The Best Expert Week 17 NFL Picks Against the Spread for Sunday

Rams (-5.5)

The Giants are 20th in pass defense, 29th in run defense and 27th in points allowed (24.7). That’s not a good recipe for success versus the league’s 8th-ranked offense in the Rams.

Save for one overtime loss to the Ravens, looking at LA’s NFL teams trends, they have won five of their past six games and those wins have come by 8, 8, 17, 23 and 1 point.

Matthew Stafford has thrown for 14 TDs in his last five games. Cooper Kupp has a touchdown in 3/4 games plus two 100-yard games. Puka Nacua has two TDs and two 100-yard games including 164 yards last week. And Kyren Williams has four touchdown in six games while averaging 126.5 yards rushing in those games. Rams to cover for me in this week’s NFL picks against the spread.

Bob Duff

Rams (-5.5)

The Rams have covered in their past five games. Then again, the Giants are 9-2 ATS in the last 11 meetings with their NFC rivals from LA. Overall, New York is 4-1 ATS through the past five games.

Are you really willing to ride a team that’s started three different QBs against Matthew Stafford, arguably the hottest QB in the NFL right now?

Buccaneers (-2.5)

The Buccaneers – yes, the Buccaneers – own a share of the NFL’s best ATS mark. Tampa Bay, Detroit and Baltimore are all 10-5 ATS. Sure, this reads like one of those which one of these things is not like the others. But the fact of the matter is that the Lions, Ravens and Buccaneers could all wind up as division winners.

On paper, the Saints are 5-0 ATS in their last five visits to Tampa Bay. But the Bucs have covered in three straight overall and seven of the past nine games. Meanwhile, this season’s version of the Saints are an NFL-worst 4-10-1 ATS.

Eagles (-11.5)

Two weeks ago, the Cardinals were whipped 45-29 by the 49ers as 12-point underdogs. Arizona is 0-4 ATS the last four times the club was a double-digit road underdog in the football betting lines.

Yes, the Eagles were the 14-point home chalk over the Giants last week and failed to cover. Philadelphia is 0-4 ATS over the past four games. But if Arizona can’t fix what ails you, is there really any hope?

Zach Reger

Ravens (-3.5)

In the battle for the No. 1 seed in the AFC, I like the home team. The Ravens are coming off a big road victory over the 49ers and return home to face the Dolphins without Jaylen Waddle.

The Dolphins just beat the Cowboys at home, but Dallas is a much different team away from Jerry World. The Ravens are the more trustworthy team as Lamar Jackson continues his MVP campaign.

Buccaneers (-2.5)

The Bucs are red-hot. Baker Mayfield has thrown for 1,010 yards, 9 touchdowns, and one interception during Tampa Bay’s four-game winning streak. They have also won each of those games by at least three points.

They now host the Saints, who have covered the spread in just four games this season. New Orleans has looked rough on both sides of the ball of late, so the Bucs get the edge as they try to clinch an NFC South crown.

Bears (-2.5)

Chicago has looked like a new team over the last few weeks. Their defense has been stout, and Justin Fields and co. have been making plays. The Falcons are coming off a big win at home against the Colts, but they are still Atlanta.

The Falcons are 2-4 against the spread on the road, including losing to the Panthers just two weeks ago. The home team gets the job done on Sunday.