NFL Week 18 often sees a mix of motivations, with high-flying teams already turning their attention to the postseason while others have nothing else to play for.
Despite the perceived notion of some teams being ‘dead in the water’, it is interesting to note that since 1990 already eliminated teams playing need-to-win teams in the final two weeks of play have a favorable win rate of 61.9% against the spread.
There are only three instances of this in Week 18 of this season, but that could spell danger for the Miami Dolphins and Pittsburgh Steelers.
Ahead of what promises to be a blistering final week of games, we’re taking a comprehensive look at some of the matchups on the 16-game slate and what’s still on the cards at the climax of the regular season, along with the latest bets on the season. nfl. odds and some of our own picks.
NFL Week 18 Predictions, Picks and Odds
Kansas City Chiefs vs. Las Vegas Raiders – NFL Week 18
A Kansas win over the Raiders on Saturday would cement their seeding status in the AFC, and with Las Vegas having no ambitions for this final game of the regular season, the Chiefs faithful are expecting it.
The hosts put together a strong performance against the 49ers in Week 17, racking up 34 points but still succumbing to an agonizing loss in overtime. Quarterback Jarrett Stidham passed for 365 yards, scored three touchdowns, and claimed two interceptions; if he can fire on all cylinders one more time, the overall point spread for this matchup should be a comfortable pick, with Kansas scoring 24-plus points in each of their last eight.
New England Patriots vs Buffalo Bills – NFL Week 18
This is one of a handful of games with big implications: Super Bowl betting favorites the Buffalo Bills will compete for the top seed while their final regular-season opponents the Patriots have a chance of sneaking into the play-offs should they get an unlikely win against the best defense in the NFL.
Damar Hamlin’s collapse will have shaken Buffalo to the core and the buildup for this final game will not have been ideal, but with her teammate on the mend, they’ll be itching to go out there and get the win.
The last time these teams met was a little over a month ago in Massachusetts, where the Bills came away with the eventual 24-10 victory; since then, New England has won just once in four games, and as a result, we expect the Bills to cover the spread.
Minnesota Vikings vs. Chicago Bears – NFL Week 18
Despite sitting atop the NFC North this season with 12 wins, the Vikings have taken their foot off the gas a bit in the lead up to the final week of games, losing to the Lions in mid-December before conceding 101. points in their previous three games.
However, Minnesota faced a Chicago Bears team that has had a torrid stretch this year having gone 3-for-13, losing all of their previous nine games and it would be a huge surprise if they manage to muster enough quality to end the Season with a bang. Prayed.
New York Jets vs. Miami Dolphins – NFL Week 18
The New York Jets are already out of the conversation when it comes to the postseason, but the same can’t be said for the Dolphins, who have to win—and hope the Patriots lose—if they want to clinch a playoff spot.
The Jets are unfortunate because they face the strongest cohort of any division in the NFL, and their commendable defensive unit could be the cause of frustration in the final week of games as the Dolphins are expected to align with the rookie. seventh rounder Skylar. Thompson as quarterback.
They should have enough just to get through this contest with New York entering this weekend with no incentive, but we’re forecasting a relatively low-scoring game.
Los Angeles Rams vs. Seattle Seahawks – NFL Week 18
Seattle will need the Lions to beat the Packers and find a way to get past the Rams themselves if they are to clinch their ticket to a play-off spot.
LA has struggled on offense this season, racking up just 291 points, which is the fewest in the NFC, but a spirited loss on the reverse side of this 27-23 matchup in early December could make this a little too close for comfort. for the Seahawks.
We expect them to turn up the heat against a Rams defense that gave up 31 points against the Chargers in Week 17 and pick up a very important win to give themselves hope, but our pick goes by point totals set at 41.5.
