NFL Week 8 Preview & Expert Tips - The Sporting Base
[google-translator]

2025 NFL Week 17 Preview: Our Expert Tips

December 28, 2025

2025 NFL Week 17 Preview: Our Expert Tips

I hope you have all had a wonderful Christmas. We have just two weeks of the regular season left and we have plenty of festive action to get stuck into.

I will likely be adding some more picks before the games, so make sure to check


Seattle Seahawks @ Carolina Panthers

Watch On DAZN Here

Carolina hosts Seattle as a significant underdog with +7.5 on the spread, but recent roster shifts and game-specific trends offer value on the Panthers keeping this close. Seattle will be without left tackle Charles Cross (hamstring) and safety Coby Bryant (knee), both ruled out for this matchup, forcing backups into critical roles on offense and in coverage. Their absence could expose Seattle’s protection and secondary in key third-down and red-zone situations. At the same time, linebacker Derick Hall is suspended, which thins the pass rush and limits flexibility for defensive fronts.

Carolina isn’t without attrition either, but their depth has held up more recently. Linebacker Trevin Wallace and defensive tackle Tershawn Wharton are out for the season, but the Panthers have other defenders practicing fully, and rookie WR Tetairoa McMillan is active after resting earlier in the week, keeping their offense viable. Guard Robert Hunt’s return to practice on the IR-designated list adds future upside for run blocking and pass protection.

Against the spread trends favor underdogs in the +7 to +8 range when the favorite is missing multiple starters, particularly in the trenches and secondary. If Carolina can get ahead early and force Seattle into uncomfortable down-and-distance situations behind an undermanned offensive line, the Panthers should keep this game within the number.

Pick: Panthers +7.5

USA USER BETS

AUS/ UK USER BETS

New Orleans Saints @ Tennessee Titans

Watch On DAZN Here

New Orleans heads to Nashville as slight favorites, and there’s clear value on the Saints covering −2.5 in this Week 17 matchup. The injury picture has been turbulent for New Orleans, but they’ve still found ways to win — entering off a three-game win streak with rising confidence under rookie QB Tyler Shough. The Saints ruled out several contributors — including DT Bryan Bresee, RB Alvin Kamara, TE Zaire Mitchell-Paden, and G Cesar Ruiz — while WR Chris Olave is questionable with a back issue that limited his practice late in the week. Meanwhile, DL Nathan Shepherd is questionable but could see heavier usage to replace Bresee’s pressure production. Their defense has tightened up recently, allowing around 16 points per game over the last stretch.

Tennessee is also banged up, with WR Bryce Oliver and OLB Oluwafemi Oladejo both ruled out and CB Marcus Harris out. Multiple Titans — including Sebastian Joseph-Day and CB Micah Robinson — are questionable, which could blunt their defensive effectiveness.

From an ATS trends perspective, short spreads in divisional matchups — especially late in the season when one team is playing with momentum and the other is injury-depleted — often lean toward the favorite covering. New Orleans’ veteran pieces and defensive resurgence give them a strong path to control key situations and cover the number.

Pick: Saints −2.5

USA USER BETS

AUS/ UK USER BETS


New England Patriots @ New York Jets

Watch On DAZN Here

New England hits MetLife as double-digit favorites, and the -13.5 number looks like a line built on public perception rather than matchup reality. The Patriots have steadied their season with a more efficient offense over the last several weeks, and a defense that’s steadily improved in key areas. While they’ll be without a couple role players — linebackers depth is thin with a recent placement on IR and a starting safety is out — their core rotation on both sides remains intact and effective. The offense continues to hum behind a balanced rushing attack and an ever-improving passing scheme that has protected the football and converted on third downs efficiently.

The Jets, on the other hand, are limping through a rough patch of health and inconsistency. Their offensive line has been hit hard, with at least two starters missing practice time this week, and their secondary continues to struggle with depth issues, leading to big plays allowed. At the same time, inconsistency at quarterback and drops in key moments remain glaring vulnerabilities.

Pick: Patriots −13.5

USA USER BETS

AUS/ UK USER BETS

New York Giants @ Las Vegas Raiders

Watch On DAZN Here

This Week 17 clash between two 2-13 teams is about more than pride — it could decide the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, and that context is reflected in both rosters and motivations. The Raiders will be without star edge rusher Maxx Crosby, who has been ruled out with a knee injury, removing a premier pass-rush threat that has consistently disrupted quarterbacks all season. Raiders tight end Brock Bowers and safety Jeremy Chinn are already on injured reserve, and tackle Kolton Miller also remains out, weakening pass protection and limiting playmaking ability on both sides of the ball. Vegas has also practiced without several starters late in the week, and with little left to play for, their competitive drive is questionable.

The Giants also carry injuries — OL Andrew Thomas is out with a hamstring, and center John Michael Schmitz is doubtful, forcing backups into key roles — but they’ve shown resilience and maintained effort throughout the season, and their run defense has improved enough to keep games competitive. With both teams in desperation mode, ATS trends favor underdogs that can control tempo via ground game and avoid turnovers. Given Vegas’s depleted roster and New York’s motivation to stay competitive, backing the Giants to cover is compelling.

Pick: Giants −2.5

USA USER BETS

AUS/ UK USER BETS

Enter Our $500 Cash Giveaway Here



Philadelphia Eagles @ Buffalo Bills

Watch On DAZN Here

The Eagles travel to Buffalo for a marquee Week 17 matchup, and while the Bills are narrow favorites, the Eagles have strong value to win outright. Philadelphia’s injury report has taken a few hits — right tackle Lane Johnson and linebacker Nakobe Dean are ruled out — but the Eagles are otherwise trending healthy at key spots. Defensive tackle Jalen Carter returned to full practice, and star WR A.J. Brown is cleared to play after a minor procedure, restoring elite playmaking ability for Jalen Hurts’ offense. Meanwhile, guard Landon Dickerson, who missed practice time due to illness, is back on the field, stabilizing protection up front.

For Buffalo, quarterback Josh Allen was limited in early practice with a foot issue but is now cleared to play, giving the Bills their most important offensive piece. However, the Bills are missing multiple defensive contributors — including safety Jordan Poyer and defensive tackles DaQuan Jones and Jordan Phillips — weakening run stop and interior pass rush stability. Tight ends Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox are questionable, which could blunt the Bills’ red-zone versatility.

From an ATS perspective, favorites under 3 points with key defensive absences have struggled to cover against balanced offensive attacks. If the Eagles can protect Hurts and win situational football — especially third downs and red-zone efficiency — they have every chance to steal this primetime road game.

Pick: Eagles ML

USA USER BETS

AUS/ UK USER BETS

Enter Our $500 Cash Giveaway Here



Expert Tips

Tell Us What You Think Below

December 21, 2025

2025 NFL Week 16 Preview: Our Expert Tips

So close to the end of the season and every game counts now! We could see a few teams clinch their playoff spots this week and others cement their places at the top of the draft I will likely Read More

December 14, 2025

2025 NFL Week 15 Preview: Our Expert Tips

The NFL season is heating up, and we’re here once again with our weekly betting breakdowns to help you find an edge From injury updates to roster shake-ups and early ATS trends, we’ve got you Read More

December 7, 2025

2025 NFL Week 14 Preview: Our Expert Tips

The NFL season is heating up, and we’re here once again with our weekly betting breakdowns to help you find an edge From injury updates to roster shake-ups and early ATS trends, we’ve got you Read More