How bout those third-string quarterbacks?

Home underdogs with backups to the backups went 3-0 ATS on Christmas Day with one outright upset as the Vikings (+7.5) eliminated the Lions from playoff contention with 23-10 victory.

 

In the other games, the Cowboys beat the Commanders 30-23, but didn’t cover the -8.5; the Broncos defeated the Chiefs 20-13, but didn’t cover the -13.5.

In Circa Survivor, nine of the 10 entries advanced with five on the Cowboys and four on the Vikings. The lone Washington entry bowed out. Contestants now have to pick a winner from the remainder of the Week 17 games Saturday-Monday.

The Lions’ loss means the Packers clinched a playoff spot. Green Bay (-4.5) will meet the visiting Ravens on Saturday. Baltimore has listed QB Lamar Jackson (back) as doubtful while Jordan Love (concussion) and Malik Willis (right shoulder) are questionable for the Packers.

Everything we do on Week 17 will be posted here.

Weekend Bowl Best Bets

Adam Burke and Zach Cohen offer their Best Bets on the bowl games:

Today

GameAbove Sports Bowl: Central Michigan vs. Northwestern, 1 ET

Rate Bowl: New Mexico vs. Minnesota, 4:30 ET

First Responder BowlFIU vs. UTSA, 8 ET

Saturday

Military BowlPitt vs. East Carolina, 11 a.m. ET

Pinstripe Bowl: Penn State vs. Clemson, Noon ET

Fenway Bowl: UConn vs. Army, 2:15 p.m. ET

Pop-Tarts BowlGeorgia Tech vs. BYU, 3:30 p.m. ET

Arizona BowlMiami (OH) vs. Fresno State, 4:30 p.m. ET

New Mexico Bowl: North Texas vs. San Diego State, 5:45 p.m. ET

Gator Bowl: Virginia vs. Missouri, 7:30 p.m. ET

Texas BowlLSU vs. Houston, 9:15 p.m. ET

More top plays from . . .

>Steve Makinen

>Dave Tuley

Others CFB resources

>CFB Matchup page

>CFB Betting Splits.

>DonBest Vegas Odds

VSiN Pro subscribers have access to the CFB Picks page.

Everything else we do during bowl season is posted here.

Circa Friday Football is back

Matt Youmans will announce 56 picks from 8 contestants tonight on the Circa Friday Football Invitational show (7-10 ET). The picks are posted on VSiN.com after the show and VSiN Pro subscribers get an email from me with all of them.

Guests include Circa owner Derek Stevens, who put up $30,000 in prize money, plus contestants Chris Macero and Frank Carulli. Macero has a four-point lead over Scott Pritchard. 👉 Standings.

The show is sponsored by Omaha Steaks.

Quick Hits

NBAZach Cohen‘s Best Bets and Steve Makinen‘s Analytics Report will hit around mid-morning on our NBA page. Our Opta AI NBA player props projections are here.

1/ST BET is built for bettors who demand more. Their AI-powered handicapping tools deliver Win, Place, and Show probabilities for every runner—helping you find value and bet smarter. Right now, new users can get up to a $250 sign-up bonus. Use promo code VSIN250 and sign up today.