Every football season, the key to success is preparation. NFL handicappers that don’t prepare could discover their bankroll has depleted before Week 8. Preparation means that NFL handicappers look far down the road, even to Week 17. Check out 7 games in NFL Week 17 that handicappers should put onto their radars.
2019 NFL Week 17 Must-Bet Games
L.A. Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs
- When: Sunday, December 29th, 2019 at 1pm ET
- Where: Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
- TV: CBS
- NFL Week 17 Odds: TBA
The Kansas City Chiefs are one of the favorites to win the Super Bowl. The Chiefs’ top contender is supposed to be the L.A. Chargers. It’s fitting that two of the best teams in the AFC battle each other in Week 17.
This game could determine much more than the AFC West Division winner, though. It could also determine which team secures homefield advantage throughout the AFC Playoffs.
Pick: Chiefs
Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings
- When: Sunday, December 29th, 2019 at 1pm ET
- Where: U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- TV: FOX
- NFL Week 17 Odds: TBA
Bears-Vikings in Week 17, just like Chargers-Chiefs, should have major playoff implications. Chicago, Minnesota, and Green Bay all believe they can win the NFC North Division. The Bears are supposed to be an NFC Championship contender. This should be a massive game that determines playoff seedings.
Pick: Bears
New Orleans Saints at Carolina Panthers
- When: Sunday, December 29th, 2019 at 1pm ET
- Where: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina
- TV: FOX
- NFL Week 17 Odds: TBA
New Orleans is a big favorite to win the NFC South Division. Carolina hopes that by the time they battle the Saints they have a shot at a playoff spot. If the Saints have run away with the division by Week 17, they might rest Drew Brees, giving the Panthers a chance to secure a playoff berth with a victory.
If the Saints must win for either homefield advantage, or the NFC South, this game could be one of the more important in the final week of the NFL Regular Season.
Pick: Saints
Indianapolis Colts at Jacksonville Jaguars
- When: Sunday, December 29th, 2019 at 1pm ET
- Where: EverBand Field, Jacksonville, Florida
- TV: CBS
- NFL Week 17 Odds: TBA
The Jaguars are a dark horse to win the AFC South while the Colts are a favorite. Indianapolis could be fighting for a 2-seed or even a 1-seed in this matchup. The Jaguars could be fighting for a postseason berth. Colts-Jaguars in Week 17 could be just as important, maybe, even more so, as Chargers-Chiefs depending on what happens in the previous 16 weeks.
Pick: Jaguars
Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens
- When: Sunday, December 29th, 2019 at 1pm ET
- Where: M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland
- TV: CBS
- NFL Week 17 Odds: TBA
Although Cleveland is expected to win the NFC North, that doesn’t mean both Baltimore and Pittsburgh will just allow the Browns to win the division in 2019. In the final week of the regular season, both the Steelers and Ravens expect to be in a position to at least make the playoffs as a wildcard. That makes this game ultra-important for both teams.
Pick: Ravens
Oakland Raiders at Denver Broncos
- When: Sunday, December 29th, 2019 at 4:25pm ET
- Where: Broncos Stadium at Mile High, Denver, Colorado
- TV: CBS
- NFL Week 17 Odds: TBA
Raiders-Broncos could either be a laughingstock battle between a couple of teams with 3 to 5 wins each, or a battle for a wildcard spot. Denver most definitely has a chance to make the playoffs this season after acquiring Joe Flacco. The Broncos defense remains one of the top units in football.
Oakland feels it can make the playoffs in 2019. The Raiders should be better this season than it was last season. The Week 17 matchup versus the rival Broncos could be massive for the Raiders’ playoff chances.
Pick: Broncos
San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks
- When: Sunday, December 29th, 2019 at 4:25pm ET
- Where: CenturyLink Field, Seattle, Washington
- TV: FOX
- NFL Week 17 Odds: TBA
Even if the L.A. Rams run away with the NFC West Division the way they did in 2018, in Week 17, 49ers-Seahawks could be a massive battle for a postseason berth. If the Rams don’t run away with the division, the 49ers and Seahawks are their two biggest competitors for the NFC West title.
Niners versus Hawks, the final game on the 2019 NFL Regular Season Schedule, could have important playoff implications.
Pick: Seahawks
