Are you still fat and drunk from the holidays? Then buckle in for Week 17 of the NFL, which can be as exciting/ boring/ unpredictable as a family Christmas dinner.
There are a few games that really matter in the playoff race, and some that are a fart in the wind to cap out the week.
For some of the teams that have already secured a playoff spot, they are more concerned with resting their good players, and thus the games become incredibly difficult to handicap.
Also, teams will be watching the scores of other games, and will adjust the beatdown facto they lay on the other teams-or lay-off.
This adds a wacky nugget element to sports betting.
To help you out, I have made some of my predictions to help out your betting options.
Make sure you check out our BetRegal offer. Just deposit £10 and spend it on a bet, and you get ANOTHER free £10 bet to make on another offer.
We have our DraftKings League set up as well, so pop on over and set up your team for today.
Wildcard Saturday is just around the corner, and we will be showing ALL of the NFL Playoffs at the Long Acre pub in Covent Garden. For £7 you get entry and a welcome beer.
Ok, let’s take a look at some of the big games this Sunday.
-13 Saints (12-3) vs Panthers (5-10) +46
Christian McCaffrey must be tired. He has been carrying this team on his back/ legs and ego this season, and it has been a very disappointing one. What will happen next season with Cam Newton, and can they fade out this season with some dignity?
The Saints are fired up. They have 12 wins under their belt, but it’s the 3 losses that are the scary ones. They have shown some inconsistent play during some of these games, and that’s not the blueprint you want to take into these playoff games.
The Panthers won’t be motivated at home, but the crowd will be treated to a high-scoring affair.
Alvin Kamara looks to have a beast of a game, so factor him into your fantasy line-up.
The Saints are looking at home field advantage, so they will be ready to run up the score to get it that way.
Saints win big.
Dolphins (4-11) vs -15.5 Patriots (12-3) +44.5
‘At least we’re not the Bengals!’
The Dolphins had a pretty miserable season, but at least they were able to not fully trash bag the season, and walk out with 4 wins.
Ryan Fitzpatrick brought his magic to many of these games, and although they won’t get the first draft pick, they will be able to slowly start rebuilding the team.
This is a tough game, because the Patriots need a win, but they don’t need a beating of the fish.
As long as they win, they’re in-but they will be watching the Chiefs score to determine how far that beating goes.
Look for Brady to roll up some big scores early on, then let off the gas after the first half, once they know what the playoff implications are.
I can see Fitzy going out with a bang in the second half, unless he gets demolished by the Pats D.
Dolphins cover.
-13 Packers (12-3) vs Lions (3-11-1)
The Lions have had a worse season than lions being kept in an Eastern European circus.
Too many injuries, and a disappointing tough schedule have kept them in the NFC north basement.
The Packers are sitting pretty, but they need to win to secure a home field position.
Again, they will look to put up a big score, then start to coast, but unlike the Dolphins, the Lions don’t have any assets to allow them to keep this game close.
Packers win big.
LA Chargers (5-10) vs -9 Chiefs (11-4)
The Chiefs are in the playoffs, but how far are they in? Just the tip, or the full shaft?
Kansas will also be keeping an eye on the Patriots game to see how their future holds.
In the crazy chance that the Dolphins actually beat the Patriots, KC can secure home field advantage, and make the season a lot tougher for anyone willing to visit the midwest.
The Chargers have a solid front D, so look for them to chase Patrick Mahomes all over the field.
LA is one of those teams who won’t let up in this game. It’s their final season in the old stadium, so it’s a new start and new home going forward.
There will probably be more hot dog vendors in the stand than there will be Chargers fans.
Chargers cover.
I will be outlining what some of the good parlay pick options are this week, so make sure you head over to BetRegal and take me up on my predictions.
Happy Sunday everyone!