There are only three NFL games left in Week 17 that don’t have playoff implications, so it’s no surprise that bettors are targeting some key favorites in several of the most critical contests heading into the weekend.
Key Takeaways
- The Packers are dominating Saturday night betting, while the public is split on Texans-Chargers in the early game.
- The Steelers, Jaguars, Bills, and 49ers are getting a lot of action.
- The Panthers are a popular pick to cover and maybe upset the Seahawks.
Following a Christmas Day sweep for underdogs, all five of the most-bet teams by tickets and four of the most-bet teams by handle at BetMGM are favorites.
The Packers are 4.5-point favorites Saturday night against the Ravens, who need a win to keep their faint playoff hopes alive. Green Bay is the most popular spread team at BetMGM and theScore Bet. DraftKings has Green Bay, which has already locked up a postseason berth, getting 87% of the money, while BetMGM reported over 90% has come in on the home favorite.
In the early game between the Texans and Chargers on Saturday, bettors seem split. Houston, the lone underdog in that BetMGM most-popular mix, is +1.5 and in need of a win Saturday to stay in the AFC South title hunt. Los Angeles, however, is the fourth most-bet team by tickets at the online operator.
At DraftKings, Houston is getting 51% of the tickets, with L.A. at 55% of the handle. Those roles are reversed at BetMGM, while theScore Bet has also reported a very close ticket percentage difference.
| Week 17 Games (Sat.-Mon.) | DraftKings Splits | BetMGM Splits | theScore Bet Splits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texans-Chargers (-1.5) | HOU 51% bets LAC 55% handle |
LAC 51% bets HOU 58% handle |
LAC 50% bets LAC 62% handle |
| Ravens-Packers (-4.5) | GB 68% bets GB 87% handle |
GB 83% bets GB 92% handle |
GB 80% bets GB 80% handle |
| Seahawks-Panthers (+7) | CAR 55% bets CAR 75% handle |
CAR 58% bets CAR 51% handle |
CAR 53% bets SEA 82% handle |
| Steelers-Browns (+3) | PIT 83% bets PIT 78% handle |
PIT 77% bets PIT 72% handle |
PIT 75% bets PIT 56% handle |
| Jaguars-Colts (+6) | JAX 76% bets JAX 80% handle |
JAX 75% bets JAX 66% handle |
JAX 80% bets JAX 91% handle |
| Patriots-Jets (+13.5) | NE 80% bets NE 92% handle |
NE 78% bets NE 72% handle |
NE 86% bets NE 82% handle |
| Cardinals-Bengals (+7.5) | CIN 73% bets CIN 78% handle |
CIN 85% bets CIN 92% handle |
CIN 78% bets CIN 87% handle |
| Buccaneers-Dolphins (+6) | TB 77% bets TB 79% handle |
TB 76% bets TB 72% handle |
TB 81% bets TB 94% handle |
| Saints-Titans (+2.5) | NO 73% bets NO 86% handle |
NO 82% bets NO 84% handle |
NO 76% bets NO 87% handle |
| Giants-Raiders (+1.5) | NYG 58% bets LV 71% handle |
LV 53% bets LV 65% handle |
LV 65% handle NYG 53% bets |
| Eagles-Bills (-1.5) | BUF 64% bets BUF 61% handle |
BUF 71% bets BUF 75% handle |
BUF 59% bets BUF 76% handle |
| Bears-49ers (-3) | SF 59% bets SF 74% handle |
SF 64% bets SF 68% handle |
CHI 61% bets CHI 78% handle |
| Rams-Falcons (+7.5) | LAR 81% bets LAR 90% handle |
LAR 75% bets LAR 84% handle |
LAR 67% bets LAR 77% handle |
Laying points on road
Bettors are going big on the Steelers as 3-point favorites at Cleveland on Sunday. Pittsburgh, which can clinch the AFC North with a win or a Ravens loss Saturday, is the second most-bet team by handle and tickets at BetMGM and third at theScore Bet. DraftKings has the largest Steelers lean, with 83% of the bets and 78% of the money coming in on the road favorites.
The Jaguars are also laying points in a road game at the Colts, with both teams trying to stay alive in different spots. Jacksonville (-6) is already heading to the postseason but is looking to remain in first place in the division.
Indianapolis’ very slim playoff chances rely on not just covering but winning outright, but the Jags are getting 80% of the money at DraftKings and the majority of wagers at all three operators.
Slight favorites needing wins
The Bills and 49ers are also getting a lot of love from the public this week. Buffalo is a 1.5-point favorite over the Eagles, who have already locked up the division, and the Bills have to win to stay in contention for the AFC East, even though they’ve secured a postseason berth. The majority of the money at all three sportsbooks is coming in on Buffalo to cover the low spread at home.
With a playoff spot in hand, San Francisco is hoping to stay in the NFC North hunt Sunday night, and the heavily bet 49ers are getting 59% of the tickets and 78% of the handle at DraftKings to cover as 3-point favorites over the Bears, who are close to clinching the division.
NFC South on line
The Panthers enter Sunday with a chance to lock up the NFC South with a win over the Seahawks and a Buccaneers loss. Bettors like Carolina's chances to at least cover as a 7-point underdog against the current top seed in the NFC, as the Panthers are getting the bulk of the action at all three operators. Carolina (+280) is also the fifth most-bet moneyline underdog at BetMGM.
The Bucs (-6 versus the Dolphins) have nearly 80% of the money at DraftKings and over 90% at theScore Bet to cover and force a winner-take-all showdown with the Panthers in Week 18.
Popular totals, props
The public’s top totals play so far is Texans-Chargers over 39.5 at BetMGM. Bettors also like Steelers-Browns over 33.5, Jaguars-Colts over 47.5, Bears-49ers over 52.5, and Cardinals-Bengals over 52.5.
The most popular player prop so far this week belongs to Chargers receiver Quentin Johnston, whom bettors love to go under 35.5 receiving yards. Carolina’s Rico Dowdle to haul in fewer than three receptions is also a big play.
Arizona tight end Trey McBride leads BetMGM’s anytime touchdown scorer market in tickets with odds of +110, followed by Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (-105) and Buffalo’s James Cook (-105). Bettors also like Houston receiver Nico Collins to score the first touchdown in Saturday’s afternoon showdown.
