Geoff Schwartz
FOX Sports Betting Analyst
NFL Week 17 kicked off with a few Christmas video games that left somewhat to be desired.
THE Chiefs exceeded Steelers fairly simply, and the Crows he completely rolled the Texans.
Will the weekend give us extra feelings? Maybe sure. So let’s dive into some bets I like for a few of the fights left on the schedule.
(All instances ET)
SUNDAY DEC. 29
Colts @ Giants (1 p.m., FOX and FOX Sports App)
I do not care how unhealthy the Giants are – and they’re unhealthy – the Indianapolis Colts should not be greater than a landing favourite in opposition to anybody within the NFL.
The Colts have seven wins. They received two video games by one level, two video games by three factors, one recreation by 5 and one other by six. They lastly received by eight factors final weekend in opposition to the Titanshowever they have been successful 38-7 earlier than permitting 23 straight factors to win by simply eight.
So even should you imagine Indy wins, why would it not be by seven factors or extra?
The Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson it has such a excessive variance. He confirmed off some superb throws and may use his legs, however he additionally throws crippling interceptions. He’s accomplished simply 47 % of his passes this season, and now this Florida child taking part in in a dome will go to windy, wet and sometimes sad East Rutherford.
In different phrases, I merely do not buy the Colts’ offense on this recreation.
Now, the Giants protection ranks twenty fifth in factors allowed, slightly below the Colts protection. And talking of the Colts protection, it isn’t good. He is twenty third in factors allowed and twenty ninth on third down. It’s not unit, and the Giants offense cannot play a lot worse than final weekend. He recognized the Hawks 14 factors, so the ultimate rating seemed worse than the play.
I count on the Giants to play barely higher on offense, and if Richardson can play outdoors of the sport with time, the Giants can cowl
PICK: The Giants (+7.5) will lose by lower than 7.5 factors or win outright
Josh Allen slips, Sam Darnold climbs ‘Mahomes Mountain’ in Week 17
Jets @ Invoices (1 p.m., CBS)
One guess I are inclined to make on Bills video games when they’re heavy favorites is to take the quarterback Josh Allen Under his impetuous props.
Allen tends to chop down on operating when the Bills play unhealthy groups and/or after they win by a snug margin. The Bills are favored by practically 10 factors in opposition to a horrible Jets staff, and after a lackluster begin in opposition to the Patriots Last Sunday I anticipated efficiency from the Bills.
This means Allen will run the ball much less.
In a 21-point win over the Dolphinshe had two yards speeding. He had only one speeding yard in a 24-point win in opposition to the Titans. He scored 18 in a matchup in opposition to the 49ers.
You get the purpose.
So I’ll take Allen below 30.5 speeding yards.
PICK: Josh Allen Under 30.5 yards speeding
Keyshawn Johnson provides out Christmas items to each NFL staff
MONDAY DEC. 30
Lions @ 49ers (8:15 p.m., ESPN/ABC)
The Lions have blown out unhealthy soccer groups this season, to the purpose the place it seems like a university staff taking part in FCS opponents.
They will play one other unhealthy soccer staff in Week 17.
The 49ers are out of the playoffs and simply misplaced to the Dolphins by 12 factors final weekend. They are with out so many key gamers that they fail to compete in opposition to most groups they face. The Lions are a type of groups they should not be capable of compete with.
Plus, this recreation is vital for Detroit.
The Lions can get one recreation nearer to the No. 1 seed. 1 within the NFC if Vikings OR Eagles undergo a loss, or they should win to maintain tempo with the Vikings in order that their Week 18 matchup is for the division and high seed.
Will we see a particularly motivated Lions staff?
The 49ers are additionally in no place to provide spoilers. Those groups are sometimes just like the Panthers, which is a younger staff that performs properly however would not win.
The 49ers are injured and utterly missed their objectives for 2024. They are useless inside. I just like the Lions right here.
PICK: Lions (-3.5) wins by greater than 3.5 factors
Geoff Schwartz is an NFL analyst for FOX Sports. He performed eight seasons within the NFL for 5 completely different groups. He began at proper sort out for the University of Oregon for 3 seasons and was a second-team All-Pac-12 choice his senior 12 months. Follow him on Twitter @Geoff Schwartz.
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