NFL Odds Week 17: Betting Tips after Friday’s Injury Reports and Practice News

NFL Odds Week 17: Betting Tips after Friday’s Injury Reports and Practice News0 of 3

Texans QB C.J. StroudAl Bello/Getty Images

The NFL regular season is winding down, and several teams may cross the proverbial playoff finish line in Week 17. The Cleveland Browns did exactly that on Thursday night with their 37-20 win over the New York Jets.

The Baltimore Ravens can clinch the AFC’s No. 1 seed by defeating the Miami Dolphins this week, while the Tampa Bay Buccaneers can clinch the NFC South by outlasting the New Orleans Saints.

Several playoff pushes will be impacted by injuries, though. Trevor Lawrence, Marquise Brown, Darius Slay, Keenan Allen and Joey Bosa are among players who have already been ruled out.

Here, we’ll dive into some of the top matchups, latest injury information and practice reports to uncover three enticing wagering opportunities based on the latest odds.

Trust the 49ers -12.5 at Commanders1 of 3

49ers RB Christian McCaffreyThearon W. Henderson/Getty Images

The San Francisco 49ers are facing a tough cross-country trip and coming off of a demoralizing loss to the Baltimore Ravens. However, San Francisco feels trustworthy, even with a line this large.

For starters, quarterback Brock Purdy is expected to be fine after exiting Week 16 with a stinger. Purdy had a poor game (four INTs) against the Ravens, but he should shine against a Washington Commanders defense ranked 31st in passing yards allowed.

Secondly, the 49ers have to have this one to stay atop the race for the NFC’s No. 1 seed. San Francisco knows that it can’t lose focus, so the potential for a trap game should be out.

Lastly, the 49ers just have too many offensive playmakers—Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk and George Kittle topping the list—for Washington to keep pace. The quarterback switch from Sam Howell to Jacoby Brissett should help the Commanders some, but this is still an extremely unbalanced matchup.

Expect to see the 49ers’ “A game’ here, as they look to inch closer to a first-round playoff bye while putting Monday’s disaster in the rear view.

Take the Titans and Texans over 44 Points2 of 3

Titans WR DeAndre HopkinsMatthew Maxey/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Considering the Tennessee Titans and Houston Texans “raced” to 35 total points two weeks ago, this line may feel a little high. However, that game was played without Houston’s rookie star quarterback, C.J. Stroud.

Stroud has cleared concussion protocol and is expected to return for Houston this week. That gives the Texans a huge offensive boost, and Tennessee may get one too. Rookie quarterback Will Levis is on pace to return from his ankle injury.

“Will Levis looking better and better during open portion of practice. I expect he will start Sunday in Houston for Titans,” veteran NFL reporter Paul Kuharsky posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.

After watching the Texans secondary get cooked by Joe Flacco and the Browns in Week 16, Tennessee should lean on the strong-armed Levis and the passing game in the rematch. While that strategy may not be enough for the Titans to keep pace with Stroud and Co., it should allow this game to hit the over.

Neither the Titans nor the Texans are great against the pass, as they rank 21st and 30th in net yards per pass attempt allowed, respectively.

Avoid the Broncos -3.5 Versus Chargers3 of 3

Broncos QB Jarrett StidhamJustin Edmonds/Getty Images

Can the Denver Broncos outlast the Los Angeles Chargers at home this weekend? Sure, but they’re far from a lock to win by more than a field goal.

The Chargers showed new life under interim coach Giff Smith last week, and Denver is facing some offensive uncertainty. No. 1 receiver Courtland Sutton has been in the concussion protocol and remained out of practice during the week.

On top of that, Denver made the stunning (or perhaps not) decision to bench quarterback Russell Wilson for Jarrett Stidham.

“I understand all the speculation and everything that surrounds a move like that, and I can tell you we’re desperately trying to win,” head coach Sean Payton said, per Arnie Melendrez Stapleton of the Associated Press.

While Stidham played well at the end of last season for the Las Vegas Raiders, it’s hard to know what to expect from him in Payton’s offense. Mistakes could easily allow L.A. to hang around in this one and potentially pull the outright upset.

The over on the 37-point line is far more attractive here. The Chargers offense has remained functional with Easton Stick under center, and L.A.’s 30th-ranked pass defense should allow Denver to accumulate points.

*Injury information from NFL.com unless otherwise noted.

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