- There are still several very important games to be played in the NFL’s Week 17.
- The Miami Dolphins have -290 odds to make the playoffs.
- The Cleveland Browns have -775 odds to make the playoffs.
LAS VEGAS - Week 17 is here and it tends to be a bit derided among fans of the NFL.
Some teams are resting their starters, some teams have nothing to play for, and that means that Week 17 sometimes means questionable football action.
Not this time.
There are several teams that still have action on whether or not they will make the playoffs, and scenarios in which they don’t. All of these bets will ride on Week 17 results.
Let’s jump right into the odds on the online sportsbooks.
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns were riding high, with a 90%+ chance to make the playoffs according to ESPN’s FPI.
Then, they took a loss to the New York Jets in Week 16 of the NFL season, and suddenly, they’re fighting for their lives.
Cleveland Browns To Make The Playoffs
- Yes -775
- No +450
Currently, FPI gives the Browns a 57% chance of making the playoffs, which is far less than what their implied odds would be on this game. However, Mason Rudolph will be starting for the Steelers in the Browns’ Week 17 matchup against them.
If the Browns win, they will lock up a playoff spot, and they seem highly likely to win, given the Steelers’ willingness to start backups in this matchup.
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens are enormous favorites to make the playoffs, to the point that one wonders why the sportsbooks are offering odds on it.
The Ravens have a 90.5% chance of making the playoffs according to ESPN’s FPI calculations, and the sportsbooks mostly agree.
Baltimore Ravens To Make The Playoffs
- Yes -2500
- No +850
-2500 odds are genuinely prohibitive for those who wish to bet on the Ravens, especially given their 90.5% chances to make the playoffs.
The Ravens face off against the Cincinnati Bengals this week, and are favored by around 13 points depending on the sportsbook being used.
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are currently 8-7, and have no shot at winning their division. Their playoff hopes ride on the Wild Card.
The Bears have a 75% chance to make the playoffs according to FPI, due mostly to the weakness of the NFC this year.
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The Bears main competition for a playoff spot is the Arizona Cardinals, so if either the Bears win or the Cardinals lose (or they both tie), the Bears will make the playoffs.
Chicago Bears To Make The Playoffs
- Yes -245
- No +180
The Bears certainly have a shot, but they have their work cut out for them with the Super Bowl minded Packers, while the Cardinals face off against an LA Rams team that is very hard to evaluate.
Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts are set to face off against the absolutely woeful Jacksonville Jaguars this week. The Colts can clinch a playoff berth if they win and one of Tennessee, Cleveland, Miami or Baltimore loses (or ties).
Indianapolis Colts To Make The Playoffs
- Yes -210
- No +155
The Colts can also clinch their division in the scenario in which they win and Tennessee loses.
This is a pretty interesting situation, because the Colts can either enter the playoffs as division winners or not make the playoffs at all - and they don’t have much control over the outcome.
LA Rams
The Los Angeles Rams are up against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 17, and both teams are jockeying for playoff positioning.
The Rams’ playoff picture is pretty clear - they get into the playoffs if they win this game. If they lose, they can also get into the playoffs if Chicago loses.
Basically, they need one of the two matchups to go chalk - either they win or Green Bay wins.
LA Rams To Make The Playoffs
- Yes -700
- No +425
Given how chalky the results they need are, it’s not a surprise to see them favored to make the playoffs fairly significantly.
Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins have a tough challenge in front of them on Sunday as they face off against the Buffalo Bills.
The Dolphins can make the playoffs if they win, and even if they don’t, they can still make it if either Baltimore, Cleveland or Indianapolis takes a loss.
Miami Dolphins To Make The Playoffs
- Yes -290
- No +210
The Dolphins have a pretty good shot, although it’s not out of the realm of possibility that they miss the playoffs. The easiest way for them to get in is by winning, but that’s a tall order against a Buffalo team that might be gunning for the second seed.
NFL bettors will have to see how this one turns out, but one thing is for sure - this will be an exciting Week 17.
Maxwell joined the USAOnlineSportsbooks team in 2019. He focuses on creating sports betting content that informs and educates. He focuses on the NBA, the NFL, College Football and Basketball, and whatever else comes across his desk.
