The final round of regular-season games has arrived, NFL Week 17 odds are up, and several betting factors are already in play. That includes the typical injury information, most notably surrounding two quarterbacks who were supposed to meet in a pivotal matchup: the Rams' Jared Goff and the Cardinals' Kyler Murray.
This week’s NFL Cheat Sheet serves as one-stop shopping for that information and more. Covers checks in on NFL Week 17 injuries, weather, consensus picks, Pros vs Joes and more. Check back throughout the week for NFL injury updates, popular picks, and notable contrasts between sharp bets and public money.
Week 17 Injuries
Arizona Cardinals: Quarterback Kyler Murray suffered a lower-leg injury on the Cardinals' last play in their 20-12 Week 16 home loss to San Francisco. But he will play. However, Cards wideout Christian Kirk went on the reserve/COVID list Saturday and is out, while Larry Fitzgerald (groin) is questionable. The SuperBook opened Arizona +5, but pulled the game off the board Sunday night due to uncertainty with Murray and Rams QB Jared Goff (see below). On Wednesday came news that Murray is likely to play, and The SuperBook put the game back up with a big move to Cardinals -1.5, and Arizona eventually got to -3. On Saturday, the line dipped to -2.5.
Los Angeles Rams: Quarterback Jared Goff had surgery on his mangled right thumb Monday and has already been ruled out for Sunday's home clash with Arizona. Running back Darrell Henderson is also out, with a high ankle sprain, but fellow running back Cam Akers might return from a high ankle sprain, after missing the Week 16 loss at Seattle. Akers is a game-time decision. And wideout Cooper Kupp is on the reserve/COVID list and will not play this week. Los Angeles opened -5 at The SuperBook, then the game came off the board Sunday night and didn't go back up until Wednesday afternoon, with the line flipping all the way to Rams +1.5. On Saturday, the Rams were +3.
Washington Football Team: Quarterback Alex Smith isn't definite to return this week from a calf injury, but on Thursday, the team was more optimistic that he'll play Sunday at Philadelphia, with Washington battling to win the NFC East. Dwayne Haskins certainly won't start, as Washington waived the beleaguered QB on Monday. Smith, wideout Terry McLaurin (ankle) and running back Antonio Gibson (toe) are all listed as questionable. Washington opened +1 at The SuperBook and moved to +2 quickly Sunday night, but the line then reverted to +1 and on Monday jumped the fence all the way to Washington -2.5. On Saturday, WFT was -3.5 at The SuperBook.
Miami Dolphins: The Dolphins announced Thursday afternoon that backup QB Ryan Fitzpatrick tested positive for COVID and is out Sunday at Buffalo. Last week, Fitzpatrick took over for a shaky Tua Tagovailoa and secured a wild road victory over the Raiders, keeping Miami's playoff hopes on track. With Tagovailoa's safety net unavailable, The SuperBook moved straight from Bills -1.5 to -3. Friday's injury update pegged wideouts DeVante Parker and Jakeem Grant questionable. The line originally opened Sunday evening at Dolphins +4 and moved to pick by Tuesday, back to +3 Thursday and on Saturday afternoon was Dolphins +1.5. The total dropped 1.5 points Thursday, from 44.5 to 43, after opening at 44.5 and peaking at 48. By Saturday, the total was down to 42.
Buffalo Bills: Wideout Cole Beasley (knee) is out Sunday against Miami. On the flip side, John Brown – Buffalo's leading receiver last season – was activated after being out since mid-November with an ankle injury, then a stint on the reserve/COVID list. The Bills opened -4 at The SuperBook, dipped to -2.5 prior to their Monday night dismantling of New England, zipped to -4.5, then dropped all the way to pick by Tuesday afternoon. Buffalo then rose back up to -3 by Thursday and is now -2. The total is down to 42, from an opener of 44.5 and an early peak of 48.
Cleveland Browns: The team announced Thursday that its receiving corps, much of which sat out the Week 16 loss to the Jets while on the reserve/COVID list, is back on track for Sunday's game against Pittsburgh. Top wideout Jarvis Landry and fellow receivers Rashard Higgins, KhaDarel Hodge and Donovan Peoples-Jones came off the list Thursday. That news was apparently already baked into the oddsmaking cake, as The SuperBook remained at Browns -9. Cornerback Denzel Ward reportedly tested positive for COVID and will not play Sunday.
New Orleans Saints: Star running back Alvin Kamara tested positive for COVID and is out Sunday at Carolina. When the news initially broke Friday afternoon, The SuperBook didn't budge off Saints -6.5, with oddsmakers perhaps expecting Kamara and other key Saints would rest this week regardless, to prepare for the playoffs. A short time later, though, New Orleans ticked down to -6, then to -5.5 Saturday, with concerns that due to being close contacts, Latavius Murray and other Saints running backs could also be out Sunday. The total on Saturday was at 46.5, after opening 51.
Philadelphia Eagles: Defensive tackle Fletcher Cox (neck) and tight end Dallas Goedert (calf) are questionable for Sunday's finale against Washington. The Eagles opened -1 at The SuperBook, briefly got to -2 Sunday night, but by Monday evening, the line swung all the way to Eagles +2.5 and was at +3.5 Saturday.
Houston Texans: QB Deshaun Watson (elbow) was initially questionable for Sunday's home game against Tennessee, but reports Friday indicate he will play. The Texans opened +6 at The SuperBook and moved to +7.5 by Monday morning, and the line didn't budge off the info that Watson will play, remaining +7.5.
Kansas City Chiefs: Kansas City doesn't have any concerning injuries, but with the AFC's No. 1 seed wrapped up, Patrick Mahomes is definitely sitting out, as are several other starters at home against the Chargers. Hence the Chiefs opened 2.5-point underdogs and were up to +3.5 Monday, where the line remained Saturday.
Indianapolis Colts: Wideout Michael Pittman (concussion) is questionable for Sunday's home game against Jacksonville. That didn't faze oddsmakers, as The SuperBook moved Indy from -13.5 to -14 Monday.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Top wideout D.J. Chark (shin) and top running back James Robinson (ankle) are both out Sunday at Indianapolis. The Jags have been at +14 pretty much all week at The SuperBook, after opening +13.5.
San Francisco 49ers: Wideout Brandon Aiyuk has a high ankle sprain and won't play Sunday against Seattle. San Francisco opened +4 at The SuperBook, initially moved to +3.5 Sunday night, but got to +4.5 Monday morning.
Minnesota Vikings: Star running back Dalvin Cook will not play Sunday at Detroit, as he flew to Miami on Wednesday after the death of his father. Minnesota opened -6 and reached -7 Tuesday at The SuperBook, then went down to -6.5 after the Cook news. By Saturday afternoon, the Vikes were -4, likely more due to Lions QB Matthew Stafford in position to start (see below).
Detroit Lions: QB Matthew Stafford is questionable as he deals with ankle, thumb and rib issues. However, on Saturday morning, The SuperBook moved the Lions straight from +6.5 to +4.5, as signs point toward Stafford playing Sunday against Minnesota. Saturday afternoon, the Lions ticked to +4.
Atlanta Falcons: Wideout Julio Jones (hamstring) missed practice Thursday and is questionable for Sunday's game at Tampa Bay. The Falcons opened +4.5 and stretched to +6.5 at The SuperBook, and on Thursday, the total ticked from 50.5 to 50.
Covers NFL betting analysis
Week 17 Weather
Atlanta Falcons at Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The updated forecast calls for a 73 percent chance of rain Sunday in Tampa, but the showers could be early enough to not impact the game. The SuperBook opened the total at 50.5 Monday and inched to 50 Thursday, then returned to 50.5 Friday.
New York Jets at New England Patriots: There's a 40 percent chance of afternoon rain/snow showers in Foxborough. The SuperBook opened the total at 43, dropped to 41 after the Patriots' dismal Monday night showing against Buffalo, bottomed out at 39.5 Tuesday afternoon and ticked to 40 Saturday.
Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns: There's a 40 percent chance of rain/snow in the morning in Cleveland, turning to overcast skies for this afternoon contest. The total opened at 42.5, peaked at 43.5 Tuesday, dipped to 42 Thursday, then rebounded to 43 by Saturday afternoon.
Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants: Sunday brings with it a 90-plus percent chance of rain, along with light winds at MetLife Stadium. The total opened at 47 and was down to 44.5 by Wednesday at The SuperBook, where the number remained Saturday.
Washington Football Team at Philadelphia Eagles: Philly has a 96 percent chance of seeing rain during the day Sunday, dropping to 71 percent Sunday night for this game, which got flexed into the prime-time slot. However, this total rose from 41.5 to 43.5 by Tuesday at The SuperBook and was still at 43.5 Saturday.
Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills: Snow/sleet is expected in the morning and snow into the afternoon in Buffalo, with a 62 percent chance of precipitation. The total initially jumped from 44.5 to 48 at The SuperBook, but by Friday, it was down to 43 and Saturday to 42, certainly due in part to the aforementioned injury issues with Miami.
Week 17 Consensus
Week 17 Pros vs Joes
Check back for updates throughout the week on NFL games developing into Pros vs. Joes battles.
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