NFL Week 17 expert picks and odds for Ravens-Dolphins, Lions-Cowboys and every other game
See odds, expert picks and storylines for every NFL Week 17 matchup.
theathletic.com
There are some big clinching scenarios around the NFL in Week 17. Let’s start with the most improbable – with a win on Thursday night over the New York Jets, the Cleveland Browns, led by quarterback Joe Flacco, will lock up an AFC playoff spot. They are more than a touchdown favorite for that game and will no doubt have an incredible home-field advantage with riled-up crowd.
Staying in the AFC North, the Baltimore Ravens can not only clinch the division but also lock up the No. 1 seed and home field advantage in the AFC by defeating the Miami Dolphins. That would give them nothing to play for in Week 18 and would allow them to give their key starters two weeks of rest to get fresh for the playoffs.
Regarding teams still fighting for playoff spots, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Seattle Seahawks are playing a massive game for both teams on Sunday afternoon. The Seahawks are still in control of a Wild Card spot as long as they win, while the Steelers will almost certainly need to win each of their remaining games and get some help.
The Las Vegas Raiders and Indianapolis Colts are also playing a sneaky big game in the AFC race. With back-to-back wins the Raiders have inched their way closer to a playoff spot and can leapfrog the Colts in the Wild Card race with a win. It is still an extreme long shot for them, but the Raiders are back in the hunt.
The entire AFC South is a mess as the fading Jaguars, Colts and Houston Texans all enter the week with matching 8-7 records. The good news for the Texans is that C.J. Stroud is getting closer to clearing concussion protocol and could be an option for their game against the Tennessee Titans. The Jaguars have the most favorable remaining schedule of all three teams, but need to care of business against a two-win Panthers team.
The Sunday night game is also massive for both the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings as they enter with matching 7-8 records for what could be an elimination game in the NFC Wild Card race.
Buffalo is the biggest favorite of the week at nearly two touchdowns over New England. The highest over/under of the week is the Dallas Cowboys–Detroit Lions game at 53.5 points. The lowest total is the Browns-Jets game at 35.5 points.
New England Patriots at Buffalo Bills
- The Bills have put themselves into a win-and-in situation, needing to beat the New England Patriots and Miami Dolphins over the next two weeks to clinch a playoff spot.
- Buffalo is a double-digit favorite against the Patriots on Sunday, but it is 0-3 this season in games where it is favored by 10 or more points.
- The Bills have failed to reach the over in their past six home games. The over/under for Sunday is 41 points.
- A Buffalo win on Sunday and a Miami loss would set up a winner-take-all Week 18 game between the two teams for the top spot in the AFC East and an all-important home playoff game.
- The Patriots own the No. 4 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft after beating Denver last week.
