UPDATE: The NFL Week 17 betting landscape has dramatically shifted as sportsbooks brace for action with a key matchup: the Philadelphia Eagles face the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, December 25, 2023. As oddsmakers analyze the stakes, the Eagles have become the unlikely focal point for bettors, leaving sportsbooks hoping for a Philadelphia victory to balance the betting scales.
The highly-anticipated Eagles vs. Bills game kicks off at 4:25 p.m. ET on FOX, with the Bills initially opening as 3-point favorites. However, the line has narrowed significantly, now showing just 1-point odds in favor of Buffalo, a shift fueled by sharp action on the Eagles. According to Craig Mucklow, vice president of trading at Caesars Sports, “It’s all Bills money. We’re gonna be big Eagles fans,” indicating that the sportsbook is feeling the pressure as public sentiment leans towards Buffalo.
This matchup is crucial not just for playoff implications but also for bettors looking to capitalize on shifting odds. The Eagles have already secured the NFC East title, guaranteeing a home playoff game, while the Bills are fighting for a wild-card spot and could still clinch the AFC East with favorable outcomes in their remaining games.
On Christmas Day, four of the six teams involved in that day’s games are already out of playoff contention, but the Denver Broncos vs. Kansas City Chiefs showdown has ignited strong betting interest. The Chiefs, long considered one of the most polarizing teams in the NFL, are seeing significant public bets aimed at opposing them. “The Chiefs are the second-most-hated team in America,” Mucklow remarked, adding that bettors are keen to capitalize on the Chiefs’ recent struggles.
The Christmas slate begins with the Dallas Cowboys against the Washington Commanders at 1 p.m. ET. Dallas opened at -3.5 but has surged to -8.5 as Washington’s woes deepen with a third-string quarterback at the helm. Mucklow predicts a significant loss for sportsbooks if Dallas pulls off a victory.
Later, the Detroit Lions are set to host the Minnesota Vikings, with the betting line moving from an opening of -5.5 to a robust -7.5 as the Lions gain momentum. “That game will have the biggest betting handle of the day,” Mucklow said, highlighting that bettors are heavily backing Detroit.
As for the Cleveland Browns, professional bettor Randy McKay is eyeing a home underdog bet against the Pittsburgh Steelers, with Cleveland sitting at +4.5. McKay urged that the Browns always treat this game as their Super Bowl, especially if the Steelers rest key players for the playoffs.
In the prime-time spotlight, the Baltimore Ravens will visit the Green Bay Packers on Saturday, December 24, at 8 p.m. ET. Mucklow expressed concern about the potential for Packers money to flood in, especially if Jordan Love plays, while Baltimore’s playoff aspirations hang in the balance.
With the NFL season nearing its conclusion, bettors are eagerly anticipating the outcomes of these pivotal matchups. The stakes are high, and with every game, the betting landscape is shifting. As sportsbooks prepare for a whirlwind of action this holiday weekend, one thing is clear: the NFL continues to captivate fans and bettors alike.
Stay tuned for further updates as these games unfold, and check back for insights on how the betting landscape evolves in this thrilling NFL Week 17.
