Playoff positioning, NFL Draft order, and teams just trying to play spoiler. There is a lot on the line around the NFL in Week 17.
Despite another 16-game NFL betting slate on tap, there is only one game being played that features two teams with a winning record.
That game, however, promises to be a banger when the Bills visit the Bengals Monday night. You can’t ask for a greater finale to Week 17 than that.
Although my NFL best bets record is in the tank, there are still two more weeks to go in the regular season, and we still have the playoffs to get on track.
This is betting, after all, and we aren’t quitters. We can’t win if we don’t try and we don’t try unless we bet on Week 17 action.
Anthony Cervino’s 2022 NFL Best Bets Record: 34-53 (-25.5 Units)
All NFL odds and lines are current as of 12:15 p.m. ET, on Tuesday, Dec. 27, at Caesars Sportsbook.
Week 17 NFL Best Bet
Week 17 Best Bet: Bills vs Bengals
Bengals Moneyline (-105) at Caesars Sportsbook
WAGER: 1 Unit
When it comes to Joe Burrow, he’s like Rodney Dangerfield.
He gets no respect.
Despite beating Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs three times in the past year along with a Super Bowl appearance to his name, Burrow is often mentioned a tier behind Josh Allen.
Burrow will now get a chance to defeat Allen for the first time in his career. The two elite signal callers have yet to face off in the NFL, until now.
Although both the Bills and Chiefs are one game better than the Bengals, the No.1 seed remains up for grabs in the AFC. The Bengals can put themselves into the No. 2 spot with a win over Buffalo and already own the tiebreaker over Kansas City should the Chiefs drop another game.
There is a lot on the line in this Monday night showdown.
The Bills and Bengals match up well and are both riding win streaks of at least six games when it comes to straight-up moneyline bets. For this NFL pick of the day, I will err on the side of the home team, as well as the better quarterback (Burrow).
Keep up with the best NFL odds for Week 17 games
Week 17 Best Bet: Vikings vs Packers
Vikings +3.5 (-120) at Caesars Sportsbook
WAGER: 1 Unit
To set the record straight, I do believe the Packers will win this game. However, it will be by fewer than three points, which is why I am taking the Vikings +3.5 unless this line moves.
Say what you will, but the Vikings are one of the best teams in the NFL.
For Green Bay, they are riding a three-game winning streak following a disastrous start to the year. They must win and run the table for a shot to get into the playoffs.
Aaron Rodgers looks happy, invested, and determined. Rodgers is dangerous when he checks off those boxes.
The Vikings have won and covered in three of the past four games against the Packers. Taking the Vikings and the points covers you if they win outright or lose by fewer than three.
Week 17 Best Bet: Jets vs Seahawks
Under 42.5 Points (-110) at Caesars Sportsbook
WAGER: 1 Unit
The Geno Smith bowl features two teams that have been struggling to move the football. That could change for the Jets, who will be turning back to Mike White under center, but it is important to note that the Seahawks have scored fewer than 13 points in two straight games against the Chiefs and 49ers.
The loss of Tyler Lockett to a finger injury has been a big blow for Seattle and Smith. Lockett could play but remains up in the air.
To make matters worse, the New York defense is one of the best in the NFL. Head coach Robert Saleh also knows Pete Carroll coached teams from his days with the 49ers.
When it comes to NFL Over-Under totals, the Under has cashed in three straight Jets games and in two consecutive Seahawks games. The Under is also 8-2 in New York’s past 10 games overall.
Week 17 Best Bet: Panthers vs Buccaneers
Buccaneers -3 (-105) at Caesars Sportsbook
WAGER: 1 Unit
One game behind the Buccaneers in the NFC South, this Carolina vs Tampa Bay matchup is chock full of playoff implications. Right or wrong, somebody has to make it in the NFC South.
With Carolina already owning the tiebreaker over the Bucs, this is a must-have game for Tampa Bay.
If the Panthers win and they are tied record-wise come season’s end, Tom Brady will be playing golf in the Wild Card Round while Sam Darnold will be hosting a playoff game, just like we planned it.
When it comes to Brady with his back against the wall, that is where I will put my money. The Panthers may be hotter, winning four of their past six games, including three of their past four, but the Bucs did pull out an overtime win last week.
The Bucs’ offense also looked competent in their loss to the Bengals two weeks ago.
Tampa Bay winning at home is no longer a lock in the current Brady era, but I will err on the side of the goat over Darnold.
Week 17 Best Bet: 49ers vs Raiders
49ers -6 (-110) at Caesars Sportsbook
WAGER: 1 Unit
I am attaching the 49ers to cover the -6 on the road. The Raiders are 5-0 when it comes to covering NFL point spreads facing teams with a winning record, but the 49ers are a different type of beast.
The 49ers have won eight straight games, covering in seven of them, including six straight. They have won all of those matchups by at least six points, six of which were by double-digits.
Furthermore, three of those wins were on the road by at least eight points. The 49ers are on a different level than the Raiders, providing mismatches in all of the top statistical categories.
Unless Josh Jacobs can penetrate the NFL’s No. 1 run defense, this could be a bloodbath.
