Meaningful NFL Games in 2016-2017 Week 17: Odds Packers, Lions, More

Most teams have already solidified their spot in the Playoffs but the a few NFL Week 17 games are still meaningful.  Let’s take a look at Which one’s.

Lions @ Packers

It’s crazy to think that what is probably the most critical game of 2016-2017 NFL Week 17 just happens to be the final game of the regular season to be played.

It’s the Lions vs. Packers with both teams competing for a win in the NFC North.  Win and their in the Playoffs.  A tie means both teams advance and the Washington Redskins get denied.

The Packers are a -3 to -3.5 favorite in this game.  The sharper shops have moved the line from -3 to -3.5.  60 percent of the betting action was on Green Bay so it does make sense to move the line upwards.

Giants @ Redskins

Being locked into the fifth seed in the NFC playoffs will not stop the New York Giants from starting quarterback Eli Manning, according to head coach Ben McAdoo.  Whether they come to play with little to play for other than rivalry pride remains to be seen. 

Washington is a -7 home favorite here but seeing just 30 percent of the action at this number. 

Washington gets into the Playoffs with a win provided the Lions-Packers game does not end in a tie.

Panthers @ Bucs

Tampa Bay still has a long shot chance of making the post season. They will need a win against the Panthers, a Packers loss to the Lions and a Redskins tie against the Giants, the later of which is highly unlikely to occur. But remarkably, there is another less likely scenario that needs to occur.

The Bucs would need two teams that they previously beat to win –- the Chiefs (against the Broncos on Sunday) and the 49ers (against the Seahawks in Week 17).

And they’d need four teams that the Packers beat to lose – the Lions (against the Cowboys on Monday), plus the Jaguars (against the Colts), Eagles (against the Cowboys) and Texans (against the Titans) in Week 17.

This is the equivalent of having to win a nine-team parlay. 

The Bucs are a -5 point home favorite.

Positioning For Best Playoff Spots

Atlanta and Seattle are each competing for an NFC first-round bye along with Detroit, thus making the Saints-Falcons and Seahawks-49ers games a bit more intriguing. 

Atlanta clinches a first-round bye if they win, or if both Seattle and Detroit lose, so the Saints-Falcons game will likely see more audience and bettor interest.

Oakland at Denver and Kansas City at San Diego also have meaning as the Raiders and Chiefs compete for a first-round bye in the AFC. 

The Raiders clinch with a win or a tie, Kansas City needs a win and an Oakland loss.  Assuming the Broncos come to play at home and Oakland will be without its starting quarterback Derek Carr, the Chiefs appear to have an edge here.

The Patriots at Dolphins with a line of New England -10 will also be one to watch as this game will determine home field advantage in the AFC.    

The Patriots clinch the top seed with a win or tie, or an Oakland loss or tie in Denver.

- Don Shapiro, Gambling911.com