NFL Week 17 Odds: Best Bets Against the Spread

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell (26) carries the ball in the second half against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. The Steelers won 42-21. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell (26) carries the ball in the second half against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. The Steelers won 42-21. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /
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Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Fletcher Cox (91) stops New York Giants running back Andre Williams (44) during the third quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Fletcher Cox (91) stops New York Giants running back Andre Williams (44) during the third quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /

Philadelphia Eagles (+2.5) over New York Giants

On one hand, this line feels exceedingly reasonable, but on the other, it appears to be blatantly crazy. Hear me out.

The Giants have won three straight games, while the Eagles have lost three in a row, and that would theoretically indicate that one team (New York) is trending positively and the other team (Philadelphia) is trending negatively. However, New York still sits at 6-9 with their recent success coming against hapless teams, and Philadelphia remains solidly over .500 at 9-6 with all three losses coming against quality opponents.

Moral of the story? I’m taking the better team, especially when I’m getting points and fading the public. More than half of the action is on the Giants, inexplicably, and even with the artist formerly known as Mark Sanchez under center, I have a lot more confidence in Chip Kelly and the Eagles in a vacuum.

It wouldn’t be a shock if Philly just packed it in for 2014 and laid an egg here, but provided they show up ready to go, they are the better team by a solid margin.

Next: Rams over Seahawks