The NFL playoff picture cleared up a bit in Week 16, with the Chicago Bears, New England Patriots, Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers all clinching berths, joining the Denver Broncos, Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks in the field.
Week 17 should bring even more clarity. The Pittsburgh Steelers control their own destiny in the AFC North and are road favorites for Sunday's matchup with the Cleveland Browns. The Detroit Lions are trying to keep their playoff hopes alive against the Minnesota Vikings, and the Dallas Cowboys and Washington Commanders will be playing for pride in one of the league's most intense rivalries.
Matt Bowen, Pamela Maldonado and Eric Moody looked at the early Week 17 odds and identified which ones are worth jumping on now before potential shifts later in the week.
Note: Odds by DraftKings Sportsbook and subject to change.
Pittsburgh Steelers -4.5 (-108) at Cleveland Browns
Bowen: The Steelers can run the ball against a Browns defense that is fading rapidly late in the season. Volume here for Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell, which can open doors for Aaron Rodgers on play-action throws. Take the Steelers to cover.
Last week: Broncos -2.5 at Jaguars (Jaguars won, 34-20)
Dallas Cowboys at Washington Commanders OVER 50.5 (-115)
Maldonado: Dallas averages nearly 28 points per game and earlier this season scored 44 points against the Commanders. If the Cowboys score early, the Commanders are forced out of their run-first shell and into higher-risk passing with Marcus Mariota, which speeds up the game. Even modest Washington production pushes this total over.
Last week: 49ers-Colts under 46.5 (teams play Monday)
Detroit Lions -6 (-108) at Minnesota Vikings
Moody: The Lions are coming off a tough loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, a game in which two potential touchdowns were wiped out in the final 30 seconds by offensive pass interference penalties. Now Detroit faces a Vikings team that could be without J.J. McCarthy, who left Sunday's game with a throwing-hand injury and will have limited recovery time ahead of a Christmas Day matchup. Detroit's playoff path is extremely narrow, requiring wins in both remaining games and losses in both remaining games by the Green Bay Packers. If you like the Lions, this is likely the best number you'll see.