NFL Week 17: Mularkey’s Jaguars battle, NFC South drama & more
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All-or-nothing in last week of regular season
The final weekend of the NFL regular season is here, and all four Wild Card spots remain unclaimed. That’s dramatic enough by itself, but the storylines in Week 17’s fixtures add an extra layer of intrigue to the action.
As usual, the Coral News Team are here to deliver their pick of the key talking points ahead of a crucial weekend of gridiron…
Boom or bust as Titans boss faces old employers
As it stands, Tennessee Titans currently occupy the second AFC Wild Card spot. But not all is rosy in the garden for Mike Mularkey and his men.
They require a final day win at home to the Jacksonville Jaguars – following a run of three straight defeats. However, the Jags can take heart from the fact that all of those games have been lost by a margin of five points or fewer.
And the Titans could have the ideal opposition on the final day. Not only are the division-winning Jags likely to rest key men, but they’re also a side Mularkey knows inside out.
The current Tennessee Head Coach joined the team after leaving the same role in Jacksonville, back in 2012. Having also faced the Jags numerous times since, the 56-year-old knows what makes them tick.
That insider knowledge could prove vital for Tennessee on Sunday night. The Coral News Team like the look of a narrow win for the hosts at Nissan Stadium. Winning Margin: TEN Titans 1-6 is their tip at 11/5.
NFC South grudge-match is huge for both sides
Things haven’t all gone smoothly for last year’s losing Super Bowl finalists Atlanta Falcons this time out. But after a rocky start, five wins in their last seven have seen Dan Quinn’s men currently occupying the second NFC Wild Card position.
But rivals are hot on their heels, with fellow 9-6 side Seattle Seahawks amongst four sides contending for a place in the next stage.
They face a Carolina Panthers side who are guaranteed a minimum of a Wild Card spot. However, if the Panthers win and current table-toppers New Orleans Saints fall short, it’ll be Carolina who win the NFC South and skip a tough Wild Card test.
This fixture is tough to call, with four wins apiece in the last eight clashes. However, with home advantage and a more pressing need for victory, the Coral News Team fancy Atlanta Falcons to Win at 4/9.
Vikings aim for best of the Millennium with more Bears misery
It’s been something of a one-horse race for supremacy in NFC North this year. Green Bay Packers have capitulated following a mid-season injury to Quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Meanwhile, Detroit Lions have been strong at times. But nobody can hold a candle to the 12-3 Minnesota Vikings.
Victory on the final weekend would give the Vikes their best regular-season finish since 1998. But opponents Chicago Bears will be desperate to avoid the fate of losing all six of this season’s games against their divisional rivals.
The Bears travel to Minneapolis on the back of a victory against a winless Cleveland Browns, but this is a far tougher test.
However, with Chicago showing some signs of improvement, and recent clashes mostly close affairs, there could be value in the handicap. Chicago +8.0 is an appealing 29/20.
Click here for the latest NFL odds from Coral.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
