NFL Week 17 Preview – 4 Game Betting Pack

Two teams that have baffled handicappers on the NFL betting board this season are the New York Giants and Minnesota Vikings.

The Giants started the year on a tear, going an impressive 5-0 SU and 4-0-1 ATS through the first five weeks of the schedule. Then, the wheels fell off the bus in New York. With an embarrassing 41-9 loss at home to Carolina (+9) last week, the Giants are a dismal 2-8 against the number (3-7 SU) over their last 10 games.

While New York is out of the playoff picture, Minnesota remains in position for the postseason despite stumbling lately. The Vikings began the season 10-1 SU and a bankable 7-3-1 ATS, but they’ve hit the skids in recent weeks. Minnesota has dropped three of four games both SU and against the spread heading into its battle with New York this weekend.

NY Giants at Minnesota (-9, 47.5) – 1 PM ET

The Vikings (11-4, 8-6-1 ATS) need to win against the Giants on Sunday (8-7, 6-8-1 ATS) and get some help from Dallas to hold on to a first-round bye in the NFC playoffs.

Minnesota shouldn’t have any trouble getting past New York, which has nothing for which to play after getting waxed by the Panthers last week. Whether the Vikes are able to cover is another story – and it’ll likely depend on their ability to establish Adrian Peterson.

Peterson is averaging only 3.3 yards per carry during Minny’s recent 1-3 ATS stretch after averaging 4.7 YPG prior to the Vikings hitting the doldrums.

If the Giants’ run defense performs like it did last week against the Panthers, Peterson and the Vikes figure to walk all over New York. The Giants allowed 257 yards on the ground against Carolina.

New England at Houston (-7.5, 46) – 1 PM ET

The Texans (8-7, 7-7-1 ATS) need an improbable scenario to take shape to make the playoffs as they take on the Patriots (10-5, 7-7-1 ATS) at Reliant Stadium on Sunday.

Houston needs to get past New England and get losses from two of three of Baltimore, Denver, and the New York Jets on Sunday to slip into the postseason. With the Ravens taking on Oakland and the Broncos matching up with Kansas City, the Texans are in tough.

Houston should get some help from New England, however. The Pats have already clinched the AFC East title and homefield advantage in the Wild Card round, and are likely to rest their starters against the Texans. That’s especially the case with Houston presenting a potential first-round matchup for New England if the Texans can win outright on Sunday.

Baltimore at Oakland (+10.5, 38) – 4:15 PM ET

Don’t expect the Ravens (8-7, 8-6-1 ATS) to provide any help to the Texans in their battle with the Raiders (5-10, 7-8 ATS) at Mount Davis on Sunday.

Baltimore simply needs to win out to make the postseason as a Wild Card team, and that shouldn’t be a problem against Oakland. The Ravens haven’t lost to a sub-.500 team in two seasons under head coach John Harbaugh.

Bettors should also get out their wallets for the Ravens on Sunday: Baltimore has won 11 games in a row against the number against teams with losing records.

Head-to-head, the Ravens have dominated the Raiders recently. Baltimore has cashed seven of the last eight meetings both SU and against the NFL point spread with Oakland, which is 16-38-1 ATS in its last 55 games at Oakland-Alameda County Stadium.

Green Bay at Arizona (-3, 44) – 4:15 PM ET

Get ready for a massive game of possum when the Packers (10-5, 10-4-1 ATS) hook up with the Cardinals (10-5, 9-6 ATS) on Sunday at University of Phoenix Stadium.

If the Vikings beat the Giants, the only thing that can keep Arizona from hosting Green Bay once again next week is if Philadelphia and Dallas tie – a huge improbability.

If there’s a betting angle on this one it’s that the Packers are the league’s hottest wager against the spread. Green Bay is 6-0-1 ATS over its last seven games (6-1 SU), and is 19-7-1 against the number in its last 27 road games.

That said, the Cards are 7-1 ATS in their last eight games against teams with winning records, and are tied for third in sacks (42). The Packers have allowed a NFL-high 50 sacks rolling into Sunday’s game.