The final week of the NFL regular season is upon us with every match in week 17 of the competition being played on Sunday. There may only be one match remaining for each side but there is a lot to play for up and down the country.
Wildcard spots and a couple of division titles are on the line on what promises to be a fascinating night of NFL action. As always we finish with a complete round of divisional games to add to the drama and excitement.
1pm Kick Offs (6pm UK time)
The TV match in this set of kick off matches for those of us who are in the UK sees the Houston Texans hosting the Jacksonville Jaguars with the Texans looking to secure the AFC South title and potentially even securing a postseason first round bye. If Jacksonville beat Houston then Houston will finish as the sixth seeds and will most likely travel to the winner of the Sunday Night Football.
There are six other matches in this early kick off time as the New York Jets take on the New England Patriots with the Patriots looking to secure a bye in the playoffs next week. A win could even give them the number one seeding. Miami Dolphins conclude their season by heading to the Buffalo Bills. The Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions meet at Lambeau Field with both sides ending their season while the New Orleans Saints conclude their regular season against the Carolina Panthers. Tampa Bay Buccaneers take on the Atlanta Falcons and in the other match the Dallas Cowboys round off their regular season against the New York Giants.
4.25pm Kick Offs (9.25pm UK time)
There are some huge matches in this set of games not least the NFC North battle between the Minnesota Vikings and the Chicago Bears. The Vikings need to win to get the final wildcard spot in the NFC while a Bears win could yet give them the first week of the playoffs off. That is the match that is live on the TV in the UK.
Two division titles are on the line in this set of matches too. In the AFC North the Baltimore Ravens just need to see off the Cleveland Browns at home to make it into the playoffs. It is do or die for them though because if they lose and the Pittsburgh Steelers see off the Cincinnati Bengals it will be the Steelers winning the division and into the playoffs and Baltimore’s season will be done. Things are slightly clearer in the AFC West where the Kansas City Chiefs win the division and have home field advantage with a win over the Oakland Raiders. If they lose they will be on the road in the playoffs as the Los Angeles Chargers will win the division if they beat the Denver Broncos.
The other matches in this set of games sees the Los Angeles Rams hosting the San Francisco 49ers and the Seattle Seahawks hosting the Arizona Cardinals. All four sides already know their fate but there is one more big match with the Washington Redskins hosting a surging Philadelphia Eagles side who need to win and the Vikings to lose to snatch the final playoff spot in the NFC.
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Betting
We are at that time of the season where teams who need to win are significantly shorter than they should be but we need to remember that must win does not necessarily mean will win. We also have to remember that teams who need to win are focusing on just that rather than piling up the score. With that in mind I’m going with a couple of bets here.
Minnesota Vikings are understandably the favourites to see off the Chicago Bears but it isn’t as though the Bears are playing for nothing and as such I expect the NFC North champions to stay within 6.5pts of their rivals. Matt Nagy has suggested his side will play for the win and that is good enough for me. Minnesota have often struggled under pressure this season and while I fancy they’ll get the win they need I don’t see it coming without a few hiccups and scares along the way. I’ll take the Bears to ride the start here.
Given that they only need to win I wouldn’t normally take the Philadelphia Eagles to cover more than a mini handicap against the Washington Redskins but given all the injuries the Redskins have and the fact that their season is over I’ll take the Eagles to cover 5.5pts. They simply have to win to have any chance of coming into the playoffs so I’m expecting a strong start from them and if they get their noses in front early it would be no surprise if the Redskins’ heads go down and the Eagles power to another big win under Nick Foles.
Tips
WON – Back Chicago Bears (+6.5) to beat Minnesota Vikings for a 4/10 stake at 1.91 with Betfred
WON – Back Philadelphia Eagles (-5.5) to beat Washington Redskins for a 4/10 stake at 1.87 with Betfred
Back them here:
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