NFL betting tips: 4 picks against the spread for Week 17
29 Dec
NFL
Guy Giles
Guy Giles makes his NFL betting picks for Week 17 of the 2022 season, with four bets against the spread.

Visit the Betway online sportsbook for the latest NFL odds and lines, and Betway’s NFL picks page for picks and predictions throughout the season.

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (-4.5) @ Houston Texans 10/11

A first playoff appearance since 2017 is in Jacksonville’s hands as we enter the final two weeks of the season.

The equation is simple – if the Jaguars beat the Texans in Week 17 and the Titans in Week 18, they will qualify. They can also make it with just one win from those two games, depending on results elsewhere.

Although their season will likely come down to that final game against Tennessee, expect Jacksonville to try and keep the momentum going with a win over Houston this weekend.

A 19-3 win over the Jets last weekend means the Jags have now won four of their last five, with quarterback Trevor Lawrence really starting to look comfortable at the NFL level.

The Texans, meanwhile, are coming off only their second win of the season against the Titans in Week 16, but still hold the worst record in the NFL. They are also yet to win at home this season.

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (-5.5) vs New Orleans Saints 10/11

This looks a low spread for a team that holds the best record in the NFL at 13-2 against one that has scraped together six wins.

The Eagles lost a shootout to the Cowboys last week but that doesn’t change the fact they are one of the top contenders for the Super Bowl this year.

Philadelphia possesses the most potent offense in the league, scoring 29.7 points per game this season, with Jalen Hurts playing at an MVP level at quarterback.

That alone should be enough to overcome the Saints, who are incredibly still in with a shot of making the playoffs in the NFC South at 6-9.

Those six wins have come against the Falcons (twice), Seahawks, Raiders, Rams and Browns, none of whom are currently in the playoff spots.

The clear gulf between these two teams should see the Eagles cover at home.

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (+1.5) vs New York Jets 10/11

The Seahawks have lost five of their last six to slip out of the playoff spots in the NFC, although could still qualify if results go their way in the next two weeks.

It’s been a similar story for the Jets, who were looking good for a postseason berth but have also lost five of their last six. They could also still make the playoffs, although their chances look worse in the strong AFC.

Things have fallen apart offensively for the Jets in the second half of the season, with Zach Wilson losing his starting job to Mike White, who then suffered a rib injury to put him out for a few weeks. He will return this weekend in a must-win for New York.

White has proven he can galvanise this offense already this season, but has never won a start on the road and will be backed by a rush offense that has gained just 49 yards in its last two games.

Take the Seahawks and the points in this one.

MINNESOTA VIKINGS (+3.5) @ Green Bay Packers 20/23

The Green Bay Packers have won their last three games to give themselves a shot at earning a wild card playoff spot in a season that looked doomed a few weeks ago.

They now welcome NFC North rivals Minnesota, which has won four of its last five to wrap up the division title with a 12-3 record.

The Vikings beat the Packers in Week 1 of the 2022 season, running out comfortable 23-7 winners at home.

They are unlikely to find this game at Lambeau Field so easy, but are clearly the better of the two teams and will want to secure their first sweep of Green Bay since 2017.

Even if the Vikings lose, they should at least remain within a field goal and cover this appealing spread.