Betting
12/26/24
5 min read
5 Best PrizePicks More-Less Picks To Smash in NFL Week 17
There are only a couple more weeks to make some PrizePicks before the 2024 NFL regular season is over.
The playoff races are starting to wrap up with just two weeks left, but there are still some matchups with pivotal playoff seeding implications, including in Week 17. The Denver Broncos and Cincinnati Bengals will be fighting to keep playoff hopes alive, while the Atlanta Falcons and Washington Commanders will be hoping to stay in the postseason hunt with wins.
However, the biggest game of the weekend might be the Green Bay Packers taking on the Minnesota Vikings in an NFC North clash. Both teams have already clinched playoff spots, but there are major seeding implications in that one.
With so many playoff-caliber matchups this week, let's dive into some of the best PrizePicks more-less options available.
NFL Week 17 PrizePicks Selections
Jaxon Smith-Njigba in the teeth of the secondary
— ᴅᴏxx ⚡️ (@new_era72) December 24, 2024
No problem pic.twitter.com/Rq7INmqVqU
Jaxon Smith-Njigba 73.5 Receiving Yards: More
It's been quite the year for Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who has quickly become one of the most dominant slot receivers in the NFL.
According to NFL Pro, JSN has recorded 75 catches for 921 yards and five touchdowns from a slot alignment. No other receiver has more than 526 yards or 55 catches from the slot.
That kind of dominance is unheard of, especially for such a young player. For as talented as the Chicago Bears secondary, they might not have a slot corner or safety who can match up well against Smith-Njigba, giving him an opportunity to put up another big game on Thursday night.
Joe Burrow 279.5 Passing Yards: Less
For as fun of a season as it's been from Joe Burrow, he will have his hands full this week against the Denver Broncos.
The Broncos have the sixth-best pass defense by DVOA and feature an incredibly talented unit with the likes of Patrick Surtain II and Riley Moss shutting down opposing wide receivers. Meanwhile, they led the league in sacks heading into Week 17 with 51, thanks to efforts from players like Nik Bonitto and Jonathon Cooper.
That's a brutal matchup for any passing offense, even one with Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins at wide receiver. Joe Burrow should still be able to put up some respectable numbers, but breaking 280 yards will be easier said than done, especially in a game that may not end up being a shootout.
Anthony Richardson is a tank. pic.twitter.com/IfC0SThYU9
— Tyler Brooke (@TylerDBrooke) September 9, 2024
Anthony Richardson 46.5 Rushing Yards
It seems as if the Indianapolis Colts have embraced their identity as a run-heavy football team, and that should mean plenty of rushing opportunities for Anthony Richardson on Sunday.
Richardson only attempted 11 passes in the win against the Tennessee Titans, while the Colts ran for an absurd 335 yards as a team. Richardson contributed a heavy dose to that number, rushing nine times for 70 yards and a touchdown.
That run-heavy identity likely won't go away this week against the New York Giants. The Giants have been out of the playoff race for a while, allowing 142.6 rushing yards per game. That's the second-most rushing yards allowed per game in the NFL, with offenses consistently playing with a lead and chewing the clock.
New York is hoping to just finish out the season, while Richardson is playing with a chip on his shoulder and an outside shot at the playoffs. That could mean another big rushing performance from the second-year quarterback.
Saquon Barkley 109.5 Rushing Yards: Less
The Philadelphia Eagles have a tough decision to make when it comes to Saquon Barkley.
The superstar running back is less than 300 yards away from setting the NFL's single-season rushing record, but the wear and tear of the regular season puts him at risk of not being 100 percent healthy for a Super Bowl run if he tries to go for the record.
With the No. 1 seed unlikely at this point, the Eagles might decide to manage workloads and take their foot off of the gas to rest up for a playoff run. If that happens, then it's unlikely that they'd want to keep force-feeding Barkley to help him reach 2,105 rushing yards.
A lot of that record chase could depend on how well he runs this week against a brutal Dallas Cowboys run defense. Still, it's hard to take a swing on a more-less number this high for a running back, even for one as talented as Barkley.
Two HUGE runs by Bucky Irving and suddenly the Bucs offense is alive. This kid is going to be so good. pic.twitter.com/5a7MEZs69g
— Josh Hill (@jdavhill) September 22, 2024
Bucky Irving 98.5 Rushing + receiving yards: More
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers might have cost them a trip to the playoffs with a loss to Dallas last week. However, they can't give up hope now, with a path to the playoffs still in play if they can win their final two games.
Relying on Bucky Irving should be a priority for Tampa Bay this week. The rookie running back has been sensational all year, rushing for 920 yards and seven touchdowns while averaging 5.5 yards per carry. He's also been an asset in the passing game, with another 320 yards on 41 receptions.
That kind of production for a player who was originally a backup bodes well for this week's matchup. The Panthers rank 30th in defensive DVOA this season, including 31st against the run.
All signs point to a big day for Irving, who, with a win, could keep Tampa's playoff hopes alive.
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