NFL Week 17 predictions, betting preview, free picks and where to watch

Free NFL picks, best bets and analysis for Week 17 of the 2020 NFL season.

Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns

Where to watch

Sky Sports NFL, 6pm Sunday

Best bet

Under 42.5 points
1pt 20-21 Betfred

Match preview

Cleveland need to win this game to end their 18-year playoff drought after losing to the New York Jets last week when their entire wide receiver corps was unavailable due to Covid-19 protocols.

They are missing top cornerback Denzel Ward and others this week but the Steelers have opted to rest their starting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and some other star players after clinching the AFC North title.

They are 38-6-1 against the Browns since 2000 but are big underdogs this week as starting their back-up quarterback Mason Rudolph will further limit an offence that has struggled recently.

The Browns offence won't have been helped by their practices being disrupted this week and 11 of the last 16 meetings have gone under the total points line. This clash could be another.

Key stats

• The total points line has gone under in six of the teams' last seven meetings.
• Cleveland have won only three of their last ten home games against Pittsburgh.
• The points line has gone under in 39 of Pittsburgh’s last 52 away games.

Arizona Cardinals at LA Rams

Where to watch

Sky Sports NFL, 9.25pm Sunday

Best bet

LA Rams +3
2pts 19-20 general

Match preview

The thumb injury suffered by starting quarterback Jared Goff might not be disastrous for the Los Angeles Rams in their winner-takes-all NFC West showdown.

Victory for either side would give them a playoff spot and Goff's injury means the Rams are underdogs despite winning their last seven games against Arizona. John Wolford could not have picked a much bigger game in which to make his NFL debut but coach Sean McVay has faith in him and the offence has been averaging less than 18 points in the last three weeks under Goff.

The Cardinals have concerns over the fitness of their QB Kyler Murray and if he’s not 100 per cent they could struggle against a lights-out LA defence.

Key stats

• The Rams have won their last seven games against Arizona.
• The total points line has gone under in Arizona’s last seven away games.
• Arizona have failed to cover the handicap in their last seven meetings with the Rams.

Washington Football Team at Philadelphia Eagles

Where to watch

Sky Sports NFL, 1.20am Sunday night

Best bet

Washington -3
1pt 20-23 Betfair

Match preview

The NFC East will mercifully reach a conclusion on Sunday night with Washington knowing a win will see them become only the fifth team in NFL history to reach the playoffs with a losing record.

Washington have wobbled in recent weeks, losing their last two games but a game against the eliminated Eagles gives them an ideal chance to clinch - the winners of the Cowboys-Giants game will take the division title if Washington lose.

Linebacker Thomas Davis has been ruled out for the visitors, who will be boosted if wide receiver Terry McLaurin and running back Antonio Gibson are able to play despite missing practice this week.

The Eagles have lost six of their last seven games and conceded an alarming 121 points in their last four.

Key stats

• Washington have covered the handicap in four of their five NFC East games this season.
• Philadelphia have failed to cover the handicap in ten of their 15 games this season.
• The total points line has gone under in 21 of Philadelphia’s last 29 home games.

NFL Week 17 non-televised best bets

Best bets

Dallas -1
1pt 20-23 bet365
Over 55.5 points in Tennessee at Houston
1pt 10-11 general

Analysis

Three straights wins have lifted Dallas back into contention in the NFC East as the New York Giants, their opponents on Sunday, have collapsed, losing their last three games.

The Giants defence has fallen apart, their quarterback Daniel Jones has been struggling with injuries and Dallas are fancied to cover the handicap for the fourth week in row.

Two of the league’s worst defences collide in Houston in a must-win game for Tennessee. Neither side have been able to stop anyone in recent weeks and these AFC South rivals shared 78 points in the reverse fixture.

The last four meetings have gone over on the points line and it seems too late in the season for the teams to change their ways.

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