NFL WEEK 17 PRIMER
Cowboys (6-9) at Giants (5-10)
TV: 1 ET, Fox
Betmgm.com line: Cowboys by 2 Giants’ keys: They need to ride RBS Wayne Gallman Jr. and Alfred Morris against the league’s worst run defense.
Cowboys’ keys: On offense, lock in on the weakest link, and that happens to be Giants CB Isaac Yiadom, who has surrendered a passer rating of
129.9 this season.
– Dan Benton, Giants Wire
Dolphins (10-5) at Bills (12-3)
TV: 1 ET, CBS
Betmgm.com line: Bills by 1 1⁄
2
Dolphins’ keys: CBS Xavien Howard and Byron Jones must bring their A-game against Buffalo’s past catchers, forcing the Bills to try to run the ball. Bills’ keys: Confidence in QB Josh Allen to throw should be high, but designed runs for him would keep the Dolphins’ defensive players on their toes.
– Nick Wojton, Bills Wire
Ravens (10-5) at Bengals (4-10-1)
TV: 1 ET, CBS
Betmgm.com line: Ravens by 12 1⁄
2 Ravens’ keys: Their ground game, led by rookie RB J.K. Dobbins, should be the No. 1 key since if successful should open up the passing game for QB Lamar Jackson.
Bengals’ keys: A big day from RB Giovani Bernard to keep Baltimore QB Lamar Jackson off the field.
– Chris Roling, Bengals Wire
Steelers (12-3) at Browns (10-5)
TV: 1 ET, CBS
Betmgm.com line: Browns by 10 Steelers’ keys: They must get back to playing fundamentally sound football and will have to do so with Mason Rudolph at quarterback while Ben Roethlisberger rests for the playoffs.
Browns’ keys: QB Baker Mayfield and the rollout passing game, and his ability to hit targets in rhythm.
– Jeff Risdon, Browns Wire
Jets (2-13) at Patriots (6-9)
TV: 1 ET, CBS
Betmgm.com line: Patriots by 3
Jets’ keys: Just about every team that runs on the Patriots has had success, so New York should start with RB Ty Johnson. Patriots’ keys: The Jets don’t defend the run well, either, which plays right to New England’s strengths. A takeaway or two would also help the Patriots’ chances.
– Henry Mckenna, Patriots Wire
Falcons (4-11) at Buccaneers (10-5)
TV: 1 ET Sunday, Fox
Betmgm.com line: Buccaneers by 6 1⁄
2 Buccaneers’ keys: Avoiding a slow start and continuing to take care of the football.
Falcons’ keys: QB Matt Ryan will need more from his supporting cast, both up front and at the skill positions. WR Calvin Ridley has been a stud. Getting consistent pressure on Brady will be the biggest objective.
– Luke Easterling, Bucs Wire
Vikings (6-9) at Lions (5-10)
TV: 1 ET, Fox
Betmgm.com line: Vikings by 6 1⁄
2 Vikings’ keys: Shore up the run defense, which has been affected by injuries in the front seven. WR Justin Jefferson needs 47 yards to break the franchise’s rookie receiving yards record.
Lions’ keys: Get whoever starts at quarterback some help by leaning on rookie RB D’andre Swift.
– Erik Schlitt, Lions Wire
Packers (12-3) at Bears (8-7)
TV: 4:25 ET, Fox
Betmgm.com line: Packers by 5 1⁄
2 Packers’ keys: Green Bay will look to slow down a Chicago offense that has found success with RB David Montgomery.
Bears’ keys: Running the ball with Montgomery and using QB Mitchell Trubisky’s strengths to keep him comfortable. On defense, the Bears need to get off the field on third down.
– Alyssa Barbieri, Bears Wire
Titans (10-5) at Texans (4-11)
TV: 4:25 ET, CBS
Betmgm.com line: Titans by 7 1⁄
2
Titans’ keys: Tennessee can clinch AFC South Division title with a win. The Titans should ride running back Derrick Henry against one of the worst run defenses in the NFL.
Texans keys: RB David Johnson, who has provided over 200 scrimmage yards in the past two games combined.
– Mark Lane, Texans Wire
Jaguars (1-14) at Colts (10-5)
TV: 4:25 ET, CBS
Betmgm.com line: Colts by 14
Colts’ keys: Needing a victory and some other teams to lose to make the AFC playoffs, protecting QB Philip Rivers is paramount. Lean on rookie RB Jonathan Taylor (5 TDS over last five games).
Jaguars’ keys: Mike Glennon gets the start at quarterback but will be without RB James Robinson.
– Kevin Hickey, Colts Wire
Chargers (6-9) at Chiefs (14-1)
TV: 4:25 ET, Fox
Betmgm.com line: Chargers by 3 1⁄
2 Chiefs’ keys:in meaningless
Week 17 games, Andy Reid has historically handed the reins over to his coaching staff as he begins advanced preparation for the playoffs. Chargers’ keys: If Kansas City is struggling to stop the run, hand the ball off to RB Austin Ekeler early and often.
– Charles Goldman, Chiefs Wire
Raiders (7-8) at Broncos (5-10)
TV: 4:25 ET, CBS
Betmgm.com line: Raiders by 2 1⁄
2 Raiders’ keys: Get run game going with RBS Josh Jacobs and Devontae Booker.
Broncos’ keys: More touches for RB Melvin Gordon (893 rushing yards, nine total touchdowns) should move the ball against a defense that has struggled to stop the run all season.
– Jon Heath, Broncos Wire
Saints (11-4) at Panthers (5-10)
TV: 4:25 ET, Fox
Betmgm.com line: Saints by 7
Saints’ keys: Defensively, the Saints need an answer for Panthers WR DJ Moore, who totaled 93 yards and two touchdowns in their previous meeting. Panthers’ keys: Teddy Bridgewater, 5-0 for the Saints last year while Brees was injured, needs to be more aggressive and avoid turnovers.
– Tim Weaver, Panthers Wire
Seahawks (11-4) at 49ers (6-9)
TV: 4:25 ET, Fox
Betmgm.com line: Seahawks by 5 1⁄
2 Seahawks’ keys: Seattle’s offense cannot keep the 49ers in the game by reverting to a runheavy scheme.
49ers’ keys: The Week 16 victory followed a familiar winning recipe: Run the ball, lean on TE George Kittle in the passing game and get an interception-free day from QB C.J. Beathard.
– Kyle Madson, Niners Wire
Cardinals (8-7) at Rams (9-6)
TV: 4:25 ET, CBS
Betmgm.com line: Cardinals by 3 Cardinals’ keys: Get WR Deandre Hopkins involved in more than running short routes that gained minimal yardage in the previous meeting.
Rams’ keys: Hope QB John Wolford, in his first NFL action, can manage the game and not make too many mistakes. The Rams get into the playoffs with a win.
– Cameron Dasilva, Rams Wire
Washington (6-9) at Eagles (4-10-1)
TV: 8:20 ET, NBC
Betmgm.com line: Washington by 1 1⁄ 2 Washington’s keys: Win and they’re in. Look for QB Alex Smith to try to return from a calf injury.
Eagles’ keys: Ride QB Jalen Hurts and the young group of weapons. On defense, the Eagles will look to pressure Smith or new backup Taylor Heinicke.
– Glenn Erby, Eagles Wire