NFL Week 17 odds are of course being impacted by injury news, but also once again by COVID. However, on Tuesday, the league put in place new protocols, reducing isolation time from 10 days to five days for all asymptomatic players — even those who are unvaccinated.
That policy likely will allow Indianapolis Colts quarterback Carson Wentz and Tampa Bay Buccaneers wideout Mike Evans to return. But it won’t help Minnesota Vikings QB Kirk Cousins.
Props.com’s NFL Week 17 Odds and Ends serves as a one-stop-shop for injury details, weather conditions, and Pros vs. Joes action. Check back regularly for injury updates, significant weather impacts, and notable contrasts between NFL Week 17 sharp bets and public money.
NFL Week 17 Injuries
Indianapolis Colts: Indy, which is facing a key Week 17 home clash against Las Vegas, could be a big beneficiary of amended COVID protocols. Carson Wentz — who is unvaccinated and hit the COVID list Tuesday — was activated from the reserve/COVID list Saturday. While Wentz cleared the five-day quarantine period, he must be tested Sunday. If he passes, he’ll be under center against the Raiders; if not, he’ll be sidelined.
On the injury front, tight end Jack Doyle (knee/ankle) remained questionable.
The SuperBook opened the Colts -8.5 and dropped to -7 by Monday morning, well before Indianapolis’ COVID situation developed. When the Wentz news hit Tuesday afternoon, the line dropped straight to Colts -2, then went to -2.5. The SuperBook then took the side and total off the board. It went back up Thursday morning at Colts -6.5, and by Saturday night the point spread was right back where it started: Colts -8.5
The total opened at 46.5 and plunged to 40 after the Wentz news became public. However, with Wentz presumed the starter, the total was sitting at 45 on Saturday night.
Las Vegas Raiders: Tight end Darren Waller (knee), out the past four games, was looking good to return this week at Indianapolis. However, Waller went on the reserve/COVID list Wednesday, making it unlikely he would clear protocols in time for Sunday’s game. As of Saturday night, Waller remained on the reserve/COVID list. On the positive front, several defensive players who were on reserve/COVID have come off the list and are expected to play.
Raiders-Colts was off the NFL Week 17 odds board Wednesday at The SuperBook. The game opened Raiders +8.5, shortened to +2 on the Colts’ COVID news (see above), then went to +2.5 before coming down. The total, which opened at 46.5, came off the board, as well. On Thursday morning, the line and total went back up at Raiders +6.5/44.5. The line went to +7.5 Friday, then stretched to the opener of +8.5 Saturday night. The total was at 45.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Wideout Mike Evans hit the COVID list Monday, but he cleared the new protocols Friday. Still, Evans is questionable for Sunday’s cross-conference contest at the Jets because of a hamstring issue. Coach Bruce Arians went on the COVID list Tuesday but could be on the sidelines if he remains asymptomatic.
Wideout Antonio Brown (ankle) is questionable, and Tampa Bay’s defense has injuries to starters throughout the back seven. That includes linebackers Shaquil Barrett (knee) and Jason Pierre-Paul (shoulder), both of whom have been ruled out. The SuperBook has been at Buccaneers -13 pretty much all week, save for a few hours Friday at -13.5. The total on Saturday night was 45.5, down a half point from the opening number.
New York Jets: Wideout Jamison Crowder (calf) is doubtful Sunday at home against Tampa Bay. Tight end Tyler Kroft entered COVID protocols Monday, so he could potentially return. On Saturday night, New York was a 13-point underdog at The SuperBook, same as the opening line. That total is 45.5.
Kansas City Chiefs: Running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire (shoulder) has gone from a game-time decision to out for Sunday’s tilt at Cincinnati. On the bright side, K.C. has no noteworthy COVID issues. Kansas City opened -4 at The SuperBook and quickly went to -5, then dipped to -4.5 Friday and back to -4 on Saturday night. The total has moved from 48 to 51.
Minnesota Vikings: Friday morning, news broke that Vikings QB Kirk Cousins entered COVID protocols. Even with the NFL’s new policy, the unvaccinated Cousins would need five days to clear protocols. So he is out for Sunday night’s contest at Green Bay, meaning Sean Mannion will lead Minnesota’s offense. Mannion will have the services of running back Dalvin Cook, who cleared COVID protocols Wednesday. However, wideout Adam Thielen (ankle) went on injured reserve.
Once Cousins was ruled out, The SuperBook immediately adjusted the Vikings from 7-point underdogs to 13-point pups. The total, which opened at 47.5 before dropping to 45.5, plunged to 42.5 on the Cousins news. Both the updated side and total were unchanged on Saturday night
Green Bay Packers: QB Aaron Rodgers (toe) and running back Aaron Jones (knee) — both of whom were listed as questionable throughout the week — did not carry an injury designation Saturday night. That means both are good to go for Green Bay’s Week 17 Sunday night home game vs. Minnesota. The Packers opened -7 and dipped slightly to -6.5 at midweek. The total went from 47.5 to 48.5 and back to 47.5. Friday brought the big move to Packers -13/total 42.5, due to the Vikes’ COVID news (see above). The spread and total were holding steady as of Saturday night.
Arizona Cardinals: Arizona is banged up entering a pivotal game at Dallas. Running back James Conner (heel) is questionable, as is wideout Rondale Moore (ankle). Several defensive players also are dinged up. The Cardinals opened +3 at The SuperBook, moved to +5.5 Monday morning, fell back to +5 Tuesday, and reached +6 Thursday. As of Saturday night, the spread was up to Cardinals +6.5. The Over/Under, which opened at 49 at The SuperBook, shot up to 52 as of late Saturday.
Los Angeles Rams: Running back Darrell Henderson (knee) landed on the IR this week. But fortuitously, Cam Akers, who suffered an Achilles injury in July, was activated this week. Akers is officially listed as questionable, but Los Angeles head coach Sean McVey reportedly said it’s unlikely that the RB will make his debut when the Rams visit Baltimore on Sunday. Los Angeles opened -3.5 at The SuperBook and reached -5.5 Friday, though part of that was due to the Ravens’ injury situation (see below). By Saturday night, the Rams were out to -6, while the total was still at the opening number of 46.5.
Baltimore Ravens: QB Lamar Jackson (ankle) missed the Ravens’ last two practices this week and is questionable at home against the Rams. However, backup Tyler Huntley cleared COVID protocols and should be ready to start if Jackson is forced to sit out his third straight game. Wideout Marquise Brown (illness) is questionable. The Ravens opened +3.5 at The SuperBook, jumped +5.5 Friday, then +6 on Saturday. The total opened at 46.5 and remained there Saturday night.
San Francisco 49ers: QB Jimmy Garoppolo (thumb) on Saturday was downgraded to doubtful for Sunday’s home game against Houston. If Garoppolo can’t go, rookie Trey Lance will get the start. Besides Garoppolo, San Francisco’s offense could be without running back Elijah Mitchell (knee/questionable). The 49ers initially moved from -14 to -15 at The SuperBook, but dropped to -12.5 Tuesday morning and -12 Friday. The number was back to -12.5 late Saturday night, while the total has dropped from 45.5 to 43.5.
New York Giants: If Saquon Barkley isn’t on an injury report, then is it really an injury report? Barkley (ankle) was questionable midweek, but had no designation Friday and should play Sunday at Chicago. Wideout Kadarius Toney (shoulder) is out, and fellow wideout Darius Slayton is in COVID protocols. On Friday, New York moved off the +6 opener to +6.5 at The SuperBook. The spread was unchanged on Saturday night, but the total — which opened at 37 — had dropped to 36.
Chicago Bears: QB Justin Fields (ankle) is questionable, but Andy Dalton has already been named Week 17 starter against the New York Giants. Veteran Nick Foles, who led the Bears to a come-from-behind upset of the Seahawks last week, will serve as the backup. Chicago opened -6 at The SuperBook and moved to -6.5 Friday. The side was unchanged on Saturday night, but the total was down to 36 from an opener of 37.
Philadelphia Eagles: Running back Miles Sanders has a broken hand and won’t play Sunday at Washington. Jordan Howard, Sanders’ backup, is questionable with a stinger. Philly opened -3.5 at The SuperBook, touched -4 for a few hours Tuesday, then returned to -3.5 Wednesday. On Friday, the Eagles moved to -4.5, but that was more because of Washington’s situation (see below). By Saturday night, Philly was up to -5 at The SuperBook, while the total was sitting at 44.5 (up a point from the 43.5 opener).
Washington Football Team: Running back Antonio Gibson (hip), another player perpetually on the injury report, was questionable midweek for Sunday’s home game against Philly. That designation was changed to out on Friday, but not because of the hip issue. Rather, Gibson went on the COVID/reserve list and therefore doesn’t have enough time to clear protocols. The SuperBook went from Washington +3.5 to +4.5 on that news, but by Saturday night The Football Team had jumped to +5. The total remained at 44.5 after opening at 43.5 and peaking at 46 Monday.
Tennessee Titans: Wideout Julio Jones went on the COVID list Monday and still hadn’t cleared protocols Saturday. Tennessee opened -4 at The SuperBook, dipped to -3 Monday and went to -3.5 Tuesday. However, by Saturday night, the spread was down to Titans -3. The total was down a point from 41 to 40.
Denver Broncos: QB Teddy Bridgewater is again out while in concussion protocols, and running back Melvin Gordon (thumb/hip) is questionable after being a limited practice participant this week. A bigger problem for Denver heading into Sunday’s game at the Chargers: The wideout position could be thinned out because of COVID. Wideouts Jerry Jeudy and Tim Patrick hit the ‘rona list late in the week and have been ruled out.
On the bright side, WR Courtland Sutton (COVID) was cleared to make the trip to Los Angeles. However, a slew of defensive players tested positive Thursday and Friday — including pass rusher Bradley Chubb — and all have been ruled out. Denver is up to +8 at The SuperBook after opening +5.5. The total opened at 45 and remained there late Saturday night.
Detroit Lions: QB Jared Goff, who sat out a Week 16 loss at Atlanta due to COVID, is doubtful this week at Seattle with a knee issue. On the positive front, oft-injured RB D’Andre Swift, who missed four straight games with a shoulder injury, will play. Detroit opened +8 at The SuperBook and shortened to +6.5 Monday, but was at +7.5 (-120) on Saturday night. The total is down a tick to 41.5 from an opener of 42.
Buffalo Bills: Wideout Cole Beasley was among a handful of players activated Wednesday from the COVID list. However, wideout Emmanuel Sanders (knee) is questionable. Buffalo is a 14.5-point home favorite against Atlanta after opening -14 at The SuperBook. The total opened at 44.5 and ticked down to 44 as of Saturday night.
New England Patriots: Running back Damien Harris (hamstring) is questionable for Sunday’s home game versus the Jaguars. Wideout Nelson Agholor (concussion) is out, and fellow wideout Jakobi Meyers (thigh) is questionable. Still, New England rose from -15.5 to -16.5 Thursday at The SuperBook, though the total fell from 42.5 to 41.5. On Saturday night, the spread remained -16.5, but the Over/Under had dipped yet again to 41.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Tight end James O’Shaughnessy (hip) is out Sunday at New England. The Jags also are waiting on COVID clearance for several offensive lineman/defensive starters — as of Friday, 20 players remained in protocols. Jacksonville moved from +15.5 to +16.5 Thursday at The SuperBook and remained there Saturday. The total was down from an opener of 42.5 to 41 as of Saturday night.
NFL Week 17 Weather
Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers: The expected temperature for this game calls to mind a scene from “Planes, Trains and Automobiles.” The mercury is projected to be in single digits, though the winds will be light at 5 mph. The total moved from 47.5 to 48.5, then dropped to 46.5 by Thursday at The SuperBook. It then plunged to 42.5 Friday morning — and remained there Saturday — though that free-fall was because of the Kirk Cousins COVID news (see above).
Kansas City Chiefs at Cincinnati Bengals: This forecast for this pivotal AFC clash of first-place teams looks better than it did midweek. After a wet early morning, there’s only a 15 percent chance of rain during the game. However, the mercury will be in the mid-30s throughout the contests with expected winds of 10-15 mph. Despite the brisk and blustery conditions, the total is up to 51 Saturday after opening at 48 in The SuperBook’s NFL Week 17 odds market.
Jacksonville Jaguars at New England Patriots: There’s a 40 percent chance of rain Sunday in Foxborough with temps in the upper 40s, but winds will be minimal (5 mph or less). The SuperBook dropped the total from 42.5 to 41.5 Monday morning, then to 41 Saturday morning.
Philadelphia Eagles at Washington Football Team: There’s a strong chance of early-morning rain Sunday morning in D.C., but the showers are expected to clear by game time and remain dry. Temperatures will be unseasonably warm (in the mid-60s), and winds are forecast to be less than 10 mph throughout the game. The total initially shot from 43.5 to 46 at The SuperBook, but it peeled back to 44.5 at midweek, where it remained Saturday.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New York Jets: This is another forecast that improved as the weekend arrived. There’s now just a 20 percent chance of precipitation at MetLife Stadium on Sunday afternoon with winds projected to stay below 10 mph. Game-time temperatures will be mild (mid-50s). The total inched down from 46 to 45.5 at The SuperBook.
Miami Dolphins at Tennessee Titans: A 35-degree temperature drop is projected from Saturday to Sunday in Nashville, with the mercury plummeting from the mid-70s to 40 degrees at kickoff (and dropping from there). And that temp could feel colder with a 65% chance for a mixture of rain/snow showers. Plus 10-20 mph breezes, too. The SuperBook opened this total at 41 and dipped to 40 by Thursday. It remained at 40 on Saturday night.
Los Angeles Rams at Baltimore: Like elsewhere in the northeast, the weather in Baltimore will be far better than originally anticipated. In addition to temperatures in the low 60s, there’s just a 20 percent chance of rain and negligible winds (less than 10 mph). The total in this one opened at 46.5 and held there as of Saturday night.
Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers: It’ll be dry in Pittsburgh for the regular season’s final Monday night game — but frigid. The forecast is for temperatures in the mid-to-high 20s. The total opened at 40 and was up to 41.5 Friday at The SuperBook.
New York Giants at Chicago Bears: It’s gonna be damn cold Sunday in Chicago, simple as that. The expected high is 24, and it won’t even feel that “warm” with winds of 15-20 mph, and higher gusts possible. The only good news: An early-morning snow storm is expected to blow through before kickoff. By Saturday night, The SuperBook had dipped from 37.5 to 36, the lowest on the NFL Week 17 odds board.
Atlanta Falcons at Buffalo Bills: There’s a 55 percent chance of snow at kickoff Sunday in upstate New York, as well as predicted winds of 10-15 mph. That’ll make the game-time temperature of high of 27 degrees feel significantly chillier. The total moved from 44.5 to 45, then down to 44 by Wednesday afternoon at The SuperBook. It was still 44 on Saturday night.
Detroit Lions at Seattle Seahawks: No real surprise here: Rain is a virtual certainty during Sunday’s game in Seattle (the chance of precipitation goes from 55 percent at kickoff to 70 percent by halftime). Sustained winds of 15 mph-plus are also expected, and the temperature will barely hit 40. The total at The SuperBook initially rose from 42 to 42.5, then dipped to 41.5 by Friday and remained there Saturday night.
NFL Week 17 Pros vs Joes
Kansas City Chiefs at Cincinnati Bengals: BetMGM Nevada’s Scott Shelton said this key AFC clash is pitting sharp bets against public action. Late Saturday night, the sharper side was carrying the day. “Sharp play on the Bengals. Tickets are actually really close. Money is almost 2/1 in favor of the Bengals.” The line moved from Kansas City -4.5 to -5.5, then peeled back to -3.5.
Miami Dolphins at Tennessee Titans: Miami took some professional play at +3.5, moving to 3-point underdogs at BetMGM Nevada, where the public is on Tennessee. “Tickets 3/1 Titans, money 4/1 Titans,” BetMGM Nevada’s Scott Shelton said.