Posted on 12/27/2007 4:59:49 PM

NFL Betting Action - Push for the playoffs

By BetUS Staff

There aren’t very many meaningful games on the NFL schedule in Week 17, so NFL betting fans may have to find out who’s actually taking the field before placing their bets. In both the AFC and the NFC there’s only one playoff spot up for grabs, with a handful of teams still in the hunt.

There’s one playoff spot left in the AFC with two teams fighting to secure it. The Cleveland Browns had a chance to wrap up the final playoff berth last week but couldn’t get it done versus Cincinnati. The Tennessee Titans put their playoff fate in their own hands by defeating the Jets last week. All the Titans need to do to get in to the playoffs is beat Indianapolis on Monday.

Of course if the Browns lose to San Francisco the Titans won’t have to worry about their Sunday night clash with the Colts. The oddsmakers expect the Browns to easily beat the 49ers after setting them as a 10-point favorite, while the Titans are a 6.5-point favorite on the NFL odds since the Colts may rest some of their starters. The Colts edged the Titans 22-20 way back in Week 2.

In the NFC there are three teams still in the running for the final playoff spot. The Washington Redskins, Minnesota Vikings and New Orleans Saints are all still alive but Washington is in the driver’s seat. All the Redskins need to do to get in to the playoffs is beat Dallas on Sunday, which could be made more possible if the Cowboys do the expected and rest a number of starters.

Dallas beat Washington 28-23 back in Week 11 with their starters playing from start to finish. This weekend Dallas will be without Terrell Owens who is sidelined with a sprained ankle, and it’s a crapshoot as to how much Tony Romo will play, if at all. Even though Owens is out, the Cowboys may not be totally shorthanded at receiver with Terry Glenn expected to make his season debut after missing the entire season so far after having knee surgery. With Dallas’ uncertain roster makeup, the Redskins are a 9.5-point favorite on the NFL odds.

The Vikings could have locked up a playoff spot last week, but instead lost to Washington to put themselves in a tight spot. Not only does Minnesota need to beat Denver on Sunday, but they also need the Redskins to lose to the Cowboys. With the Vikings visiting Denver, Minnesota is listed as a 3-point favorite.

Finally, there are the Saints. It looked like New Orleans’ playoff hopes died last week after they lost to Philadelphia. However there’s still some faint hope left in New Orleans, but they need a lot of help. To get back to the postseason the Saints need a win over the Bears on Sunday and they need Minnesota and Washington both to lose. The Saints lost to the Bears in last in last year’s conference final, but on Sunday they’re a slim 2-point favorite on the Football odds.

> > Check Week 17 Odds Here

The 2007 NFL betting season is here in full force! If you like to bet on the NFL, you are in the best possible place for online betting. The BetUS sportsbook has NFL odds up on a ton of futures, and you will also find NFL lines up for early games as well. Join BetUS today and we'll help guide you right through to Super Bowl XLII and beyond!