NFL Week 17 odds: Making a case for each underdog

Looking at the NFL Week 17 odds, we make the argument for how each underdog can cover its respective spread.

Atlanta Falcons at Buffalo Bills (-14.5)

This is all about covering the spread. Atlanta can do it if Matt Ryan finds Kyle Pitts a few times and the defense can create a couple of turnovers.

Jacksonville Jaguars at New England Patriots (-15.5)

Basically, can Trevor Lawrence look even remotely competent against Bill Belichick? The odds aren’t great.

Kansas City Chiefs (-5) at Cincinnati Bengals

Joe Burrow threw for 525 yards last week. He won’t repeat the feat, but the Bengals need him to have another big game while the defensive line wins up front.

Los Angeles Rams (-3.5) at Baltimore Ravens

Lamar Jackson needs to both be back healthy and playing like the MVP he is.

Las Vegas Raiders at Indianapolis Colts (-6)

The Raiders have to bottle up Jonathan Taylor and then have Derek Carr enjoy one of his better games of the second half of the season.

Philadelphia Eagles (-4) at Washington Football Team

Washington has a chance to win outright, but it must stop the run, limit Taylor Heinicke’s chances to torpedo the game and go from there.

New York Giants at Chicago Bears (-6)

The power of prayer. The Giants look more cooked than any team in the league.

Miami Dolphins at Tennessee Titans (-3.5)

Tennessee is the better team, but the Dolphins match up decently with a great defense and the ability to win on the outside with rookie receiver Jaylen Waddle.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-13) at New York Jets

Act of God.

Denver Broncos at Los Angeles Chargers (-5.5)

The Broncos can run the ball, and the Chargers have shown no ability to stop it.

Houston Texans at San Francisco 49ers (-12.5)

Houston is competitive, and it showed just how much against the Chargers on Sunday. Davis Mills might be the best rookie quarterback in the league.

Arizona Cardinals at Dallas Cowboys (-5.5)

Kyler Murray has to play great. If he doesn’t, Arizona is going to get blown out of Dallas.

Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints (-6.5)

If the Panthers want any chance to cover or win, they need competent quarterback play. Good luck with that.

Detroit Lions at Seattle Seahawks (-7)

The Lions have been as good as Seattle over the last month. This line is bizarre.

Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers (-6.5)

Kirk Cousins makes some throws, the Packers don’t stop Dalvin Cook, and Mike Zimmer doesn’t go ultra-conservative.

Cleveland Browns (-3) at Pittsburgh Steelers

Pressure on Baker Mayfield, and at least some effort to stop the run.