NFL Best Bets: Top Favorites in Week 17

As the season winds down, several intriguing games this week will impact the playoffs. After looking over the football odds, several lines stand out. To me, the best plays this week come from favored Super Bowl contenders.

So let’s look at three Week 17 favorites for this week’s NFL best bets.

Atlanta Falcons at Buffalo Bills (-14.5)

• Date: Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022
• Time: 1:00 P.M. EST on FOX
• Venue: Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, NY
• Participants: Atlanta Falcons at Buffalo Bills

The 9-6 Buffalo Bills come home after a huge 33-21 win over the New England Patriots. With the victory, the Bills took control of the AFC East. The 7-8 Atlanta Falcons are coming into this game after a 20-16 win over the Detroit Lions. The Falcons are still in the playoff race but need a win this week to have a chance at a postseason bid.

Buffalo has the fourth-highest odds of winning the Super Bowl because of their play on both sides of the ball. The team is third in points scored per game (28.5), seventh in passing yards per game (260.8), and sixth in total yards per game. The team allows the fewest passing yards and total yards per game and has the third-best scoring defense (17.6 PPG).

Atlanta allows 26.7 points per game, which is 28th. They’re also 24th in total yards allowed (364.9). This doesn’t bode well against a Bills team that’s scored 30.3 points in their last three games. On offense, the Falcons average 18.5 points per game. Against the number one scoring defense, it’s hard for me to imagine that they can keep this game close.

I’m taking the Bills to cover in Week 17.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-13.5) at New York Jets

• Date: Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022
• Time: 1:00 P.M. EST on FOX
• Venue: MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ
• Participants: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New York Jets

At 11-4, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have clinched the NFC South but still have a chance to move up in seeding. This week, they face the 4-11 New York Jets, who are eliminated from the postseason.

Tampa Bay averages 300 yards per game, which is first in the NFL. They’re also second in points scored per game (29.5). On the other hand, the Jets are last in the NFL in points scored (29.9) and 28th in passing yards allowed per game (250.0).

On offense, New York doesn’t show a lot of promise either. The Jets only score an average of 18.4 points per game. They also have a turnover margin of -13, which is 31st in the league. The Jets will have a hard time scoring against the Buccaneers’ defense, which has only allowed 14 points a game in their last three, and that has 26 takeaways.

I will take the Buccaneers to cover in this game. I believe the Bucs will win by the largest margin of any NFL team this week.

NFL Best Bets For Week 17

With playoff positions on the line, these two teams are my NFL best bets for Week 17.

How do you see this week’s action turning out? Open an account with BetMGM’s online sportsbook, and you could receive a $1,000 risk-free initial bet. Sign up and place your bets today.