. Easton Stick completed 24 of 38 for 220 yards in his third straight start for Los Angeles with Justin Hebert out with a broken finger. The Chargers have now lost four in a row and seven of eight.
KANSAS CITY (-7.5./46.5) over Cincinnati 25-17
Kansas City improved to 10-6 and won the NFC West for the eighth straight time. It wasn’t easy and they needed six field goals from Harrison Butker. But the passing game improved as Rashee Rice and RB Isiah Pacheco both gained over 100 yards from scrimmage. Pacheco wound up with 130-yard rushing and seven catches for 35 yards and a TD. The Bengals (8-8) were eliminated from playoff contention. Jake Browning completed 19 of 33 for 197 yards with a rushing and passing TD.
Green Bay (+1.5.42.5) over MINNESOTA 33-10
Jordan Love completed 24 of 33 for 256 yards to lead the Packers to an easy win. Jayden Reed caught six passes for 89 yards and two TDs for Green Bay, who improved to 8-8. They can clinch a playoff berth win a win over Chicago this week. Minnesota (7-9) has now lost three straight and opened with rookie QB Jaren Hall, completed 5 of 10 for 67 yards and a pick. Nick Mullens came in during the second half and threw for 113 yards and a TD. Mullens will be back for the Vikings this week as the starter.