Philip Rivers and the Chargers can get into the playoffs with a win over Kansas City. (Photo credit: Jeffrey Beall / iWoman / CC BY-SA)
Week 17 of the NFL season is a totally different animal for NFL betting.
It’s important to know which teams have something to play for, which teams are playing out the string, and which late games might become meaningless (or meaningful) after the early games’ results.
Here’s a game-by-game breakdown of what’s at stake this week.
(All Week 17 NFL betting lines taken from Pinnacle Sports as of Wednesday morning.)
Detroit at Green Bay (Packers -7.5)
The winner of this game will win the NFC North, and have an outside shot at home field or a first-round bye in the NFC playoffs. If the game is a tie, Detroit will win the division. Both teams are already guaranteed playoff spots.
Jacksonville at Houston (Texans -9.5)
The Texans need a victory to keep their faint playoff hopes alive. If Houston wins, they still need San Diego and Baltimore to lose in order to earn the last wild card in the AFC.
Cincinnati at Pittsburgh (Steelers -3.5)
The winner of this Sunday Night Football game will win the AFC North. Cincinnati could also clinch a first-round bye and a No. 2 seed if it wins and the Broncos lose or tie.
Indianapolis at Tennessee (Colts -7)
Basically a meaningless game. Barring a tie between Pittsburgh and Cincinnati, the Colts are locked into the No. 4 seed in the AFC.
Cleveland at Baltimore (Ravens -8.5)
The Ravens need a win over the Browns and a San Diego tie or loss to earn a wild card spot. Baltimore can also get in with a tie and a San Diego loss. Cleveland hates the Ravens, so don’t just expect the Browns to roll over here and give Baltimore a playoff spot.
Buffalo at New England (Patriots -5)
Completely meaningless game. The Bills are out of playoff contention, and the Patriots have locked up the No. 1 seed in the AFC. That’s why the spread is so low on this game.
New York Jets at Miami (Dolphins -6)
Meaningless game.
Carolina at Atlanta (Falcons -4)
The winner of this game wins the NFC South. If the game finishes in a tie, Carolina would be the division champion.
Chicago at Minnesota (Vikings -6)
Meaningless game.
San Diego at Kansas City (Chiefs -2.5)
Both teams could qualify for playoffs with a win. San Diego can still qualify with a loss and a Baltimore loss, but Chiefs need to win, Baltimore to lose and Houston to lose or tie.
Philadelphia at NY Giants (Giants -3)
Meaningless game. Philadelphia was eliminated Sunday night when Dallas beat Indianapolis.
Dallas at Washington (Cowboys -6)
Almost certainly a meaningless game. Dallas is practically guaranteed to be the No. 3 seed in the NFC and host a playoff game on wild card weekend.
New Orleans at Tampa Bay (Saints -4)
Meaningless game. The Saints were eliminated last week with their loss to Atlanta.
St. Louis at Seattle (Seahawks -12.5)
Seahawks can clinch the NFC West and a first-round bye with a victory. They’re also almost certain to lock up home field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs if they beat the Rams.
Arizona at San Francisco (49ers -6)
Cardinals are already in the playoffs, but they could win the NFC West if they beat San Francisco and Seattle loses to the Rams. If Seattle gets up big early on St. Louis, Arizona might rest its starters in the second half.
Oakland at Denver (Broncos -14)
Broncos could still get a first-round bye if they lose to the Raiders, but they’d need Cincinnati to lose as well. Since the Bengals don’t play until Sunday night, Denver has to play this game to win.