NFL
NFL week 17 preview: Ravens to crow over rivals and claim top honours
With only two weeks of the regular NFL season remaining, playoff spots and the AFC Divisional title remain up for grabs.
We preview the two standout ties from this weekend.
Miami Dolphins @ Baltimore Ravens
It doesn’t get much bigger than this, with the AFC divisional title potentially resting on the result of this match. The Ravens hold a slender advantage heading into this clash, boasting a 12-3 record compared to the Dolphins’ 11 wins and four losses. They last won the AFC divisional title in 2012 and know a win at the home of the Dolphins would seal their seventh AFC title. John Harbaugh’s side are 10/17 favourites to clinch a victory at the home of their closest challengers.
The Ravens’ success this season has been built on a free-scoring offence but also the meanest defence in the league, shipping just 244 points in their 15 games to date. The Baltimore team also couldn’t come into this in much better shape, winning their last five, including a brilliant 33-19 victory over the San Francisco 49ers most recently. Lamar Jackson turned in a stellar performance, passing for 252 yards and scoring two touchdowns and the star quarterback is 5/6 to pass over 230 yards here, while he’s 5/4 to register over 1.5 passing touchdowns.
With the spread at +/-3, it’s set to be a close encounter and there could be some value in the Dolphins +3 at EVS. The Dolphins will also come here on the crest of a wave after securing a nail-biting 22-20 win over the Dallas Cowboys last week, while they put 30 points without reply past the New York Jets in Week 15. Scoring is the Miami side’s forte and as the highest scorers in the NFL (464) this season it will be fascinating to see if they can unpick the Ravens’ defence. Miami are 6/4 to triumph here but given the strength of the Ravens defence, something showcased against a strong 49ers team last time, even they might struggle to register a big enough score.
New Orleans Saints @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Two teams in NFC South still in with a playoff chance clash at the Raymond James Stadium. Tampa Bay hold the higher ground with an 8-7 record, but a win for the Saints on the road would turn things in their favour, so there’s plenty to play for here.
It’s the Buccaneers that come here in much better form, having won their last four and it’s that momentum that has carried them to the top of NFC South. They have won their last three meetings with the Saints and are 5/7 favourites to make that four. Running back Rachaad White is favourite to score a touchdown for the Bucs at 10/11, while wide receiver Mike Evans scored two touchdowns against the Jacksonville Jaguars last time out and is EVS to score anytime on Sunday.
New Orleans are looking to bounce back and register their first win over the Bucs since 2021. On their day they have the ability to go toe-to-toe with any team, but it’s a question of which Saints side turn up. They were outplayed for much of the game against the LA Rams last week, until scoring 15 points in a scintillating final quarter to narrow the margin of defeat to 30-22 at full time. Quarterback Derek Carr scored threw for 315 yards and is 5/6 to throw over 241.5 yards against Tampa Bay. If he can achieve that then the Saints have a sound chance at 6/5, but the value may lie in the spread, which stands at +/-2.5, with the Buccaneers 10/11 to win with a -2.5 handicap.
