The NFL regular season wraps up on December 30th but there will be plenty of jockeying for playoff position before then. Let’s take a look at the early look-ahead lines for Week 17 before the Week 16 games get underway:
Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants
Look-ahead Line: Giants -3
The Cowboys are hoping to have the NFC East clinched by this point. If not, that would mean that they lost at home to Tampa Bay in Week 16 and would be in jeopardy of losing here too to finish the year on a three-game losing streak.
Oakland Raiders at Kansas City Chiefs
Look-ahead Line: Chiefs -13.5
Related: NFL Betting Guide
The Raiders finish up their challenging season at Kansas City. The Chiefs might need this game to secure the top seed in the AFC.
Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints
Look-ahead Line: Saints -5.5
The Saints host the struggling Panthers to wrap up their season. If they win in Week 16, they might rest key players in this spot.
New York Jets at New England Patriots
Look-ahead Line: Patriots -12.5
The Patriots have struggled in December, so this game will have plenty of meaning to them. They’re hoping for a Houston Texans loss in the last two games, so that they can move into the No. 2 seed in the AFC.
Philadelphia Eagles at Washington Redskins
Look-ahead Line: Eagles -5.5
The Eagles and Redskins finish up their disappointing season in this matchup. Both still might have an outside shot at the playoffs.
Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers
Look-ahead Line: OFF
Neither of these teams are going to the playoffs, so it will be interesting to see the motivation on both sides. The Packers have played well at home this season – aside from the loss to Arizona.
Jacksonville Jaguars at Houston Texans
Look-ahead Line: Texans -7
The Jags have all but packed it in. This could be their last game with Doug Marrone as head coach.
Cleveland Browns at Baltimore Ravens
Look-ahead Line: Ravens -5.5
The Ravens need wins to stay in the playoff race. They still have an outside shot at winning the AFC North and if not, the last wildcard spot in the AFC.
Atlanta Falcons at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Look-ahead Line: Falcons -2.5
The Falcons and Bucs are just playing out the string. This could be the last game for Dirk Koetter as head coach for Tampa Bay.
Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills
Look-ahead Line: Bills -3
The Dolphins have been great at home but lousy on the road. They need a win to maintain their outside shot at the playoffs but a road trip to cold and wintery Buffalo won’t be easy.
Indianapolis Colts at Tennessee Titans
Look-ahead Line: Titans -2.5
The Colts have won seven of their last eight games but are still on the outside of the playoffs looking in. They are tied with the Titans at 8-6 as one of the teams that is trying to take the last wildcard spot from the Baltimore Ravens.
Cincinnati Bengals at Pittsburgh Steelers
Look-ahead Line: Steelers -12.5
The Bengals are battered and bruised as they’re without Andy Dalton, A.J. Green and possibly Tyler Boyd. The Steelers need a win to maintain their playoff status.
Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings
Look-ahead Line: Vikings -6
The Vikings and Bears could meet in the playoffs, so we could get a preview here. The Vikings need wins to hang on to their NFC wildcard spot while the Bears still have an outside shot at catching the Los Angeles Rams for the No. 2 seed.
Los Angeles Chargers at Denver Broncos
Look-ahead Line: Chargers -4.5
The Broncos season has been a disaster and this figures to be Vance Joseph’s last game as head coach. The Chargers are still fighting to win the AFC West.
Arizona Cardinals at Seattle Seahawks
Look-ahead Line: Seahawks -10.5
The Cardinals figure to get pounded in this game. The Seahawks have just one more win than the Eagles and Redskins, and might need this game to secure their playoff berth.
San Francisco 49ers at Los Angeles Rams
Look-ahead Line: Rams -9
The Rams are just one game up on the Bears, who they lost to earlier this year. That means they’ll need wins in their final two games to hold on to the No. 2 seed.
