NFL Week 17 Betting Preview And Tips - 01-02-09

January 2 - The handicappers at BetUS.com see the key NFC matchups playing out as follows in week 17.

1: Green Bay Packers (10-4-1 ATS, 10-5 SU) (LW: 1) The Packers are going to the second season and look to be a very dangerous team in the quest for the Lombardi Trophy. A win at Arizona would wrap up the #5 seed.

Away at Cardinals (+3) +100

2: Atlanta Falcons (10-5 ATS, 8-7 SU) (LW: 3) Atlanta continues climbing up the NFL power rankings slowly but surely. Another strong effort at home against the Bills was a welcome sign for NFL handicapping aficionados. The season wraps up at Raymond James Stadium.

Away at Buccaneers (-2)

3: San Francisco 49ers (8-4-3 ATS, 7-8 SU) (LW: 4) San Fran's two-TD victory against Detroit was only good enough for a push. A win at St. Louis on Sunday guarantees that the Rams earn the #1 pick in the draft.

Away at Rams (-7)

4: Philadelphia Eagles (9-6 ATS, 11-4 SU) (LW: 2) The Eagles might not have covered against the Broncos last week, but they had to be the biggest winners of the weekend. Minnesota's loss let them control their own destiny for the #2 seed in the NFC. A loss in “Big D” will drop them to either the #5 or #6 hole though.

Away at Cowboys (+3)

5: Arizona Cardinals (9-6 ATS, 10-5 SU) (LW: 7) Thanks to last week's easy win against the Rams, the Cards could still conceivably earn a first round bye in the playoffs. A win, a Philly loss, and a Minnesota loss would get the job done.

Home vs. Packers (-3) -120

6: Minnesota Vikings (8-6-1 ATS, 11-4 SU) (LW: 5) The Vikings and Saints are arguing for which team wants to collapse down the stretch more. Minnesota's unexpected loss in the Windy City could drop it out of a first round bye in the playoffs with either a loss or a Philadelphia win in Week 17.

Home vs. Giants (-9)

7: Dallas Cowboys (8-7 ATS, 10-5 SU) (LW: 8) Dallas knows that it could still fall anywhere from #2 to #6 in the playoffs. A win against Philly wins the NFC East and guarantees no worse than the #4 seed. With some help from Arizona and Minnesota, the Cowboys could become a very improbable team with a first round bye.

Up Next: Home vs. Eagles (-3)

8: Carolina Panthers (8-7 ATS, 7-8 SU) (LW: 10) The Panthers shut the doors at the Meadowlands for the Giants in a big way, winning 41-9. It seems as though HC John Fox will be retained regardless of whether Carolina finishes up with a win against the Saints or not this weekend.

Home vs. Saints (OTB)

Get more expert tips and the latest odds at BetUS.com.