Week 18 NFL Picks

What a week and the main story was the health of Bills' safety Damar Hamlin after he collapsed on the field during the fist quarter of Monday's game with the Bengals. A scary sight that left fans and teammates in panic and ultimately sent the NFL world in a frenzy. Thankfully, Hamlin has made great strides as he recovers in the ICU at nearby Cincinnati hospital, giving the entire Bills' organization and their fans a huge sigh of relief. With that, the NFL had to think on their feet, cancelling the game and making some potential scheduling changes to the playoffs, which could result in the AFC Championship game being played at a neutral site. Let's dive into the Week 18 matchups.

**All betting lines from bet365.com** (Updated Jan. 8)

Kansas City Chiefs (13-3) @ Las Vegas Raiders (6-10)

The Chiefs might have come out of the scheduling conflict for the playoffs the most unscathed. A win over the Raiders gives them the top seed in the AFC and they can worry about the rest later. The Raiders are looking ahead to next season and likely parting ways with Derek Carr, so I wonder how motivated this team will be in this game? Pick: Chiefs, 28-20.

Line: Chiefs -9.5

ML: Chiefs

Spread: Raiders

Tennessee Titans (7-9) @ Jacksonville Jaguars (8-8)

Entering the NFL season, I don't think many people had the Jaguars pegged to be the AFC South winners. Now, that can come to fruition with a win at home over the Titans, who will be starting Joshua Dobbs under center for the second straight week. The lifeline for this offense is Derrick Henry and that's what the Jags will focus on slowing down. Pick: Jaguars, 23-16.

Line: Jaguars -6.5

ML: Jaguars

Spread: Jaguars

Baltimore Ravens (10-6) @ Cincinnati Bengals (11-4)

It looks like Tyler Huntley will take the field, albeit somewhat hobbled, as the Ravens could make things interesting for a potential Bengals-Ravens playoff matchup, should they win on Sunday. I don't see it here though as the Ravens are completely lost on offense without Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow is going to be chomping at the bit to make a statement in this game. Pick: Bengals, 24-13.

Line: Bengals -9.5

ML: Bengals

Spread: Bengals

Carolina Panthers (6-10) @ New Orleans Saints (7-9)

The Panthers gave the Bucs all they could handle last week and their playoff hopes went out the window in the waning minutes of the game. There's not much to play for here between both teams as the Bucs locked up the NFC South and I would expect the ground game to prevalent here. Pick: Saints, 27-24.

Line: Saints -3.5

ML: Saints

Spread: Panthers

Cleveland Browns (7-9) @ Pittsburgh Steelers (8-8)

The Steelers need to win this game for any shot at clinching a wildcard spot. Of course, they also need losses from the Dolphins and Patriots, but they can only control what they can and that starts with winning this football game. Kenny Pickett put together a great 4th quarter drive to clinch the game last week over the Ravens and I think the Steelers defense will show up big in this game. Pick: Steelers, 20-17.

Line: Steelers -2.5

ML: Steelers

Spread: Steelers

Houston Texans (2-13-1) @ Indianapolis Colts (4-11-1)

The Texans have the inside track on the top pick in the NFL draft, but a win here could mean they flip with the Bears. The Colts have a chance to end the season on a high note (there haven't been many this year) and Jim Irsay can re-evaluate what the offseason will look like as they need to solve their problem at quarterback. Pick: Colts, 20-17.

Line: Colts -2.5

ML: Colts

Spread: Colts

Minnesota Vikings (12-4) @ Chicago Bears (3-13)

The Vikings are still fighting for that second seed in the NFC and the opportunity to stay at home as long as possible throughout the playoffs. The Bears are rolling with Nathan Peterman in place of the injured Justin Fields, so I can't see this game being too competitive (although Kirk Cousins has done things the hard way in recent weeks). Pick: Vikings, 27-17.

Line: Vikings -7

ML: Vikings

Spread: Vikings

New England Patriots (8-8) @ Buffalo Bills (12-3)

The Bills will be playing very inspired football on Sunday after the good news that Damar Hamlin made tremendous progress in the hospital following a scary collapse on the field in Monday's game. The Pats are fighting for their playoff lives and will need a win to get in, so there's plenty at stake in this divisional matchup. Pick: Bills, 27-17.

Line: Bills -8

ML: Bills

Spread: Bills

New York Jets (7-9) @ Miami Dolphins (8-8)

The Dolphins are still alive in the AFC wildcard hunt despite losing Tua Tagovailoa to a third concussion this season. If they win, they also need a loss from the Patriots to get in and they're relying on Skylar Thompson in this game. On the other sideline, Joe Flacco will get the start and the veteran will look to put a pin in the Dolphins' playoff hopes. Pick: Jets, 19-17.

Line: Dolphins -3.5

ML: Jets

Spread: Jets

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-8) @ Atlanta Falcons (6-10)

The Bucs have locked up the NFC South and virtually have nothing to play for in this game, but despite this, Todd Bowles insists he's playing his starters. I think the offensive playmakers will play the first half because the Bucs want some momentum going into the playoffs, but it would shock me to see them out there the whole game. Pick: Buccaneers, 24-21.

Line: Falcons -4

ML: Buccaneers

Spread: Buccaneers

Arizona Cardinals (4-12) @ San Francisco 49ers (12-4)

The Cards will be without Colt McCoy, DeAndre Hopkins and James Conner in this game, so essentially it's a layup for the 49ers as they have an outside shot at the top seed in the NFC. The spread is a little high for me considering the Vikings could lose to the Bears in the earlier slate and that could force Kyle Shanahan to rest some of his players. Pick: 49ers, 26-13.

Line: 49ers -14

ML: 49ers

Spread: Cardinals

Dallas Cowboys (12-4) @ Washington Commanders (7-8-1)

The Cowboys have an outside shot at winning the NFC East with a win here and an Eagles loss to the Giants. I think Mike McCarthy will play his guys and could keep an eye on the scoreboard since the Eagles play at the same time. Sam Howell will make his NFL debut for the Commanders. Pick: Cowboys, 24-16.

Line: Cowboys -7

ML: Cowboys

Spread: Cowboys

Los Angeles Chargers (10-6) @ Denver Broncos (4-12)

The Chargers could find out that they've locked up the fifth seed in the wildcard spot if the Ravens lose in the early slate. For that reason, I'm going to lean Broncos here as the Chargers may only end up playing their starters for a quarter or the first half. Pick: Broncos, 21-17.

Line: Broncos -3

ML: Broncos

Spread: Broncos

Los Angeles Rams (5-11) @ Seattle Seahawks (8-8)

Could we get some more Baker Mayfield magic here on the road in Seattle? The Lions are sure hoping so as their road to the playoffs starts with a Seahawks loss and a win on Sunday night at Lambeau Field. I'll lean Seahawks here as they will be playing hard for a playoff spot at home. Pick: Seahawks, 23-20.

Line: Seahawks -5.5

ML: Seahawks

Spread: Rams

New York Giants (9-6-1) @ Philadelphia Eagles (13-3)

The Giants can rest their starters now that they've secured a wildcard spot in the NFC and now all that's left to do for the Eagles to clinch home field advantage is win this game. It looks like Jalen Hurts will suit up for this game and we don't know how healthy he really is, but the Eagles need this one badly. Pick: Eagles, 27-13.

Line: Eagles -16

ML: Eagles

Spread: Giants

Detroit Lions (8-8) @ Green Bay Packers (8-8)

This game could be for all the marbles (especially if the Seahawks lose) as these two bitter division rivals will play for a chance at a wildcard spot. The Packers have won four straight and Aaron Rodgers seems to be more in sync with his young wideouts. I like them at home here over the Lions. Pick: Packers, 24-17.

Line: Packers -5

ML: Packers

Spread: Packers

Results

Week 17

ML: 14-1

ATS: 8-6-1

Overall

ML: 168-87

ATS: 134-113-8