Saturday's NFL Week 17 betting tips and predictions

Where to watch

Los Angeles Chargers at New England Patriots
Sky Sports NFL, 6pm Saturday

Denver Broncos at Cincinnati Bengals
Sky Sports NFL, 9.30pm Saturday

Arizona Cardinals at Los Angeles Rams
Sky Sports NFL & Sky Sports Main Event, 1am Saturday night

Best bets

Los Angeles Chargers -4
3pts 10-11 Coral, Ladbrokes

Over 49.5 points in Denver Broncos at Cincinnati Bengals
3pts 10-11 Coral, Ladbrokes

Arizona Cardinals +7
2pts 5-6 Coral, Ladbrokes

LA Chargers at New England Patriots predictions

The Los Angeles Chargers can clinch a playoff place in their first season with Jim Harbaugh as their head coach by beating the New England Patriots in the first of three NFL Week 17 games on Saturday.

At 9-6, just one more win would take the Californian team out of the reach of the 7-8 trio of the Colts, Dolphins and Bengals, who are still hoping to sneak in by winning their last two games.

The weather should be relatively mild in Massachusetts, for which the Chargers will be grateful. They were hammered 40-17 by the Buccaneers two weeks ago but returned to form with a 34-27 win over the Broncos in a key AFC West clash and they have now won six of their last nine games, running the Ravens and Chiefs close in their other two recent losses.

The Patriots are 3-12 and just waiting for the season to end after losing their last five games. Rookie quarterback Drake Maye has been the main bright spot for an overall poor team and they have conceded at least 24 points in their five consecutive defeats. The Chargers will also be the fresher side after playing on the Thursday of Week 16 and should cover the handicap.

Verdict by Ricky Dimon

The lowdown

Venue Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts
Surface Grass
Weather Rain, 3C
Vegas line Chargers -4.5
Points line 42.5

Denver Broncos at Cincinnati Bengals predictions

The AFC clash between the Denver Broncos and the Cincinnati Bengals is the clear highlight of Saturday's NFL games and the 7-8 Bengals' playoff hopes will be over if they lose.

The 9-6 Broncos will clinch a post-season berth if they win and rookie quarterback Bo Nix should go well against a struggling Bengals defence who have conceded 26.2 points per game this season.

The Bengals' elite offence, led by QB Joe Burrow and wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase, have been let down time and again by their shaky defence and the best bet could be to go long on points.

The Broncos are 11-4 against the handicap overall this season and 6-2 in road games, whereas the Bengals have covered the spread in just two of their seven home fixtures.

Denver's record of 24.2 points per game ranks tenth in the NFL and they have scored 27, 31, 41, 29 and 38 points in their last five outings. The Bengals have failed to reach 21 points only twice this season, meanwhile, and the total points line has been surpassed in six of their last eight games and in ten of 15 overall.

Both teams should struggle to slow down the opposing offences.

Verdict by Caleb Wilfinger

The lowdown

Venue Paycor Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio
Surface Artificial
Weather Rain, 14C
Vegas line Bengals -3
Points line 49.5

Arizona Cardinals at Los Angeles Rams predictions

The Arizona Cardinals can no longer make the playoffs this season but they could at least make life tough for the Los Angeles Rams as the home team bid to extend their winning streak to five games.

The Cardinals look dangerous underdogs against the Rams, who covered against the Jets last week despite gaining only 242 total yards and scoring just 19 points. The Rams' last five wins have all come in one-possession games and the Cardinals can make good use of a big handicap start.

Arizona's defence has been greatly improved this season and they could do a decent job against LA's star wide receiver duo of Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua. The Cardinals should have some success themselves through the air and they could avoid a wide-margin defeat.

Verdict by Caleb Wilfinger

The lowdown

Venue SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California
Surface Grass
Weather Cloudy, 14C (stadium has roof canopy)
Vegas line Rams -6.5
Points line 47.5

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