NFL Week 17 Upset Picks: Cardinals, Steelers and Surprise NFC East Team Lead Predictions
We're down to the final two weeks of the regular season in the NFL, and the BetSided team is looking to stay above .500 in our NFL upset picks for this season.
Last week, we took a bit of a step back, going 1-2, but the record is still strong at 32-24-1 this season. With so much up for grabs in the AFC and NFC playoff pictures, we have a few upsets that could really shake up the field.
Here’s who we are backing in this week’s slate, with odds via WynnBET Sportsbook:
Pittsburgh Steelers (+130) vs. Cleveland Browns
Both of these AFC North teams are nearly dead in their pursuit of a playoff spot, but I like Mike Tomlin’s squad as an underdog here.
The Browns (mainly Baker Mayfield) squandered a chance to upset the Green Bay Packers on Christmas Day in Week 16, while the Steelers were blown out by the Kansas City Chiefs.
Neither team looks particularly good, but Mike Tomlin has been fantastic against the spread as an underdog in his career, going 45-25-3 since 2007. On the other hand, Kevin Stefanski is just 1-9 against the spread when facing AFC North opponents.
Yikes.
The Steelers can keep their season alive at home, and I think Tomlin and Ben Roethlisberger have one more big win up their sleeve this season. – Peter Dewey
I'll echo Peter's play on the Steelers at +130, but if you thought Mike Tomlin's ATS record as a dog is impressive, his cover percentage as a HOME dog is even more stunning.
Since 2007, when Tomlin first took over the Steelers, Pittsburgh has covered an astonishing 82.4% of their games in this spot, going 14-3-2 ATS.
Cleveland continues to blow multiple gifts to contend for a diminishing division race, and now there have been reports that they may look to add another quarterback to compete with Baker Mayfield for the starting spot next year.
Neither of these teams are likely to make the postseason as they sit in the No. 11 and 12 spots in the AFC, but I'll back the team with a track record of dominance at home, even as their opponent is favored. - Ben Heisler
New York Giants (+220) vs. Chicago Bears
There is no world that exists where this Chicago Bears team should be this big of a favorite against another NFL team. Especially considering how solid the Giants defense is. Sure, they aren't among the best in the NFL, but they rank 15th in opponent yards per play and 10th in opponent yards per pass attempt.
If the New York offense can find any level of success, its defense is going to do its job enough to make this game a winnable one. I'll take a shot at the Giants on the moneyline. – Iain MacMillan
Arizona Cardinals (+195) vs. Dallas Cowboys
Arizona has lost three straight games and has lost the division lead in the NFC West.. This is a must win game for the Cardinals to get back in the division.
They are going to have a lot to handle with the Cowboys’ offense, but they are well equipped to do it. Even with the bad game against the Lions, the Cardinals score over 30 points per game on the road. Offensively, they can keep up. Defensively, they can hold the Cowboys down. The Cardinals are top 10 in opponent yards per pass and opponent yards per game. I’m going to bank on their pass defense to keep them in striking distance and take this game late. – Donnavan Smoot
NFL Upset Picks to Date:
LAST WEEK: 1-2
SEASON RECORD: 32-24-1