NFL Week 17 Odds: Line Leaps Fence For Browns Vs Steelers

UPDATE 9 P.M. ET SATURDAY: Cleveland opened as a 3-point favorite at WynnBet and is currently -3, though at a -120 premium. Ticket count and money are both approaching 2/1 on the Browns in the Week 17 Monday nighter. The total opened opened at and is currently 41, even though the Under is nabbing 73% of tickets/90% of cash.

UPDATE 11:30 P.M. ET WEDNESDAY: With all four AFC North teams still alive for the division title, the regular season’s final Monday night matchup is huge. Cleveland opened as a 2.5-point chalk at PointsBet USA and is up to -3.5. The Browns are nabbing 60% of spread bets, while the Steelers are grabbing 64% of spread dollars. The total opened at 40 and is now 41, with 61% of bets on the Over/62% of money on the Under.

UPDATE 11 P.M. ET SUNDAY: Both of these teams really needed Week 16 wins, and neither got one. On Christmas Day, turnover-prone Cleveland (7-8 SU and ATS) lost at Green Bay 24-22, but cashed getting 7.5 points. On Sunday, Pittsburgh (7-7-1 SU, 6-9 ATS) got pelted 36-10 at Kansas City as a 10-point underdog.

So both teams’ playoff hopes are on the brink entering the Week 17 Monday night clash.

“Our look-ahead number [last week] on this game was Steelers -1, and we got dinged by a sharp player on the Browns at that number,” Murray said. “After the Steelers’ showing today in Kansas City, we opted to flip the Browns to the favorite and push them up to -2.5. We don’t expect many people to be looking to bet Pittsburgh next Monday, although the Steelers do set up as a good teaser option.”

More action came in on Cleveland later in the evening, forcing Murray to move to Browns -3. The total was unchanged.

UPDATE 6 P.M. ET SATURDAY: Green Bay went from -7 to -6.5 and back to -7 by Thursday at WynnBet. Then on Friday, news broke that Minnesota QB Kirk Cousins won’t play due to COVID protocols. The line went straight to Packers -13, where it sits now. Ticket count is 2/1 Green Bay, but perhaps surprisingly, money is almost 4/1 Minnesota. In fact, Vikings on the spread is WynnBet’s third-largest liability in the NFL Week 17 odds market.

The total fell from 48 to 45.5 by Thursday afternoon, then tumbled straight to 42 Friday on the Cousins news. Tickets are 3/1 on the Over, while money is almost dead even.

UPDATE NOON ET FRIDAY: This morning, news broke that Minnesota QB Kirk Cousins entered protocols. Even under the NFL’s new policy, adopted earlier this week, Cousins won’t be able to play Sunday night. Prior to the news breaking, DraftKings had Green Bay at -6.5, with ticket count and money both in the 4/1 range on the Packers. In the wake of the Cousins news, DK went straight to Green Bay -13.5.

Green Bay opened -6.5 and had gotten to -6 and -7 a couple of times. The total opened at 48, peaked at 49 and was already down to 45.5, with extremely cold weather expected Sunday night. Shortly after learning Cousins’ status, DraftKings went straight from 45.5 to 42. Ticket count is 3/1 on the Over, but money 4/1 on the Under.

UPDATE 11:30 P.M. ET WEDNESDAY: PointsBet USA lowered Green Bay from -7 to -6.5 Monday afternoon for the Week 17 Sunday night showdown. Still, ticket count is 3/1 and money 5/1 on the Packers for what will be a very frigid matchup. The total moved from 48 to 48.5, then backed up to 47 and is now 47.5. The Over is taking 62% of tickets, but money is almost dead even.

UPDATE 9 P.M. ET SUNDAY: Green Bay (12-3 SU, 11-4 ATS) has not only the NFC’s best record but the top mark in the NFL. In a Week 16 Saturday tilt, the Packers held off Cleveland 24-22 giving 7.5 points at home.

Meanwhile, Minnesota (7-8 SU, 8-7 ATS) is now on the outside looking in for a playoff spot. The Vikings went off as 3-point home ‘dogs against the Rams and lost 30-23.

“We were between Packers -6.5 and -7 before opening Green Bay -7, so we weren’t surprised to see a respected player come in early and take the points with Minnesota,” Murray said. “But it was nothing that has forced us to make a move at this time. Consider the schedule spot on Sunday Night Football. We will be big Vikings fans at this time next week, and we know it. It will take more than one sharp bet to move us down at this time.”

The total also didn’t move Sunday night.

UPDATE 6 P.M. ET SATURDAY: Kansas City climbed the ladder, then came back down this week at WynnBet. The Chiefs opened -4, stretched to -5.5 midweek, then returned to -4 by Friday. K.C. is landing 61% of spread bets, but 64% of spread money is on Cincinnati. The total rose from 48.5 to 50.5, with 85% of bets/95% of cash on the Over. This key AFC clash is drawing the most overall action at WynnBet, combining spread, moneyline, and total.

UPDATE 11:30 P.M. ET WEDNESDAY: PointsBet USA pegged Kansas City a 4.5-point favorite late Sunday night, stretched to -5.5 Tuesday morning, then went to -5 Tuesday afternoon. The Chiefs are landing 70% of spread bets and 77% of spread dollars. The total rose from 49 to 51, with 87% of early bets/93% of early cash on the Over. But keep an eye on the Cincinnati weather forecast, which might not be pretty Sunday.

UPDATE 10:30 P.M. ET SUNDAY: Kansas City (11-4 SU, 8-7 ATS) is paying off on the field and at the betting window. The Chiefs are riding hot streaks of 8-0 SU and 6-0 ATS. In Week 16, K.C. had no problems with Pittsburgh in a 36-10 rout as a 10-point home chalk.

Cincinnati (9-6 SU, 8-7 ATS) has been up and down all season, but at least took care of undermanned Baltimore in Week 16. The Bengals coasted to a 41-21 victory laying 7.5 points at home.

“We opened the Chiefs -4, and we’ve already seen a slew of bets come in on that side, but nothing that would prompt us to move the number,” Murray said. “It’s not a surprise to see money coming in on Kansas City. It’s exactly the kind of spot the public loves to back up the truck on, and we already know the Bengals will be one of our biggest needs next Sunday.”

Later tonight, The SuperBook boosted the Chiefs a full point to -5, and the total inched up to 48.5.

UPDATE 6 P.M. ET SATURDAY: After boat-racing Washington last Sunday night, Dallas opened -5.5 at WynnBet and Thursday rose to -6, where the line remains. The Cowboys are seeing 62% of tickets and 81% of money on the spread. After opening at 49, the total reached 51.5 this afternoon, with 83% of tickets/92% of money on the Over.

UPDATE 11:30 P.M. ET WEDNESDAY: Dallas opened -4 at PointsBetUSA and is up to -5.5, in large part a response to Sunday night’s 56-14 wipeout of Washington. The Cowboys are collecting 70% of early spread bets and 83% of early spread dollars. The total moved from 49.5 to 51.5, with 64% of tickets on the Over, but 77% of cash on the Under.

UPDATE 2 P.M. ET MONDAY: As noted in Sunday’s update (see drop-down below), The SuperBook posted the Cardinals-Cowboys game late Sunday afternoon at Dallas -3. The matchup was then taken off the board, with no early movement, once the Washington-Dallas Week 16 game kicked off Sunday night. The Cowboys subsequently smashed WFT 56-14 as 10-point home favorites. This morning, The SuperBook reposted the matchup at Cowboys -5.5 and nudged the total up to 49.5.

UPDATE 9 P.M. ET SUNDAY: A month ago, Arizona was 10-2 SU (9-3 ATS) and in the driver’s seat for the NFC’s No. 1 seed. Now, after an ill-timed 0-3 SU and ATS skid — all from the favorite’s role — the Cardinals aren’t even in control of their own division. On Christmas night, Arizona was a 3-point home chalk against an Indianapolis team missing three starting offensive linemen and tumbled 22-16.

On the flip side, Dallas has followed a 1-3 SU and ATS by winning and cashing in its last four games. In the Week 16 Sunday nighter, the Cowboys steamrolled Washington 56-14 giving 10 points at home. Dallas is now 11-4 SU and holds the NFL’s top spread-covering mark at 12-3.

“We saw some money show up on our opener of Cowboys -3 (-110), but haven’t moved the line yet,” Murray said shortly after the Sunday night game kicked off. “The Cardinals are really struggling, and it’s coming at the worst possible time. They’ve fallen behind the Rams in the division, and while they’re going to safely make the playoffs, they are not a team anyone is looking to get behind right now.”

Per SuperBook protocol, Cardinals-Cowboys came off the board once Washington-Dallas kicked off. At that point, the line and total were unchanged, and Cards-Cowboys will go back up Monday morning.

UPDATE 6 P.M. ET SATURDAY: With Baltimore QB Lamar Jackson (ankle) still uncertain to play Sunday, Los Angeles is up to a 6-point chalk at WynnBet. The Rams opened -2.5, reached -3.5 Monday and -5.5 Friday. Ticket count and money are both beyond 6/1 on Los Angeles. The total moved from 45.5 to 46.5, with tickets and money in the 2/1 range on the Over.

UPDATE 11:30 P.M. ET WEDNESDAY: Los Angeles moved from -3 to -3.5 in short order Monday morning at PointsBet USA, and the number hasn’t moved since. Ticket count is approaching 9/1 and money is 6/1 on the Rams. The total crept from 46 to 46.5, with ticket count almost 3/1 and money 5/1 on the Over.

UPDATE 9 P.M. ET SUNDAY: Los Angeles (11-4 SU, 8-7 ATS) has gotten hot at the right time, catching and now surpassing Arizona in the NFC West race. The Rams are on a 4-0 SU and ATS surge after taking care of Minnesota 30-23 as a 3-point road fave.

Baltimore can relate to Arizona — except its playoff fate is much less secure. The Ravens were 8-3 SU through 12 weeks. Now, John Harbaugh and Co. are 8-7 SU (7-8 ATS) and clinging to the seventh and final AFC postseason slot. With QBs Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley both sidelined in Week 16, Baltimore got rolled 41-21 catching 7.5 points at Cincinnati.

Rams-Ravens was left off The SuperBook’s NFL Week 17 odds board tonight.

“We are holding off on this game until we get some more clarity on the Baltimore QB situation,” Murray said.

UPDATE 11:30 P.M. ET WEDNESDAY: At midweek, some sportsbooks have this game off the board due to Colts QB Carson Wentz being in COVID protocols. PointsBet USA continues taking action, and it’s been a wild ride. Indy opened -7.5, dipped to -6.5, returned to -7.5, then the line tumbled in a hurry Tuesday afternoon. The Colts bottomed out at -1, but on news of the NFL amending its protocols — making possible the return of the unvaccinated Wentz — PointsBet quickly adjusted to Colts -5.

Now, Indianapolis is up to -6.5, even with no real certainty on Wentz’s status. The Colts are netting 59% of spread bets, while 55% of spread cash is on the Raiders. The total plunged from 46 to 41, then rebounded to 44.5, with 65% of bets on the Over/56% of money on the Under.

UPDATE 11 P.M. ET SUNDAY: Indianapolis (9-6 SU, 10-5 ATS) has won three in a row, six of seven, and eight of 10 (7-3 ATS). On Christmas night, the Colts went to Arizona as a 3-point pup and exited with a 22-16 victory.

Las Vegas kept its postseason hopes alive in Week 15, but is still on the outside looking in. The Raiders (8-7 SU, 6-9 ATS) fended off Denver 17-13 in a pick ’em game.

“We opened the game Colts -8.5 and have seen some respected players take the points, but we aren’t budging yet,” Murray said early tonight. “We know the sharp guys always seem to come in on Indianapolis, and you can’t help but be impressed by the Colts winning on the road against the Cardinals on Christmas Day, with almost their entire starting offensive line on the sideline. The Colts are a legit Super Bowl contender right now. They will be in a lot of moneyline parlays and teasers next weekend.”

By later this evening, enough respected Raiders money showed to move the Colts to -8, then to -7.5. The total was steady at 46.5.

UPDATE 9 P.M. ET SATURDAY: Tennessee toggled between -3.5 and -3 a couple of times at WynnBet, then got to -3.5 Wednesday and stuck there. The Titans are currently -3.5 (+105) while taking 66% of tickets and 56% of money. The total dropped from 41 to 39.5, then rebounded to 40.5 tonight. Ticket count is 2/1 on the Over, while money is almost 4/1 on the Under.

UPDATE 11:30 P.M. ET WEDNESDAY: With two-way action, PointsBet USA hasn’t budged off Tennessee -3.5. The Titans are taking 55% of spread bets and 52% of spread cash. The total shifted from 40.5 to 41 to 40, with 60% of bets/83% of cash on the Under.

UPDATE 11 P.M. ET SUNDAY: Tennessee continues trying to make do without stud running back Derrick Henry (foot injury), hoping he returns for the playoffs. In Week 16, the Titans (10-5 SU, 9-6 ATS) hosted surging San Francisco on Thursday night and rallied for a much-needed win. The Titans kicked a final-seconds field goal to prevail 20-17 as a 3-point home underdog.

Miami (7-7 SU, 7-6-1 ATS) still has Week 16 work to do. The Dolphins, on a 6-0 SU/5-1 ATS streak, travel to New Orleans for the Monday night game.

“Our look-ahead number on this game was Titans -4, and we had sharp players taking the points with Miami,” Murray said. “We opted to re-open the game Titans -4 anyway after their impressive win over the 49ers on Thursday night, and we once again saw sharp money come in on the Dolphins, forcing us to finally go down to 3.5. This number may very well move again, depending on the results of Monday Night Football.”

The total didn’t move off of 41.

UPDATE 11:30 P.M. ET WEDNESDAY: Tampa Bay hasn’t moved off -13 at PointsBet USA, while attracting 88% of early bets/80% of early dollars. The total dipped to 45 from a 46 opener and 46.5 high point, with 58% of bets on the Over/72% of money on the Under.

UPDATE 11 P.M. ET SUNDAY: Tampa Bay (11-4 SU, 8-7 ATS) rebounded from its stunning shutout loss to New Orleans by drubbing a bad team, as it should. The Bucs yielded just two field goals while beating Carolina 32-6 as 10.5-point road favorites. As a result, Tom Brady and Co. moved to 6-1 ATS as a double-digit favorite this season.

New York (4-11 SU, 5-10 ATS) snapped a three-game SU losing skid by holding off Jacksonville 26-21 as 2.5-point home chalk. The Jets, who also cashed as a 10-point underdog in a Week 15 loss at Miami, have covered the spread in consecutive games for the first time this season.

Neither the line nor total moved tonight on The SuperBook’s NFL Week 17 odds board.

UPDATE 11:30 P.M. ET WEDNESDAY: Chicago is a stable 6-point favorite at PointsBet USA, with ticket count and money beyond 4/1 on the Bears. The total is down to 37 from a 38.5 opener, with quite cold weather expected Sunday in the Windy City. That said, the Over is drawing 62% of tickets/67% of money.

UPDATE 11 P.M. ET SUNDAY: Remember last week in this space when we noted that if the Jets were favored, it must be a really bad game? Well, ditto for this matchup. If the Bears are favored, and by nearly a touchdown no less, there’s some awfulness going on. And a total of 37.5 is also a pretty good indication of what’s coming — or not coming.

All that said, Chicago (5-10 SU and ATS) actually landed a surprising Week 16 victory at Seattle. The Bears rallied from a 24-14 fourth-quarter deficit, getting a field goal with 10:42 remaining, then a TD 1:01 left. That put Chicago within a point, at 24-23, and coach Matt Nagy opted for a 2-point conversion. The Bears got it to land a 25-24 win as a 7-point underdog, halting a three-game SU and five-game ATS slide.

New York (4-11 SU, 6-9 ATS) opened an early 3-0 lead at Philadelphia, then gave up the next 34 points on the way to a 34-10 beating as an 11-point pup. The Giants have lost four consecutive games (SU and ATS) by the combined score of 112-46.

There was no movement tonight on the line or the total.

UPDATE 11:30 P.M. ET WEDNESDAY: Buffalo quickly advanced from -13.5 through the two-touchdown mark, reaching -14.5 Monday. The Bills are now -14.5 (-105), but ticket count is almost dead even, and 59% of money is on the Falcons. The total moved from 44.5 to 45 to 44, although ticket count is 2/1 and money 5/1 on the Over. It could be snowy and windy Sunday in upstate New York.

UPDATE 11 P.M. ET SUNDAY: Buffalo (9-6 SU, 8-7 ATS) in Week 16 got a measure of revenge for its home loss to New England earlier this month. The Bills went to Foxborough as slim 1-point ‘dogs and never trailed in a 33-21 victory.

Atlanta (7-8 SU, 6-9 ATS) got a needed win to remain on the fringes of the outside-looking-in NFC playoff crew. The Falcons hung on for a 20-16 victory over Detroit but failed to cash as a 7.5-point home chalk. That marked the first time all season that the straight-up winner failed to cover the spread in an Atlanta game. The Falcons have alternated SU wins and losses in their last six games.

The line and total were unchanged tonight on The SuperBook’s NFL Week 17 odds board.

UPDATE 11:30 P.M. ET WEDNESDAY: New England opened as a 15.5-point chalk and remains a 15.5-point chalk at PointsBet USA. It’s two-way point-spread action, with the Patriots netting 55% of bets and 51% of money. The total dipped from 42.5 to 41, with 55% of bets and a hefty 85% of cash on the Under.

UPDATE 11 P.M. ET SUNDAY: Two weeks ago, New England was the hottest team in the league, on a 7-0 SU and ATS tear. The Patriots (9-6 SU and ATS) have since returned to earth, losing two in a row SU and ATS. In Week 16, the Pats fell 33-21 to Buffalo as a 1-point home favorite.

So New England is probably really looking forward to facing the NFL’s worst team (both SU and ATS). Jacksonville (2-13 SU, 4-11 ATS) lost 26-21 to the Jets as a 2.5-point road underdog, and is now mired in slumps of 0-7 SU and 0-6 ATS.

The line and total were stable tonight.

UPDATE 9:30 P.M. ET SATURDAY: New Orleans rose from -6.5 to -7 Monday at WynnBet, returned to -6.5 Thursday and fell to -6 today. Betting splits are quite interesting: 59% of spread tickets on the Saints/96% of spread money on the Panthers. WynnBet noted Carolina spread is its second-largest liability in the NFL Week 17 odds market. The total fell from 38.5 to 37.5, with 73% of tickets/92% of money on the Under.

UPDATE 11:30 P.M. ET WEDNESDAY: New Orleans hasn’t moved off -7 at PointsBet USA, where 59% of bets are on the Saints, but 74% of cash is on the Panthers. The total opened at 39.5, peaked at 40, bottomed out at 38 and is now 38.5. Tickets and money are running 3/1 on the Under.

UPDATE 11 P.M. ET SUNDAY: This line is likely predicated on New Orleans getting key players off the COVID list, most notably QBs Taysom Hill and Trevor Siemian. In the Week 16 Monday night game against Miami, the Saints (7-7 SU and ATS) are expected to start rookie QB Ian Book.

New Orleans is coming off a stunning 9-0 Week 15 road upset of defending Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay, winning outright as an 11.5 point underdog. Carolina (5-10 SU and ATS) then had to face the Buccaneers’ wrath in Week 16, losing 32-6 as a 10.5-point home pup.

The line didn’t move tonight at The SuperBook, but the total inched down to 38.

UPDATE 11:30 P.M. ET WEDNESDAY: Philly opened -3.5 at PointsBet USA, spent a few hours at -4 and returned to -3.5 Tuesday evening. The Eagles are landing 77% of early tickets, while 59% of early dollars are on Washington. The total moved from 46 to 46.5, then backed up to 44.5, with tickets almost 2/1 and money 5/1 on the Under.

UPDATE 11 P.M. ET SUNDAY: Philadelphia (8-7 SU, 8-6-1 ATS) currently holds the seventh and final NFC playoff slot. The Eagles had no troubles in Week 16, dumping the Giants 34-10 as 11-point faves.

Conversely, Washington had nothing but trouble in the Week 16 Sunday night game. The Football Team (6-9 SU, 5-9-1 ATS) got the living hell beat out of it at Dallas, losing 56-14 as a 10-point ‘dog.

There was no movement in the line or total tonight.

UPDATE 9:30 P.M. ET SATURDAY: With QB Jimmy Garoppolo (thumb) questionable, San Francisco dropped from 14.5 to -12.5 by Tuesday and hasn’t budged since at WynnBet. Double-digit ‘dog Houston is landing 59% of spread bets and a healthy 90% of spread dollars. The total dipped from 45 to 44, although 63% of bets/90% of dollars are on the Over.

UPDATE 11:30 P.M. ET WEDNESDAY: San Francisco might not have QB Jimmy Garoppolo (thumb), leading PointsBet USA to drop the 49ers from -15 to -12.5 by Tuesday morning. Ticket count is actually 3/1 and money nearly 4/1 on big underdog Houston. The total went from 45 to 45.5, then slid to 44, with 60% of bets on the Over/65% of money on the Under.

UPDATE MIDNIGHT ET SUNDAY: San Francisco (8-7 SU, 7-8 ATS) rode a 5-1 SU and ATS surge firmly into the NFC playoff picture. But the hot streak ended in the Week 16 Thursday nighter. The 49ers, laying 3 points at Tennessee, lost 20-17 on a final-seconds field goal.

Meanwhile, Houston (4-11 SU, 7-8 ATS) pulled off one of the larger upsets of the season. The Texans, catching 13.5 points against the visiting Chargers, cruised to a 41-29 victory.

Late tonight, the 49ers crept beyond two touchdowns to -14.5 on The SuperBook’s NFL Week 17 odds board. The total was unchanged.

UPDATE 10 P.M. ET SATURDAY: The Chargers reached -7.5 Friday night at WynnBet, up 2 points from the -5.5 opener. However, although Los Angeles is netting 77% of tickets, Denver is drawing 55% of cash. The total opened at 45, bottomed out at 44.5, peaked at 46.5 midweek and has been at 45.5 since Thursday. Ticket count is split 50/50, while 79% of money is on the Over.

UPDATE 11:30 P.M. ET WEDNESDAY: PointsBet USA pegged Los Angeles a 5.5-point favorite at the outset and reached -6.5 this afternoon. The Chargers are nabbing 70% of tickets, but 74% of dollars are on the Broncos. The total rose from 45 to 46, with 59% of bets on the Over and 59% of cash on the Under.

UPDATE 11 P.M. ET SUNDAY: Los Angeles is playing its way out of an AFC postseason bid, currently sitting eighth with seven slots available. In Week 16, the Chargers (8-7 SU, 7-8 ATS) went off as 13-point favorites at lowly Houston and shockingly lost 41-29.

Denver (7-8 SU and ATS) pretty much rattled its last playoff saber in Week 16. The Broncos fell to Las Vegas 17-13 in a pick ’em game. Both teams have dropped consecutive games both SU and ATS.

The SuperBook held steady on the line and total tonight.

UPDATE 10 P.M. ET SATURDAY: Seattle went from -7.5 to -6.5 and climbed back to -7.5 Friday morning at WynnBet. Detroit, even with QB Jared Goff (knee) doubtful, is taking 61% of tickets, but 70% of money is on Seattle. The total climbed from 41.5 to 42.5, then returned to the 41.5 opener Friday. The Over is netting 57% of tickets/64% of money.

UPDATE 11:30 P.M. ET WEDNESDAY: Seattle opened -7.5 at PointsBet USA and made a couple of trips down to -6.5, where the line sits tonight. Ticket count is actually almost 3/1 and money beyond 5/1 on underdog Detroit. The total moved from 42.5 to 43 to 42.5, with 68% of tickets on the Over/61% of money on the Under.

UPDATE MIDNIGHT ET SUNDAY: Detroit can’t win games with any regularity, but Dan Campbell’s troops continue to be money in the bank at the betting window. Case in point: In Week 16, the Lions lost at Atlanta 20-16, falling to 2-12-1 SU. But Detroit covered as a 7.5-point ‘dog, moving to 6-1 ATS in its last seven and 10-5 ATS on the year.

Seattle (5-10 SU, 7-8 ATS) led Chicago by 10 at multiple junctures in Week 16, including 24-14 in the fourth quarter. But the Seahawks, 7-point home faves in the snow, lost 25-24 on a last-minute TD/2-point conversion.

With Detroit running hot for bettors, it’s no surprise this line ticked down to Seahawks -7.5 late tonight. The total was stable at 42 in The SuperBook’s NFL Week 17 odds market.