Top NFL Betting Picks & Predictions for Week 17

A lot of the NFL’s playoff drama has been resolved. Dallas folded at home to Seattle on Christmas Eve, meaning that the only drama in the NFC has to do with whether Atlanta will win in their finale against Carolina to take the second wild card and send the Seahawks home. In the AFC, the Patriots just need to knock off the Jets at home to secure home field throughout the playoffs (although a Steelers loss would accomplish the same thing). The Ravens, Titans, Chargers and Bills are still in the hunt for the two wild card positions, though. Let’s look at some of your best NFL betting suggestions for the final week of the regular season.

Top NFL Betting Picks & Predictions for Week 17

Week 17 NFL Power Rankings (via @HarrisonNFL): 1. @Patriots 2. @Vikings 3. @steelers 4. @RamsNFL 5-32. https://t.co/WFPm1o8Blp pic.twitter.com/5VMQbXtdDw

— NFL (@NFL) December 26, 2017

Sunday, December 31

Dallas (-2.5) at Philadelphia (1:00pm ET, FOX)

The Philadelphia Eagles do have home field advantage through the playoffs, thanks to that 19-10 win over Oakland on Monday Night Football. But the Eagles looked like they were playing in mud all night long, as backup quarterback Nick Foles simply couldn’t hit his receivers (who were having a hard time getting open against an Oakland team that does not have one of the best defenses out there). I don’t see the Eagles resting their starters a lot, though, because they need to look sharper going into their bye week. They welcome a Dallas team that saw their playoff hopes evaporate in a ridiculous loss to Seattle. Dez Bryant fumbled, leading to one Seattle score, and had a Dak Prescott pass clank off his hands for an interception that stopped another drive. Ezekiel Elliott did return from his suspension but fell far short of the 200 yards that he bet former NFL great Eric Dickerson he would get in his return. Dallas is not mentally together, so I have to admit I’m pretty surprised at this line. NFL Betting Prediction: Philadelphia 27, Dallas 16

Carolina (+4) at Atlanta (4:25pm ET, FOX)

The Carolina Panthers escaped their home contest with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday in dramatic fashion, as Jameis Winston fumbled and the officials granted Carolina possession, although the play looked as though it may have ended with Winston getting the ball back from Panthers lineman Julius Peppers. The Panthers have secured the first wild card in the NFC, and now they travel to take on an Atlanta team that must win in order to secure the second one. If the Falcons lose and the Seahawks win, then Seattle would get that slot. Atlanta beat those same Buccaneers two weeks ago (by three) but lost to New Orleans on the road last week, 23-13, as the Saints’ grinding defense would not let Atlanta get on track. The Panthers beat Atlanta by three points in their meeting earlier in the season. The NFC South has featured a number of close divisional contests, and I see this being no different. I see Atlanta winning this one late, but I don’t see them covering. NFL Betting Prediction: Atlanta 27, Carolina 24

Arizona (+7.5) at Seattle (4:25pm ET, FOX)

No team is more mercurial than these Seattle Seahawks, who followed up an absolute humiliation at the hands of the Los Angeles Rams (on their own home field) with a gritty win down in Dallas last week to keep their postseason hopes alive. Now they prepare to welcome an Arizona team that still won’t have Carson Palmer back leading their offense and is definitely playing for next season. Seattle used a gritty pass rush to keep Dallas’ offense from having time to throw the ball down the field, and in front of their own fans I see them pushing hard to keep the pressure on Atlanta (who will be playing at the same time) to win or go home. Russell Wilson didn’t do a whole lot against Dallas in the Seahawks’ win, but the defense gave the Seahawks enough short fields to make life easier for the offense (plus they added a pick-six). NFL Betting Prediction: Seattle 34, Arizona 16