With the playoff picture in focus, the NFL’s Week 17 slate is shaping up to be perhaps the best games fans have seen this season. With no New Year’s Day games scheduled on Monday – a day reserved for college football – fans and bettors alike will have to settle for an interesting Saturday night replacement game featuring two top NFC contenders.
New York Jets at Cleveland Browns (-7.5) Thursday 8:15pm
The New York Jets (6-9) will look to ride RB Breece Hall – who recorded 191 yards and two TDs last week – to another win in the Week 17’s Thursday night contest. The Jets face the Cleveland Browns (10-5), an AFC North team that’s one win away from clinching their first playoff berth in four years.
With two of the NFL’s top defenses in this game, oddsmakers have set the over/under total for this game at Week 17’s lowest, starting at 36 points.
Detroit Lions at Dallas Cowboys (-6.5) Saturday 8:15pm
Two teams that have clinched playoff spots will fight for positioning as the Detroit Lions (11-4) travel to Dallas to take on the Cowboys (10-5) Saturday night. Detroit enters the game on a two-game winning streak, earning a 30-24 victory over Minnesota in Week 16.
Dallas has lost two consecutive games, including a heart-breaking 22-20 defeat against Miami Sunday. With two high-powered offenses pitted against each other, this contest’s over/under total is set at Week 17’s highest at 53.5 points.
Miami Dolphins at Baltimore Ravens (-3.5) Sunday 1pm
The AFC’s top two teams square off as the Miami Dolphins (11-4) head to Baltimore to face the Ravens (12-3). Miami enters on a two-game win streak and could have WR Tyreek Hill healthy and available for this mega matchup.
Baltimore enters off a short week, having dispatched of the San Francisco 49ers Christmas night in an anticipated matchup of the NFL’s top two teams. This contest’s over/under total is starting at 47 points.
Tennessee Titans at Houston Texans (-3.5) 1pm
The Tennessee Titans (5-10) have dropped two straight, including a come-from-behind 20-17 loss to Seattle. Now, the AFC South team will try to play spoiler within its division by knocking off the Houston Texans (8-7).
The Texans are in a three-way tie for first place, but Houston lost its last game – a 36-22 defeat against Cleveland Sunday. This contest’s over/under total is starting at 42.5 points.
New England Patriots at Buffalo Bills (-12) 1pm
An AFC East matchup between the New England Patriots (4-11) and the Buffalo Bills (9-6) takes place in Week 17. The Patriots enter the game having won two of their past three contests, including a surprising 26-23 victory Sunday against Denver.
Buffalo is suddenly a hot team, having won three straight games. This Week 17 contest’s over/under total is starting at 40.5 points.
Los Angeles Rams (-6) at New York Giants 1pm
The Los Angeles Rams (8-7) are currently tied with NFC West rival Seattle for the last playoff spot in the NFC race. To clinch a spot, the Rams will need to win in Week 17 when Los Angeles travels to New York to face the Giants (5-10).
New York has dropped two straight, including a closer-than-expected game against Philadelphia Sunday. This contest’s over/under total is starting at 42 points.
San Francisco 49ers (-13) at Washington Commanders 1pm
After a Monday night drubbing by Baltimore, the San Francisco 49ers (11-4) continue to vie for the NFC’s top playoff spot in Week 17 against the Washington Commanders (4-11). The Commanders have commanded little respect this season, dropping six straight games for the NFL’s current longest losing streak.
This Week 17 contest features the largest spread at nearly two touchdowns, and the game's over/under total is starting at 48 points.
Arizona Cardinals at Philadelphia Eagles (-10.5) 1pm
Another seemingly mismatched Week 17 matchup features the Arizona Cardinals (3-12) against the Philadelphia Eagles (11-4). Arizona has dropped two straight games, including Sunday’s 27-16 decision against Chicago.
Philadelphia ended their three-game losing skid by beating the Giants 33-25 last week. This contest’s over/under total is starting at 47.5 points.
New Orleans Saints at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-2.5) 1pm
The NFC South’s lead will be on the line when the New Orleans Saints (7-8) head to Tampa to face the Buccaneers (8-7). New Orleans dropped a 33-20 decision to the Los Angeles Rams Sunday, elevating Tampa Bay to the top spot in the South alone.
The Buccaneers have won four straight games, including a 30-12 decision in Week 16 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The contest’s over/under total is starting at 42 points.
Carolina Panthers at Jacksonville Jaguars (-7) 1pm
Two NFL franchises in desperate need of a win face off when the Carolina Panthers (2-13) travel south to play the Jacksonville Jaguars (8-7). Carolina lost a nail biter Sunday, falling 33-30 to Green Bay at home.
Jacksonville – a team that’s lost four straight contests – remains in the AFC South lead despite last winning a contest in November. With both offenses struggling as of late, oddsmakers have discounted this game’s over/under total to 37.5 points.
Atlanta Falcons at Chicago Bears (-3) 1pm
A matchup of two teams still in the playoff hunt features the Atlanta Falcons (7-8) heading to Chicago to take on the Bears (6-9). Atlanta ended their two-game losing streak Sunday, surprising the Colts 29-10.
Chicago also won its last contest, defeating the Cardinals 27-16 Sunday. This contest’s over/under total is starting at 37.5 points.
Las Vegas Raiders at Indianapolis Colts (-3) 1pm
Another contest featuring two teams in the playoff hunt takes place when the Las Vegas Raiders (7-8) square off against the Indianapolis Colts (8-7). The Raiders were Week 16’s biggest surprise, defeating the Kansas City Chiefs 20-14 Christmas Day.
The Colts dropped their contest this week to Atlanta, but a win here would keep Indianapolis in a tie for the AFC South’s top spot. This contest’s over/under total is starting at 44 points.
Pittsburgh Steelers at Seattle Seahawks (-3.5) 4:05pm
A matchup of 8-7 teams takes place as the Pittsburgh Steelers travel to Seattle to face the Seahawks. Pittsburgh ended their three-game losing skid, soundly defeating rival Cincinnati 34-11 Saturday.
Seattle, meanwhile, led a late-game comeback against Tennessee to score their second victory in as many tries. This contest’s over/under total is starting at 41.5 points.
Los Angeles Chargers at Denver Broncos (-5) 4:25pm
Two AFC divisional rivals square off when the Los Angeles Chargers (5-10) host the Denver Broncos (7-8). The Chargers are nearing an end to their nightmare season, having lost three straight games and presumably resting banged-up starters for next year.
Denver has much to play for as the Broncos can still make the AFC playoffs by winning out. This contest’s over/under total is starting at 38.5 points.
Cincinnati Bengals at Kansas City Chiefs (-7) 4:25pm
A rematch of the 2023 AFC Conference Championship game features the Cincinnati Bengals (8-7) at the Kansas City Chiefs (9-6) Sunday. Cincinnati’s two-game winning streak was halted by Pittsburgh in a 34-11 loss Saturday.
Kansas City surprisingly lost to Las Vegas 20-14 on Christmas Day despite preventing the Raiders from scoring an offensive touchdown. This contest’s over/under total is set at 44.5 points.
Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings (-1.5) 8:20pm
The final NFL game of the 2023 calendar takes place as the Green Bay Packers (7-8) take on the Minnesota Vikings (7-8) in Sunday’s primetime matchup. Green Bay hung on to win their last game – a 33-30 victory over Carolina Sunday.
Minnesota has lost two straight games, including a 30-24 defeat Sunday against Detroit. The final Week 17 contest’s over/under total is starting at 46 points.
