NFL Week 17 Predictions | Sunday Picks Today, Best Bets

We are into the stretch drive of the 2024 NFL season. While the prospect of eventually running out of football is disheartening, bettors have exciting contests to look forward to. The top teams continue to battle it out for crucial wins in the standings, positioning themselves for playoff success. That continues with a loaded Week 17 schedule. 

We’ve got you covered for betting purposes, highlighting our favorite wagers for this week’s NFL action.

Tackle the Odds with SportsGrid’s Expert NFL Game Picks and NFL Player Prop Picks.

Carolina Panthers vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Panthers vs. Bucs Matchup Page
Spread: Panthers +8.5 (-115) | Buccaneers -8.5 (-105)
Moneyline: Panthers +340 | Buccaneers -430
Total: OVER 47.5 (-115) | UNDER 47.5 (-105)

The Carolina Panthers still have a lot to prove. They mortgaged their future to draft Bryce Young, and early returns weren’t promising. Nevertheless, they’ve dialed up the offensive intensity with their recent efforts, and we should see another resilient effort against a spineless Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense. 

After getting benched earlier in the year, Young has stepped back onto the gridiron with improved resolve. The young quarterback led the Panthers to a 392-yard effort last time out, representing their third 300-yard effort in the previous four weeks. While modest, those are the types of efforts that will help Young and the Panthers gel. 

Unfortunately, it still won’t be enough to keep pace with the Bucs’ high-octane offense. Tampa Bay ranks in the top five in scoring and total offense, benchmarks that are rising over their recent performances. Over their previous three contests, the Bucs are up to 445.3 yards and 30.7 points per game. Assuredly, that ascent will continue against Carolina’s last-ranked scoring defense. 

The Panthers’ focus is getting their offense in gear. While they’ll have some success putting points on the board against the Bucs, they don’t possess the defensive faculties to slow down Tampa. The result should be a wildly entertaining contest that easily eclipses 47.5 points.

NFL Best Bet: Over 47.5 -115

Miami Dolphins vs. Cleveland Browns

Dolphins vs. Browns Matchup Page
Spread: Dolphins -3 (-114) | Browns +3 (-106)
Moneyline: Dolphins -174 | Browns +146
Total: OVER 33.5 (-118) | UNDER 33.5 (-104)

The total tells you everything you need to know about the Miami Dolphins Week 17 tilt versus the Cleveland Browns. With Tua Tagovailoa doubtful with a hip injury, Tyler Huntley leads the beleaguered Dolphins into a must-win intra-conference battle versus Dorian Thompson-Robinson the Browns. 

While Miami’s playoff hopes are on life support, we don’t expect them to pull the plug in Cleveland. Huntley has been a serviceable backup quarterback throughout his career, and he should be able to lead the Dolphins on several scoring drives. His slippery nature as a dual-threat quarterback is precisely the type of profile that has given the Browns fits in the past. 

Unfortunately, DTR doesn’t have the same profile. Cleveland’s second-year pivot has a career 52.8% completion percentage, with a disastrous 1-9 touchdown to interception ratio. Moreover, he could face difficulties moving the ball against Miami’s fifth-ranked total defense. 

It’s tough to envision either team breaking free in a game of this nature. However, the Dolphins have a pronounced advantage, as is reflected in the betting line. We wouldn’t be surprised if Miami’s winning margin fell right on the number, so we’re making a play on the Dolphins moneyline instead.

NFL Best Bet: Dolphins -174

Green Bay Packers vs. Minnesota Vikings

Packers vs. Vikings Matchup Page
Spread: Packers +1.5 (-115) | Vikings -1.5 (-105)
Moneyline: Packers +100 | Vikings -118
Total: OVER 48.5 (-112) | UNDER 48.5 (-108)

Undoubtedly, the marquee matchup of Week 17 will see the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings renew acquaintances in a pivotal NFC North showdown. After the Detroit Lions‘ slip-up against the Buffalo Bills a few weeks ago, the door has been left open for both teams to usurp the division leaders. 

Minnesota eked out a 31-29 win when these teams met back in Week 4, and they have an equally minuscule advantage on Sunday. The Vikings are installed as -1.5 home chalk as they try to extend their winning streak to nine straight. Unfortunately, we’re taking a stance against that happening. Minnesota’s scoring metrics are completely off-kilter relative to its production. The Vikings are up to 33.0 points per game over their past three while holding steady with 353.7 yards per game. Consequently, we anticipate a sharp decline in scoring over the season’s final two weeks. 

Two losses to the Lions are the only blemishes on the Packers’ record since the start of October. Otherwise, Green Bay has steamrolled the competition, going 9-0 straight up and 6-3 against the spread. The Packers have the seventh-ranked scoring offense in the NFL, recording at least 30 points in their past five outings. That’s an advantage they can wield unforgivingly against a Vikings defense that has given up an average of 389.0 yards per game over their past five. 

Green Bay can pull off the unexpected upset against the Vikings on Sunday. Some may defer to the short spread, but we’re taking them straight up on the moneyline.

Recommended Play: Packers +100