NFL Week 17 betting tips and predictions – Copybet
The race for the final playoff spots is heating up after more than half of the 14 places were clinched in Week 16.
Four spots in the NFC were claimed by the Seattle Seahawks, Philadelphia Eagles, Chicago Bears and San Francisco 49ers, leaving the Carolina Panthers, Green Bay Packers, Detroit Lions and Tampa Bay Buccaneers to fight it out for the final two spots.
Five spots in the AFC have been claimed, leaving the Pittsburgh Steelers, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts and Baltimore Ravens competing for the final places.
On Christmas Day, the Lions face NFC North rivals the Minnesota Vikings with work to do, while the Texans will need to be at their best to get past the Los Angeles Chargers on Saturday.
Detroit Lions vs Minnesota Vikings
The Detroit Lions will hope to get their season back on track when they travel to the U.S. Bank Stadium to face NFC North rivals, the Minnesota Vikings.
Detroit fell to a 29-24 defeat to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, leaving them with an 8-7 record. The Lions now need to win their final two games and hope some of their NFC rivals can help them out.
Dan Campbell's team have lost three of their last four games, but all three defeats came to teams in and around the playoffs. This week should be an easier assignment, with Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy struggling with a hand injury.
Backup Max Brosmer lost his only other start, 26-0, and threw four interceptions, so expect the Lions to overpower Minnesota.
Houston Texans vs Los Angeles Chargers
The Houston Texans have conceded just 16.6 points per game this season, the fewest in the NFL. The Chargers are not too shabby in that department either, conceding only 20.1 per game this season.
Offensively, both have struggled due to poor offensive line play, so the two teams are very similar heading into the final two games of the campaign.
The two sides are in good form and have momentum, but with both organisations holding Wildcard spots, expect them to tighten up even further defensively.
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts have lost five games in a row and their playoff hopes are fading away. The decision to bring back veteran quarterback Philip Rivers has yet to pay off, but the Colts have been competitive enough in the last few games.
They have only been outclassed twice during their losing run and can push the Jacksonville Jaguars close on this occasion. They fell to a 36-19 defeat in Week 14, but Rivers' return has added some experience to their quarterback room.
On home soil, the Colts should be able to keep the scoreline respectable if they can protect the football and get running back Jonathan Taylor into space.
Chicago Bears vs San Francisco 49ers
The Chicago Bears continue to defy the odds and they are now 11-4 after their 22-16 overtime win over the Green Bay Packers.
Ben Johnson's team have won eight of their 11 games by less than 10 points, though, and they may just come unstuck in this tie.
Three of their four defeats have come on the road and the San Francisco 49ers have won five in a row and only lost twice in front of their own fans in six outings.