NFL Odds Week 17: Early Locks and Best Bets on the Schedule
It's crunch time in the NFL, and with just two weeks remaining, several squads are already in playoff mode.
The Week 17 slate is set to feature multiple games with heavy playoff implications, starting with Thursday's opener between the Cleveland Browns and New York Jets. The Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings will wrap the week on Sunday night.
Fans looking to add a little more excitement to the final week of the calendar year will have plenty of wagering opportunities this week as well. Below, we'll dive into some of our favorite matchups heading into Week 17 based on the early odds.
Check the latest lines at DraftKings.
Buccaneers -3 Versus Saints
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The resurgence of Baker Mayfield has the Tampa Bay Buccaneers poised to win a second consecutive NFC South title. The Bucs are currently in control of the division and only need to win out to secure a playoff spot.
This week the Buccaneers will host the New Orleans Saints, a team they beat 26-9 all the way back in Week 4. The Saints are largely the same team we saw early in the season, while Tampa has improved.
Over the second half of the season, Mayfield has formed a terrific rapport with Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and the Buccaneers receiving corps. At the same time, running back Rachaad White has developed into a quality high-volume back.
Tampa has won four straight and has scored at least 21 points during that span. While the Bucs' defense is vulnerable to the pass, Derek Carr hasn't been consistent enough at quarterback for New Orleans' to take full advantage.
The Saints have yet to beat a team that currently holds a winning record. Despite coming into the season with low expectations, that's exactly what the Buccaneers now are.
Bears -3 Versus Falcons
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The Chicago Bears aren't making the postseason in 2023, but they're finishing the season with a ton of momentum. Justin Fields has become a dependable dual-threat quarterback, while the defense has been one of the league's better units down the stretch.
The Bears have won three of their last four, and they only lost in Week 15 when receiver Darnell Mooney dropped a would-be touchdown pass as time expired.
The Atlanta Falcons have been a far less consistent team this season, even though they hold a better record. Atlanta got a convincing home win in Week 15 with Taylor Heinicke at quarterback, but the Bears represent a sizeable challenge on the road.
Expect Heinicke to struggle against a Bears defense as aggressive and opportunistic as any in the league right now. Also expect Atlanta's 16th-ranked run defense to struggle against Fields, Khalil Herbert and Chicago's ground game.
While Atlanta would love to lean on its rushing attack in this one, the Bears won't allow that to happen. Chicago has allowed just 3.6 yards per carry this season, and it will force Heinicke to carry the Falcons.
The Bears should win by at least a field goal here.
Texans -3.5 Versus Titans
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The Houston Texans flopped in Week 16, losing to the Cleveland Browns 36-22. They did enough to make the game interesting, but quarterback Case Keenum couldn't get anything going against a terrific Browns defense early.
Two weeks ago, though, Keenum led the Texans to a comeback victory against the Tennessee Titans in Tennessee. This week, Houston will host the Titans, and Texans fans shouldn't have to worry about Keenum costing the offense.
There is "optimism" that rookie star C.J. Stroud will return in Week 17, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
If Stroud is back in the lineup this week, the Texans should have little trouble exploiting an inconsistent Titans pass defense. Houston's stellar run defense (3.3 yards per carry allowed) should also limit Derrick Henry and the Tennessee ground game, as it did in Week 15.
While Houston would be a more comfortable pick if the line was just a little lower—and if there was more certainly on Stroud's status—now is a great time to jump in. If and when Stroud clears the concussion protocol, this line is going to shift dramatically.
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