NFL Week 17 Storylines and Best Bet
Will Wentz Save the Day?
If you have watched Carson Wentz play at any point in the last couple years, you know the answer is likely no. He will have the team either winning or within striking distance late in the game and then throw a brutal interception. I’m not sure why Washington is benching Taylor Heinicke here. Before Wentz went down with injury, he had thrown 10 TDs and 6 INTs in 6 starts. He owned a 2-4 record and really had the offense buzzing, scoring an average of 17 points per game. In Wentz 6 starts, the Washington offense was 30th in DVOA. Since Heinicke took over, the offense has bumped up to 23rd in DVOA. Still not great, but definitely a step in the right direction. This move feels like a desperate attempt at getting into the playoffs and I don’t think it will pay off.
Can Rodgers Keep it Going?
The Packers are currently on a 3 game win streak and have won 4 of their last 6. This small streak has given them a shot at the playoffs. Green Bay needs to win out and has to have a little help from Washington, Seattle and Detroit to get in, but the main point is they have a shot. Now they’re up against one of the better offenses in the league, the Minnesota Vikings. The Packers defense has been playing a lot better in this winning streak. Over the last 3 weeks, Green Bay is 2nd in defensive DVOA, however they’ve played the Dolphins when their quarterback had a concussion, the Rams and the Bears. None of those teams had anything like Justin Jefferson.
Bills at Bengals
This is shaping up to be one of the biggest and best games of the year. Although Kansas City fans hate Cincinnati, they’ll be rooting for the Bengals here. With the Chiefs having a very easy schedule remaining, a Buffalo loss will all but seal the one seed for Kansas City. If Buffalo wins, they’ll only have the Patriots standing in their way Week 18. But beside the playoff implications, this is one of the few times a year we get to see two top-5 teams face off in the regular season. Burrow and Allen. Diggs and Chase. I can’t wait for Monday night.
Best Bet
Philadelphia Eagles -.5 / Pittsburgh Steelers +8.5 (*Teaser)
The Eagles need a win here to clinch the one seed. They don’t want to have to play their starters next week. Philadelphia is a battered team right now and wants the extra week to get healthy. They’ll clinch today so they can rest in Week 18.
Pittsburgh has been a roller coaster all season. At one point, they were a bottom 5 team in the league. After the last month, I wouldn’t call you insane if you had them in your top 17 or so. The Baltimore team they’re facing is still waiting for Lamar Jackson to return. Tyler Huntley has been nowhere near as good as he was last year. I don’t know if Pittsburgh wins, but I think they keep it close in a low-scoring, ugly game.