Week 17 features three different games. The Patriots host the Chargers to open the game, followed by the Bengals hosting the Broncos in the late afternoon. Finally, the Rams will host the Cardinals on Saturday night. You can bet on all of these games at DraftKings Sportsbook.
There are far more ways to get involved in the action than just via traditional betting. One of the more unique features on DraftKings this year is Pick6 Fantasy Football!
Saturday Pick6 Plays
These are some pivotal games with stakes for almost every team involved in the three games. The Chargers can clinch a playoff spot with a win over the Patriots. The Broncos can also clinch a playoff spot with a win. Meanwhile, the Bengals can keep their playoff hopes alive if they knock off Denver. The Rams need a win to maintain their lead in the NFC West divisional race and the Cardinals will be looking to play spoiler against their division rivals.
Here are my top Pick6 plays for the Saturday NFL slate.
Matthew Stafford Less Than 234.5 Passing Yards
Matthew Stafford and the Rams control their own fate to the NFC West division title. With a win over the Seahawks next week, they would clinch the division regardless of what happens in this game. However, they can also clinch the division this week potentially. The Rams could clinch with a win and with a few other results around the league which would help their strength of victory margin over Seattle. If the two teams end up with the same record at the end of the regular season, that would be the tiebreaker and the Rams have an edge in that category as of now.
Matthew Stafford has had an up-and-down season up to this point. He has had to deal with injuries to all of his top targets throughout the season. He has also dealt with interception issues and has shown his age at times. I am picking Stafford to go under his passing total in this game. In three of his past four games, he has had 183 or less passing yards. The Rams have been feeding Kyren Williams recently and the Cardinals rank 27th in defensive EPA/rush so they should do so again in this game, causing Stafford to go under this number.
Ladd McConkey More Than 71.5 Receiving Yards
Ladd McConkey has had a fantastic rookie season for the Chargers. McConkey leads the Chargers in receptions and receiving yards this season, both by a wide margin. He has exceeded 71.5 receiving yards in four of his past five games. He has been Justin Herbert’s primary target and Herbert should feed him in this massively important game for the Chargers.
The Chargers can clinch a playoff spot with a win over New England. The Patriots currently rank 31st in defensive EPA/dropback and 29th in defensive dropback success rate. They should be able to throw it all over New England and with their season on the line, they should be aggressive. That will carry McConkey over this receiving yards total.
Bo Nix More Than 1.5 Passing TDs
Bo Nix failed to throw a touchdown in any of his first career NFL starts. However, Sean Payton has become more trustworthy of his quarterback and Nix has become more confident in himself. That has led to Nix being a more aggressive passer in the red zone and he now ranks 10th in the NFL in passing touchdowns this season, tied with fellow rookie Jayden Daniels.
I am backing Bo Nix to have more than 1.5 passing touchdowns in this game. Nix has two or more passing touchdowns in five of his past six games. The Bengals rank 20th in defensive EPA/dropback and 22nd in defensive dropback success rate. The Bengals rank 27th in opposing passing touchdowns per game. Teams have been able to throw touchdowns on the Bengals all season and Nix should do so as well.
Joey Bosa More Than 0.25 Sacks
Joey Bosa has missed a few games with injuries this season but he has performed well when on the field. Bosa has five sacks in 12 games this season, including two in his past three games. He should be able to get after Drake Maye who has taken a lot of sacks this season. The Patriots have allowed the seventh-most sacks in the league this season. Maye has taken 29 sacks, despite only playing nine full games. Bosa should be able to get to Maye and pick up at least half a sack to hit this pick.
Kyler Murray More Than 0.5 Interceptions Thrown
Kyler Murray had a fantastic start to the season but things have gone downhill for him and the Cardinals in recent weeks. The Cardinals were the favorites to win the NFC West just a few weeks ago but they are now eliminated from playoff contention with two games left to play. Part of the reason for their decline is Kyler Murray’s turnover issues. Murray has six interceptions in his past five games. In this game against the Rams where the Cardinals have nothing to lose, Murray should let it rip and that will result in him throwing another interception.
Rhamondre Stevenson More Than 44.5 Rushing Yards
The Patriots are looking to play spoiler against the Chargers in this game. With a first-year head coach and a rookie quarterback, the Patriots are trying to progress forward so they will want to put up some good results to close out the season. Rhamondre Stevenson is key to them having a good offensive performance.
Stevenson has 60 or more rushing yards in five of his past six games so he has been consistently going well over this number. The Chargers rank 6th in defensive EPA/dropback but 15th in defensive EPA/rush and 16th in defensive rushing success rate. They have been much better defending the pass than the rush so the Patriots should have a run-heavy approach to try to wear them down. That should lead to Stevenson clearing this number.
What is DraftKings Pick6?
Pick6 is a peer-to-peer fantasy variant where you build a lineup (your “Pick Set”) of two or more players and select whether you believe each will outperform their listed stat projection. Enter your Pick Set in Pick6 contests to compete against other users. Get enough picks correct and win a share of cash prizes.
How to Play DraftKings Pick6
Create a Pick Set
Create a Pick Set by choosing two or more players from the same sport and Pick Group (a set of picks available from a group of set competitions). For each player, simply select if you think they’ll have more or less than their listed stat projection. In each Pick Set, you cannot pick the same player twice and you must pick players from at least two different teams.
Enter an Amount
Once you finalize your Pick Set, choose your entry fee amount. Your entries will be automatically distributed into available contests, subject to your confirmation.
Sweat Your Picks
When the games go live, use the My Picks tab to follow your picks in real time to track how your players are performing against their projections and how they stack up against other users.
Compete for Prizes
Make enough correct picks and win a share of the contests’ guaranteed prizes. Any prizes won will be credited to your DraftKings account after contests are finalized.
Play at DraftKings Pick6 or by downloading the DraftKings Pick6 app on Apple or Google!
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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.
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.Must be at least 18 years or older. Higher age limits may apply in some states. Eligibility restrictions apply. Valid only in states where DraftKings Pick6 operates. Void where prohibited. For entertainment purposes only. Winning a contest on DraftKings depends on knowledge and exercise of skill. See terms at pick6.draftkings.com.
