Betting
1/2/25
11 min read
2024 NFL Week 18: Expert Picks, Predictions For Every Game
NFL Week 18 is one of the hardest weeks to predict games, as so many teams have clinched their playoff spots or are fighting for draft position.
Incentives matter in these games, and if you can figure out who is playing and who isn't, it'll help when it comes to picking games. So, without further ado, here are our picks for the final week of the 2024-2025 regular season.
NFL Week 18 Expert Picks, Predictions
Cleveland Browns vs. Baltimore Ravens
Spread: Ravens -17.5
Total: 42
The Baltimore Ravens can win the AFC North with a victory over the Cleveland Browns. And after dropping a game in Cleveland earlier in the year, you can bet Lamar Jackson and John Harbaugh want to make sure that doesn’t happen again.
Baltimore would be the No. 3 seed with a win, and Cleveland would own a top-three pick with a loss. Expect some “organic tanking” by the Browns in Week 18 to ensure that they get that pick. Take the Ravens to win big on Saturday afternoon and clinch the AFC North for the second consecutive season.
Score Prediction: Ravens 31, Browns 13
Cincinnati Bengals vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Spread: Bengals -1.5
Total: 48.5
If the Ravens win earlier in the day, the Pittsburgh Steelers can’t win the AFC North. And that feels pretty likely, considering who Baltimore is playing. But that doesn’t mean Pittsburgh wouldn’t have anything to play for in this game.
The Steelers need the win to clinch the No. 5 seed, which would send them to Houston in Round 1. But a loss would mean they could play the Ravens in Baltimore in Round 1. Needless to say, the Steelers don’t want that.
However, the Cincinnati Bengals are playing for their playoff lives, and this is a must-win game. They would still need help to get in, but they could still be alive going into Sunday. However, it’s expected to be bitterly cold in Pittsburgh on Saturday night, and Cincinnati just doesn’t have the defense to play that type of game.
Take the Steelers to win at home and gain some positive momentum heading into the playoffs.
Score Prediction: Steelers 28, Bengals 24
Houston Texans vs. Tennessee Titans
Spread: Titans -1.5
Total: 38.5
The Houston Texans have nothing to play for in Week 18 as they have locked up the No. 4 seed. But Demeco Ryans has insisted that his starters will play against the Tennessee Titans. That makes some sense after they were humiliated by the Ravens on Christmas Day.
Will Ryans play them the whole game or just a few drives? That remains to be seen, but with the number of injuries the Texans have already suffered this year, it might be wise for them to preach caution. Meanwhile, the Titans are expected to play Will Levis and Mason Rudolph as they eye a top-three pick. Tennessee is favored in this game, which is a tell-tale sign that Houston won't take this game very seriously.
Score Prediction: Titans 24, Texans 17
Carolina Panthers vs. Atlanta Falcons
Spread: Falcons -7.5
Total: 48
The Atlanta Falcons lost control of their own destiny after falling to the Commanders in Week 17. But they will play at the same time as the Buccaneers, meaning that Atlanta will have to go all out and win.
Can the Falcons slow down Bryce Young at all? That remains to be seen. Expect a heavy dose of Bijan Robinson on Sunday afternoon as the Falcons hope to stay alive in the NFC South division hunt.
Score Prediction: Falcons 24, Panthers 20
New Orleans Saints vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Spread: Buccaneers -13.5
Total: 43.5
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have had some missteps this season, including a Week 16 loss to Dallas that nearly cost them the division. However, they control their own destiny going into Week 18, and you can bet they aren’t going to lose to the New Orleans Saints, who have been decimated with injuries.
The Saints just lost to the Raiders at home and weren’t overly competitive in that game. You can expect Baker Mayfield and the offense to score 27+ points and for them to try to end this one early. Take the Buccaneers to win and clinch the NFC South for the fourth straight season.
Score Prediction: Buccaneers 34, Saints 13
Buffalo Bills vs. New England Patriots
Spread: Bills -3
Total: 38.5
This is one of the most challenging games of the week to predict because Josh Allen is expected to play only a few snaps before Mitchell Trubisky enters the lineup. The Buffalo Bills are locked into the No. 2 seed and would greatly benefit by resting some older starters, such as Von Miller, Dion Dawkins, etc.
Still, the New England Patriots need a loss to clinch the No. 1 seed, and it appears that Drake Maye could sit in this one. Can the backups for Buffalo get a win on the road? Or will the Patriots go full-on tank to make sure they get the top pick?
It’s tough to pick either, but at least expect the backups for the Bills to play hard. Stay away here, if possible.
Score Prediction: Bills 20, Patriots 17
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Indianapolis Colts
Spread: Colts -5.5
Total: 45.5
The Indianapolis Colts were the league’s biggest disappointment in Week 17, as they had a real chance to make the playoffs. However, they gave up 45 points to the Giants, which ended their season. Now, big changes will happen this offseason in Indianapolis.
It’s impossible to know how they will play in Week 18 after such a massive disappointment. But the Jacksonville Jaguars are far from a juggernaut with Mac Jones as the quarterback. Take the Colts to have some pride and get a win in Week 18, but don’t expect this to be a pretty victory, either.
Score Prediction: Colts 24, Jaguars 17
Washington Commanders vs. Dallas Cowboys
Spread: Commanders -4.5
Total: 44.5
Dan Quinn insists that the Washington Commanders will play their starters in Week 18, and that makes sense, considering they could earn the No. 6 seed with a win. A win would also mean they would avoid Philadelphia in Round 1, which would be beneficial. Meanwhile, the Dallas Cowboys are eliminated from playoff contention and will be without several All-Pro caliber players (Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, Zack Martin, Trevon Diggs).
Dallas beat the Commanders in Washington this year with Cooper Rush, and you can expect them to put up a fight in what might be Mike McCarthy’s last game. Expect a high-scoring contest in Week 18, but for the Commanders to get the win and take control of the No. 6 seed.
Score Prediction: Commanders 31, Cowboys 23
Chicago Bears vs. Green Bay Packers
Spread: Packers -9.5
Total: 40.5
The Green Bay Packers are in an interesting position going into Week 18. Their last several games haven’t mattered much after losing to the Lions a few weeks ago. They’ve known that they would be the No. 6 or No. 7 seed in the NFC, but they’ve still played hard every week.
Will they play their starters all game long against the Chicago Bears? That is the expectation, especially considering this will (likely) be their final game at home this season.
Look for Green Bay to try to run up the score early so they can sit some key players in the fourth quarter. Take the Packers to win and for the Bears to continue their losing streak into a pivotal offseason for the franchise.
Score Prediction: Packers 24, Bears 13
New York Giants vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Spread: Eagles -3
Total: 38.5
Neither the Philadelphia Eagles nor the New York Giants have anything to play for in Week 18, as the Eagles are locked into the No. 2 seed. The only big storyline in this game is whether Saquon Barkley will break the single-season rushing record. The expectation is that he will play, but don't expect to see Jalen Hurts, A.J. Brown, and the rest of the high-profile starters on offense.
Meanwhile, the win by the Giants last week took them out of contention for the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, and they currently sit at No. 4. With another win, they could drop all the way down to pick No. 8 or No. 9.
Don’t expect that to happen, as the Eagles have too much depth, even if they do rest starters. Take the Eagles to win and cover at home in the final week of the season.
Score Prediction: Eagles 28, Giants 13
Seattle Seahawks vs. Los Angeles Rams
Spread: Seahawks -5.5
Total: 38.5
Sean McVay has a history of resting starters in meaningless games, and we can expect that to be the case here with the Los Angeles Rams already clinching the NFC West.
The Seattle Seahawks have nothing to play for, but first-year head coach Mike Macdonald will want to have a 10-win season on his resume. Plus, players like Geno Smith could be playing for their jobs in 2025, so expect the Seahawks to be aggressive in this matchup. Take Seattle to win and cover on Sunday in their final game of the season.
Score Prediction: Seahawks 31, Rams 14
Kansas City Chiefs vs. Denver Broncos
Spread: Broncos -9.5
Total: 38.5
This is the most interesting matchup of the Sunday afternoon slate, with the Dolphins and Bengals watching this game closely. All the Denver Broncos need to do is win to make the playoffs, and they’ll be the No. 7 seed.
The Kansas City Chiefs are likely to rest starters but don’t expect them to lay down for Denver. The Chiefs have a lot of depth on both sides of the ball, and Carson Wentz is a capable backup quarterback. Denver should win this game, but don’t be surprised if it’s much closer than anyone anticipates.
Score Prediction: Broncos 24, Chiefs 20
Los Angeles Chargers vs. Las Vegas Raiders
Spread: Chargers -5.5
Total: 41.5
The Los Angeles Chargers could climb to the No. 5 seed with a win and a loss by the Steelers on Saturday. Los Angeles will know what it's playing for on Sunday, and that could greatly dictate how it approaches this game.
Justin Herbert has been banged up all season, and the Chargers would be wise to rest him if there is nothing to gain. But expect Jim Harbaugh to go all-out to win this game either way as he tries to establish a culture of winning in Los Angeles. Take the Chargers to win and cover here against the Las Vegas Raiders.
San Francisco 49ers vs. Arizona Cardinals
Spread: Cardinals -4.5
Total: 42.5
There aren’t too many games this weekend with zero playoff implications, but this is one of them. The San Francisco 49ers and Arizona Cardinals are both eliminated from playoff contention and don’t have anything to play for in Week 18.
The 49ers will be without Brock Purdy, who suffered an elbow injury on Monday Night Football. The Cardinals will have Kyler Murray under center, and you can bet that Jonathan Gannon will want to build some positive momentum heading into the offseason. Take the Cardinals to win and cover at home, as the 49ers could rest several older starters, including Fred Warner, Deebo Samuel, George Kittle, etc.
Score Prediction: Cardinals 27, 49ers 17
Miami Dolphins vs. New York Jets
Spread: Dolphins -1.5
Total: 39.5
The Miami Dolphins are still alive in the playoff hunt, as they just need to win and have the Broncos lose in Week 18. However, Miami will likely have to win without Tua Tagovailoa, who could miss another game with a hip injury.
Tyler Huntley looked competent against the Browns, but the offense was far from good. They will be facing the New York Jets in Week 18, who have just about given up on the year. Miami should be able to run the ball with ease in this matchup and get the road win to improve to 9-8 on the season.
Score Prediction: Dolphins 20, Jets 17
Minnesota Vikings vs. Detroit Lions
Spread: Lions -3
Total: 57
This is the game of the year as it will decide who is the No. 1 seed in the NFC and who will play on the road in Round 1 of the playoffs. We have not had a Week 18 game that decided who would be the No. 1 seed since the Cowboys defeated the Giants in 1993 for the top spot.
The Detroit Lions are favored in this game, and that makes sense, considering they are at home and their offense has been nearly unstoppable. However, the Minnesota Vikings' defense is far better this season, which could give Jared Goff some problems in this matchup.
Can Sam Darnold and the rest of the Minnesota offense score enough to win this game? They certainly have the weapons to do so, and their ability to close out these games should give them some confidence heading into Week 18. Take the Vikings to pull off the road win and clinch the No. 1 seed in the NFC.
Score Prediction: Vikings 34, Lions 31
