NFL Week 18 predictions, best bets: Picks against the spread for every…
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I awoke on New Year’s morning to an article on nypost.com detailing Nostradamus’ predictions for 2026. Now, that’s a troublesome act to observe, isn’t it?
Here in the Picks Department, we’re still attempting to get by means of the 2025 NFL season with successful data general and in Best Bets. Week 18 figures to make that troublesome with its number of playoff and tanking situations. Unless those issues flip out to make it simpler.
We shall see. Here we go, and joyful New Year!
SATURDAY
BUCCANEERS (-3) over Panthers
Incredible mistake by the NFL schedulers to plant this as a stand-alone, winner-take-all game for the NFC South title, only to have the Falcons upset the Rams on Monday evening. So the state of affairs now is the Panthers will win the division with a victory right here, or with a Falcons house victory over the Saints on Sunday. Seems to defeat the acknowledged goal of beginning all games that have contingent that means at the same time.
The other factor that strikes me about this game is Todd Bowles calling out Baker Mayfield. I’d submit the Bucs’ current 1-7 SU and 0-8 ATS streak has as a lot to do with the coach than the quarterback, even if Mayfield’s performance has gone fairly a bit south.
I still consider Mayfield as the man who saved the Bucs’ season, successful sufficient games early without virtually all of his receivers and working backs to offer them an opportunity in the final week. Saturday, they’ll have most of their big names out there, and I believe Mayfield will ship … even if the division might slip away 24 hours later.
Seattle’s Sam Darnold in action during Week 17. AP
Seahawks (-1.5) over 49ERS
This one is for the NFC West crown and the all-important No. 1 seed in the NFC. The hesitation right here revolves round Sam Darnold, who has 20 turnovers (14 interceptions, six misplaced fumbles) and also introduced the Vikings to the same point last season before imploding in Week 18 and in the playoffs. So there’s some current destructive historical past with him heading right into a game by which he’s a small street favourite.
The distinction right here is that the 49ers haven’t been producing a lot of a go rush (NFL-low 18 sacks), and I doubt they’ll have the ability to drive Darnold to continue making the big errors. He ought to have his means to make use of Kenneth Walker III and Jaxon Smith-Njigba while Seattle’s glorious protection will get after Brock Purdy.
SUNDAY
GIANTS (+3.5) over Cowboys
Well, I suppose we noticed last week that the Giants are more involved with ending strong than they’re about draft place after they served up the No. 1 general decide to the shameless Raiders on a Caesars Palace gold platter. At the very least, presumably the small spread might assist right here if the Cowboys determine to start Dak Prescott and go away him in.
BILLS (-6.5) over Jets
This line has cratered from 11.5 on the expectation that ailing Josh Allen and other Bills starters will sit out to relaxation up for the wild-card round. It’s the final game at Highmark Stadium (previously often called Rich and The Ralph). I determine whoever the Bills put out there with Mitch Trubisky can be motivated sufficient to win by double digits against a Jets team that posted presumably the worst December in NFL historical past and now has shut down Breece Hall.
FALCONS (-3.5) over Saints
If the Panthers end up needing a Falcons win, they just acquired some further assist with the news that Saints top receiver, Chris Olave, will miss the game with a blood clot in his lung. Best needs to him. Atlanta is playing on a brief week with cross-country journey after a Monday evening upset of the Rams. The circumstances might hold them sufficient, though.
Betting on the NFL?
Browns (+7.5) over BENGALS
Myles Garrett has 22 sacks, and with one more will go Michael Strahan and T.J. Watt (22.5) for the single-season document. The Browns protection definitely was on point in a 13-6 win over the Steelers last week, draft place be damned. And the Bengals most likely gained’t wish to give Garrett too many possibilities to plaster Joe Burrow into the chilly, arduous turf.
VIKINGS (-7.5) over Packers
Green Bay is locked into the seventh seed in the NFC, and Job 1 is to maintain injured QBs Jordan Love and Malik Willis out of hurt’s means. So it must be mainly Clayton Tune against an offended Brian Flores protection that can be trying to save some face at the end of a disheartening season.
Titans (+13.5) over JAGUARS
Toughest situational name on the card as the Jags are still trying to clinch the AFC South and will rise to first seed if the Patriots and Broncos lose in the late window. Still, any measurement win would serve that goal, and this is a ton of factors to put against a Titans offense that has been perky of late (26.8 ppg past 4 games).
Colts (+10.5) over TEXANS
Home team still has AFC South title hopes that could start to flicker if the Jaguars start to tug away from the Titans. Texans have gained eight in a row, however seven of those got here by less than this quantity.
Chicago quarterback Caleb Williams. AP
BEARS (-3) over Lions
With a division title and residential playoff game already safe, the Bears can clinch the No. 2 seed in the NFC with a win. Can’t see the Lions being too thrilled about dragging their carcasses to Chicago in 32-degree temps to attempt to fight Caleb Williams and Co.
BRONCOS (-12.5) over Chargers
Figure Jim Harbaugh supplied the reply by beginning Trey Lance and resting Justin Herbert, and certain a whole lot of other starters. The Broncos would clinch the No. 1 AFC seed with a win, and there doesn’t appear to be a lot resistance right here.
Chiefs (-5.5) over RAIDERS
Even if the Okay.C. offense has scout team and follow squad gamers in key spots, Steve Spagnuolo still has a whole lot of his guys on protection, and the Raiders confirmed how a lot the No. 1 general decide means to them last week in presumably the best tanking performance in NFL historical past.
RAMS (-7.5) over Cardinals
Matthew Stafford and the Rams starters are anticipated to play as Sean McVay tries to proper the ship before the playoffs. If Seattle wins Saturday, there’s an opportunity the Rams might transfer from No. 6 to No. 5. Good thought to carry off betting this until that situation turns into more clear, however since I’m taking the Seahawks, I’ll strive this, too.
Dolphins (+10.5) over PATRIOTS
The Patriots’ motivation for the No. 1 seed would dry up if the Broncos take the lead on the Chargers. I wouldn’t thoughts holding a double-digit ’canine ticket on the Dolphins if that’s the case, notably given the current felony costs against New England’s Stefon Diggs and Christian Barmore.
EAGLES (-4) over Commanders
Maybe I’m being a bit of inconsistent right here because the Eagles’ bid to enhance their seeding probably can be diminished with the scoreboard posting of Bears-Lions. Just pondering the Eagles would end the job anyway and canopy this modest spread against gamers who already have packed for Cabo.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Getty Images
Ravens (-3.5) over STEELERS
I wouldn’t put it past Aaron Rodgers to get this executed, however he wants a minor miracle after DK Metcalf’s debilitating suspension. This offense had nothing vs. Cleveland and now will determine to wish to score rather a lot if the Ravens can add Lamar Jackson again with thundering Derrick Henry. Ravens steal the AFC North in Game 272.
BEST BETS: Bears, Bills, Ravens.
LOCK OF THE WEEK: Bears (Locks 6-11 in 2025).
LAST WEEK: 8-8 general, 2-1 Best Bets.
Why Trust New York Post Betting
Dave Blezow’s certainly one of the longest tenured NFL handicappers at the Post with picks courting again to 1994. He gained the Post’s NFL betting standings in 2021 and the Playoffs most lately in 2023.
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