NFL Week 17: Hot Favorites, Teaser Gold, Playoff Bets

A Wild Week of NFL Betting: Favorites, Teasers, and Playoff Pushes

Week 17 is setting up to be a holiday feast for NFL fans and bettors alike. With playoff spots on the line, quarterback drama swirling, and some juicy teaser potential scattered across the board, there's no shortage of action. Our picks crew had another strong week, going 99-53 on best bets for the season — that’s a spicy 65% success rate. Let’s break down the week’s most bettable games and the plays that could fatten your bankroll heading into the new year.

Favorites Are Tasty This Week (But Handle With Care)

Even if you're usually allergic to chalk, this week the favorites are looking mighty tempting. The Dallas Cowboys are laying 6.5 points on the road against the Commanders, and while Washington might have some fight left (especially if they can get the run game going), the quarterback gap here is Grand Canyon-sized. We’re leaning Cowboys, but it’s more of a lean than a leap.

Similarly, the Lions are giving 6 points to the Vikings in a must-win game for Detroit. With Minnesota possibly down to their third-string quarterback, it’s hard not to back the Lions here — especially considering how bad Detroit has looked in games where they can’t run the ball. If they keep this one on the ground and control the clock, the Lions should cover.

The Chiefs are laying 12.5 against the Broncos, and while Denver is expected to put up a fight, Kansas City's defense has been suffocating. The issue? The Chiefs offense is playing like it’s stuck in 1997. Lean Chiefs, but don’t be shocked if Denver sneaks in a backdoor cover.

Teaser Legs Galore: Load Up the Sleigh

This week is a teaser paradise. The Bengals are hosting a banged-up Cardinals squad and can be teased down to -1. That’s a no-brainer. Joe Burrow is back to being Joe Cool, and the Arizona defense has been softer than a holiday fruitcake. Throw the Bengals in every teaser you can.

Add the Rams to your teaser ticket too. They're laying 8.5 against the Falcons, who have been scrappy but overmatched. Teasing LA down to -2.5 is a sweet spot, especially with Matthew Stafford torching blitzes and the Rams offense humming.

Other teaser-worthy teams include the Seahawks (laying 7.5 against Carolina), the Texans (+2.5 vs the Chargers), and the Titans (+2.5 hosting the Saints). Tennessee's run game is clicking and that low total of 39.5 screams teaser and over potential. Even the Giants, getting 1.5 against the Raiders, are a live teaser leg despite their general dysfunction. Just don't say we didn't warn you — that game has "preseason vibes" written all over it.

Over/Under Specials: Points, Please

The Jaguars and Colts boast one of the week’s juiciest totals at 47.5, and our crew is going heavy on the over. Jacksonville’s offense is dangerous, their defense is dicey, and the Colts... well, they make every game weird. Three units on the over? That’s some holiday confidence right there.

Bengals-Cardinals also has shootout potential. Arizona can’t pressure the quarterback, and Joe Burrow has been slicing up defenses like a hot knife through butter. With weapons healthy and red zone efficiency off the charts, Cincinnati could drop 30+ again. If you like points, this is your game.

Same goes for the 49ers hosting the Bears. San Francisco hasn’t punted in what feels like a month, and Brock Purdy is surgical. The total’s sitting at 51.5, and while weather should be checked, the lean is to the over in what could become a one-sided fireworks show.

Underdogs with Bite

Not every dog is a mutt this week. The Eagles are getting 1.5 in Buffalo, and while Philly might rest starters, they’re still deeper and more balanced than the Bills. Teasing them up to +7.5 feels like stealing, especially if Jalen Carter and Lane Johnson return as expected.

The Texans are another underdog worth backing. They need a win to clinch a playoff spot, and the Chargers' offensive line is about as sturdy as a gingerbread house. Houston’s D-line could dominate this matchup, and CJ Stroud has a chance to make a statement against a vulnerable secondary. Tease them, play the over, or sprinkle the moneyline — the Texans are live.

And don’t sleep on the Panthers. Seattle’s defense is fierce, but Bryce Young has quietly been improving. Carolina’s run-first control-the-clock formula could frustrate the Seahawks, especially if the Panthers’ secondary can hold up. With Seattle laying 7.5, Carolina plus the points isn’t crazy.

The Rest of the Slate

The Patriots are laying 13.5 against the Jets — yikes. While New England’s offense has shown signs of life, that number is rich. Still, the Jets are basically a special teams highlight reel and not much else.

The Buccaneers are laying 5.5 against Miami, and this one feels like a trap. Tampa needs the win badly, and Miami just laid an egg against Cincy. Both hosts agreed: lay the points with the Bucs. It’s rare when two bettors share a brain, but this one stood out as a best bet.

In the Saints-Titans matchup, things are murky. The Saints are favored by 2.5, but the Titans are playing better and can be teased up to +8.5. Add in a lean to the over on the low 39.5 total, and you’ve got a sneaky fun game with betting value. Just don’t put it on the big screen at your watch party — that honor goes to Bengals-Cardinals or Jags-Colts.

Final Takeaways

• Favorites are hot this week, but don’t get burned — lean, don’t leap.
• Teaser value is off the charts with Bengals, Rams, Seahawks, Texans, Titans, and even the Giants offering solid legs.
• Points will be scored in Cincy, Jacksonville, and San Fran — overs are the move.
• Watch those injury reports — backup QBs and resting starters could turn bets upside down.
• Best bets: Bengals teased down, Texans teased up and over, Buccaneers -5.5.

Enjoy the gridiron chaos, stack those units, and may your teasers hit like Santa’s sleigh on Christmas Eve.

Links

• https://www.patreon.com/RTMedia
• https://picksix.draftkings.com