Full transparency, I’m not a fan of betting the final week of the NFL season. So many unknowns in terms of who’s playing their starters vs. who’s resting or playing out the string vs. who’s already on the golf cart.
On the bright side, we have more meaningful games than normal for this last week of the regular season. You’ll see some passes in there as sometimes, we just don’t know, but I did my best to make as many plays as possible. It’s Week 18 and the NFL betting lines for next week. So, let’s dive in as we always do the morning after the previous week finishes.
NFL Week 18 Predictions and Picks
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Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Baltimore Ravens Odds
- Spread
Steelers -3.5 - Moneyline
Steelers -195, Ravens +165 - Total
37.5
As noted in the intro, nothing is harder than Week 17, especially when you have some teams that have nothing to play for and others playing out the string. We have no idea who Baltimore will suit up as they have the one seed locked up, and the last thing they need is to lose a key player.
However, they also would like to put an end to the Steelers’ season. Pittsburgh has everything to play for and, while Baltimore would love nothing more than to send them home for the winter, they won’t risk much. Between a poor Steelers offense and the Ravens possibly not playing anyone, I’ll play the under.
Pick: Under 37.5
Houston Texans vs. Indianapolis Colts Odds
- Spread
Colts -1 - Moneyline
Texans +100, Colts -120 - Total
47.5
Unlike the first game on Saturday, this one is for everything. The winner is in, the loser is out. And if Jacksonville should lose on Sunday, this is for the division.
MORE: PFN’s FREE NFL Playoff Predictor
I’ve been on the Colts’ express all season, and with this one being at home, I’m staying on Indy. The Colts have been a surprise all season and finish it off with a playoff berth and maybe a division title.
Pick: Colts -1
Atlanta Falcons vs. New Orleans Saints Odds
- Spread
Saints -3.5 - Moneyline
Falcons +165, Saints -195 - Total
36.5
The Saints stuck around in the playoff race with an upset win at Tampa Bay last week and now face a very inconsistent Falcons team. I don’t like the hook, but if it goes down to -3, I will hop all over it.
New Orleans still needs help to win the division or even get a Wild Card, but they take care of business first here.
Pick: Saints at -3 or shorter
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Carolina Panthers Odds
- Spread
Buccaneers -5.5 - Moneyline
Buccaneers -250, Panthers +210 - Total
37.5
The Bucs had it all right there — a win over the Saints away from winning the NFC South. Instead, they got blown out at home.
MORE: NFC South Playoff Scenarios
Nevertheless, Tampa Bay still has one more chance. I think they will beat Carolina and win the division, but it won’t be easy, so I will take the points.
Pick: Panthers +5.5
Cleveland Browns vs. Cincinnati Bengals Odds
- Spread
Bengals -4.5 - Moneyline
Browns +190, Browns -225 - Total
39.5
This game means nothing to anyone with the Browns locked into the No. 5 seed and the Bengals eliminated. I expect a lot of backups in this one, and with that, the under is in play.
When these teams met in Week 1, they totaled 27. Other than that, I’m not touching it.
Pick: Under 39.5
Minnesota Vikings vs. Detroit Lions Odds
- Spread
Lions -4 - Moneyline
Vikings +170, Browns -200 - Total
44.5
The Vikings’ playoff hopes were dealt a massive blow with the home loss to the Packers, but they’re still alive. The Lions can still get the 2 seed, but that’s all they can play for. Regardless, they are the much better team here and are not going to be happy after the way last Saturday’s game ended. Lions win going away.
Pick: Lions -4
Chicago Bears vs. Green Bay Packers Odds
- Spread
Packers -3 - Moneyline
Bears +140, Packers -165 - Total
44.5
It’s simple for the Packers… win and in. The Bears made a late playoff run but were eliminated Sunday night and can now do damage to their rival’s playoff chances.
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It was spicier when Aaron Rodgers was part of this, but Chicago would love nothing more than to ruin Green Bay’s season. And they don’t have to worry about messing up their draft pick as they have the No. 1 locked up from Carolina.
Pick: Bears +3
New York Jets vs. New England Patriots Odds
- Spread
Patriots -2.5 - Moneyline
Jets +110, Patriots -130 - Total
33.5
If this game was 25.5, I’d still give the under. The under was one of my favorite plays of the season when these two teams met in September, ending in a 15-10 game. Now it’s meaningless. Both offenses are among the worst in football, so this one should have a similar score to last time.
Pick: Under 33.5
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Tennessee Titans Odds
- Spread
Jaguars -3.5 - Moneyline
Jaguars -190, Titans +160 - Total
40.5
Win and the Jaguars clinch the division title they have been in control of all year. Lose and you need help to get in as Saturday’s Texans-Colts winner would be the AFC South champ.
The Titans’ season is long over, and they can’t even play spoiler right. The Jags got a much-needed win with backup C.J. Beathard and should take care of business here to advance to the postseason.
Pick: Jaguars -3.5
Philadelphia Eagles vs. New York Giants Odds
- Spread
Eagles -6 - Moneyline
Eagles -250, Giants +210 - Total
45.5
These teams meet for the second time in three weeks. The Eagles survived at home, only to lose to the Cardinals last week and likely cost themselves the NFC East. While they should beat the Giants, nothing Philadelphia has done lately makes me want to lay six on the road.
Pick: Giants +6
Dallas Cowboys vs. Washington Commanders Odds
- Spread
Cowboys -13.5 - Moneyline
Cowboys -1000, Commanders +700 - Total
48.5
After a season of dominating at home and playing lousy on the road, the Cowboys have the inside track to ensure at least one, if not two, playoff home games. All they have to do is beat the Commanders.
That shouldn’t be an issue, but laying two TDs on the road with how they play away from Jerry World is not a good idea. Staying away.
Pick: Pass
Kansas City Chiefs vs. Los Angeles Chargers Odds
- Spread
Chargers -1.5 - Moneyline
Chiefs +100, Chargers -120 - Total
35.5
Another game that means nothing as the Chiefs are locked into the No. 3 seed, and the Chargers won’t be playing in the postseason. We don’t know who will play for either team, so there’s no reason to bet this one.
Pick: Pass
Denver Broncos vs. Las Vegas Raiders Odds
- Spread
Raiders -2.5 - Moneyline
Broncos +115, Raiders -135 - Total
37.5
Both teams are eliminated, so another one you should pass on. If I were to choose a side, it would be Las Vegas, as they have been playing much better than Denver, plus they’re still playing to keep Antonio Pierce as head coach. I’ll go with the Raiders.
Pick: Raiders -2.5
Los Angeles Rams vs. San Francisco 49ers Odds
- Spread
49ers -3.5 - Moneyline
Rams +155, 49ers -185 - Total
42.5
Both teams are in with San Fran having the one seed wrapped up and the Rams only playing for seeding. A win and it’s the No. 6 seed and a likely trip to Detroit. Lose and L.A. could fall to 7.
The Niners will likely be resting players for the run, so I’m going to side with the Rams in this one, but not a strong play. Monitor the opt-outs.
Pick: Rams +3.5
Seattle Seahawks vs. Arizona Cardinals Odds
- Spread
Seahawks -3.5 - Moneyline
Seahawks -175, Cardinals +150 - Total
47.5
Seattle lost control of their own destiny with the loss to Pittsburgh in Week 17. Now they need to win and hope Green Bay loses.
This time, they square off against a Cardinals team that loves playing spoiler, as we saw in Philly on Sunday. I have never thought too highly of Seattle this season and would not be surprised to see Arizona pick off another.
Pick: Arizona +3.5
Buffalo Bills vs. Miami Dolphins Odds
- Spread
Bills -3 - Moneyline
Bills -160, Dolphins +137 - Total
49.5
That was definitely not how I saw the Dolphins-Ravens game unfolding, but I guess I shouldn’t be surprised after watching this team for 40 years. But backs against the wall, at least they’re at home for the division championship.
The narrative has been “Don’t let the season come down to Buffalo at home in Week 18,” and here it is. I still think Miami gets it done at home, but with injuries across the board, it’s not a strong play.
Instead, I’m going to isolate the fact that Miami and Buffalo have many missing pieces on defense and won’t be stopping each other. The first matchup was 48-20. That’s a lot more than 49.5.
Pick: Over 49.5
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