NFL Week 17 Saturday Preview & Predictions

Houston Texans @ Los Angeles Chargers 

Line: Chargers -1.5

Total: 40.5 

 

We kick off the Week 17 Saturday slate with a huge AFC game between the Chargers and Texans with major playoff implications. Houston travels to Los Angeles listed as short 1.5 point underdogs. Kick-off is set for 4:30 ET and the game will be broadcast on NFL Network. 

 

Overall, these two teams are closely rated in our power rankings and both are dealing with banged up offensive lines. Houston has the edge on defense, but I also trust the Chargers offense significantly more than the Texans and playing the Raiders last week allowed the Chargers to find their groove a bit passing the ball. Woody Marks should be back for the Texans and that makes a big difference for their run game. I expect him to lead the backfield and be a top DFS target on the two game slate. As for the Chargers, it was Ladd McConkey who had the best game against them in the play-offs last season and he has the matchup edge again today avoiding Derek Stingley.

 

These two teams are neck and neck but I simply cannot trust the Texans offense at all in a big game and that is the difference for me in this one. 

 

Touchdown Prediction: Ladd McConkey 

Score Prediction: Chargers 23, Texans 20 

 

Baltimore Ravens @ Green Bay Packers 

Line: Packers -3.5 

Total: 38.5 

 

We finish off the Saturday slate with a battle of back-up QBs between Tyler Huntley and Malik Willis. This game has a low total, and I’m expecting a pretty run-heavy approach from both teams. Baltimore has always skewed run-heavy without Lamar in the lineup and Malik Willis adds another layer of mobility to the Packers offense that Jordan Love doesn’t possess. 

 

In low scoring games I typically lean the underdog, but I firmly believe the Packers are a better team top to bottom than the Ravens right now and I actually think Willis is a capable starting QB. I am interested in some of the Packers receiving props, particularly Luke Musgrave. When Tucker Kraft went down most assumed Musgrave, who was drafted higher, would ascend but John FitzPatrick continued to run more routes. Now he is down as well, clearing the path for Musgrave to have a bigger role in the offense after catching a long pass from Willis last week. 

It’s tough to expect much from Josh Jacobs other than TDs at this point, so I’ll be more focused on the GB receiving room and both QBs rushing ability in what I expect to be a Packers win. 

 

Touchdown Prediction: Luke Musgrave 

Score Prediction: Packers 20, Ravens 13