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Last year’s NFL week 16 feels lone a fewer days away. The Broncos’ chances of making it to the playoffs stood astatine astir 7%, but aft losing against the Raiders connected Boxing Day we’re present looking astatine a mathematical anticipation of little than 1%.
Maybe it’s clip to see the 2021-22 much oregon little implicit for the Broncos with 2 much games to go. LA Chargers are large favorites to triumph connected Sunday but this doesn’t mean that there’s thing near to look guardant to.
We’ve each heard the rumors of alteration successful ownership of the franchise and with caller wealth comes each sorts of caller possibilities. Still, there’s a batch betwixt past and now. Let’s commencement by taking a person look astatine NFL week 17.
Kindly enactment that each accusation successful this preview, including whether oregon not the events volition instrumentality place, is taxable to alteration owed to Covid-19.
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Atlanta Falcons @ Buffalo Bills, NFL, Week 17, Preview & Prediction
The Buffalo Bills (9-6) person their play backmost connected way and big the Atlanta Falcons (7-8) this weekend. A 71,000-strong assemblage astatine Highmark Stadium volition beryllium looking to spot whether the Bills tin instrumentality different measurement towards the AFC East title. We measurement up the apical betting nuggets and marque our pick.
Bills with a conflict connected their hands to spot disconnected Falcons
The past 2 weeks person flipped the publication successful the AFC East, with Buffalo clawing its mode backmost into apical spot aft back-to-back wins. Still, the Bills cannot spend a slip-up this weekend.
The Falcons inactive person an extracurricular changeable astatine sneaking into the playoffs aft Sunday’s 20-16 triumph implicit the Detroit Lions. But, portion this has the consciousness of a choky matchup, Atlanta seems overmatched against this Bills offense.
The Pick: Falcons +14.5 – Bet astatine PointsBet Sportsbook with likelihood astir -115
Buffalo discourtesy uncovering its groove again
After the Bills, without cardinal receivers Cole Beasley and Gabriel Davis, enactment up 33 points against a bully Patriots defence astatine the weekend, determination is each crushed to deliberation they person rediscovered their mojo.
That started with a much polished outing from Josh Allen (314 passing yards, 3 touchdowns) and continued done large days from Isaiah McKenzie and Stefon Diggs. They volition situation a shaky Falcons defense.
Beasley and Davis person a changeable astatine returning connected Sunday, but violative lineman Ike Boettger (Achilles) is retired for the remainder of the season.
Atlanta with a accidental to instrumentality immoderate swings
The Falcons participate Week 17 needing immoderate assistance from different teams to ascent backmost into the postseason representation – and, with thing to lose, expect Atlanta to rotation the dice with Sunday’s crippled plan.
While the Falcons’ moving crippled fell level against the Lions past clip out, determination should beryllium gaps for Mike Davis and Cordarrelle Patterson here. Buffalo’s tally defence continues to beryllium a weakness.
Matt Ryan was dependable astatine the weekend, showing amended chemistry with Kyle Pitts (102 receiving yards). But helium volition request coagulated extortion against a carnal Bills beforehand seven.
Carolina Panthers @ New Orleans Saints, NFL, Week 17, Preview & Prediction
The New Orleans Saints (7-8) and Carolina Panthers (5-10) collide astatine the 73,000-seater Caesars Superdome connected Sunday. We instrumentality a person look astatine the matchup and item the apical betting nuggets.
Saints to borderline Panthers successful conflict of depleted teams
New Orleans looked successful decent signifier to container the last NFC playoff spot earlier the COVID outbreak that sunk the Saints successful their 20-3 Monday nighttime nonaccomplishment to the Miami Dolphins. Still, the hosts could yet sneak successful if they triumph their past 2 games.
For the Panthers, assurance appears debased with caput manager Matt Rhule warring disconnected speculation astir his future. Carolina has mislaid 5 successful a enactment and placed a drawstring of players connected the reserve/COVID database this week. This has the imaginable to beryllium a lopsided scoreline.
The Pick: Saints -7 – Bet astatine PointsBet Sportsbook with likelihood astir -110
New Orleans’ backmost concern inactive murky
Rookie Ian Book was pressed into enactment connected Monday night, with Taysom Hill and Trevor Siemian some connected the reserve/COVID list. But determination is simply a decent accidental that the Saints volition person Hill oregon Siemian oregon some disposable this weekend. Keep an oculus connected the wounded reports.
Alvin Kamara was held to 59 full yards against the Dolphins but look for him to bounce backmost here, careless of who starts astatine quarterback. Combined with a gritty defence that unopen retired the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2 weeks ago, New Orleans should person the precocious hand, particularly if their violative enactment injuries wide up up of Sunday.
Carolina limping towards the extremity of the season
A thumping 32-6 nonaccomplishment to a depleted Buccaneers squad past clip retired was a coagulated denotation of the Panthers’ existent form. With Cam Newton and Sam Darnold some struggling to determination the shot down the field, Carolina failed to people successful the 2nd half. Darnold seems the likelier to get the commencement this weekend.
With important absences expected connected some sides of the shot owed to the COVID protocols, the Panthers could beryllium short-handed successful their efforts to bounds Kamara’s influence. After giving up 159 yards and 2 touchdowns connected the crushed against Tampa Bay, Carolina needs overmuch steadier tally defence here.
New York Giants @ Chicago Bears, NFL, Week 17, Preview & Prediction
In a clash of NFL also-rans, the Chicago Bears (5-10) instrumentality connected the New York Giants (4-11) connected Sunday successful beforehand of 61,500 fans astatine Soldier Field. We instrumentality a person look astatine the apical betting tips and cardinal squad news.
Bears to borderline past slumping Giants
This Chicago squad is inactive warring for caput manager Matt Nagy. Led by Nick Foles, the Bears rallied successful the 4th fourth connected Sunday to snatch a 25-24 triumph connected the roadworthy successful Seattle and this matchup with the Giants presents different accidental to adhd to the triumph column.
New York has mislaid 4 connected the rotation and the 34-10 decision to the Philadelphia Eagles astatine the play marked the 5th clip successful the past six games that the Giants person scored 10 points oregon fewer. Even an erratic Chicago squad has a bully changeable astatine covering this spread.
The Pick: Bears -6 – Bet astatine PointsBet Sportsbook with likelihood astir -110
Foles a campaigner to commencement again for Chicago
The Bears turned to Foles connected Sunday with Justin Fields and Andy Dalton some ruled retired – and the seasoned delivered much precocious magic. Foles mislaid a fumble but threw for 250 yards, including a precocious touchdown walk to Jimmy Graham and a palmy two-point effort to Damiere Byrd.
While Fields could shingle disconnected an ankle wounded successful clip for Week 17, Foles is simply a susceptible Plan B. Allen Robinson could instrumentality from the COVID list, but expect the discourtesy to travel done David Montgomery.
Glennon and Fromm offering small successful New York offense
Jake Fromm and Mike Glennon some saw playing clip connected Sunday but the results were consistently poor. Fromm was benched aft a 6-for-17 commencement with an interception, and Glennon past served up a pick-six. No substance who starts successful Chicago, it is hard to consciousness assured astir the Giants scoring 15+ points.
New York took a 3-3 scoreline into the half-time interruption successful Philadelphia earlier collapsing arsenic the Eagles piled up 31 second-half points. Kadarius Toney’s instrumentality connected Sunday was a boost, but the Giants person to find a mode to get Saquon Barkley going. Barkley managed conscionable 32 yards connected 15 carries against Philadelphia.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ New York Jets, NFL, Week 17, Preview & Prediction
With the NFC fig 1 effect inactive up for grabs, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (11-4) should beryllium laser-focused up of Sunday’s clash with the New York Jets (4-11). An 82,500-strong assemblage is expected astatine MetLife Stadium, and we are taking a person look astatine the cardinal betting nuggets to support successful mind.
Buccaneers to flooded absences and descend Jets
Tampa Bay enters the last weeks of the play with the NFC South rubric already successful the container but with a drawstring of wounded worries to navigate. A comfy 32-6 triumph implicit the Carolina Panthers past play was a bully motion for the Buccaneers’ depth.
While the Jets are coming disconnected a 26-21 triumph implicit the Jacksonville Jaguars, they are rightly immense underdogs against Tom Brady, who remains an MVP front-runner.
The Pick: Buccaneers -13 – Bet astatine PointsBet Sportsbook with likelihood astir -110
Brady to thin connected Jones arsenic injuries heap up
Facing a constricted Panthers discourtesy connected Sunday was the cleanable remedy for the banged up Buccaneers, with Antonio Brown returning to spark the passing game. With Chris Godwin (knee) retired for the play and Mike Evans connected the reserve/COVID list, Brown should beryllium engaged again against New York.
But this crippled is acceptable up for Ronald Jones II to dominate. The Jets are among the NFL’s worst defenses against the tally and helium is successful enactment for 25+ touches, including the goal-line work.
The Tampa Bay defence has been deed by injuries too, with Shaq Barrett (ACL, MCL) expected to miss the remainder of the regular play aft hobbling disconnected against Carolina. Jason Pierre-Paul and Lavonte David besides stay sidelined.
Wilson coming disconnected well-balanced outing
This rookie twelvemonth has been abbreviated connected highlights for Zach Wilson but assurance should beryllium precocious aft beating Jacksonville with his limb and his legs.
Wilson threw for a touchdown and ran for different arsenic the Jets did conscionable capable successful the 4th quarter. With the Buccaneers banged up astatine each levels of the defense, Wilson is catching the Super Bowl contenders astatine a bully moment.
The New York defence would get a large boost if Quinnen Williams is capable to instrumentality aft missing Week 16 connected the reserve/COVID list. Jamison Crowder (calf) could besides beryllium disposable to springiness Wilson different enactment successful the passing game.
Kansas City Chiefs @ Cincinnati Bengals, NFL, Week 17, Preview & Prediction
The Cincinnati Bengals (9-6) and Kansas City Chiefs (11-4) are heading for the NFL postseason. They conscionable connected Sunday successful beforehand of a 65,500-strong assemblage astatine Paul Brown Stadium, and we interruption down the cardinal betting tips.
Fearless Bengals to spell blow-for-blow with red-hot Chiefs
Cincinnati’s playoff hopes looked successful jeopardy successful mid-December but back-to-back wins person enactment the Bengals successful rod presumption to apical the AFC North. Sunday’s ruthless 41-21 triumph implicit the Baltimore Ravens featured 525 passing yards and 4 touchdowns for Joe Burrow.
But the Chiefs are rolling and participate Week 17 with an eight-game triumph streak, extended by a broad 36-10 triumph implicit the Pittsburgh Steelers astatine the weekend. Still, the Bengals person the violative firepower to support this close.
The Pick: Bengals +5 – Bet astatine PointsBet Sportsbook with likelihood astir -110
Mixon holds the cardinal to Cincinnati upset
While Burrow grabbed the headlines with a monster outing against the Ravens, bash not expect a repetition of the 46 passes helium threw that afternoon. Instead, expect Joe Mixon, who had 135 yards from scrimmage connected Sunday, to pb the complaint arsenic the Bengals effort to power the clock.
If this becomes a shootout, the hosts astatine slightest person the pass-catchers to make large plays, with Burrow consistently uncovering favorable matchups for Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, Tyler Boyd and adjacent Mixon.
For the Cincinnati defense, a matchup with Patrick Mahomes means a large measurement up aft facing Baltimore third-choice backmost Josh Johnson successful Week 16. But the Bengals should person learned immoderate important lessons aft facing a akin quarterback, Justin Herbert, earlier successful the season.
Kelce acceptable to instrumentality to boost Kansas City
Even with Travis Kelce connected the reserve/COVID database and Tyreek Hill lone re-emerging from the database precocious successful the week, the Chiefs made speedy enactment of the Steelers to clinch the AFC West title. Mahomes was objective with 258 passing yards and 3 touchdowns – and his uptick successful signifier is simply a atrocious motion for the Bengals.
Byron Pringle showed encouraging flashes connected Sunday with a two-touchdown outing, portion Kansas City besides amassed 127 rushing yards. Plus, the Chiefs are apt to person Kelce backmost successful enactment connected Sunday to easiness their discourtesy into an adjacent higher gear.
The visitors’ defence has tightened up considerably since a rocky commencement to the twelvemonth but this matchup against Burrow and an explosive Cincinnati discourtesy volition beryllium a invaluable trial up of the postseason.
Philadelphia Eagles @ Washington Football Team, NFL, Week 17, Preview & Prediction
The Philadelphia Eagles (8-7) question to Washington (6-9) for an NFC East showdown that volition person a large interaction connected their playoff hopes. With 82,000 fans expected astatine FedExField, Washington has a accidental to play spoiler. We excavation into the apical betting tips and storylines.
Eagles to tally into a much resolute Washington
The Eagles commencement Week 17 clinging to the seventh and last NFC playoff spot, and their 34-10 triumph implicit the New York Giants connected Sunday was different measurement successful the close direction.
But Philadelphia should beryllium tested this play against a wounded Washington squad coming disconnected a humiliating 56-14 nonaccomplishment to the Dallas Cowboys. Expect the hosts to beryllium amended connected some sides of the ball.
The Pick: Washington +3.5 – Bet astatine PointsBet Sportsbook with likelihood astir -105
Philadelphia defence flexing its muscles
With consecutive wins, the Eagles look to beryllium peaking conscionable successful clip to beryllium considered a postseason sleeper. The Philadelphia defence is simply a large crushed for the uptick successful form. That portion has not allowed much than 18 points since November 21.
Jalen Hurts looked sharper successful the passing crippled against the Giants – and that meant a busier time for field-stretcher Devonta Smith, who finished with 80 yards and a touchdown. Smith’s quality to get unfastened down the tract should trial a reeling Washington secondary.
Miles Sanders (hand) is sidelined but Jordan Howard and Boston Scott tin sorb the other workload successful the moving game. The Eagles rushed for 238 yards successful the teams’ anterior gathering connected December 21.
Heinicke looking to rebound from unsmooth December
According to Ron Rivera, Taylor Heinicke volition get the commencement again connected Sunday, adjacent if Kyle Allen besides sees immoderate snaps. Heinicke is coming disconnected 2 meltdowns against the Cowboys, including a two-interception nighttime past clip out.
This play offers a accidental to flip the script. But Heinicke, who missed the nonaccomplishment to Philadelphia successful Week 15, volition person to play amended than his 7-for-22 effort successful Dallas connected Sunday.
Most of all, this crippled is simply a trial of Washington’s pridefulness against different part rival. While Landon Collins and J.D. McKissic are some out, the hosts inactive person capable playmakers to halt the three-game skid that has derailed their playoff push.
Miami Dolphins @ Tennessee Titans, NFL, Week 17, Preview & Prediction
The Tennessee Titans (10-5) big the Miami Dolphins (8-7) connected Sunday astatine 69,000-seater Nissan Stadium. We measurement up the apical betting nuggets and emerging storylines.
Dolphins to propulsion Titans each the way
Tennessee enters Week 17 with a accidental to seal the AFC South and an extracurricular changeable astatine snatching the fig 1 seed. A gritty 20-17 comeback triumph implicit the San Francisco 49ers past Thursday was the latest illustration of the Titans’ resilience.
But Miami knows each astir resilience too. The Dolphins person reeled disconnected 7 consecutive wins to surge from 1-7 to 8-7. They breezed past the depleted New Orleans Saints connected Monday nighttime and should instrumentality this matchup close to the wire.
The Pick: Dolphins +3.5 – Bet astatine PointsBet Sportsbook with likelihood astir -110
Big trial for in-form Miami defense
The Dolphins person allowed 10 points oregon less successful 5 of their 7 games successful the triumph streak. Defensively, they roseate to the juncture again successful New Orleans, holding the Saints to 3 points and picking disconnected rookie backmost Ian Book twice.
But the docket has indisputably been benignant to Miami implicit the past 2 months, with a drawstring of struggling teams and constricted quarterbacks. A well-coached Tennessee team, with a mobile backmost and a standout receiver, presents a sterner test.
Offensively, Tua Tagovailoa was dependable past clip retired and his transportation with Jaylen Waddle (92 yards and a touchdown against the Saints) volition beryllium cardinal again here.
Tennessee looking to Brown for much fireworks
The Titans rode the Ryan Tannehill-A.J. Brown duo successful the second-half fightback against the 49ers. Brown had 145 receiving yards and a touchdown that nighttime and his matchup with a talented Dolphins secondary volition beryllium must-see viewing.
The remainder of the Tennessee discourtesy is much of an unknown. Derrick Henry is moving his mode backmost but Week 18 oregon the archetypal circular of the playoffs look much realistic targets. Julio Jones was among the Titans added to the reserve/COVID database this week.
Boosted by 10 days’ rest, the Tennessee defence should beryllium capable to repetition the unit that led to 2 cardinal Jimmy Garoppolo turnovers past clip retired – and Tagovailoa tin inactive person shaky moments erstwhile the pouch collapses.
Las Vegas Raiders @ Indianapolis Colts, NFL, Week 17, Preview & Prediction
The Indianapolis Colts (9-6) conflict the Las Vegas Raiders (8-7) connected Sunday with large playoff stakes connected the line. With a 63,000-strong assemblage expected astatine Lucas Oil Stadium, the Colts volition look to punch their summons to the postseason. We measure the apical storylines and betting tips.
Colts to proceed blistery streak and overpower Raiders
With 3 consecutive victories (and six wins from the past 7 games), Indianapolis is looming ample arsenic an AFC playoff threat. A gutsy 22-16 roadworthy triumph implicit the Arizona Cardinals connected Christmas Day was the latest grounds of the Colts’ acheronian equine status, but Carson Wentz’s presumption is simply a interest aft helium was added to the reserve/COVID database this week.
The Raiders person been counted retired of the postseason contention a fewer antithetic times already but Sunday’s triumph implicit the Denver Broncos keeps Las Vegas among a clump of teams astatine 8-7. Still, a good balanced Indianapolis squad should beryllium excessively beardown here.
The Pick: Colts -6.5 – Bet astatine PointsBet Sportsbook with likelihood astir -110
Indianapolis sweating connected presumption of in-form Wentz
With Jonathan Taylor powering done defenses, Carson Wentz has been an afterthought astatine times this season. But Wentz delivered the large throws successful Arizona, finishing with 225 passing yards and 2 touchdowns. Keep an oculus connected the wounded reports to spot whether Wentz, who is reportedly unvaccinated, tin retrieve successful clip to look the Raiders.
The Colts dug successful defensively past clip retired without cardinal antheral Darius Leonard (reserve/COVID list), but determination is optimism that some Leonard and Zach Pascal volition beryllium cleared to instrumentality connected Sunday. A healthier violative enactment should besides unfastened moving lanes for Taylor, who inactive managed to walk the 100-yard people against the Cardinals.
Las Vegas defence rallying down the stretch
The Raiders’ defence was embarrassed by the Kansas City Chiefs a fewer weeks agone but has since bounced backmost impressively. Las Vegas held Denver to 13 points connected Sunday portion limiting a talented Broncos rushing onslaught to conscionable 18 yards connected 16 carries. But stopping Taylor is an adjacent sterner test.
Look for the Raiders to thin connected Josh Jacobs again here, adjacent against a carnal Indianapolis beforehand seven. Jacobs ran for 129 yards against Denver. Darren Waller (knee, back) was sidelined again astatine the play but could beryllium successful contention for this important Week 17 showdown.
To snatch a triumph here, Las Vegas (who fumbled doubly astatine the weekend) has to instrumentality amended attraction of the ball.
Jacksonville Jaguars @ New England Patriots, NFL, Week 17, Preview & Prediction
The New England Patriots (9-6) person deed a small dip successful signifier astatine conscionable the incorrect moment. On Sunday, they person a accidental to close the vessel against the Jacksonville Jaguars (2-13) successful beforehand of a 65,800-strong assemblage astatine Gillette Stadium. Here’s what you request to cognize earlier wagering connected the action.
Patriots to deed backmost and cruise past Jaguars
New England mislaid its grip connected archetypal spot successful the AFC East successful Week 16 aft a disappointing 33-21 nonaccomplishment to the Buffalo Bills. But a sojourn from the Jaguars should contiguous an inviting get-well opportunity.
Jacksonville, without a triumph connected the roadworthy this season, fell 26-21 to the New York Jets astatine the play for a seventh consecutive loss. This should beryllium one-way postulation with the Patriots bare for a connection win.
The Pick: Patriots -15.5 – Bet astatine PointsBet Sportsbook with likelihood astir -110
Jones hitting sticky spot successful rookie campaign
There are plentifulness of reasons for New England’s caller struggles, but wobbly outings from Mac Jones person to beryllium precocious connected the list. Jones struggled against the Bills, completing conscionable 14 of his 32 passes and throwing 2 picks. A week earlier, helium had 2 interceptions successful the nonaccomplishment to the Indianapolis Colts.
Jones should bounce backmost against this Jaguars secondary – and it would assistance if Nelson Agholor (concussion) and Rhamondre Stevenson (reserve/COVID list) are disposable aft missing the Buffalo game. Damien Harris led the complaint connected Sunday with 103 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns.
Defensively, the Patriots looked a measurement dilatory against Josh Allen. But Bill Belichick volition relish the accidental to bamboozle rookie Trevor Lawrence present with a scope of coverages.
Jacksonville seeking backup program for crushed game
The Jaguars’ play suffered different stroke connected Sunday with James Robinson suffering a torn Achilles. Dare Ogunbowale picked up the slack (57 rushing yards and a touchdown) but it is asking a batch for him to get traction successful the crushed crippled against the Patriots.
Lawrence erstwhile again struggled successful the reddish portion successful Week 16, finishing with 280 passing yards but nary touchdown passes. He whitethorn person to instrumentality much chances successful New England if Jacksonville falls behind.
But the biggest interest for the visitors has to beryllium their tally defense. The Jaguars allowed 273 rushing yards to the Jets, including a 52-yard touchdown tally to Zach Wilson, and they volition beryllium susceptible against the Patriots’ backfield.
Denver Broncos @ Los Angeles Chargers, NFL, Week 17, Preview & Prediction
The Los Angeles Chargers (8-7) invited the Denver Broncos (7-8) connected Sunday, with 71,500 fans expected astatine SoFi Stadium. We interruption down this cardinal matchup, the playoff implications and the apical betting tips.
Chargers to bounce backmost and support postseason hopes alive
After 2 consecutive losses, including a Week 16 shocker against the Houston Texans, Los Angeles is abruptly connected the extracurricular looking successful arsenic the AFC playoff contention enters the last 2 weeks.
But past week’s wake-up telephone should beryllium a spark for the Chargers here. The Broncos are fading and whoever starts astatine backmost volition beryllium overmatched against Justin Herbert.
The Pick: Chargers -6 – Bet astatine PointsBet Sportsbook with likelihood astir -110
Same aged communicative for miserable Los Angeles tally defense
Herbert’s 2 interceptions successful Houston were evidently costly, but it was the Chargers’ porous tally defence that (yet again) truly stood out. The Texans racked up 189 yards and 2 touchdowns connected the crushed – and that is the benignant of weakness that the Broncos are good placed to exploit connected Sunday.
The amended quality for Los Angeles is that Austin Ekeler and Mike Williams (both reserve/COVID list) person a accidental to instrumentality for this important Week 17 matchup. Justin Jackson stepped successful admirably against the Texans with 162 yards from scrimmage and 2 touchdowns, but Ekeler unlocks much throws for Herbert. Pass-rusher Joey Bosa could besides beryllium disposable aft a spell connected the reserve/COVID list.
Lock lasting by for different commencement arsenic Broncos hold connected Bridgewater
With Teddy Bridgewater remaining successful the concussion protocol to commencement the week, determination is each accidental that Drew Lock volition beryllium nether halfway again connected Sunday. Lock steered wide of turnovers successful the 17-13 nonaccomplishment to the Las Vegas Raiders successful Week 16 but finished without a touchdown pass. Denver failed to people successful the 2nd half.
Whether Bridgewater returns oregon not, expect the Broncos to thin connected the moving game, adjacent aft Denver was held to conscionable 18 rushing yards past clip out. In the teams’ anterior gathering this play (a 28-13 Broncos win), Javonte Williams and Melvin Gordon III combined for 137 yards connected the ground.
Houston Texans @ San Francisco 49ers, NFL, Week 17, Preview & Prediction
With a postseason spot not yet confirmed, the San Francisco 49ers (8-7) big the Houston Texans (4-11) connected Sunday astatine 68,500-seater Levi’s Stadium. Here’s what you request to cognize earlier wagering connected the action.
49ers to outlast Texans and stamp playoff ticket
Late December has been unsmooth connected the 49ers, with a disappointing 20-17 nonaccomplishment to the Tennessee Titans followed by a thumb wounded for Jimmy Garoppolo. If Garoppolo is sidelined, Trey Lance volition beryllium thrown backmost into the fray successful a large moment.
The Texans bagged an eye-catching 41-29 triumph implicit the Los Angeles Chargers past play and proceed to combat hard contempt their lowly record. A roadworthy triumph present feels unlikely, but Houston is nary pushover.
The Pick: Texans +12.5 – Bet astatine PointsBet Sportsbook with likelihood astir -110
Garoppolo wounded clouds San Francisco crippled plan
Prior to the Tennessee loss, Garoppolo was starting to find a groove alongside George Kittle, Deebo Samuel and a dependable moving game. But his 2 costly interceptions swung that Thursday crippled successful the Titans’ favour – and present his presumption for the remainder of the play is unclear.
On a much affirmative note, Elijah Mitchell is trending towards a Week 17 instrumentality to boost a San Francisco backfield that was held to 83 rushing yards successful Tennessee. But linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair (knee) is simply a uncertainty arsenic the 49ers effort to wrapper up a playoff spot here.
Houston gathering momentum for adjacent season
The Texans person battled done immoderate bruising stretches this twelvemonth but they get successful Week 17 connected the heels of back-to-back wins. Houston’s astonishment triumph implicit the Chargers started with a monster time for Rex Burkhead, who made the astir of other backfield touches to rack up 149 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns.
While the 49ers let the 4th fewest yards per crippled successful the NFL (319), Davis Mills has grown successful assurance moving this Texans discourtesy and is coming disconnected a dependable outing successful Week 16. Plus, determination is optimism that Brandin Cooks (reserve/COVID list) could beryllium backmost to look San Francisco.
Los Angeles Rams @ Baltimore Ravens, NFL, Week 17, Preview & Prediction
The Los Angeles Rams (11-4) person been 1 of the hottest teams successful the NFL implicit the 2nd fractional of the season. On Sunday, they instrumentality connected the Baltimore Ravens (8-7) successful beforehand of a 70,000-strong assemblage astatine M&T Bank Stadium. Here’s what you request to cognize earlier wagering connected the action.
Rams to powerfulness past Ravens and proceed late-season surge
With 4 consecutive wins, the Rams are yet starting to look similar a star-studded contender. Los Angeles has a coagulated grip connected the NFC West and edged past the Minnesota Vikings 30-23 past clip out.
Meanwhile, the temper is tense successful Baltimore. The Ravens person mislaid 4 successful a enactment to descent retired of the AFC playoff spots and it is pugnacious to spot the hosts getting backmost connected way against this in-form Rams team.
The Pick: Rams -3.5 – Bet astatine PointsBet Sportsbook with likelihood astir -110
Quarterback uncertainty clouds Ravens’ preparations
The biggest question hovering implicit Baltimore is whether Lamar Jackson volition beryllium capable to instrumentality from an ankle wounded this weekend. Early reports suggest helium has a changeable to start, with Tyler Huntley (reserve/COVID list) besides perchance available. In the lawsuit that some are ruled out, Josh Johnson volition beryllium asked to measurement successful again.
Johnson did a tenable occupation successful Week 16 but the Ravens’ defence was shredded successful a 41-21 nonaccomplishment to the Cincinnati Bengals. Joe Burrow torched a depleted Baltimore secondary for 525 passing yards – truthful expect Matthew Stafford and Cooper Kupp to relish this matchup.
Michel making waves successful Los Angeles crushed game
While Stafford’s 3 interceptions against the Vikings volition person acceptable disconnected a fewer alarm bells, the Rams got different monster time from Sony Michel. Michel rushed for 127 yards and a touchdown. Expect Los Angeles to favour the passing crippled connected Sunday, but Michel again has a way to 20+ carries, particularly if Darrell Henderson Jr. (knee) is out.
While the Rams’ defence is successful large shape, the visitors (6-2 connected the roadworthy this year) person been juggling absences on the violative line. Those challenges whitethorn resistance connected past Week 17 but are improbable to tilt the scales here.
Arizona Cardinals @ Dallas Cowboys, NFL, Week 17, Preview & Prediction
The Dallas Cowboys (11-4) and Arizona Cardinals (10-5) are already locked successful arsenic NFC playoff teams, but determination is inactive plentifulness of jockeying for presumption ahead. These contenders collide connected Sunday astatine 100,000-seater AT&T Stadium, and we interruption down the apical betting nuggets for this marquee matchup.
Cowboys to enactment blistery and widen Cardinals’ slump
Arizona was successful rod presumption to drawback the NFC bye week for overmuch of the season, but 3 consecutive losses means the Cardinals look the imaginable of starting the postseason connected the road. The visitors get connected the heels of dropping a winnable crippled 22-16 to the Indianapolis Colts connected Christmas Day.
But getting backmost connected way successful Dallas is simply a gangly task fixed the Cowboys’ scorching show successful each phases successful Week 16. They thumped Washington 56-14 connected Sunday nighttime and are arguably the NFL’s astir in-form defence heading into 2022.
The Pick: Cowboys -4.5 – Bet astatine PointsBet Sportsbook with likelihood astir -110
Explosive Dallas discourtesy is steadfast and firing
The Cowboys (5-2 astatine home) person been sparked by large antiaircraft plays during their four-game triumph streak, including DeMarcus Lawrence’s pick-six past weekend. But the offense’s instrumentality to its free-scoring ways is conscionable arsenic encouraging.
Dallas piled up 42 first-half points against Washington, with Dak Prescott throwing 4 touchdown passes earlier half-time. The Cowboys volition instrumentality immoderate stopping if CeeDee Lamb, Amari Cooper and Michael Gallup each enactment healthy.
The hosts could get a further boost if Tyron Smith (ankle) and Malik Hooker (reserve/COVID list) are capable to instrumentality this weekend.
Arizona searching for answers amid three-game skid
Sloppy penalties and missed kicks proved costly for the Cardinals past clip out, portion the discourtesy inactive looks clunky without DeAndre Hopkins (knee). Kyler Murray was held to 245 passing yards (27-of-43) against the Colts and volition request to beryllium much close if Arizona is going to support gait with Dallas here.
The Cardinals did a tenable occupation against Jonathan Taylor successful their past outing, but limiting the Ezekiel Elliott-Tony Pollard duo is different daunting task. Elliott had 2 touchdowns against Washington connected Sunday night.
On a much affirmative note, James Conner (heel) has a changeable astatine returning connected Sunday to bolster the crushed crippled and relieve immoderate of the load connected Chase Edmonds. The Cardinals’ defence was sturdier past play too, rebounding from allowing 30 points successful back-to-back weeks.
Detroit Lions @ Seattle Seahawks, NFL, Week 17, Preview & Prediction
The Seattle Seahawks (5-10) big the Detroit Lions (2-12-1) connected Sunday, with 68,000 fans expected astatine Lumen Field. With these 2 teams limping to the extremity of forgettable seasons, we interruption down the cardinal betting tips and storylines.
Seahawks to rediscover location signifier and instrumentality down Lions
Seattle’s disappointing twelvemonth took different unsmooth twist successful Week 16, squandering a double-digit pb successful a last-gasp 25-24 decision to the Chicago Bears for a 2nd consecutive loss.
The Lions are playing hard contempt their wretched record, but we similar the Seahawks to enactment unneurotic a much implicit outing connected Sunday.
The Pick: Seahawks -7.5 – Bet astatine PointsBet Sportsbook with likelihood astir +105
Seattle moving crippled among fewer agleam spots
Rashaad Penny’s performances successful the moving crippled successful December are astatine slightest giving the Seahawks immoderate affirmative signs to physique on. In snowy conditions, Penny led the mode connected Sunday arsenic Seattle piled up 170 rushing yards against the Bears.
Expect to spot different run-heavy crippled program from the Seahawks present fixed that the Lions are allowing 127 rushing yards a crippled (sixth worst successful the NFL). But support successful caput that Detroit held the Atlanta Falcons to conscionable 47 yards connected the crushed astatine the weekend.
Seattle is uncharacteristically 2-5 astatine location this year. To decorativeness connected a higher enactment astatine Lumen Field, the Seahawks volition request to amended their second-half discourtesy – they managed conscionable 7 points aft half-time connected Sunday.
Detroit with a prime to marque astatine quarterback
With Jared Goff connected the reserve/COVID list, Tim Boyle stepped successful solidly earlier a precocious interception successful Sunday’s 20-16 nonaccomplishment to the Falcons. The Lions present look a determination connected whether to unreserved Goff backmost oregon instrumentality with Boyle.
Amon-Ra St. Brown starred again astatine the play with 110 yards from scrimmage and stands retired arsenic the biggest menace to this Seattle secondary. Josh Reynolds knows the Seahawks good from his days with the Los Angeles Rams.
Detroit has a fewer wounded concerns to navigate this week, with Jason Cabinda and Shane Zylstra exiting Sunday’s crippled and D’Andre Swift (shoulder) inactive moving his mode back.
Minnesota Vikings @ Green Bay Packers, NFL, Week 17, Preview & Prediction
The Green Bay Packers (12-3) look to fortify their grip connected the NFC apical spot connected Sunday against the rival Minnesota Vikings (7-8) successful beforehand of an 81,000-strong assemblage astatine Lambeau Field. We excavation into the apical betting tips and marque our pick.
Packers to clasp disconnected Vikings and enactment apical of NFC
Green Bay has dominated the NFC North erstwhile again this twelvemonth and enters Week 17 connected a four-game winning run. A precious archetypal circular bye week is wrong the Packers’ grasp aft squeezing past the Cleveland Browns 24-22 connected Christmas Day.
Things are bleaker for the Vikings, who commencement the play extracurricular the playoff spots and apt request to triumph some of their remaining games to person a changeable astatine the postseason. A 30-23 nonaccomplishment to the Los Angeles Rams past clip retired was a blow, and it is pugnacious to spot Kirk Cousins outdueling Aaron Rodgers here.
The Pick: Packers -6.5 – Bet astatine PointsBet Sportsbook with likelihood astir -110
Rodgers eyeing beardown decorativeness to MVP case
With 33 touchdowns and conscionable 4 interceptions this season, Rodgers is rightly astatine the forefront of MVP conversations. He did conscionable capable successful a three-touchdown effort against the Browns and should beryllium motivated present to avenge a constrictive nonaccomplishment to the Vikings successful the teams’ anterior meeting.
There is immoderate optimism that David Bakhtiari and Jaire Alexander volition yet instrumentality connected Sunday but Green Bay continues to radiance connected some sides of the ball. The Packers picked disconnected Baker Mayfield 4 times connected Christmas Day and person the unit successful the secondary to dilatory down Justin Jefferson.
Minnesota counting connected Cook’s return
The Vikings are connected the brink aft violative struggles against the Rams, but the defence deserves recognition for intercepting Matthew Stafford 3 times. The bully quality up of Sunday is that Dalvin Cook is expected to instrumentality from the reserve/COVID database to pb the rushing attack.
Cook should beryllium successful enactment for a engaged day, particularly aft Green Bay allowed 126 rushing yards and a touchdown to Nick Chubb connected conscionable 17 carries past clip out. Minnesota’s ain tally defence has to improve, though, aft being pushed astir by Sony Michel a week ago.
Cleveland Browns @ Pittsburgh Steelers, NFL, Week 17, Preview & Prediction
The Pittsburgh Steelers (7-7-1) big the Cleveland Browns (7-8) connected Monday nighttime successful beforehand of a 68,000-strong assemblage astatine Heinz Field. We instrumentality a person look astatine the cardinal betting angles and apical tips.
Browns to borderline Steelers successful AFC North showdown
One of these 2 teams volition astatine slightest unrecorded to combat different time successful the AFC playoff race. For Pittsburgh, a triumph present volition necessitate large betterment aft a miserable 36-10 nonaccomplishment to the Kansas City Chiefs past clip out.
Cleveland was astatine slightest much competitory successful Week 16, losing 24-22 successful Green Bay. Baker Mayfield’s four-interception day sunk the Browns but determination were encouraging signs successful a second-half rally.
The Pick: Browns -3 – Bet astatine PointsBet Sportsbook with likelihood astir -110
Cleveland defence to unsettle Roethlisberger
The Browns failed to registry a sack connected Aaron Rodgers past play but expect their beforehand 7 to bounce backmost present against the less-mobile Ben Roethlisberger. Cleveland should beryllium capable to unopen down the Pittsburgh moving game, forcing Roethlisberger into third-and-long situations.
Offensively, the visitors request much carries for Nick Chubb (126 rushing yards and a touchdown against Green Bay) and less throws from Mayfield. Look for the crippled program to skew much successful that absorption against the slow-starting Steelers.
Solid location signifier gives Pittsburgh hope
Despite immoderate dismal roadworthy performances, the Steelers are 5-2-1 astatine Heinz Field this season. The hosts person the ingredients to marque this a physical, low-scoring scrap, conscionable arsenic they did successful a 15-10 triumph implicit the Browns earlier this season.
But it is pugnacious to look past Pittsburgh’s violative shortcomings. The Steelers served up different feeble violative archetypal fractional successful Kansas City, trailing 23-0 astatine half-time, and volition beryllium overmatched connected Monday against a talented Cleveland beforehand seven. Najee Harris astatine slightest looked crisp against the Chiefs, finishing with 93 rushing yards.
NFL week 17 looks breathtaking and we are looking guardant to plentifulness of Football action. Hopefully, our NFL picks and predictions are with bully accuracy and the Football odds determination successful our direction.
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