Nfl Lines And Leans Your Week 17 Betting Guide

The Linemakers on Sporting News are here to help, offering analysis, opinions and picks on Sunday’s slate of 16 games.

The lines listed below are the Las Vegas consensus as of Saturday. Visit our live odds page for updated NFL point spreads and totals.

Bears vs. Vikings (-6.5, 44), 1 p.m. ET, FOX The Vikings have covered 10 of 15 games and have moved up our ratings 3.5-points since the beginning of the season, but now they’re laying their biggest number of the year. They’ve been favored just three times prior to this game, and this may be too many points to give what we hope is a rejuvenated Jay Cutler.

Eagles vs. Giants (-2.5, 52), 1 p.m. ET, FOX The Eagles can obviously get up and down the field, and the Giants have caught fire offensively late in the season. Plus, in meaningless games such as this one, defense tends to lack .

Chargers vs. Chiefs (-1, 40.5), 1 p.m. ET, CBS News that Alex Smith will miss the game with a lacerated spleen came after we made our pick. But read up on how the change to Chase Daniel impacted the line in Las Vegas .

Saints (-4, 47) vs. Buccaneers, 1 p.m. ET, FOX Vinny Magliulo doesn’t have a very strong opinion on this game, but recognizes the Saints are still superior in talent to the Bucs. Brian Blessing doesn’t trust either side, but does suggest a lean on the total .

Jets vs. Dolphins (-6, 41.5), 1 p.m. ET, CBS The road has not been kind to the Jets this season, as they have just one win and two covers away from home. The Dolphins, meanwhile, are burning bankrolls to the tune of four straight ATS losses. Still, we offer a lean on the side . AccuScore also has a play on this game .

Bills vs. Patriots (-4.5, 44), 1 p.m. ET, CBS The Patriots would have been -10 for this game had Denver not lost on Monday night, but now the Patriots can rest up. Buffalo is looking to close the year out on a good note, and everything good that happens with Buffalo starts with their impressive defense .

Browns vs. Ravens (-13.5, 39.5), 1 p.m. ET, CBS In his Week 17 injury report, Larry Hartstein discusses how the betting market has responded to Connor Shaw getting the starting nod at QB for Cleveland .

Colts (-7, 46.5) vs. Titans, 1 p.m. ET, CBS As Kenny White notes, the Andrew Luck-led Colts are 18-3 ATS against teams with a losing record. Brian Blessing doesn’t expect the Colts to treat this as a glorified bye as they need get their offense clicking headed into the postseason.

Jaguars vs. Texans (-9.5, 40.5), 1 p.m. ET, FOX We have two struggling offenses, two respectable defenses and some very convincing trends to the UNDER .

Cowboys (-5.5, 49) vs. Redskins, 1 p.m. ET, FOX Brian Blessing won’t be surprised to see the Cowboys take their foot off the gas since their chances at a first-round bye are minimal and they have health concerns among some key players. The Redskins, meanwhile, should show some fight against their rival.

Rams vs. Seahawks (-12.5, 41), 4:25 p.m. ET, FOX This is a big game for the Seahawks with home field throughout the NFC playoffs at stake, but since the number is inflated, we have no play on the side. However, both Kenny White and Micah Roberts offer a lean on the total .

Cardinals vs. 49ers (-6, 36.5), 4:25 p.m. ET, FOX Despite all the talent and playing in three straight NFC title games, the 49ers’ 2014 season has come crashing down with four straight losses amid all the Jim Harbaugh rumors. His players have thrown in the towel, and we think the Cardinals will take advantage .

Lions vs. Packers (-7.5, 47.5), 4:25 p.m. ET, FOX Micah Roberts and Kenny White are on opposite sides here with both the side and total. Read up on both and choose a side.

Panthers vs. Falcons (-4, 47.5), 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS A difference of opinion among our guys in Las Vegas, as Brian Blessing sides with the better defense getting points . Vinny Magliulo, though, isn’t impressed with the competition the Panthers have been beating and notices Atlanta was a 2.5-point favorite in Carolina earlier this season.

Raiders vs. Broncos (-14, 48), 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS We’re usually not crazy about laying two touchdowns in the NFL, but Denver will be all out with a chance to clinch a first-round bye. We expect the Broncos to roll and offer a lean on the total .

Bengals vs. Steelers (-3.5, 48), 8:30 p.m. ET, NBC We have a split opinion on this huge game, with Kenny White liking the Bengals and Micah Roberts on the Steelers. Read up on both and pick a side.

More picks: The Quants

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