There are several pivotal games this week in the NFL. In the AFC, the current number two seed for the playoffs has five losses, and there are five teams with seven losses vying for the 7th seed.
Few teams are separating from the pack, and most NFL teams are still in the playoff hunt, including some exciting home favorites. Fans are heading over to the Week 17 NFL betting odds to see which teams offer the most value this week.
Read on to learn about several home teams favored to win their matchup.
Miami Dolphins at Tennessee Titans (-3.5)
- Date: Sunday, Jan. 2nd
- Time: 1:00 P.M. EST
- Venue: Nissan Stadium in Nashville, TN
Last Thursday night, the Tennessee Titans beat a solid San Francisco 49ers team. While the Titans are still missing Derrick Henry, the return of star wide receiver A.J. Brown gave their offense a boost. Brown was unstoppable against the 49ers’ defense. He ended the evening with 11 catches for 145 yards and a touchdown.
Miami’s defense has played well during their seven-game win streak. They’ve allowed an average of 11.7 points in their past seven contests, and their quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has thrown for eight touchdowns and four interceptions in his past five games. Although the Dolphins have a sturdy defense, their passing defense is only ranked 15th.
This is a big game for the Titans as they currently hold the 2nd seed in the AFC with a 10-5 record. They are up one game over the red-hot Indianapolis Colts.
However, they can clinch the division with a victory against the Miami Dolphins. Where I think the Titans hold the advantage is in time of possession. They lead the NFL, controlling the ball for over 32 minutes on average each game. If the Titans can do the same against Miami, I think they can keep the Dolphins’ offense off the field. Even without Derrick Henry, the Titans have shown that they can run the ball. They’ve averaged 131 yards in their last three games. I like the Titans to win this game in the trenches against a tough Miami squad.
Las Vegas Raiders at Indianapolis Colts (-7)
- Date: Sunday, Jan. 2nd
- Time: 1:00 P.M. EST
- Venue: Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN
The Colts are at the head of the pack in a crowded AFC Wild Card picture. Yet, more than half a dozen teams are still in the hunt.
With a 9-6 record, the Colts hold the 5th seed and face an uphill battle to overtake the Titans in the divisional race. A win over the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 17 clinches a playoff berth for the Colts.
The Colts are 6-1 in their last seven games with impressive wins over the Patriots and Cardinals. Offensive Player of the Year candidate Jonathan Taylor continues to dismantle defenses. Through 15 games, Taylor leads the NFL with 1,626 rushing yards and 17 rushing touchdowns.
Meanwhile, the Raiders have the 19th-ranked rushing defense (115.7 yards per game). Las Vegas also has an issue with turnovers. They’re -9 in turnover differential, while the Colts are third in the NFL at +14. I believe that the Colts’ strong running game and ability to create turnovers will lead them to a win this week.
Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers (-6.5)
- Date: Sunday, Jan. 2nd
- Time: 8:20 P.M. EST
- Venue: Lambeau Field in Green Bay, WI
The Green Bay Packers currently have the best record in the NFL. They are 12-3 and positioning themselves for home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
The 7-8 Minnesota Vikings stand in their way this week. While Minnesota is a formidable opponent, quarterback Aaron Rodgers is having a fantastic season. The NFL MVP candidate is torching defenses every week. In his last five games, he’s thrown 16 touchdowns and zero interceptions. On the season, Rodgers has thrown for nearly 3700 yards.
I would not be surprised if he continued his dominant season against the weak pass defense of the Vikings. Minnesota allows 248.5 passing yards per game, which is 27th in the NFL. They also allow 130.5 rushing yards per game. I expect Green Bay to win this game in a shootout.
NFL Betting Odds: Week 17 Home Favorites
There are some excellent NFL betting odds for home favorites this week. I believe that these three games provide bettors with the best value. Do you agree with these picks, or do you think one of these teams could be upset?
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