Betting in Week 18 is often a minefield, because playoff teams locked into position are resting key players (which explains the Denver Broncos being double-digit favorites over the Kansas City Chiefs). The only games you should consider investing in are where a team is fighting to get into the playoffs or improve their position.
Odds provided by BetMGM Sportsbook
Cleveland Browns (+1000) at Baltimore Ravens (-2000)
The Ravens are giant favorites (17.5 points at -110 for both teams). I’m always leery of laying anything more than 11 points, but Cleveland just can’t hang with the Ravens and could get beat by 27 points. Take the Ravens and lay 17.5 points (-110).
Cincinnati Bengals (-130) at Pittsburgh Steelers (+110)
The Over/Under is high (48.5 points at -110 for both Over and Under). The Steelers will try to slow this game down because a loss could be the difference in playing Houston or the Ravens in the wild card round. Take Under 48.5 points (-110).
Carolina Panthers (-130) at Atlanta Falcons (-450)
The Falcons are big favorites (8.5 points at -115 Panthers, -105 Falcons). The only way the Falcons make the playoffs is to win this game and hope. They’ve dominated the division and will need to bring it again. Take the Falcons and lay 8.5 points (-105).
Washington Commanders (-225) at Dallas Cowboys (+185)
The Commanders are decent road favorites (4.5 points at -110 for both). The Commanders need to win to avoid playing the Philadelphia Eagles in the first round. The Cowboys have far less to play for and may shut down guys during the game. Take the Commanders and lay 4.5 points (-110).
Chicago Bears (+375) at Green Bay Packers (-500)
The Packers find themselves as big favorites (10 points at -110 for both). The Packers lose to elite teams every time and beat up on lesser teams every time. The 2024 Bears are clearly a lesser team. Take the Packers and lay 10 points (-110).
Jacksonville Jaguars (+185) at Indianapolis Colts (-225)
The O/U is high (45.5 at -110 for both Over and Under). The Jaguars offense has sputtered down the stretch, and the Colts are a disappointing team heading home. The Colts should win — but not by the 20 points needed. Take Under 45.5 points (-110).
Buffalo Bills (-155) at New England Patriots (+130)
The Over/Under is low (38 points at -110 for both). Buffalo is likely going to try to force the run. Even against mostly backups, the Patriots won’t be able to do their part in this one, because they have more to gain by losing. Take Under 38 points (-110).
New York Giants (+130) at Philadelphia Eagles (-155)
The Eagles’ backups are small favorites (2.5 points at -105 Giants, -115 Eagles). It would be justice for Philly to tank and drop the Giants, who were in line for the No. 1 pick before winning last week, but the Eagles won’t lay down completely. Take the Eagles and lay 2.5 points (-115).
New Orleans Saints (+600) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-900)
The Buccaneers are huge favorites (13.5 points at -110 for both). Tampa Bay needs to win to make the playoffs, and the Saints are making offseason plans already. Tampa Bay’s last three wins have come by more than this. Take the Buccaneers and lay 13.5 points (-110).
Houston Texans (-115) at Tennessee Titans (-105)
The Over/Under is low (38.5 points at -110 for both). The Titans defense isn’t good, and the Texans will be resting most of their defensive starters. It doesn’t take a lot of crooked numbers to reach this points projection. Take Over 38.5 points (-110).
San Francisco 49ers (+165) at Arizona Cardinals (-200)
The Cardinals are favored (4 points at -110 for both teams). The 49ers will be without Brock Purdy and most vested veterans will be cycled out as the game progresses. The Cardinals have more to play for with a young team. Take the Cardinals and lay 4 points (-110).
Kansas City Chiefs (+400) at Denver Broncos (-550)
The Broncos are huge favorites (10.5 points at -110 for both). Denver has everything to lose, but even the Chiefs backups have been weaned in success and won’t lay down. This is their Super Bowl. Take the Chiefs plus 10.5 points (-110).
Los Angeles Chargers (-225) at Las Vegas Raiders (+185)
The Chargers are solid favorites (5 points at -110 for both). The Bolts will know if they need to win before they play, but Jim Harbaugh still has a college mindset and likes to make statements, even when it’s counterintuitive. Take the Chargers and lay 5 points (-110).
Seattle Seahawks (-250) at Los Angeles Rams (+200)
The Over/Under is low (39 points at -110 for both Over and Under). The vibe is that the Rams are going to rest all starters after announcing Matthew Stafford will sit. Don’t buy into that. Would any matchup of these two have an O/U this low? Nope. Take Over 39 points (-110).
Miami Dolphins (-125) at New York Jets (+105)
The Dolphins aren’t playing Tua Tagovailoa and heading into cold weather. That never works for them. The Jets are hot garbage, but Aaron Rodgers will be slinging it, because he has nothing to lose and a 500th career touchdown to gain. Take the Jets on the moneyline (+105).
Minnesota Vikings (+135) at Detroit Lions (-160)
The O/U is absurdly high (57 points at -110 Over, -120 Under). There is every reason to think these teams in the game of the year will deliver a 34-31 instant classic. However, to require seven touchdowns and three field goals to hit Over is a hard sell. Take Under 57 points (-120).