2023 NFL Week 17 odds predictions best bets by Chris The Bear Fallica

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"Bear Bets" are real wagers that Chris "The Bear" Fallica is actually making.For those new to this space, if you are looking for some wagers to get in on the NFL action, I have you covered. Nothing makes football better than having a few bucks on the games.Last week, we finished 2-2. Let's gain some momentum going into Week 17.Here are my best bets for this week's slate, plus my pick for the College Football Playoff Sugar Bowl semifinal matchup.ADVERTISEMENT  (All times ET)Last Week: 2-2 (Season: 32-24-3)New Orleans Saints @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1 p.m. Dec. 31, FOX and FOX Sports app)Give Tampa credit. The Buccaneers were sitting there at 4-7, then put together a four-game winning streak. Last week, they blew out the , who I kinda thought were overrated all year long. Now, the Buccaneers are sitting at 8-7 and clearly have the division within their sight.FINAL NO 23 Starlin Castro Jersey   TB 13  NFL SPREADTO WINTOTAL New Orleans Saints  NO  +2.5  +124  O 42.5  Tampa Bay Buccaneers  TB  -2.5  -147  U 42.5 However, I think this week will be a difficult game for them. The Saints are coming off a game where they were not competitive and are in a last-stand situation. And what's the gap between these two teams? I don't think much. I would expect the New Orleans defense to come out and play well and give and that offense a problem.It won't be as easy for the Bucs, so I'll take the nice, ugly underdog in the Saints.PICK: Saints (+3) to lose by fewer than 3 points (or win outright)Las Vegas Raiders @ Indianapolis Colts (1 p.m. Dec. 31, CBS)The Colts were dreadful last week in their lo s to the . But now they return home against a Raiders team off of the high of the upset win in  but that was more about bad Kansas City, as two ridiculous  Jon Berti Jersey defensive touchdowns accounted for basically all the points for the Raiders.FINAL LV 20  IND 23  NFL SPREADTO WINTOTAL Las Vegas Raiders  LV  +3.5  +151  O 42.5  Indianapolis Colts  IND  -3.5  -183  U 42.5 I would take the Colts here. Their playoff chase is still on, laying the short number here at home. I would expect the Colts to come out and have a good bit of succe s against a Raiders team that probably might be a tad overvalued, at least in the public's eyes.PICK: Colts (-3.5) to win by more than 3.5 pointsPittsburgh Steelers @ Seattle Seahawks (4:05 p.m. Dec. 31, FOX and FOX Sports app)Seattle's been doing it with smoke and mirrors all year long with its amazing, late comebacks. As a result, the Seahawks have gotten themselves from way out of the playoff race to now being a pretty heavy favorite to get into the playoffs.FINAL PIT 30  SEA 23  NFL SPREADTO WINTOTAL Pittsburgh Steelers  PIT  +4.0  +168   Andre Dawson Jersey O 40.5  Seattle Seahawks  SEA  -4.0  -201  U 40.5 I like them here at home against the Steelers. Give Pittsburgh quarterback credit  he took advantage of that start last week and went out and beat the . But let's not kid ourselves; this is not like the Steelers have found their quarterback of the future or that they've turned the corner offensively. Now that is healthy and with the offensive weapons that he has, I think the Seahawks will be able to win an ugly game.This has 23-13 written all over it.PICK: Seahawks (-3.5) to win by more than 3.5 pointsSugar Bowl: Texas Longhorns vs. Washington Huskies (8:45 p.m. Jan. 1, ESPN)I like Texas here. Of the four teams remaining in the playoffs, I think Texas is the most complete, well-rounded team with Nick Wittgren Jersey  what the Longhorns can do offensively and with that front seven on defense. They have the most ways to beat you.FINAL TEXAS 31  WASH 37  NCAA FB SPREADTO WINTOTAL3 Texas Longhorns  TEXAS  -3.5  -167  O 61.5 2 Washington Huskies  WASH  +3.5  +141  U 61.5 It certainly wasn't a fluke that Texas won that game against in Tuscaloosa earlier in the year. The Longhorns aren't getting the full amount of respect they deserve for the season that they put together. I think one of the biggest keys to the game will be Washington's ability to stop the Texas run. The Huskies will have to play zone. If they're forced to play man, that could be a problem. Also, can Washington's offensive line block? If Texas can pre sure and force him to make decisions earlier than he would like, that will disrupt the Huskies offense  something they didn't face a ton this year in the Pac-12.PICK: Texas (-4) to win by more than 4 pointsChris "The Bear" Fallica has covered sports for nearly three decades. While college football has been his focus, he also enjoys the NFL, Soccer, Golf, Tennis, MLB, NHL and Horse Racing, with an "occasional" wager on such events. Chris recently won the inaugural Circa Football Invitational and finished in the Top 10 of the Golden Nugget Football Contest. He's a multiple-time qualifier for the NHC Handicapping Championship. Remember, "The le s you bet, the more you lose when you win!" Follow him on Twitter @chrisfallica. &amp Jazz Chisholm Jersey ;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;nbsp;