NFL Week 17 Pick’em Pool Predictions (2024)
With games being played on Christmas Day, there are five days with NFL games in Week 17. Two of the most important matchups of the weekend will be played in Cincinnati and Minnesota. Can the Cincinnati Bengals keep their playoff hopes alive against the Denver Broncos?
Will the Minnesota Vikings extend their winning streak to nine games against the Green Bay Packers? While neither game means anything when it comes to the playoffs, there are two contests with one-point spreads in Week 17.
Here is our best NFL pick’em advice for Week 17.
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NFL Week 17 Pick’em Pool Predictions
Denver Broncos vs. Cincinnati Bengals
With a win on Saturday, the Broncos would wrap up a playoff berth and eliminate the Bengals. Despite being two games better than the Bengals, the Broncos are 3.5-point underdogs against the red-hot team.
The main reason the Bengals are favored is the play of Joe Burrow. The NFL's leading passer has thrown for 4,229 yards and 39 touchdowns this season, and he's thrown for at least 250 yards in seven consecutive games. While the Broncos are allowing just 219.8 passing yards per game this season, they're giving up 299.7 per contest over the last three weeks.
Bo Nix should continue his impressive rookie campaign with another solid performance against a pass defense allowing 231.6 passing yards per game. But even if Nix throws for more than 260 yards, as he has in four of his last five games, it won't be enough to win a duel against Burrow.
Pick: Bengals
Las Vegas Raiders vs. New Orleans Saints
It feels a little silly to even be writing about this game considering how bad both of these franchises have looked lately. The Saints were just blown out 34-0 on Monday Night Football. They've now lost three of their last four. With Spencer Rattler under center, the offense managed just 196 yards on Monday night.
Meanwhile, the Raiders ended a 10-game losing streak by defeating the Jacksonville Jaguars 19-14 in Week 16. Despite the win, the Raiders are still easily one of the worst teams in football. They're averaging just 17.6 points per game and the defense is allowing 26 points per contest.
Things are so bad in New Orleans right now oddsmakers have the Raiders favored to win this game despite playing on the road. When a 3-12 road team is favored, you have to side with oddsmakers, as they see something that the public likely doesn't. Though after the Saints' performance on Monday night, it's hard to imagine anyone has much faith in them this week.
Pick: Raiders
Tennessee Titans vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
When these two teams met earlier this season, the Jaguars won 10-6 in Tennessee. They scored all 10 of their points in the fourth quarter to secure the victory. Considering these are two of the lowest-scoring teams in football, I expect another low-scoring affair.
With that said, the Titans have the advantage offensively this week, as Mason Rudolph will get the start over Will Levis. Rudolph threw for 252 yards last week against the Indianapolis Colts. While he also threw three interceptions, he should be able to move the ball with relative ease this week against the worst pass defense in football.
Since Rudolph didn't play in the first meeting between these two teams, he's a bit of an unknown for the Jaguars. Meanwhile, Mac Jones did play in the first meeting. With how well the Titans shut him down the first time, it's hard to imagine why they wouldn't have the same success this week against a quarterback who has not played well this season.
Pick: Titans
Green Bay Packers vs. Minnesota Vikings
Without a doubt, this is the best game of Sunday. With a win, the Vikings would ensure they're playing for the NFC North title in Week 18. With a loss, they'd need the Detroit Lions to lose on Monday night to have a shot. While the Packers can't win the NFC North, they can still play spoiler for their division rivals.
When these two teams met in Week 4 in Green Bay, the Vikings jumped out to a 28-7 halftime lead. However, Jordan Love, who was coming off an injury, led an epic comeback that ultimately fell just short.
While many will say the Packers are the better team in this matchup, the Vikings need to start being taken seriously at some point. They're 13-2 and they've won eight games in a row. Additionally, they have much more to play for in this game, as the Packers have clinched a playoff spot. With a Week 18 game against the Chicago Bears waiting on the horizon, it's hard to imagine them moving out of the No. 6 seed. This will be a great back-and-forth game, but the home team will ultimately prevail, setting up one of the best Week 18 matchups we've ever had.
Pick: Vikings
Phil Wood is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Phil, check out his archive and follow him @Phil_Wood_Jr.