If you haven't already, it's time to start making those picks against the spread for our NFL Week 17 best bets and player props. If you caught the Bettor Sports Betting Show with me and Jon Impemba on Friday, then you know where we are both at with regard to this slate. We have more spreads in excess of a touchdown this week and we have quite a few mismatches. I never like to lay double-digit points in the NFL, but as we've seen this season, we've had more of them covered this year than I think in year's past, so I'm a little torn with regard to so many of this week's games. As a result, I'm probably going to give you the same warning I gave back in like Week 6 or 7 when I said I didn't like the slate back then. If you are not 100% comfortable with a particular slate, don't bet it. I mean, you can, but stick to what you know as opposed to throwing some darts. While I don't love this slate and am not playing heavily this week, I do have a number of picks I really like, so let's get to them.

 

 

NFL Week 17 Best Bets

Miami Dolphins at Baltimore Ravens

While I may have Lamar Jackson in the NFL Week 17 DFS Playbook, it doesn't mean this game is going to be a blowout or anything like what we saw when they manhandled the San Francisco 49ers last week. Yes, the Baltimore defense is fantastic, yes, the Dolphins run an offense that mirrors that of San Francisco and yes, the Dolphins have struggled to beat top teams around the league, but I can guarantee that Miami head coach Mike McDaniel has something up his sleeve for this one. He's too smart of a coach to not have something planned after watching his mentor, Kyle Shanahan, struggle against the Ravens. The line has moved in some places to lose that extra hook, so if you bet somewhere that lists the Ravens at minus-3, you can buy that extra half-point. I think this one stays close and comes down to a field goal in the end and when it does, I want to be on the side getting the points, including that half. 

Pick: Dolphins +3.5 (-120)

Los Angeles Chargers at Denver Broncos

The Chargers may have covered the spread last week against the Buffalo Bills, but they are 6-9 ATS this season and just 2-5 ATS over their last seven games. They have nothing to play for in this match-up, Easton Stick has shown he's not going to be a legitimate NFL quarterback and while the Broncos may look like they're waving the white flag with this switch from Russell Wilson to Jarrett Stidham, they still have an outside shot to make the playoffs and want to prove to everyone that the team is rock-solid and just a better-than-Wilson QB away from making an impact. These two teams squared off three weeks ago in Los Angeles and the Broncos destroyed them. I expect something similar here in Joe Lombardi's second revenge game.

Pick: Broncos -3.5 (-110)

Arizona Cardinals at Philadelphia Eagles

While I've said I don't like laying double-digit points, I'm going to do just that in this match-up. The Eagles have everything to play for, including home-field advantage in the NFL playoffs while the Cardinals are just looking to get out of this season alive. I understand the Eagles secondary is banged-up, but so is Kyler Murray who landed on the injury report late in the week with an illness. I expect him to play, but still have no fear as the Cardinals have been a double-digit underdog three times this season and haven't come close to covering in any of those games. Their offense may not be bereft of talent, their defense is and the agles are going to not only capitalize, but punish as well in this one.

Pick: Eagles -11.5 (-115)

Favorite NFL Week 17 Player Props

**all lines & odds courtesy of BetMGM