Week 17 matchups offer intriguing football odds, especially for underdogs. With the season winding down, many of this week’s underdogs are fighting for a playoff spot. Here’s a look at the underdogs that I believe to be the best NFL ATS picks in Week 17.
Denver at Los Angeles Chargers
- Date: Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022
- Time: 4:05 P.M. EST on CBS
- Venue: SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA
- Participants: Denver Broncos at Los Angeles Chargers
The Kansas City Chiefs have claimed the AFC West again, but the other three teams in the division have faint hopes of reaching the playoffs. The Denver Broncos have the most challenging road to the postseason, but they can leapfrog the Los Angeles Chargers with a Week 17 win.
The Chargers allow 140.3 rushing yards per game, which is 29th in the league. I believe the Broncos will use the same strategy they did in Week 12 when they beat the Chargers 28-13. Denver rushed 33 times for 147 yards and two touchdowns in that game. If Teddy Bridgewater (concussion protocol) can’t play, Drew Lock will start in his second consecutive game.
On defense, the Broncos have only allowed 172 passing yards per game in their past three contests. They’ve given up 130.3 rushing yards per game in their past three, but against a Chargers team that ranks 18th in rushing yards per game and 24th in rushing attempts, that shouldn’t be much of an issue.
Denver has only allowed over 20 points once in their past five games. I believe that their defense will keep this game close enough for them to cover the 5.5-points.
Carolina at New Orleans
- Date: Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022
- Time: 4:25 P.M. EST on FOX
- Venue: Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, LA
- Participants: Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints
The Carolina Panthers visit the New Orleans Saints in Week 17. Carolina has been eliminated from the playoffs, but the Saints still have a shot at making it to the postseason.
Last week, the Panthers suffered a 32-6 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers while the Saints lost to the Miami Dolphins on Monday night.
The Saints should have Taysom Hill and Trevor Siemian back this week, but Carolina still owns the second-best pass defense in the NFL, only allowing 182.3 yards per game. The Panthers are also tenth in defensive third-down conversion percentage, only allowing offenses to convert 37.82% of the time.
The Saints are 15th at rushing yards per game (114.9) and 31st in passing yards (187). The Panthers may not score much, but they won’t have to against the Saints to cover a seven-point spread.
Which NFL ATS Picks Do You Like in Week 17?
In Week 17, several games will significantly impact the playoff picture. While some games will eliminate teams, others will set up exciting matchups for the season’s final week. The Broncos, Chargers, and Saints must win this week to keep their postseason hopes alive.
Which NFL ATS picks do you like this week? Create an account with BetMGM’s online sportsbook and place your bets today. You can receive a risk-free initial bet of up to $1,000.
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