NFL Week 17 Tips: Back points for Chiefs/Bengals showdown

It's the penultimate week of the regular season but there's still so much up for grabs, it promises to be a frantic Sunday of action in the NFL.

Kansas City Chiefs (11-4) @ Cincinnati Bengals (9-6) 

Match Odds: Chiefs 1.47 | Bengals 2.98 

A huge amount at stake here with the Bengals chasing the AFC North title while the Chiefs are hoping to lock-up the top seed in the AFC – and to get a winner we could see a heavyweight QB contest between Patrick Mahomes and Joe Burrow. 

Both teams have a top eight passing attack while both have a bottom eight pass defence, so between Tyreek Hill, Travis Kelce, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins there’s plenty of aerial attack to put up some points. 

KC have been lights-out on scoring defence during their eight-game winning streak, as they’ve allowed 10 points or less five times and only the Chargers scored over 17 – but the Bengals are built in a similar way so should be able to keep the scoreboard ticking over. 

Tip: Over 52.5pts points at 2.04 

Kansas quarterback will be duelling for supremacy with opposite number Joe Burrow

Los Angeles Rams (11-4) @ Baltimore Ravens (8-7) 

Match Odds: Rams 1.5 | Ravens 2.62 

Lamar Jackson was back in practice this week but limping horribly, so impressive back-up Tyler Huntley could start this must-win game for the Ravens, who have lost four straight, now he’s off the Covid list. 

Injuries have blighted Baltimore’s season but they’ve just never given up despite three heart-breaking losses in a row coming by a combined four points, but last week’s big loss against the Bengals could’ve been the beginning of the end. 

They’re outside the play-offs right now and with the Rams and then Steelers to come it looks an uphill battle, but these Ravens will never give in even against all the odds.  

Facing Matthew Stafford and a Rams side chasing the NFC West and even the NFC top seed, though, Baltimore are rightly four-point home underdogs. LA have the tools to take advantage just as Cincy did last week. 

Tip: Rams -4.5pts on the handicap at 1.94 

Arizona Cardinals (10-5) @ Dallas Cowboys (11-4) 

Match Odds: Cardinals 3.15 | Cowboys 1.44 

Not so long ago the Cardinals were the best team in the NFL and the Cowboys had questions to answer, but now it’s Arizona who need to end a worryingly familiar late-season slump that threatens to end what seemed like a big Super Bowl challenge. 

While Dallas have won three straight and really got their mojo back by hanging a 50-burger on Washington last week, Arizona have lost three in a row and although they’ve secured a play-off spot, they’re behind the Rams in the NFC West. 

Arizona are still a good team, but Kyler Murray needs to show he can play well when it really matters, but it won’t be easy against a Cowboys outfit that leads the league in both scoring points and creating turnovers. That’s a nice combination that only five teams have managed since 1970. 

The Cardinals, who are still 7-1 on the road, could absolutely win this one at a big price, but you just feel their confidence is rocked. A safer option is going under on the points with both sides having a pass rush that can wreak havoc. 

Tip: Under 50.5pts at 2.04 

Minnesota Vikings (7-8) @ Green Bay Packers (12-3) 

Match Odds: Vikings 3.3 | Packers 1.37 

The Packers have won the NFC North and are now chasing the top spot in the NFC as Aaron Rodgers continues his push to retain his MVP title, but the Vikings are a team that have recently been a thorn in their side. 

The Vikings are one of just two teams this season to beat the Packers with Rodgers playing, and they’re the only away team to win a regular season game at Lambeau Field in over two years. 

Minnesota could be anything on their day and they’re a desperate side who’ll be dangerous with running back Dalvin Cook and receiver Justin Jefferson having huge games against Green Bay recently. 

But on what’s forecast to be a bitterly cold night on the frozen tundra, you have to back red-hot Rodgers to do the job at home. 

Tip: Packers -6.5pts on the handicap at 1.9 

Reccomended Bets

Over 52.5pts in Chiefs @ Bengals at 2.04

Rams -4.5pts on the handicap at 1.94 

Under 50.5pts in Cardinals @ Cowboys at 2.04 

Packers -6.5pts on the handicap at 1.9