For gamblers, here are my picks for Week 18 of the NFL. The team logos indicate who I think will win each game, not necessarily cover the spread.
The Panthers face off against the Buccaneers (-3). There's a weird playoff scenario in play here - if the Panthers win, they'll take the NFC South and be seeded fourth. If the Bucs win, the teams have to wait until Sunday's Saints-Falcons game to find out who wins the division. This situation would be hilarious, but I don't think it will come to pass. The Bucs are in a free fall, having lost four straight games, while the Panthers have shown some competence lately.
The 49ers host the Seahawks (-2.5). I'm surprised the Seahawks are favored, but it makes sense if Trent Williams isn't playing for them. Either way, I like the Niners in this one. They've won six straight and their offense has been humming, averaging over 40 points per game over their last three games.
The Vikings face off against the Packers (-9.5). The Packers are locked into the 7 seed, so they have nothing to play for. The Vikings would like to see J.J. McCarthy end his season on a positive note, even if it's just against backups.
The Jaguars host the Titans (-13). If the Jaguars win, they'll be AFC South champions. The Titans have played better down the stretch and seem motivated to avoid tanking after drafting Cam Ward No. 1 overall last April.
The Texans face off against the Colts (-10). The Texans can still win the AFC South with a win over the Colts and a Jaguars loss to the Titans. They also clinch the 5 seed with a win, which would be beneficial for their Wild Card Round matchup.
The Bengals host the Browns (-7.5). This is my best bet in the final week of the season, but I don't love it. The Bengals have pounded their opponents by big margins recently and are the best option available.
The Cowboys face off against the Giants (-3.5). The Raiders tanked in Week 17, while the Giants didn't. Dak Prescott will lead his team to a win and pad his stats all day long.
The Falcons host the Saints (-3). If the Bucs win, this game will have hilarious playoff implications. Both teams have played well lately, so I'll default to the home team.
The Patriots host the Dolphins (-11.5). The Patriots are currently seeded second, but they can be first with a win over the Dolphins and a Broncos loss to the Chargers. They're playing starters, though, which doesn't excite me.
The Chiefs face off against the Raiders (-5.5). The Raiders have been tanking all season, so it's no surprise that Sean McVay is playing his starters in this one.
The Bears host the Lions (-3). I've had to reconsider my initial plan here - while the Lions are a good team, they're not their "Super Bowl" game. They'll probably show up and play hard, but I don't think they can beat the Bears.
The Jets face off against the Bills (-7.5). The Jets have been terrible since dealing away their defensive players at the trade deadline. They've lost their last four games by big margins and aren't a good team.
The Eagles host the Commanders (-4). The Eagles will rest starters, while the Commanders won't be able to do that. I like the Eagles to win and pad their stats all day long.
The Rams face off against the Cardinals (-7.5). The Rams don't have much to play for in this one after losing their chance at the NFC West title and 1 seed. They should easily handle the Cardinals, who have lost eight straight games.
The Broncos host the Chargers (-13). The banged-up Chargers are resting their starters ahead of the playoffs, while the Broncos will be playing theirs with a 1 seed on the line.
The Ravens face off against the Steelers (-4.5). This is essentially a toss-up game - neither team is particularly good. I'll take the Ravens to win, but also like getting 4.5 points with the Steelers.
My survivor pick: Bengals. Ugh, I have to rely on them to complete my season, but they're the best option available.
The Panthers face off against the Buccaneers (-3). There's a weird playoff scenario in play here - if the Panthers win, they'll take the NFC South and be seeded fourth. If the Bucs win, the teams have to wait until Sunday's Saints-Falcons game to find out who wins the division. This situation would be hilarious, but I don't think it will come to pass. The Bucs are in a free fall, having lost four straight games, while the Panthers have shown some competence lately.
The 49ers host the Seahawks (-2.5). I'm surprised the Seahawks are favored, but it makes sense if Trent Williams isn't playing for them. Either way, I like the Niners in this one. They've won six straight and their offense has been humming, averaging over 40 points per game over their last three games.
The Vikings face off against the Packers (-9.5). The Packers are locked into the 7 seed, so they have nothing to play for. The Vikings would like to see J.J. McCarthy end his season on a positive note, even if it's just against backups.
The Jaguars host the Titans (-13). If the Jaguars win, they'll be AFC South champions. The Titans have played better down the stretch and seem motivated to avoid tanking after drafting Cam Ward No. 1 overall last April.
The Texans face off against the Colts (-10). The Texans can still win the AFC South with a win over the Colts and a Jaguars loss to the Titans. They also clinch the 5 seed with a win, which would be beneficial for their Wild Card Round matchup.
The Bengals host the Browns (-7.5). This is my best bet in the final week of the season, but I don't love it. The Bengals have pounded their opponents by big margins recently and are the best option available.
The Cowboys face off against the Giants (-3.5). The Raiders tanked in Week 17, while the Giants didn't. Dak Prescott will lead his team to a win and pad his stats all day long.
The Falcons host the Saints (-3). If the Bucs win, this game will have hilarious playoff implications. Both teams have played well lately, so I'll default to the home team.
The Patriots host the Dolphins (-11.5). The Patriots are currently seeded second, but they can be first with a win over the Dolphins and a Broncos loss to the Chargers. They're playing starters, though, which doesn't excite me.
The Chiefs face off against the Raiders (-5.5). The Raiders have been tanking all season, so it's no surprise that Sean McVay is playing his starters in this one.
The Bears host the Lions (-3). I've had to reconsider my initial plan here - while the Lions are a good team, they're not their "Super Bowl" game. They'll probably show up and play hard, but I don't think they can beat the Bears.
The Jets face off against the Bills (-7.5). The Jets have been terrible since dealing away their defensive players at the trade deadline. They've lost their last four games by big margins and aren't a good team.
The Eagles host the Commanders (-4). The Eagles will rest starters, while the Commanders won't be able to do that. I like the Eagles to win and pad their stats all day long.
The Rams face off against the Cardinals (-7.5). The Rams don't have much to play for in this one after losing their chance at the NFC West title and 1 seed. They should easily handle the Cardinals, who have lost eight straight games.
The Broncos host the Chargers (-13). The banged-up Chargers are resting their starters ahead of the playoffs, while the Broncos will be playing theirs with a 1 seed on the line.
The Ravens face off against the Steelers (-4.5). This is essentially a toss-up game - neither team is particularly good. I'll take the Ravens to win, but also like getting 4.5 points with the Steelers.
My survivor pick: Bengals. Ugh, I have to rely on them to complete my season, but they're the best option available.
i mean i get it trent williams out and all but 9.5 points? thats a big ask especially with mccarthy at QB lol niners are gonna kill em 
! They just can't seem to get out of their own way, especially after that huge draft pick. I think they'll tank if they don't win it all, and honestly, it's hard for me to root for them anymore 
. Can't wait to see what happens with the Jaguars and how this whole AFC South drama plays out 
Week 18 predictions are always so crazy this time of year. The Panthers-Bucs game is gonna be a wild card scenario, and I'm rooting for the Panthers to take it. They've shown some life lately and I think they can pull off an upset against the Bucs who are just going through a tough stretch 
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they're literally the same team at this point in the season and i just can't see either one winning convincingly 
meanwhile, i'm still not convinced about the bengals being my survivor pick 
I'm so over the hype around it already...
i mean trent williams being out is a big deal for them, but still 2.5 points against the 49ers? that's crazy talk 
, but Dak Prescott will still lead his team to a win because that's what he does.
game! The Bengals are pounding their opponents like crazy recently, so I'm all in on them 
. #BengalsNation #NFLWeek18
So the NFL week is finally here! Can't wait for all these epic matchups 
. And I love how the Niners are looking strong right now, averaging over 40 points per game - they're definitely my pick to beat the Seahawks 
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. They've been looking decent lately, and Dak Prescott is always a good bet to put up big numbers. The Saints are playing at home, which gives them an edge, but I'm gonna go with my gut on this one