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COVID struck in a big way last week in the NFL, and we wouldn’t doubt for a moment that we could see something similar this week.
So, check your local listing for the availability of players in your area, as they could affect your parlay bets for week 17.
Falcons at Bills Parlay Betting
Time: Sunday, January 2 @ 1 PM ET
ATS Odds: Buffalo Bills -15 (-110) vs. Atlanta Falcons +15 (-110)
The Play: FALCONS +15 (-110)
Buffalo kind of manhandled Mac Jones and the Patriots on Sunday, holding the high-percentage rookie to 14 of 32 and 145 yards with two interceptions in a 33-21 win.
And so you are seeing them at a somewhat inflated price here. No, we’re not necessarily talking about a “letdown” here, even though that is altogether possible after the revenge win over New England put them atop the AFC East. But don’t forget that Atlanta is desperate right now. And the upside of Kyle Pitts may just be starting to get unleashed, after his 102-yard effort against Detroit (only his third time over the century mark).
If you are a fantasy player, we are as disappointed as you might be in Cordarrelle Patterson, who seemed to go into a depression after his Pro Bowl snub, posting seven carries for 14 yards and one reception for minus-one yard. This is the guy who was rated #1 at running back by Pro Football Focus all the way up until a couple of weeks ago. It’s not unreasonable to look for the guy to bounce back.
Cardinals at Cowboys Parlay Betting
Cardinals vs. Cowboys Prediction
Time: Sunday, January 2 @ 4:25 PM ET
ATS Odds: Dallas Cowboys -5.5 (-110) vs. Arizona Cardinals +5.5 (-110)
The Play: CARDINALS +5.5 (-110)
Here is perhaps another opportunity to buy low, this time with the Cardinals, who have lost three straight games, against the Cowboys, who are coming off a 56-point outburst against Washington in which they totaled almost 500 yards of offense.
Could it be that Dallas is getting hot at the right time? Or did they just take advantage of a WFT that, after a time, just laid down and rolled over? Frankly, it’s probably the latter.
Kyler Murray’s four lowest passer ratings have come in the last five games. And some of this coincides with his ankle injury. But the guy has been taking off with the ball and making plays; he had his highest rushing total of the season last week.
No, we can’t deny that missing DeAndre Hopkins affects the offense. But in these three losses the Cards still outgained the opposition. Let’s not lose sight of the fact that they have won seven of their eight road games (that includes wins at the Titans, Rams and Niners), while Dallas has endured defeat at home to Denver and Las Vegas, who, at last look, were not top-shelf clubs.
Eagles at Washington Parlay Betting
Time: Sunday, January 2 @ 1 PM ET
ATS Odds: Philadelphia Eagles -4 (-110) vs. Washington Football Team +4 (-110)
The Play: WFT +4 (-110)
We’ve become a fan of these Eagles, who adopted a run-first philosophy mid-season and really meant it, rocketing to the top of the rushing charts and making themselves relevant in the wild card race, where they now hold the #7 playoff seed.
But there is reason to believe that ground game might be affected. Jalen Hurts’ ankle problems have made him less productive from that perspective (only two carries last week), Jordan Howard has one of those neck “stingers’ that might turn out to be a little tricky, and Miles Sanders broke his hand and won’t play.
Is the 56-14 humiliation in Dallas last week enough to bring an inspired effort out of this Washington team that looked a little uninterested on Sunday night? We think so. And this is the NFL; things like that DO happen.
Texans at 49ers Parlay Betting
Time: Sunday, January 2 @ 4:05 PM ET
Totals Odds: Over 44 Points (-110) / Under 44 Points (-110)
The Play: OVER 44 POINTS (-110)
Some doubt obviously surrounds the 49er quarterback situation, with Jimmy Garoppolo likely to be sidelined with a UCL tear and fracture in his right thumb (at least that’s what is being reported). But it’s not as if Trey Lance has been sitting because he’s not capable. Jimmy G has been playing well, and Kyle Shanahan didn’t want to just “bequeath” the job to the rookie who was taken with the #3 pick.
Lance will add a rushing dimension here, and the Niners believe rookie RB Elijah Mitchell (big contributor) could be ready. San Francisco’s league-leading 71.7% red zone TD percentage may not suffer at all.
Meanwhile, the Texans, who scored 41 vs. the Chargers last week, should be getting Brandin Cooks back. And Davis Mills (from nearby Stanford) has been pretty sharp since he was named starting QB for the rest of the season, with 69% completions and 794 yards with five TD’s and just one INT.
