NFL Week 17 Betting – Schedule & Marquee Matchups
NFL Week 17 Betting Marquee Matchups:
Giants @ Redskins
The past several seasons, the Redskins have simply playedout the string and have tried to be a spoiler whenever the Giants have come totown in late December or early January. What’s potentially fun about thisparticular battle is that it might have playoff implications for both teams.The Redskins, now that they have an elite coach (Mike Shanahan) and anupper-tier quarterback (Donovan McNabb), could very well make some noise in theNFC East. If this game does have a postseason flavor for Washington and not justNew York, it will create a sensational piece of theater at FedEx Field, whichwould be electric in anticipation of another Eli Manning-Donovan McNabbshowdown in a big game. It’s up to Washington to make this game sing.
Bengals @ Ravens
The Cincinnati Bengals won the AFCNorth in 2009, but the Ravens advanced one round further in the postseason.Moreover, while Cincinnati started its season strong, it was Baltimore who madea bigger late-season push and played better at the end of the year. Yes, Cincinnatiwill still be in the thick of the hunt due to its own high-level defense, butthe Ravens have acquired the kinds of pieces that will make them particularlyformidable in 2010 (and maybe beyond). Perhaps the division race will alreadybe settled by the time these teams meet in the regular-season finale. If not,you can bet that the AFC North will be settled – once and for all – when thesetwo teams knock heads in Baltimore on the second day of 2011.
Cardinals @ 49ers
You might have noticed that in week 17, the NFL – thanksto Commissioner Roger Goodell – has insisted on a slate entirely comprised ofdivisional games. This tweak to the schedule came about after the IndianapolisColts rested their star players last season against the New York Jets in week16. By putting divisional games at the end of the season, the NFL hopes tocreate urgent and meaningful situations that will prevent teams from restingtheir most important performers. There is a certain degree of artificiality tothis, but the good side is that it is likely to create at least one or twocontests that will decide a division title on the final day of regular-seasonplay. One such candidate for a division-settling showdown comes from SanFrancisco, where the 49ers and Cardinals could very well resolve a longstandingNFC West dispute. One of these teams might be playing spoiler on behalf of theSeattle Seahawks, but the point is clear enough: There’s likely to be adivision crown on the line when Arizona travels to Candlestick Park. The jointshould be jumping in early January.
