Philadelphia Eagles Hope to Clinch NFC Top Spot, Steelers Hanging on to AFC Playoff Hopes in Week 17

Both of Pennsylvania’s NFL teams, look to improve their playoff status in Week 17. While Philadelphia looks to clinch the top spot in the NFC against the New Orleans Saints, Pittsburgh’s slim playoff chances need a win over their divisional rival, the Baltimore Ravens.

Eagles Game Notes

New Orleans Saints vs Philadelphia Eagles
Sunday January 1st at 1:00 EST
TV: FOX

Philadelphia missed an opportunity to clinch the top spot in the NFC with their loss over Dallas last weekend.

Despite missing QB Jalen Hurts, however, the Eagles’ offense continued their dominant run posting 34 points in the 40-34 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. The Eagles offense will miss their outstanding OT Lane Johnson this week as the lineman tore an abdominal muscle in the Cowboys game. Johnson plays a huge part in the Eagles’ exceptional running game.

The New Orleans Saints, even with their 7-8 record, are contending for the NFC South title against an underwhelming Tampa Bay Buccaneers team plus a surging Carolina Panthers squad that continues to pile up wins down the stretch.

New Orleans have won two straight games to inject themselves back into the NFC South divisional title picture. The Saints’ defense has played extremely well over their last four games, allowing an average of just under 15 points per game.

Saints vs Eagles Betting Notes

Eagles -6.5
43.5 Over/Under Point Total
Moneyline: Eagles (-335), Saints (+270)    

With the Eagles at home, the point spread has hovered around seven points at Pennsylvania sportsbooks such as FanDuel and DraftKings. Worth noting, that after Philadelphia’s other loss to Washington earlier this season, the Eagles failed to cover the following week.

With the Saints’ stingy defense, the Eagles’ offense could be looking at a tough matchup, regardless of who gets under center for Philly. Only six of the Saints’ 15 games have reached the over point total in 2022.

Eagles 

6-1 ATS as Home Favorite
5-5 ATS Against Non-Divisional Teams 
10 of 15 games have hit the over point total

Saints

2-3 ATS as Road Underdog
5-5 ATS Against Non-Divisional Opponent
6 of 15 games have reached the over point total

Steelers Visit Baltimore as 3-Point Underdogs

Pittsburgh Steelers (+3) vs Baltimore Ravens 
Sunday January 1st at 8:21 EST
TV: NBC

With wins in four of their last five games, the Pittsburgh Steelers are back in the hunt for one of the AFC’s final wild card spots. 

Although the wins have come against sub-.500 teams, the rejuvenated Steelers have put together a winning gameplan of running the football and keeping opponents in check. The Steelers defense has not allowed more than 17 points in any of their last five games.

For Baltimore, they hope to get former MVP QB Lamar Jackson back from injury. If Jackson cannot return, then the Ravens will start backup QB Tyler Huntley against Pittsburgh. Huntley has struggled in his 2022 starts as the Ravens have failed to score more than 17 points in any of his three starts.

Steelers vs Ravens Betting Notes

Steelers +3
36 Over/Under Point Total
Moneyline: Steelers (+140), Ravens (-166)

If Huntley starts for the Ravens, the Steelers will lean on their grinding style of football to squeak out a victory. Facing Lamar Jackson could force Pittsburgh to throw more against the Ravens defense, something Steelers coach Mike Tomlin hopes to avoid.

Neither team has shown a proficiency in scoring points this season with both teams reaching the over point total in just 10 of their 30 combined games. With a point total set at 36, PA Online Sports Betting outlets don’t have much faith either team will be lighting up the scoreboard on Sunday.

Steelers

2-3-1 ATS at Home
2-2-1 ATS After a Win
Reached Over Point Total in 6 of 15 games

Ravens

Reached Over in Just 4 of 15 Games in 2022
1-3 ATS Against Divisional Opponents
1-5 ATS as Home Favorite in 2022