NFL Tipsheet: Mini previews and recommended bets for Week 17 fixtures

Romilly Evans
31 December 2016

Old habits die hard: even at new year, Aaron Rodgers can't help but find Jordy Nelson in the end zone

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Romilly Evans takes you through his game-by-game analysis of all Sunday's culminating clashes to the regular season, with a wager for each...

"The reigning Super Bowl champs will want to sign off with a timely reminder as to their dominant defense"

Recommended Bet

Back Under 20.5 Oakland Points @ 1.9110/11 or better

Buffalo Bills @ New York Jets
Sunday, 18:00

Much like most of the rest of the western world, the final weekend of the regular season offers its fair share of bloated overachievers taking in easy (before going back to work for the play-offs), and disappointing underachievers already looking to next year with earnest promises to get it right in 2017. Consequently, dead rubbers and questions regarding motivation abound. Generally speaking, then, take it easy and wait for the Wildcard Round to begin. But you can have a confident play on the prosaic Moneyline here with Buffalo, a talented outfit who will be playing hard for their places in the wake of Rex Ryan's recent sacking. As for the grounded Jets of New York, stick a fork in them. No matter where their quarterback merry-go-round stops this week.

Recommended Bet
Back Buffalo to win on the Moneyline @ 1.558/15 or better

Baltimore Ravens @ Cincinnati Bengals
Sunday, 18:00

These two teams are out of play-off contention, and while both also blew the chance to win in the closing moments last week, Baltimore will feel the more deflated here. AJ Green's hamstring is up on ice in Cincinnati (as is Vontaze Burfict's noggin) but the Bengals still have enough talent on show under Andy Dalton to send their faithful home happy for the Gregorian revelry in this divisional duel.

Recommended Bet
Back Cincinnati to win on the Moneyline @ 1.8910/11 or better

Carolina Panthers @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Sunday, 18:00

Carolina have enjoyed wrecking some rivals' play-off pushes in recent Sundays, and the Bucs could be next. Tampa's own postseason prospects are already on life support - and RB Doug Martin's now suspended (drug violation). I've opposed Cam Newton's Cats all year, but he remains an enigma who can turn it on at anytime. At the current quotes, I'll chance his towering talent here. It did get Carolina to the Super Bowl earlier this year after all.

Recommended Bet
Back Carolina to win on the Moneyline @ 2.915/8 or better@

Chicago Bears @ Minnesota Vikings
Sunday, 18:00

After last week's grade-school interception-fest, it appears Matt Barkley is not the answer to Chicago's prayers. Minny, on the other hand, now have to face the reality that the Adrian Peterson era is over (cue Jerick McKinnon). Under tall points makes prizes.

Recommended Bet
Back J. McKinnon to score First / Anytime Touchdown @ 12.011/1 or better

Cleveland Browns @ Pittsburgh Steelers
Sunday, 18:00

Even Pittsburgh's understudies (the Steelers' troika of superstars may sit here) are better than Cleveland's first-choice squad at the moment. Plus the Browns already have their first W of the term, so don't even need to avoid the ignominy of a winless campaign. They can lock up next season's first-round draft pick in signature sub-par style.

Recommended Bet
Back Pittsburgh (-5.5pts) @ 1.9520/21 or better

Dallas Cowboys @ Philadelphia Eagles
Sunday, 18:00

Dallas can rest up their rookie elite here, before their big play-off run. And Philly, with a new-found D, can take advantage. Just like they did against Big Blue.

Recommended Bet
Back Philadelphia Eagles to win on the Moneyline @ 1.4840/85 or better

Houston Texans @ Tennessee Titans
Sunday, 18:00:

Marcus Mariota's untimely break spelled heartbreak for Tennessee (granted, they'd have lost to Jacksonville anyway) and joy abounding in Houston, as they wrapped up the AFC South in time for Christmas. Tom Savage will call the signals again this week, and at least isn't turning the ball over. Even at home, the Titans may go quietly.

Recommended Bet
Back Houston Texans to win on the Moneyline @ 2.56/4 or better

Jacksonville Jaguars @ Indianapolis Colts
Sunday, 18:00:

These two sides have proved underwhelming enigmas wrapped in oversized jerseys all year, so now isn't the time for bold predictions. Andrew Luck coupled to hometown advantage should be enough, however.

Recommended Bet
Back Indianapolis to win by Over 12 Points on the Winning Margin @ 3.02/1 or better

New Orleans Saints @ Atlanta Falcons
Sunday, 18:00:

There are few brakes on the car that Drew Brees drives (as Arizona and Tampa have both found in recent weeks). However, only four teams in league history have outscored or outgained Matt Ryan's explosive offense. At home, needing the victory to secure a bye through the first week of the play-offs, expect the Falcons to rise to the occasion.

Recommended Bet
Back Atlanta (-7.5pts) to win @ 1.9520/21 or better

New York Giants @ Washington Redskins
Sunday, 21:25:

Bizarre "tie" scenarios aside, Washington simply need to win their final home game to make the play-offs. The New York Giants have already locked up their prime Wildcard ticket to postseason road trips, though, and will rest some key players. So the Skins should take this.

Recommended Bet
Back D. Jackson to be First / Anytime Touchdown Scorer @ 10.09/1 or better

Arizona Cardinals @ Los Angeles Rams
Sunday, 21:25

Two busted flushes in a late-season scramble for dignity. Arizona, however, do appear to be playing professionally, as evidenced by their takedown of Seattle (thereby robbing the Hawks of the NFC number-two seeding). The LA Rams, on the other hand, are unravelling. Maybe Carson Palmer and David Johnson deserve another year at the helm in the desert after all.

Recommended Bet
Back Arizona (-6.5pts) to win @ 1.9720/21 or better

Kansas City Chiefs @ San Diego Chargers
Sunday, 21:05

San Diego remain useful, if extremely frustrating, and will want to go out on a high at home. That said, Kansas has suddenly unveiled a stud offense to match its doughty D. Heck, even Alex Smith is landing the occasional bomb downfield. The Chiefs could wrap up the AFC's number-two seed behind the Pats, if a Derek Carr-less Oakland come up short on the long climb to Mile High. Such ample ambition should kick Kansas clear.

Recommended Bet
Back Kansa City to win by Over 12pts on the Winning Margin @ 4.03/1 or better

Seattle Seahawks @ San Francisco 49ers
Sunday, 21:25

Colin Kaepernick finally got the monkey off his back with his comeback win in LA, pledging more of the same under the old "one season's finish is next season's foundation" maxim. Trouble is, his Niners now face a Seattle side smarting from giving up the second-seeding in the NFC. If Atlanta win earlier on in the NY card, though, the Hawks could have little to play for and may take their foot off the San Fran jugular. Proceed with caution.

Recommended Bet
Back Under 42.5 Total Points @ 2.01/1 or better

Oakland Raiders @ Denver Broncos
Sunday, 21:25

Trevor Siemian starts for Denver in a bid to banish the ghosts of Kansas City's last visit, but rookie Paxton Lynch will also get playing time under center. With such instability, you might like to take the Broncos on, but that would be foolhardy. The Oakland dressing room are already sounding like they're waving the white flag in Derek Carr's unfortunate absence, while the reigning Super Bowl champs will want to sign off with a timely reminder as to their dominant defense.

Recommended Bet
Back Under 20.5 Oakland Points @ 1.8910/11 or better