Navigating the Week 17 NFL wagering landscape is always a tricky one. Adding in the uncertainties of the 2020 season makes it even that much tougher. Below, we’ll highlight three NFL underdog betting picks and predictions for Week 17.
Which teams are motivated, and which are ready to get the season over with?
Who’s resting players, and which players secretly will be “resting” on the field?
Then throw in the weekly batch of key-player injury/COVID-19 issues and lame-duck coaching situations, and it makes an unpredictable sport even more so.
The good news here in underdog corner, though, is that we have a solid shot of doing better than we did a week ago as our Week 16 selections (the Detroit Lions, New York Giants and Los Angeles Rams) all failed to cover. That puts our season record at 21-26-1 and a second straight above-.500 finish sadly out of reach.
Here’s hoping, though, to end a down year on a high note.
NFL underdog predictions: Week 17
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Saturday at 9:30 a.m. ET.
New Orleans Saints at Carolina Panthers +6.5 (-110)
The 11-4 Saints have wrapped up a fourth straight NFC South title and still have a shot at earning the NFC’s coveted No. 1 seed.
The 5-10 Panthers, meanwhile, have nothing on the line but pride. Head coach Matt Rhule’s crew has shown plenty of it of late, covering the spread in four of their last five games; the Panthers are tied for the league’s third-best ATS record for the season at 9-6.
The Panthers gave the touchdown-favored Saints all they wanted in a hard-fought 27-24 New Orleans home win in Week 7. If Carolina can keep Saints RB Alvin Kamara from running absolutely wild as he did with 172 total yards and 6 touchdowns against the Minnesota Vikings on Christmas Day, QB Teddy Bridgewater and Co. should be able to keep things close and get the cover Sunday in Charlotte.
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Tennessee Titans at Houston Texans +7.5 (-110)
It’s much the same situation here: One team (10-5 Tennessee) has lots to play for (a win clinches the AFC South title) while the other (4-11 Houston) would seem to be an easy mark in the midst of a four-game losing streak.
The Texans typically play the Titans tough, though, covering the spread in nine of the last 14 meetings and winning eight of them outright.
One of Tennessee’s wins and covers came in the most recent matchup, a 42-36 overtime tussle in Week 6 best remembered for Houston’s interim head coach Romeo Crennel’s ill-fated decision to try to put the game away with a two-point conversion up seven with 1:50 to play in regulation.
The Texans may not have quite enough to knock off the visiting Titans Sunday, but we’re banking on QB Deshaun Watson, DE J.J. Watt and Co. displaying enough fight to get the cover. Take Houston and the touchdown-plus.
Seattle Seahawks at San Francisco 49ers +6.5 (-110)
Yep, we’re going for the trifecta here, taking a third losing “home” team with nothing to play for against a favored division opponent looking to better its postseason standing.
Seattle (11-4) clinched the NFC West crown with last week’s 20-9 win over the Los Angeles Rams but only has a slim chance of overtaking the Green Bay Packers and Saints to earn the NFC’s top seed.
The defending NFC-champion 49ers (6-9) are closing out an injury-ravaged season in their interim home away from home in Glendale, Ariz., but don’t figure to bow out without one final fight. Just witness their 20-12 upset win over the rival Arizona Cardinals a week ago which has thrown the Cardinals’ postseason hopes in serious question.
Go with the Niners and the points.
Get some action on these NFL games or others by signing up and betting at BetMGM. If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.
Also see:
- Can the Panthers still get a franchise QB at No. 9? (Panthers Wire)
- Texans WR Brandin Cooks says “I’m not going to accept any more trades’ (Texans Wire)
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