The NFL Week 17 blesses us again with two Saturday games, featuring the Houston Texans at Los Angeles Chargers, and the Baltimore Ravens at Green Bay Packers.
Every team playing tonight has some sort of playoff implications on the line, but it could also be the end of the road for one in particular. The Ravens have been dealing with injuries issues all season, and now QB Lamar Jackson is in serious jeopardy of missing the game.
As for the Packers, they have some injury concerns of their own at the QB position, as Jordan Love took a big hit to his head last week that knocked him out the game. Malik Willis filled in admirably in the team’s defeat, but it looks as if Green Bay will be ready to roll regardless.
It all gets kicked off, though, with the Texans-Chargers game. Both teams have clinched playoff spots, and now it’s time to see where each one settles into the final picture.
This is going to be a fun day of football, so let’s make it even more exciting with a few prop bets for each team. In this article, I have selected the best prop bets from a player on each of the teams playing on this slate of Saturday NFL games in Week 17.
Houston Texans at Los Angeles Chargers (-2.5) – Total: 39.5
The Texans come in riding a seven-game winning streak, while the Chargers have won seven of its last eight. The key number of 2.5 has me loving the Texans here; LA doesn’t have a difference-making homefield advantage, so not being given the standard full three-point boost is quite telling here.
Nico Collins: Longest Reception – Over 22.5 Yards (-120)
One of the higher hit-rates this season has been Collins getting at least one big gain per game. Coming into today, he’s had a gain of 24+ yards in five straight games – and in a whopping 11 of his last 13!
While the Chargers are a mostly solid defense, they can certainly give up the long ball. Over the last three games, five different WRs have posted catches of 26+ yards. The names on that list include studs like AJ Brown, DeVonta Smith, and George Pickens.
Justin Herbert: Over 0.5 Interceptions Thrown (-105)
Herbert got out of the Dallas game without throwing an interception, but I don’t know that he’ll be so lucky today. Prior to last game, Herbert had thrown a pick in four straight games – and in seven of eight.
Houston’s top-ranked defense is giving everyone fits this season, as evidenced by their 17 interceptions (T-third most in NFL). In fact, the Texans have picked off five passes over the last three games, including three against Patrick Mahomes.
Baltimore Ravens at Green Bay Packers (-3) – Total: 40.5
As of this writing on Wednesday, we’re not sure of the injury status on both starting QBs – Lamar Jackson and Jordan Love. Luckily for each team, they have capable backups, and the overall game plan shouldn’t change too much. Although, the quality of play could certainly take a hit. I don’t necessarily love either side, but I fear we could see a low-scoring game here.
Derrick Henry: Over 80.5 Rushing Yards (-115)
If you look at the overall numbers this season, you’re probably not loving the chances for Henry to go wild tonight. However, we’ve seen some cracks in this Green Bay run-D, and the season-ending injury to Micah Parsons has shifted duties on this unit – not for the better.
It’s worth noting that over the last three games, five RBs (Kyle Monangai x2, D’Andre Swift x2, RJ Harvey) exceeded their rushing-yard prop number.
Henry has been going bananas on opposing defenses, with three straight games of at least 94 rushing yards. Last week’s 128 was his most in a game since that 169-yard explosion in the season opener at Buffalo.
Brandon McManus: Over 1.5 Field Goals (-140)
As I mentioned at the top, this could very well be an ugly game between these teams with the field goal kickers coming into play. Baltimore is allowing 2.5 field goal attempts per game, which is tied for third-most in the NFL.
McManus shook off some early-season rust and now hasn’t missed a field goal attempt since Nov. 10 (11-for-11 during that span). It’s not expected to be a windy night at all in Green Bay on Saturday night, so those favorable conditions give me even more hope.
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