Week 17 will decide the fate of several teams and produce some intriguing NFL betting opportunities. With eight playoff spots still up for grabs, the final two weeks of this season should be exciting. I think a few of the pro football underdog lines are worth a closer look this week. Here are my two favorite underdog bets for Week 17.
Kansas City at Cincinnati (+5.5)
- Date: Sunday, Jan. 2
- Time: 1:00 P.M. EST on CBS
- Venue: Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati, OH
After eight straight wins, the 11-4 Kansas City Chiefs are in the driver’s seat for the top seed in the AFC. They will keep the number one seed if they win their last two games.
Last week, the 9-6 Cincinnati Bengals grabbed control of the AFC North. A 41-21 blowout over the Baltimore Ravens made them clear favorites for the division, but they still need to win their final two games to guarantee themselves a playoff berth.
The Chiefs are second in passing yards per game (285.1), while the Bengals are eighth (259). Cincinnati also leads the league in yards per pass attempt (8.7). I expect these teams to rely on their passing attack in this game since neither team ranks high in passing yards allowed per game. Kansas City is 25th, allowing 245.7 yards per game, while Cincinnati is 29th (252.8).
One of the Chiefs’ strengths is the ability to convert third downs. They convert 51.67% of their third downs, keeping opposing offenses off the field. This week, they take on a Bengals team that ranks fourth in rushing yards allowed per game (92.1). I believe that this will help the Bengals on third downs, giving Joe Burrow and the offense more opportunities to score points.
I like the Bengals to cover because of their ability to stop the run on third down. I also think the Bengals can keep up offensively with the Chiefs thanks to their passing attack and ability to connect on long passes.
Los Angeles Rams at Baltimore (+3.5)
- Date: Sunday, Jan. 2
- Time: 1:00 P.M. EST on FOX
- Venue: M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, MD
The Baltimore Ravens lost their fourth game in a row last week to the Bengals. While they lost by 20 in that game, the three games prior were decided by a total of five points.
The Ravens should get either Lamar Jackson or Tyler Huntley back for this game (or both), which will help their running attack and allow them to control the clock. The Ravens average 137.7 yards per game, which is fifth in the NFL. Their leading rusher is quarterback Lamar Jackson, although Huntley can also run the ball. In Week 15 against the Green Bay Packers, Huntley rushed for 73 yards.
I believe that the Los Angeles Rams, who have won four in a row to capture the NFC West lead, could struggle in this game. The Ravens are third in the NFL in time of possession (54.02%), while the Rams are 25th (48.46%).
If the Ravens commit to their fifth-ranked rush offense, they can control the clock and keep the Rams offense off the field. I expect the Rams to win the game, but I’m taking the Ravens to cover.
Which Pro Football Underdog Lines Do You Like in Week 17?
There are still plenty of playoff spots up for grabs in Week 17. The games listed above will go a long way towards clarifying the playoff picture heading into the season’s final week.
What are your favorite pro football underdog lines this week? Open an account today at BetMGM’s online sports betting site to place your bets on this week’s NFL action. You can receive a risk-free initial bet of up to $1,000 when you create your account.
