Week 17 NFL panel picks: Can Dolphins keep winning and covering?

Throughout the 2021 season, a panel of Sportsnet’s NFL contributors will preview each week’s slate of games from a gambling perspective. Staff writer/host Donnovan Bennett, staff writers Emily Sadler and Mike Johnston, plus fantasy writers Andy McNamara and Matt Marchese will pick one FAVOURITE, one UNDERDOG, one OVER, one UNDER, including their personal LOCK, as they attempt to beat the odds

Believe it or not, 2021 will be in the rear-view mirror come kickoff time Sunday and that means an opportunity to kick off your new year by picking some winners from an exciting selection of Week 17 games.

The Sportsnet.ca panel is certainly hoping a fresh calendar means better results after going a combined 6-14 on their Week 16 picks. Yikes!

There were no Thursday or Saturday games this week so that means an extra-busy Sunday featuring several heavyweight matchups with intriguing betting lines and totals.

Here are the Week 17 picks.

Donnovan Bennett, staff writer/host
2021 record: 36-28-0
Last week: 1-3-0
Locks: 9-7-0

🏈 Falcons at Bills OVER 44.5
🏈 Browns at Steelers UNDER 41
🏈 Chiefs (-5.5) at Bengals
🔒 Raiders (+6) at Colts

The Bills are coming off a game where they did not punt once. That is the first time a Bill Belichick defence failed to force a punt in his career. Buffalo might surpass the over total versus Atlanta on their own. Patrick Mahomes has 15 TDs and just four interceptions during Kansas City’s eight-game winning streak. With him back to playing like the best player in the sport it’s hard to see anyone staying close to them.

Emily Sadler, staff writer
2021 record: 33-30-1
Last week: 1-3-0
Locks: 7-9-0

🏈 Chiefs at Bengals OVER 49
🏈 Texans at 49ers UNDER 44
🏈 Eagles (-4) at Washington
🔒 Dolphins (+3.5) at Titans

When it comes to Sunday’s meeting between Miami and Tennessee, I’m betting on momentum — and that means the Dolphins. (I’m also betting the Dolphins’ days as underdogs are soon coming to an end.)

Mike Johnston, staff writer
2021 record: 30-34-0
Last week: 2-2-0
Locks: 9-7-0

🏈 Chargers (-5.5) vs. Broncos
🏈 Jets (+13) vs. Buccaneers
🏈 Giants at Bears UNDER 37.5
🔒 Falcons at Bills OVER 44.5

Tom Brady always seemed to play the Jets close at the Meadowlands when he was with the Pats so I’m going to blindly apply that logic to a different team and season and take the Jets to keep it within two TDs. Also, the Falcons stink and the Bills offence is rolling so that total feels too low. This lock is a tribute to garbage time points that help cash the over. That’s what I’m banking on here.

Andy McNamara, analyst/fantasy sports writer
2021 record: 39-25-0
Last week: 2-2-0
Locks: 7-9-0

🏈 Chiefs at Bengals OVER 49
🏈 Texans at 49ers UNDER 44
🏈 Patriots (-15.5) vs. Jaguars
🔒 Raiders (+6) at Colts

The news of Indianapolis quarterback Carson Wentz going on the COVID-19 list makes this an easy choice for my LOCK of the week. Sixth-round rookie Sam Ehlinger is expected be under centre for the Colts, and I’d assume that Las Vegas will load up the box to try and limit man-beast running back Jonathan Taylor as much as possible. Aside from a COVID outbreak of their own, there’s no excuse for the Raiders to not win this game.

Matt Marchese, radio host/producer/fantasy football writer
2021 record: 26-38-0
Last week: 0-4-0
Locks: 7-9-0

🏈 Rams at Ravens OVER 46.5
🏈 Raiders at Colts UNDER 44.5
🏈 Dolphins (+3.5) at Titans
🔒 Chiefs (-5.5) at Bengals

Kansas City has been rolling in the second half of the year, destroying almost everyone in their path and that should continue this week against Cincy. The Chiefs are 10-1 off double-digit against the spread wins versus non-divisional opponents and 9-1 as road favourites of less than seven points off of back-to-back victories.

BONUS STAT: The Dolphins have pulled off the biggest 180 we’ve ever seen and they’ll continue that trend in Tennessee where they are 4-1 in their last five games against the spread.

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