The 2022 NFL season has been a crazy one for quarterbacks. The San Francisco 49ers started out the year with the quarterback who led them to the NFC Championship last season as the backup coming out of training camp, but now the team looks likely to make another deep playoff run with their third-string signal-caller, Brock Purdy. That just started a crazy chain of events at that position, with the most recent link in that chain coming out of Las Vegas. The Raiders have decided to bench Derek Carr for the last two weeks of the season with the team’s record at 6-9. The ostensible reason is to give backup Jarrett Stidham a look in the last two games, to see what the Auburn product can do, but what is more likely the real reason is the fact that the Raiders can cut Carr in the offseason with minimal salary cap impact, but if he were to get injured in Week 17 or 18, his $32 million salary for next year would become guaranteed. There’s no secret that the Raiders would love to reunite coach Josh McDaniels with Tom Brady, who looks miserable this year in Tampa Bay. Going into Week 17, check out our over/under NFL betting pick for each game.
NFL News: Week 17 QB Matchups
→ Thursday, December 29
Dallas Cowboys (-9.5) at Tennessee Titans (O/U 40.5) (8:15 pm ET, Prime Video)
Tennessee won’t have Ryan Tannehill, and they may not have Derrick Henry if Mike Vrabel opts to rest him ahead of the Week 18 showdown with Jacksonville that will determine the AFC South title, no matter what happens for either team in Week 17. The Cowboys have a way of playing down to the opposition, but as many players as the Titans may have on the shelf, this should be a laugher. Take the over.
→ Sunday, January 1
Arizona Cardinals (+3.5) at Atlanta Falcons (O/U 41.5) (1:00 pm ET, FOX)
Hmmm. Desmond Ridder against either a hobbling Colt McCoy or Trace McSorley? I don’t expect much offense here at all. Take the under.
Chicago Bears (+5) at Detroit Lions (O/U 52) (1:00 pm ET, FOX)
Detroit’s offense has been sputtering as of late, and while Chicago can get some chunk plays out of Justin Fields, the Bears are not sustaining drives. Neither defense is all that tough, but this could be a festival of incompetence. Take the under.
Denver Broncos (+12) at Kansas City Chiefs (O/U 45) (1:00 pm ET, CBS)
In Denver, these teams combined for 62 points in Week 13. Russell Wilson is back out of the concussion protocol, and the Chiefs’ offense has also been cooking – just hot enough to keep their iffy defense off the front page. Take the over.
Miami Dolphins (-2) at New England Patriots (O/U 42) (1:00 pm ET, CBS)
Teddy Bridgewater ranks in the top ten all-time in passing percentage, right around 66% for his career. Even so, he has not shown that he can lead a dynamic offense. He will have a ton of weapons around him with Miami, though. Mac Jones has gotten accusations for dirty play, which is a sign that the Pats are turning the ball over too much. Expect a bit of a grindfest here. Take the under.
Indianapolis Colts (+3.5) at N.Y. Giants (O/U 38.5) (1:00 pm ET, CBS)
We have two struggling offenses and two defenses that, at least on paper, can get the job done. However, with as many points as the Colts have been giving up lately, this is a total that the Giants might be able to break on their own. Take the over.
Philadelphia Eagles (+7) at New Orleans Saints (O/U 44) (1:00 pm ET, FOX)
Gardner Minshew led the Eagles to 34 points in Dallas last week, and the Cowboys’ defense is as good as the Saints’ unit. What can Andy Dalton and Alvin Kamara do against the Eagles’ defense, though? Take the under.
Carolina Panthers (+3) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (O/U 40) (1:00 pm ET, FOX)
The Buccaneers’ defense is the reason that the Buccaneers are still alive at this point, but Tampa Bay has shown that they can mount clutch drives when they need to. The Panthers have emerged as a rushing power, though, and Sam Darnold is lighting up opposing defenses. Take the over.
Cleveland Browns (+2) at Washington Commanders (O/U 40.5) (1:00 pm ET, FOX)
Will Carson Wentz throw three touchdown passes or three interceptions – or both? Will Myles Garrett actually get near a quarterback this week? The Browns thrive on offense when the running game is cooking, but teams are loading the box now and laughing when Deshaun Watson misfires. Take the under.
Jacksonville Jaguars (-4.5) at Houston Texans (O/U 43.5) (1:00 pm ET, CBS)
The Texans have upped their scoring in recent weeks, and the Jaguars have shown that they can score with anybody. Neither one of these teams is particularly interested in playing defense. Take the over.
San Francisco 49ers (-6.5) at Las Vegas Raiders (O/U 46) (4:05 pm ET, FOX)
The 49ers have been hitting 30+ points with regularity in recent weeks, so they might cover this total all by themselves. I don’t expect much production out of the Raiders with Stidham set to take the offensive reins. Take the over.
N.Y. Jets (+1.5) at Seattle Seahawks (O/U 42.5) (4:05 pm ET, CBS)
Mike White is back, which means the Jets will have a more dynamic offense than they have with Zach Wilson. The Seahawks can also score in bunches, so this could turn into a track meet. Take the over.
Minnesota Vikings (+3.5) at Green Bay Packers (O/U 48.5) (4:25 pm ET, FOX)
Will Kirk Cousins crater or thrive in the big moment? He looked great against the Pack in Week 1, but he’s had some difficult games in the second half of the season. Your answer to this question will drive your point total pick. I don’t trust Cousins under the lights of pressure, which is why I will take the under.
L.A. Rams (+6.5) at L.A. Chargers (O/U 41) (4:25 pm ET, CBS)
This point total seems low after what the Rams were able to do against the Denver defense last week. Justin Herbert might win the duel, but it will take at least three or four touchdowns to do it. Take the over.
Pittsburgh Steelers (+4) at Baltimore Ravens (O/U 36) (8:20 pm ET, NBC)
Two grinding defenses, two quarterbacks (Kenny Pickett and Tyler Huntley) who are still learning their way when it comes to leading an NFL offense. However, the weather is supposed to be nice for this time of year (57 degrees and partly cloudy) for the game, and Pickett is developing nicely for the Steelers. Take the over.
→ Monday, January 2
Buffalo Bills (-1) at Cincinnati Bengals (O/U 49.5) (8:15 pm ET, ESPN)
Monday night will be almost balmy in Cincinnati, with the low that night at 55 before the arrival of a cold front on Tuesday. What does that mean? Offense for days. Take the over.
NFL Betting Odds
Love betting NFL football? | Xbet Sportsbook offers up to date NFL lines
