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May 3, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin oversees drills during Steelers rookie mincamp and orientation at the UPMC Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Home » Blog » NFL Week 17 odds: 5 best bets on favorites

NFL Week 17 odds: 5 best bets on favorites

Matt Verderame NFL

5. Pittsburgh Steelers (-2) at Baltimore Ravens

The Steelers are admittedly a complete roll of the dice here. Pittsburgh will be playing to get into the playoffs while the Ravens have already told the world they won’t be playing most of their starters, including Lamar Jackson, in Week 17. If the Steelers can’t find a way to win this one considering the circumstances, they have no business in the playoff picture. That said, Duck Hodges is a legitimate reason to wonder whether betting on them is the right call.

4. Philadelphia Eagles (-4.5) at New York Giants

Philadelphia wins and it takes the NFC East. There’s a line of thinking which says Philadelphia almost lost at home to the Giants a few weeks ago, and New York just saw Daniel Jones throw five touchdown passes against the Washington Redskins. Still, the game means absolutely nothing for the Giants and everything for the Eagles, who dispatched the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday evening.

3. Indianapolis Colts (-3.5) at Jacksonville Jaguars

Jacksonville seems to have packed it in months ago. The Colts have largely played hard all year and are trying to finish the season at 8-8. The game is on the road for Indianapolis, but Jacoby Brissett and Co. are the better team. Having to win by four points isn’t a huge ask, especially considering how anemic the Jaguars’ offense has been for long stretches of 2019.

2. New Orleans Saints (-13) at Carolina Panthers

This is a huge number, but it won’t matter. The Saints are compelled to play hard throughout the game, knowing a win could land them a bye week in the NFC playoffs. New Orleans is 12-3 and trying to get into one of the two top spots. With a victory, the Saints would also need either the Green Bay Packers to lose to the Detroit Lions at Ford Field, or the hosting Seattle Seahawks to knock off the San Francisco 49ers. Either of those results would give Sean Payton’s team a week off.

1. Los Angeles Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs (-7.5)

The Chiefs are the hottest team in football this side of the Ravens. Kansas City welcomes in the Chargers, who are 5-10 and can’t seem to execute for 60 minutes. While chances are very slim of getting the No. 2 seed in the AFC, the Chiefs are going to play for it. It seems if this were a Week 16 game where Vegas knew Kansas City was going all out, the line might be a touchdown higher. Swallow the points.

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