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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Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) and quarterback Matt Ryan (2) react in the third quarter. The Falcons defeated the Panthers 19-17 at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) and quarterback Matt Ryan (2) react in the third quarter. The Falcons defeated the Panthers 19-17 at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

Atlanta Falcons (-3) over Carolina Panthers

This isn’t a traditional “fade the public” pick, but the Falcons are probably not garnering the type of respect that they deserve. Atlanta is 4-3 in their last seven contests, and over that time, they beat this same Carolina team (on the road) while suffering defeats to three reasonably solid opponents. With that on the table, this shouldn’t be a “coinflip” line, and that is where our pals in Vegas seem to see this one.

Carolina has been playing better in their own right, with three straight wins, but those victories came against three non-playoff teams and it is tough to believe in the Panthers on the defensive side of the ball. The Georgia Dome has treated Matt Ryan and Mike Smith extremely well throughout their respective careers with the Falcons, and picking against them should be done at your own risk.

The public is split on this one, but I am not. The Atlanta Falcons are the better team in my mind, and I’ll take the extra value of “only” a three-point spread.

Next: Steelers over Bengals