NFL Week 17 parlay: Let's make some money

Kevin Erickson | Staff Writer

Last week didn't go so hot. We started out with a loser on Saturday, as the Pittsburgh Steelers (8-7) are apparently kryptonite for QB Jake Browning and the Cincinnati Bengals (8-7). He had been a world beater against everybody else, but Browning and the Bengals were annihilated as if Terry Bradshaw or Ben Roethlisberger were in there, and not QB Mason Rudolph. It just goes to show, never bet against Rudolph on Christmas weekend.

The 2nd leg of the parlay was a winner, as the Cleveland Browns (10-5) took care of the Houston Texans (8-7) with ease. However, the 3rd leg also was a loser, as the Denver Broncos (7-8) inexplicably laid an egg against the lowly New England Patriots (4-11) in a must-win game for their playoff hopes, losing what was likely the final start of QB Russell Wilson's rocky tenure in the Rocky Mountain State.

Hey, if you played the 4th option, the Detroit Lions (11-4) covered the number on the road against the mistake-prone Minnesota Vikings (7-8), and if you played all of the games singularly, at least it was a 2-2 split.

Anyway, let's finish up the final days of 2023 on a winning note in Week 17.

Now, it's time to focus on the new week. After looking at FanDuel Sportsbook's NFL Week 17 odds, here is a "Let's make some money" NFL parlay bet to cash in on among SportbookWire's NFL expert picks and predictions.

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NFL Week 17: Let's make some money parlay

Odds provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access Paste BN Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 5:09 a.m. ET. All games Sunday and ET unless noted.

Leg 1: RAMS -5.5 (-115) at Giants – 1 p.m. (FOX)

The Los Angeles Rams (8-7) have had a miraculous comeback, as this team certainly didn't look like a playoff-caliber team after a 20-3 road loss to the Green Bay Packers in Week 9, sitting at 3-6.

However, Los Angeles has been red-hot, winning 5 of the past 6 games, while covering each of the 5 contests coinciding with the return of RB Kyren Williams from the reserve/injured list. He has been on fire, hitting the century mark in rushing yardage in 4 of his 5 games since the injury, and he has 3 rushing scores and 2 receiving TDs.

The Rams will be facing a New York Giants (5-10) team which showed some tremendous fight, winning 3 in a row from Week 11-14. But the glass slipper shattered by QB Tommy Devito, and he has been returned to his role as backup, with QB Tyrod Taylor getting a shot to start again on NYE. It won't matter.

Neither Devito or Taylor make tackles, and this G-Men rush defense allows 363.9 total yards per game, including 134.2 rushing yards per game, with the latter ranking 29th in the NFL. Williams has to be licking his chops for this opportunity on the final calendar day of 2023.

Leg 2: RAIDERS +3.5 (-110) at Colts – 1 p.m. (CBS)

The Las Vegas Raiders (7-8) have kept their flickering playoff hopes alive with a pair of impressive victories the past 2 weekends.

The Raiders somehow lost 3-0 to the Minnesota Vikings in Week 14, and it looked like the season was over. But, of course, Vegas dropped 63 points on the Los Angeles Chargers on a short week, and dropped a lump of coal in the stocking of the rival Kansas City Chiefs on Christmas Day to keep hope alive.

The Indianapolis Colts (8-7) are in a 3-way tie for 1st place in the topsy-turvy AFC South, but it doesn't seem like it. At least Indy is at home, as this team was beaten by 19 or points in the past 2 road games in Week 14 and Week 16.

Don't discount the return of QB Aidan O'Connell to the Hoosier State, too, where he played his college ball at Purdue. The Illinois native is sure to have a giant rooting section, too.

Leg 3: CARDINALS +10.5 (-110) at Eagles – 1 p.m. (FOX)

The Arizona Cardinals (3-12) have been eliminated from the playoff chase, but catching double digits against the Philadelphia Eagles (11-4) might be just a little too much.

The Eagles halted a 3-game losing skid last week with a 33-25 win against the New York Giants, but there were still plenty of concerns. This defense has been dinged for 20 or more points in 7 of the past 8, and Philly has failed to cover in the past 4 outings overall.

Philadelphia is 0-2 ATS this season as a double-digit favorite, and 0-3-2 ATS in 5 games when installed as a favorite by 6 or more points. And, hey, Arizona won and covered outright in its only previous visit to the Keystone State this season, topping the Pittsburgh Steelers as a 6-point underdog in Week 13.

Parlay payout: Bet $10 to profit $58.14 (payout = $68.14).

Try out the Paste BN Parlay Calculator.

Leg 4-*: JAGUARS (-6.5) vs. Panthers – 1 p.m. (CBS)

*-If you want to add a 4th play to this parlay.

The Jacksonville Jaguars (8-7) face a must-win game, as they're in a 3-way tie for 1st place in the AFC South with the Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts. Jacksonville has had a difficult holiday season, dropping 4 in a row after it looked like it might run away with the division and a high seed in the AFC.

The Carolina Panthers (2-13) picked up a 9-7 win in Week 15, and then the offense cobbled together a season-high 30 points in a narrow loss last weekend against the Green Bay Packers.

This wager comes with some risk. QB Trevor Lawrence has been beaten up lately, as he is battling a sore ankle and a shoulder ailment. But the Jags get a winnable game at home, as they look to get back on track and keep their division hopes alive. The Panthers have played well in 2 straight games before, but they haven't had 3 consecutive solid showings. That streak continues in Duval.

Parlay payout: Bet $10 to profit $120.08 (payout = $130.08).

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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

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