The DraftKings Pick ‘Em Pools are one of the best ways to get in on the action for Week 17.
If you are in a season-long NFL Pick ‘Em Pool, then these picks should help you out. Check out all the NFL season-long pools on DraftKings here. You can join the NFL Week 17 Spreads Pool with $5,000+ in prizes for just $10 here. You can join the $100 entry NFL Week 17 Spreads Pool with $2,000+ in prizes here.
For up-to-the-minute news, analysis and lineups, download the DK Network app. You also can follow DK Network on Twitter @dknetwork.
NFL Pick ‘Em Pools
These pools are easy to use and allow you to have action for the entire NFL season with just one entry fee. For season-long pools, you will go back to the pool every week and pick five games against the spread. Each correct selection is worth one point and each incorrect selection is worth zero points. For single-week pools, the same rules apply.
I will be giving out my five favorite selections and my leans for every game on the slate each week of the regular season.
Week 17 Picks
Picks Record: 41-34 (54.6%)
Panthers +7.5 at Buccaneers – The Panthers have been very competitive over the past few weeks. They are 3-4 over their past seven games with two of those losses coming in tight games to two of the best teams in the league, the Chiefs and the Eagles. They also lost in overtime to the Bucs over that stretch. Carolina now faces the Bucs again with revenge on their mind. The Panthers have proved that they can hang around with anyone in the league, and they will want to spoil the Bucs’ pursuit of an NFC South title.
Since Week 11, the Panthers have the 12th-best offense in the league, measured by EPA/play. The Panthers’ secondary has also improved a lot over the second half of the season. The Bucs should have some success running the ball, but the Panthers could make them one-dimensional by taking away the passing game. In the second matchup of the season between divisional teams, the games are often lower-scoring and tighter due to the familiarity between the two teams. The Panthers have a lot of positive momentum going and should keep this within one score.
Cowboys +9.5 at Eagles – The Cowboys have been playing well the past few weeks and have a lot of confidence. They have won four of their past five games, with the only loss coming against the Bengals three weeks ago. It seems unlikely that the Eagles will catch the Lions for the 1-seed in the NFC, but they also just need to win one of their next two games, both at home, against the Cowboys and Giants to win the NFC East. Therefore, they are unlikely to force anything, including the health of Jalen Hurts. Hurts left last week’s game with a concussion and is questionable to play this weekend.
If Hurts misses this game, then this bet is great value if the Eagles roll out Kenny Pickett instead. Even if Hurts does play, the Eagles should call a conservative game and the Cowboys can just load the box to take away Saquon Barkley. The Cowboys are playing well on both sides of the ball and seem motivated to finish this season strong. They will want to knock off their divisional rivals as they try to make their playoff push, and in a divisional game, the Cowboys should be able to keep it close and cover this number.
Dolphins -6.5 at Browns – The Dolphins need a win to stay alive in the AFC Wildcard race. They have won five of their past seven games to stay alive in the playoff hunt and the other playoff contenders have tough games this week, so this could be their chance to jump ahead. The Browns have really struggled, losing six of their past seven games. They have switched to Dorian Thompson-Robinson, and it is clear throughout his career that he is not a capable NFL quarterback. DTR is 46th out of 50 qualified quarterbacks this season in EPA+CPOE composite.
The Dolphins have a stout run defense, ranking 11th in the league in defensive EPA/rush. The best way to beat them is to push the ball down the field, and DTR cannot do that. Meanwhile, the Browns rank in the bottom half of the league in defensive EPA/play. Tua Tagovailoa should be able to move the ball by getting it to his weapons: De’Von Achane, Tyreek Hill and Jonnu Smith. The Browns crowd should be pretty lifeless. Things could get ugly for the Browns in this game.
Packers +1.5 at Vikings – This is a great divisional game between two NFC North teams looking to improve their playoff seeding. It is the Vikings that have been on the heels of the Lions all season, but the Packers have chased down the Vikings as well. The Packers are playing better football than almost any team in the league over the past few weeks. They now rank 3rd in the NFL in DVOA, behind only the Ravens and Lions. The Vikings have an elite defense, but the Packers’ offense is 5th in the NFL in EPA/dropback. Their run-pass balance should be able to unlock this Minnesota defense and get points up on the board. Meanwhile, Sam Darnold’s great play has slowed down a bit and the Packers’ defense is on the rise. Green Bay has the momentum in their favor, and it should be enough to win this game.
49ers +3.5 vs. Lions – The Lions currently hold the top seed in the NFC. Meanwhile, the 49ers are eliminated from playoff contention. San Francisco should be able to play carefree in this game and try to end their season on a high note with a win over the NFC’s top team. The Packers, Vikings and Eagles are all on the Lions’ tail for that first-round bye in the NFC, so there is a lot of pressure on the Lions. The Lions are still an elite team, but their play has declined a bit in recent weeks. Over the past month, the Lions rank 4th in offensive EPA/play and 10th in offensive success rate after being 1st in those categories earlier this season. Defensively, they have struggled even more, ranking 29th in defensive EPA/dropback and 19th in defensive success rate. With all the pressure on Detroit, San Francisco should have enough offense to hang around in this game and keep it within a field goal.
Week 17 Leans
Chiefs -2.5 vs. Steelers
Ravens -5.5 vs. Texans
Seahawks -3.5 vs. Bears
Chargers -4.5 vs. Patriots
Broncos +3.5 vs. Bengals
Cardinals +6.5 vs. Rams
Jaguars -0.5 vs. Titans
Giants +7.5 vs. Colts
Raiders +1.5 vs. Saints
Jets +9.5 vs. Bills
Falcons +4.5 vs. Commanders
Join the NFL Pick ‘Em pools on DraftKings and make your picks for Week 17.
All odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.
I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and customer (my username is blakekrass) and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and do not constitute a representation that any particular strategy will guarantee success. All customers should use their own skill and judgment in building lineups. I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and cannot access any non-public information.
