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NFL Week 17 odds: Best bets against the spread

By Brad Rowland

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) throws for a two-point conversion during the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at TCF Bank Stadium. The Packers defeated the Vikings 30-15. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) throws for a two-point conversion during the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at TCF Bank Stadium. The Packers defeated the Vikings 30-15. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /
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Cincinnati Bengals running back Giovani Bernard (25) runs with the ball during the second half against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos won 20-17 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Cincinnati Bengals running back Giovani Bernard (25) runs with the ball during the second half against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos won 20-17 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /

The end of the NFL season is always difficult to approach from a handicapping perspective. There are many games on the slate with absolutely nothing on the line, and even with games involving playoff teams, a handicapper is forced to assess whether certain groups will be fully “trying” in terms of deploying top-tier talent for all four quarters.

Fortunately, we had a successful foray in Week 16 and last week’s picks speak for themselves. Still, each week is a unique entity and we’re back with another chance to improve on the season-long mark. Let’s see where we are to date.

  • Last Week: 4-1
  • Season: 43-35-2

Now, to the very challenging Week 17 slate.

Cincinnati Bengals (-9) over Baltimore Ravens

Wait, I’m laying a big number?

It’s weird for me, too, but Cincy is the right side. The Ravens shocked the NFL world by not only covering but winning outright against Pittsburgh last week – the same weekend where the Bengals suffered a brutal loss to the Broncos.

As a result, this line is a few points too short in my view. Baltimore is, well, a bad football team, and Cincinnati is better than what they showed in Denver with a second-half collapse. The public is actually leaning toward the Ravens in a snap judgment from recency bias, and I love the Bengals to blow through their division rivals by double digits.

Next: Saints-Falcons and Lions-Bears

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