NFL Week 17 Betting Insights: Eagles and Ravens on the Line
UPDATE: As NFL Week 17 approaches, sports betting odds are shifting dramatically, particularly for the highly anticipated matchup between the Philadelphia Eagles and Buffalo Bills. The game kicks off on Sunday at 4:25 p.m. ET on FOX, and bookmakers are already feeling the pressure as bettors flock to place their wagers.
Caesars Sports reports significant movement in the betting line, with the Bills opening as 3-point favorites, now down to just 1-point as of Wednesday afternoon. “We’re gonna be big Eagles fans,” said Craig Mucklow, vice president of trading at Caesars Sports. Although sharp bettors are backing the Eagles, public sentiment favors Buffalo.
The stakes are high in this matchup. The Bills (11-4) are vying for a wild-card spot and could still claim the AFC East title, while the Eagles have already clinched the NFC East but are unable to secure the top seed. This makes the game crucial for both teams, intensifying the betting frenzy.
In addition to the Eagles-Bills clash, the Christmas Day slate features four teams out of playoff contention, including a pivotal game between the Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs. The Chiefs, considered one of the most disliked teams in the NFL, are drawing bets purely from opposition. “The Chiefs are the second-most-hated team in America,” Mucklow noted.
The holiday games kick off with the Dallas Cowboys facing the Washington Commanders at 1 p.m. ET, with Dallas opening as 3.5-point favorites but now soaring to 8.5 due to Washington’s injury struggles. The Lions and Vikings follow at 4:30 p.m. ET, where the betting line has shifted from -5.5 to -7.5 in favor of Detroit.
Professional bettor Randy McKay highlights another matchup, predicting Cleveland will outperform the Pittsburgh Steelers at home. “Cleveland at home vs. the Steelers is always the Browns’ Super Bowl,” McKay stated, referencing their +4.5 underdog status.
As for the potential impact of injuries, the Ravens’ upcoming game against the Packers is a point of concern for bookmakers. Mucklow expressed worry about the betting public favoring Green Bay, particularly if Lamar Jackson remains sidelined.
Amid all this action, a notable betting story emerged earlier in the week, where a customer at DraftKings Sportsbook turned a mere $10 bet into a profit exceeding $77,000 after navigating a complicated parlay.
With the NFL Week 17 games set to draw massive betting interest, fans and bettors alike are eager to see how these matchups will unfold. As the weekend approaches, all eyes will be on the Eagles and Bills, with the outcome likely to have significant implications for the playoff picture.
Stay tuned for more updates as the action unfolds!
