Home » Best Sports Betting Picks Today: NFL Week 17, NBA Predictions December 29 | Deadspin.com

Best Sports Betting Picks Today: NFL Week 17, NBA Predictions December 29 | Deadspin.com

Best Sports Betting Picks Today: NFL Week 17, NBA Predictions December 29 | Deadspin.com

Dec 22, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) runs the ball against Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter (98) during the first quarter at Northwest Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-Imagn Images

The NFL will determine its Week 18 schedule once Week 17 ends in a grand display of flex scheduling.

As far as the Week 17 Sunday slate is concerned, there’s little for the league to flash its collective muscles over. Blame it on posturing.

Sunday marks the fourth of five game days comprising the week. The Kansas City Chiefs already clinched home-field advantage in the AFC playoffs on Wednesday, and the team controlling its destiny for the top seed in the NFC, the Detroit Lions, doesn’t play until Monday night.

An intriguing matchup between NFC contenders awaits on Sunday Night Football, but the game also comes with contingencies based on afternoon results. 

In today’s best bets, we look at the penultimate football Sunday of the regular season and an NBA rematch. Here we go.

ATLANTA FALCONS AT WASHINGTON COMMANDERS

The Falcons can earn a spot in the playoffs with a win or a Tampa Bay loss to Carolina earlier Sunday. Should the Buccaneers lose, an Atlanta victory also would give the Falcons the NFC South title.

Limiting Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels will be key to that objective, and it will be no easy task considering Daniels is the front runner for the league’s Offensive Rookie of the Year award. 

Daniels became the first Washington signal-caller to pass for five touchdowns last week, steering a come-from-behind home win against Philadelphia. He also rushed for 81 yards, his third effort of 80 yards or better this season and has had runs of at least 23 yards in three of the past four games.

A versatile skill set coupled with a depleted Atlanta defense should pave the way to a big night for Daniels in prime time.

Jayden Daniels over 271.5 passing and rushing yards, -115 (BetMGM)

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INDIANAPOLIS COLTS AT NEW YORK GIANTS

While Jonathan Taylor’s late-season surge might not be enough to lift the Colts into the AFC playoffs, it should bolster a fan base that wasn’t exactly happy with the running back when he dropped the ball before crossing the goal line in a crucial Week 15 loss at Denver.

Taylor torched Tennessee for 218 yards and three touchdowns last week as Indy set a new franchise mark with 335 yards on the ground. He now takes aim at a Giants’ rushing ‘D’ that allows an average of 142.6 rushing yards per game, second worst in the NFL.

New York entered the week game-planning for more designed runs from Colts QB Anthony Richardson as it aims to avoid becoming the first team to finish 0-9 at home. While Richardson has since been ruled out with back and foot injuries, look for Taylor to keep the Giants guessing—and missing tackles—with backup Joe Flacco leading the attack

Taylor has six 100-yard efforts this season to go with a 96-yard game in Week 13.

Jonathan Taylor over 125+ rushing yards, +210 (BetMGM)

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INDIANA PACERS AT BOSTON CELTICS

The regular-season series between Indiana and Boston will be history after this matchup, which has seen the home team prevail in the first two meetings.

Should the Celtics’ Jaylen Brown repeat his latest effort—or even come remotely close to it—this could be another long night for the Pacers, who are coming off a 142-105 loss in Boston Friday night.

Brown registered a season-best 44 points to lead the way, shooting a scorching 66.7 percent from the floor, including a 6-for-11 showing from deep. He added four steals to become just the third player in Celtics history to have at least 44 points and four steals in a game.

Brown, who scored 37 points in a narrow loss in Indianapolis on Oct. 30, averages 21.6 points in his career against Indiana. He’s averaging 24.5 points over 11 games this month, so expecting him to contribute more than 25.5 shouldn’t be too much to ask.

Jaylen Brown over 25.5 points, -115 (FanDuel)

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