Back in August, we had no idea what was going to happen with the NFL season. The league elected not to use a bubble, and the fear for some was that outbreaks in a close-contact sport were going to make for a messy year. Some even doubted the season would finish. But here we are. It’s Week 17 and despite a few hiccups and re-scheduling, all games have been played. And this last week of the regular season has a lot on the line for playoff positioning.
Here’s what you need to know for each Week 17 matchup and what the NFL betting lines are. BetMGM has all the NFL betting action you need, including futures, weekly betting lines, and live online sports betting.
Be sure to check out our BetMGM blog for gambling insights and to see which NFL best bets you want to take.
Miami @ Buffalo (-1)
The Skinny: Let’s start with one of many games with playoff implications. Buffalo is looking like a Super Bowl contender, winning five straight and sitting at 12-3. Miami is one of five 10-5 teams in the AFC. Those teams make up seeds four through eight with only seven teams reaching the playoffs. The Dolphins, currently the No. 5 seed, need a win here but are running into a red-hot Bills team. Miami has QB questions after Tua Tagovailoa was benched for Ryan Fitzpatrick last week.
The Prediction: Bills 31-28
Baltimore (-12.5) @ Cincinnati
The Skinny: The Ravens are one of the five 10-5 AFC teams and the No. 6 seed right now. Luckily for them, they have one of the more favorable draws. Cincinnati is 4-10-1 but has won two straight. Baltimore is rolling right now with four consecutive wins and should be too much for the Bengals to spring another upset.
The Prediction: Ravens 35-21
Pittsburgh @ Cleveland (-10)
The Skinny: Hey what do ya know, here’s another 10-5 AFC team. Cleveland put its playoffs hopes in jeopardy after losing to the Jets last week. Due to tiebreakers, the Browns are right at the No. 7 seed right now. A win and they’re in the postseason. Pittsburgh, who is firmly in at 12-3, announced Ben Roethlisberger will rest and backup Mason Rudolph will start.
The Prediction: Browns 28-14
Minnesota (-7) @ Detroit
The Skinny: Not many storylines here between the two bottom teams in the NFC North. Minnesota’s offense has been underrated this season and is going against the NFL’s worst defense. Detroit has a 6-9 record against the spread.
The Prediction: Vikings 38-17
New York Jets @ New England (-3)
The Skinny: You don’t want a piece of the Jets while they’re hot. New York was once 0-13 and has since won two straight. New England was once .500 and has since lost three straight. It’s been a forgettable year for the Patriots. It’ll end on a more sour note.
The Prediction: Jets 28-27
Dallas (-3) @ New York Giants
The Skinny: Despite the Giants being 5-10 and the Cowboys 6-9, both can still make the playoffs in certain scenarios. Right now, Washington has the tiebreaker on Dallas and is in the postseason if the season ended today. New York has really cooled off after looking like the top team in the NFC East. The Cowboys have been playing solid ball lately, winning three straight.
The Prediction: Cowboys 24-17
Atlanta @ Tampa Bay (-6.5)
The Skinny: The Buccaneers are starting to resemble the team we thought they’d be back in the preseason. Yes, it was against the Falcons and the Lions, but Tampa Bay has scored 78 points in the last two games. Momentum should continue to build for the Bucs heading into the playoffs.
The Prediction: Bucs 34-21
Green Bay (-5.5) @ Chicago
The Skinny: There’s plenty on the line in this one. The Packers can clinch the NFC’s top seed and earn a first-round bye with a win. Chicago, who is 8-7 and currently the No. 7 seed with the tiebreaker edge over 8-7 Arizona, can secure a playoff spot by upsetting the Packers. Green Bay, though, is looking like a legitimate Super Bowl team and will be too much for its rival.
The Prediction: Packers 35-24
Las Vegas (-2.5) @ Denver
The Skinny: Neither team is in playoff contention. For the bettors, both squads are 8-7 against the spread. Surprisingly, Las Vegas has a 5-2 record on the road compared to 2-6 at home. The Broncos are 2-5 at home.
The Prediction: Raiders 21-24
Jacksonville @ Indianapolis (-14)
The Skinny: Indianapolis is 10-5 in the AFC and on the outside of the playoffs right now as the No. 8 seed. The Colts should handle business easily against the 1-14 Jaguars. They then need to hope results shake out where they find themselves in the postseason.
The Prediction: Colts 35-10
Los Angeles Chargers (-3.5) @ Kansas City
The Skinny: In a normal week, the Super Bowl favorites would not be betting underdogs against the Chargers. But with the No. 1 seed in the AFC locked up, the Chiefs will likely rest some of their starters. This makes for an interesting decision for bettors. LA is playing well right now behind rookie quarterback Justin Herbert. Still, the Chiefs should extend their winning streak to 11 games.
The Prediction: Chiefs 27-24
Arizona @ Los Angeles Rams (-1)
The Skinny: LA (9-6) has lost two straight but still sits as the No. 6 seed in the NFC right now. A loss could bump the Rams out of the playoffs. Arizona is 8-7 and right on the bubble as the No. 8 seed. The Cardinals need a win as well. And both teams could end up starting their backup quarterbacks. John Wolford is in for LA after Jared Goff had thumb surgery. And Kyler Murray is questionable, meaning Chris Streveler could get his first NFL start.
The Prediction: Cardinals 21-17
Seattle (-5.5) @ San Francisco
The Skinny: Seattle’s defense has greatly improved while its offense has cooled off. The Seahawks can beat anyone in the league with a complete game. We just haven’t seen that complete game yet. Maybe it could come against the 6-9 49ers.
The Prediction: Seahawks 28-7
New Orleans (-6.5) @ Carolina
The Skinny: Aside from the usually-solid defense allowing 33 points, the Saints looked scary good in putting up 52 points on Minnesota last week. Like Seattle, New Orleans has the potential to play for a Super Bowl with a complete game.
The Prediction: Saints 31-20
Tennessee (-7.5) @ Houston
The Skinny: The Titans suffered a humbling 40-14 loss to Green Bay after winning four of their last five games. Still, Tennessee is currently the No. 4 seed in the AFC. Teams five through eight are all 10-5 as well, though. The Titans need to handle business to avoid the possibility of sliding out of the playoffs.
The Prediction: Titans 28-17
Washington (-1.5) @ Philadelphia
The Skinny: Washington currently leads the NFC East at 6-9, owning the tiebreaker against the 6-9 Cowboys. This means Washington can secure the No. 4 seed with a win. While Jalen Hurts has provided excitement for Philly, the Eagles have plenty of issues on their team, as shown in their 37-17 loss to Dallas last week.
The Prediction: Washington 31-27
Place NFL Wagers at BetMGM
BetMGM is the best online sportsbook for up-to-the-minute NFL odds, lines, and tips to ensure the best NFL betting experience. Don’t miss an opportunity to bet on in-game lines, futures, and more at BetMGM.
Sam Herder is a writer for BetMGM and HERO Sports. A North Dakota State journalism grad, he spent several years in the print media industry before writing for online outlets. Sam has covered sports at all levels — high school, college, and professional — since 2011.
