Getting through Sunday felt like a long walk through broken glass. The board didn’t reward comfort – it punished attachment. And it reminded us – again – that the sharpest reads often feel the most uncomfortable in real time.
Underdogs barked. Favorites stalled. A few teams showed real teeth. It was one of those Sundays where you’re right about the idea of a game, but the execution finds a way to knife you anyway.
Panthers vs Buccaneers
This was the spot we waited for.
Bryce Young was composed under pressure, extending plays, keeping his eyes downfield, and making the exact throws that justify trusting him in these tight, ugly games. Tet McMillan was everywhere – contested catches, precise routes, clutch moments – and continues to look like the most reliable weapon on the field for Carolina.
The turning point wasn’t a single play. It was sustained resistance. Three red-zone stops. Crowd noise forcing miscommunication. Baker Mayfield never finding rhythm beyond scripted drives. Carolina didn’t blink when Tampa took a late lead – they responded with a textbook Bryce Young drive, capped by execution instead of panic.
This is who the Panthers are now: resilient, disciplined, and comfortable living in chaos.
Bills at Browns
This one was exhausting.
Buffalo did almost everything required to win comfortably and still found a way to make it miserable. They ran the ball at will. They created early separation. They forced turnovers. And yet, Cleveland lingered long enough to turn every possession into a sweat.
Josh Allen never found consistency. Some of it was pressure, some of it was timing, some of it was just one of those days. The missed extra point. The dropped touchdown. Drives that stalled just enough to keep the backdoor wide open.
The Browns survived long enough to punish Buffalo’s lack of killer instinct. This was a reminder that laying big numbers against competent defenses requires near-flawless execution. Buffalo didn’t deliver it.
Jaguars at Broncos
This was the shocker – and not because Jacksonville won.
It was how cleanly they did it.
Trevor Lawrence played his best game of the season, and maybe the best game of his career. Confident throws on the move. Calm pocket manipulation. Smart use of his legs in high-leverage spots. He wasn’t improvising recklessly – he was decisive.
The Jaguars never let Denver breathe. Even when the Broncos threatened momentum, Jacksonville responded with controlled drives, smart situational football, and defensive discipline.
Denver wasn’t awful. They just ran into a team playing grown-up football.
Lions vs Steelers
This one hurt.
Detroit didn’t lose because they were overmatched. They lost because they couldn’t get off the field when it mattered. Third-and-long conversions. Missed opportunities. One fluke play before halftime that changed the game entirely.
From there, everything tightened. Offensive rhythm vanished. Field position flipped. And Pittsburgh did what Pittsburgh always does – survive the mess and win a game that feels slightly impossible.
This was the danger of betting against Mike Tomlin with a big number attached. Detroit was better for long stretches. It didn’t matter.
Sharp or Square: Early Leans for NFL Week 17
- Carolina +7.5 vs Seahawks
- Chicago +3 at 49ers
- Colts +7 vs Jaguars
- Packers -2.5 vs Ravens
Offered by the Seminole Tribe of Florida in FL. Offered by Seminole Hard Rock Digital, LLC, in all other states. Must be 21+ and physically present in AZ, CO, FL, IL, IN, MI, NJ, OH, TN or VA to play. Terms and conditions apply. Concerned about gambling? In FL, call 1-833-PLAYWISE. In IN, if you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-9-WITH-IT.
GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1‑800‑GAMBLER (AZ, CO, IL, MI, NJ, OH, TN, VA)
