Tag: nfl-week-18-predictions

Los Angeles Chargers at Las Vegas Prediction, Game Preview

Los Angeles Chargers at Las Vegas prediction, game preview, how to watch and lines for Week 18 of the NFL season, Sunday, January 9

Los Angeles Chargers at Las Vegas prediction, game preview, how to watch: Sunday, January 9

Los Angeles Chargers at Las Vegas How To Watch

Date: Sunday, January 9
Game Time: 8:20 ET
Venue: Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, NV
How To Watch: NBC
Record: Los Angeles Chargers (9-7), Las Vegas (9-7)
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Los Angeles Chargers at Las Vegas Game Preview

Why Los Angeles Chargers Will Win

The offense hasn’t stopped.

The defense has been an issue all year, but the O keeps on rolling however it wants to.

When it decides to run, that works. When Justin Herbert gets into a groove, that works.

Las Vegas has been able to get to this point on low scoring fights – it hasn’t scored more than 23 in any of its last five games – but it’s not taking the ball away, it’s making too many mistakes, and it just doesn’t have the ability to keep up the pace – maybe.

The Raider passing game is solid, but the Chargers should be able to take more chances – again, the Vegas D doesn’t generate takeaways. Worse yet in a game like this the mistakes are going to matter. Las Vegas has given it away 12 times in the last four games with no takeaways.

But …

– NFL Expert Picks, CFN Week 18

Why Las Vegas Will Win

The defense has stepped up its game.

The Raider defense stopped the great Brown and Bronco running games cold, and they only allowed 262 yards of Indianapolis offense last week. Overall, it hasn’t allowed more than 300 yards to anyone but Kansas City over the last five games.

The offense has to get Derek Carr hot right away. Josh Jacobs and the running game have been better over the three-game winning streak, and it should work against one of the league’s softest run defenses. That’s not going to be enough.

This should be a shootout, and Carr has gone for over 200 yards in ten of his last 11 games.

– NFL Week 18 Schedules, Predictions

What’s Going To Happen

Win and get in – and no, don’t start with the scenarios if there’s a tie. Lose, and that’s it.

The playoffs start now.

The Raiders have been a wonderful story with their three-game winning streak – Rich Bisaccia deserves Coach of the Year consideration – but they’re far more banged up than the Chargers and they don’t have the same offensive punch.

The Los Angeles defense has a way of keeping everyone in the game, but this will be Herbert’s time. He’ll do a bit more than Carr, and the maligned Charger defense will come up with the two takeaways the Raider side won’t.

Los Angeles Chargers at Las Vegas Prediction, Line

Los Angeles Chargers 31, Las Vegas 27
Line: Los Angeles Chargers -3, o/u: 49
ATS Confidence out of 5: 2

Must See Rating: 4.5

5: Elmo
1: Rocco

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– Predictions of Every Game

Carolina at Tampa Bay Prediction, Game Preview

Carolina at Tampa Bay prediction, game preview, how to watch and lines for Week 18 of the NFL season, Sunday, January 9

Carolina at Tampa Bay prediction, game preview, how to watch: Sunday, January 9

Carolina at Tampa Bay How To Watch

Date: Sunday, January 9
Game Time: 4:25 ET
Venue: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL
How To Watch: CBS
Record: Carolina (5-11), Tampa Bay (12-4)
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Carolina at Tampa Bay Game Preview

Why Carolina Will Win

Head coach Matt Rhule has been given a vote of confidence – for whatever that’s worth – going into next year. Now he needs his team to show a sign of life after a six-game losing streak that included a 32-6 wipeout against the Buccaneers just a few weeks ago.

The return of Sam Darnold didn’t help the cause in last week’s loss to New Orleans, but at least the defense was okay, especially against the run. The Panthers have to start by holding up on the line and let the league’s second-best pass defense to take over.

The Buccaneers might have put 32 points on the board in Week 16, but Tom Brady put up an okay 232 yards.

In this, the hope has to be for Tampa Bay to be thinking more about staying healthy for next week, but …

– NFL Expert Picks, CFN Week 18

Why Tampa Bay Will Win

The No. 2 seed is still in play.

The Rams have to lose to San Francisco – not crazy – and Tampa Bay has to win this. The two games will be going on at the same time, but after last week’s close call comeback win over the Jets, focusing on sharpening up shouldn’t be a problem.

The Buccaneers have won six of their last seven, but the running game has been inconsistent and the team hasn’t quite been itself. It’s as if it’s waiting for the playoffs to start already.

The Antonio Brown problem hasn’t helped.

This week, though, the defense shouldn’t have any issue with a team that hasn’t scored more than 14 points in four of its last five games, and …

– NFL Week 18 Schedules, Predictions

What’s Going To Happen

Enough is enough. This is when Tampa Bay steps up its game.

Yeah, it scored 28 points or more in six of its last seven games, and winning hasn’t been a problem, but the team seems to be just trying to keep it all together before the real season starts.

Playing at home against the Carolina offense will help.

Carolina at Tampa Bay Prediction, Line

Tampa Bay 30, Carolina 13
Line: Tampa Bay -9, o/u: 41.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 3.5

Must See Rating: 2

5: Elmo
1: Rocco

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Seattle at Arizona Prediction, Game Preview

Seattle at Arizona prediction, game preview, how to watch and lines for Week 18 of the NFL season, Sunday, January 9

Seattle at Arizona prediction, game preview, how to watch: Sunday, January 9

Seattle at Arizona How To Watch

Date: Sunday, January 9
Game Time: 4:25 ET
Venue: State Farm Stadium, Glendale, AZ
How To Watch: FOX
Record: Seattle (6-10), Arizona (11-5)
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Seattle at Arizona Game Preview

Why Seattle Will Win

Arizona needs to care about this, but there might be some scoreboard watching happening.

This is a banged up Cardinal team, and if the Rams are blowing out San Francisco, there’s a chance it … nah. Arizona will try for a full 60 minutes.

Seattle has been able to open up the offense at times over the last several weeks with 24 points or more in four of the last five games. It starts with a ground attack that kicked it all in with 140 yards or more in four of the last five games, including a 265-yard day in the blowout over Detroit.

There won’t be any problem keeping up in a shootout if all the parts play like they did, but …

– NFL Expert Picks, CFN Week 18

Why Arizona Will Win

The Seahawk ground game isn’t going to run wild against the Cardinal D that leads the league in fewest touchdowns allowed and hasn’t given up 130 yards on the ground in any of the last six games. Also …

The Seattle pass defense is still the Seattle pass defense. It’s the second-worst in the league, it allowed 200 yards or more in every game, and Arizona will be more than happy to push for over 300 yards like it did in the Week 11 win.

Seattle might have been able to open it up on Detroit last week and Houston a few weeks ago, but …

– NFL Week 18 Schedules, Predictions

What’s Going To Happen

Arizona’s offense might be sputtering and coughing over the last month, but it should start to kick everything in as it finally proves it can win at home again.

Seattle’s defense won’t be able to hold up on third downs, the Cardinals will be balanced, and all eyes will be on the scoreboard to see how the Rams are doing against San Francisco.

Seattle at Arizona Prediction, Line

Arizona 27, Seattle 21
Line: Seattle -5.5, o/u: 48
ATS Confidence out of 5: 3

Must See Rating: 3

5: Elmo
1: Rocco

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– Predictions of Every Game

New England at Miami Prediction, Game Preview

New England at Miami prediction, game preview, how to watch and lines for Week 18 of the NFL season, Sunday, January 9

New England at Miami prediction, game preview, how to watch: Sunday, January 9

New England at Miami How To Watch

Date: Sunday, January 9
Game Time: 4:25 ET
Venue: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL
How To Watch: CBS
Record: New England (10-6), Miami (8-8)
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New England at Miami Game Preview

Why New England Will Win

The Patriots have to assume that Buffalo isn’t gacking to the Jets, so realistically, forget about taking the AFC East.

But they’re the Patriots. They’re not going to take their foot off the gas.

There’s no illusions that everything is fine just because they hung 50 on Jacksonville – they lost to Indianapolis and Buffalo by a combined 22 points over the previous two games.

They’re going to keep running, they’re going to use this as a tune-up, and they’re going against a defeated Dolphins team that got knocked out in a blowout loss to Tennessee team that ran for close to 200 yards.

– NFL Expert Picks, CFN Week 18

Why Miami Will Win

Can the Dolphins find the fire to care about finishing with a winning record?

That might be tough after a seven-game winning streak was stopped cold, but this hasn’t been a team that quits. You don’t do what it did after a 1-7 start without having a certain make-up.

How did Indianapolis and Buffalo get by the Patriots? The Colts ran well, the Bills threw well, and Miami has to do a little bit of both.

The offensive production has stalled over the last two weeks, but Tua Tagovailoa will want to go into the off-season on a high-note – he’ll want to quiet down any talk of changing things up – but …

– NFL Week 18 Schedules, Predictions

What’s Going To Happen

New England will play hard, it’ll go all out, and it’ll hope for a miracle from the Jets against Buffalo.

Miami will push, but the Patriot ground game and the sharpness of Mac Jones will be enough to overcome a rough start. It won’t exactly be payback for the 17-16 Week 1 loss, but it’ll be a good way to go into the playoffs.

New England at Miami Prediction, Line

New England 26, Miami 17
Line: New England -6, o/u: 40
ATS Confidence out of 5: 2

Must See Rating: 3.5

5: Elmo
1: Rocco

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San Francisco at Los Angeles Rams Prediction, Game Preview

San Francisco at Los Angeles Rams prediction, game preview, how to watch: Sunday, January 9

San Francisco at Los Angeles Rams prediction, game preview, how to watch: Sunday, January 9

San Francisco at Los Angeles Rams How To Watch

Date: Sunday, January 9
Game Time: 4:25 ET
Venue: SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CA
How To Watch: FOX
Record: San Francisco (9-7), Los Angeles Rams (12-4)
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San Francisco at Los Angeles Rams Game Preview

Why San Francisco Will Win

Win and get in.

New Orleans needs to win and it’ll be hoping for a San Francisco loss, but the 49ers can take care of things all on its own.

Jimmy Garoppolo is expected to give it a go with a thumb injury, almost all of the parts for the running game are fine, and now it’s time to try pounding away.

San Francisco got the Rams 31-10 back in Week 10 with a balanced attack and two takeaways, and that’s the goal again. Mix it up a bit, rely on the D to make big plays against an LA offense that turned it over three times in each of the last two games and three times in the last six, and …

– NFL Expert Picks, CFN Week 18

Why Los Angeles Rams Will Win

The Ram offense is starting to work again.

It might not be smooth, and Matthew Stafford hasn’t quite been as good as he’ll need to be next week, but the yards are there for the passing game and the ground attack has been terrific at times over the last month.

Yeah, San Francisco will want to run, but up until last week against Baltimore, the Ram run defense has been nasty since that Week 10 loss.

Stop the running game, stop San Francisco – it’s 0-4 when it doesn’t get to 100 yards.

– NFL Week 18 Schedules, Predictions

What’s Going To Happen

Getting the 2 seed would be big for the Rams, and they do that by winning this and taking the division – or if Arizona loses.

San Francisco needs this more, though. The Rams should be okay no matter what, but the Niners need to solidify their playoff world.

It’s a long-winded way of saying both teams are going to try.

At home, Los Angeles will mark up for the earlier loss with a big defensive performance and a decent day – not amazing – from Stafford.

San Francisco at Los Angeles Rams Prediction, Line

Los Angeles Rams 26, San Francisco 20
Line: Los Angeles Rams -3.5, o/u: 44.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 3

Must See Rating: 4

5: Elmo
1: Rocco

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New York Jets at Buffalo Prediction, Game Preview

New York Jets at Buffalo prediction, game preview, how to watch: Sunday, January 9

New York Jets at Buffalo prediction, game preview, how to watch: Sunday, January 9

New York Jets at Buffalo How To Watch

Date: Sunday, January 9
Game Time: 4:25 ET
Venue: Highmark Stadium, Orchard Park, NY
How To Watch: FOX
Record: New York Jets (4-12), Buffalo (10-6)
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New York Jets at Buffalo Game Preview

Why New York Jets Will Win

The offense hasn’t been all that bad.

It’s still a work in progress as QB Zach Wilson gets more and more experience, but for this team, getting to 24 points or more in each of the last three games matter.

There’s still a fight to this bunch, even if the overall results – and talent on defense – aren’t there. The running game has been strong over the last few weeks, the turnovers have slowed to non-existent, and there’s a shot Buffalo isn’t quite razor-sharp with a playoff spot locked in.

But …

– NFL Expert Picks, CFN Week 18

Why Buffalo Will Win

Yeah, there’s still a reason to care. The Bills win the AFC East and get home field in the wild-card round with a win, and New England gets that with a win over Miami and with a Buffalo loss.

The running game was great at times throughout the year, but now it’s kicking in large with Devin Singletary going off with close to 300 yards over the last four games.

The Jets get run on more than any defense in the league – and they allow more rushing scores than anyone. The Bills ran for 139 yards in the first meeting – a 45-17 win – and should get that without breathing too hard.

– NFL Week 18 Schedules, Predictions

What’s Going To Happen

It’s Buffalo, it’s January, and there’s a division championship on the line.

And it’s going to be cold, rainy, and very, very windy. It’s going to be a party.

The Bills will run, they’ll stop the run, and they’ll take the win and see just how high they can get in this little tournament.

There won’t be any issues.

New York Jets at Buffalo Prediction, Line

Buffalo 31, New York Jets 14
Line: Buffalo -16.5, o/u: 40.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 2

Must See Rating: 3

5: Elmo
1: Rocco

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New Orleans at Atlanta Prediction, Game Preview

New Orleans at Atlanta prediction, game preview, how to watch: Sunday, January 9

New Orleans at Atlanta prediction, game preview, how to watch: Sunday, January 9

New Orleans at Atlanta How To Watch

Date: Sunday, January 9
Game Time: 4:25 ET
Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA
How To Watch: FOX
Record: Atlanta (7-9), New Orleans (8-8)
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New Orleans at Atlanta Game Preview

Why Atlanta Will Win

The New Orleans offense isn’t working.

COVID has been a problem, inconsistency overall has been a problem, and the lack of a scoring punch has been the biggest issue.

The Saints haven’t been able to push past 18 points in five of the last six games, even though they’ve won three of their last four.

This is it for Atlanta. It’s out of the playoffs, but it’s been able to balance out wins and losses over the last several weeks. Yeah, it’s silly, but if you believe in patterns – the ability to adjust after a loss – Atlanta is due for a win after alternating win-loss-win-loss etc. over the last seven weeks.

Matt Ryan and the passing game have been okay at times, but he bombed away for 322 yards in the first meeting over New Orleans – a win in week 9 – but …

– NFL Expert Picks, CFN Week 18

Why New Orleans Will Win

Atlanta can’t stop teams on third downs.

Start with the inability to slow down the run – it got hammered for well over 200 yards on the ground against the Bills last week – and there isn’t enough of a pass rush to pressure Taysom Hill, considering he’d prefer to take off on third and manageable if needed.

The Saints got their ground game going last week against Carolina last week, they’re about as healthy overall as they’ve been in weeks, and the defense is about to crank up the intensity because …

– NFL Week 18 Schedules, Predictions

What’s Going To Happen

New Orleans needs this and a San Francisco loss to the Rams to get into the playoffs.

There will be some scoreboard watching going on.

Atlanta won’t get any semblance of a ground game going, run defense is about to get motored over, and the separation will come early in the fourth quarter.

The Saints will put the pressure on San Francisco.

New Orleans at Atlanta Prediction, Line

New Orleans 23, Atlanta 17
Line: New Orleans -3.5, o/u: 39.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 3

Must See Rating: 3.5

5: Elmo
1: Rocco

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Tennessee at Houston Prediction, Game Preview

Tennessee at Houston prediction, game preview, how to watch and lines for Week 18 of the NFL season, Sunday, January 9

Tennessee at Houston prediction, game preview, how to watch: Sunday, January 9

Tennessee at Houston How To Watch

Date: Sunday, January 9
Game Time: 1:00 ET
Venue: NRG Stadium, Houston, TX
How To Watch: CBS
Record: Tennessee (11-5), Houston (4-12)
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Tennessee at Houston Game Preview

Why Tennessee Will Win

Win, get a week off.

The Titans won’t need any help or do any scoreboard watching – win this, get the No. 1 seed, give Derrick Henry one extra week to get right, and kick back and relax.

That means there’s no reason to let up or gameplan for anything other than this being like a normal regular season game – again, that’s what the time off is for.

Houston hasn’t been bad lately offensively – the loss last week to San Francisco aside – but the run defense is a massive issue. The worst in the NFL, the run D should get hammered by D’Onta Foreman – coming off a 132-yard rushing day – and the Titan ground game .

– NFL Expert Picks, CFN Week 18

Why Houston Will Win

The offense really has been okay.

Davis Mills had a rough outing against the 49ers, but the passing attack had its moments over the last month with a few explosive games. This is the game to let it all out, because … why not?

It’s a lost year with a lost team, but closing out with three wins in the final four games would be terrific.

Tennessee isn’t above coming up with a clunker,. It wasn’t all that long ago that the team was a turnover machine, like with the five giveaways in the stunning loss to Houston in Week 11.

But …

– NFL Week 18 Schedules, Predictions

What’s Going To Happen

Tennessee isn’t going to let Houston do that again.

The first meeting was ugly, and it was still close throughout. As long as the Titans don’t have a whole slew of problems giving the ball away, the running game will take over and all will be fine … eventually.

Tennessee will be all about that week off, and it’ll take a little while to gear up the intensity against a team that’s going to bring the fire.

The Titan D that’s among the best in the league against the run isn’t going to allow a thing, and Ryan Tannehill and the passing game will be good enough.

Tennessee at Houston Prediction, Line

Tennessee 27, Houston 16
Line: Tennessee -10, o/u: 42.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 3

Must See Rating: 3

5: Elmo
1: Rocco

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Pittsburgh at Baltimore Prediction, Game Preview

Pittsburgh at Baltimore prediction, game preview, how to watch and lines for Week 18 of the NFL season, Sunday, January 9

Pittsburgh at Baltimore prediction, game preview, how to watch: Sunday, January 9

Pittsburgh at Baltimore How To Watch

Date: Sunday, January 9
Game Time: 1:00 ET
Venue: M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, MD
How To Watch: CBS
Record: Pittsburgh (8-7-1), Baltimore (8-8)
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Pittsburgh at Baltimore Game Preview

Why Pittsburgh Will Win

Pittsburgh still has a distant shot of making the playoffs.

It has to win this, Indianapolis has to somehow lose to Jacksonville, and someone has to lose the Chargers-Raiders game.

It starts with getting this win, and the Steelers are far healthier than the Lamar Jackson-less Ravens.

They’re coming off an emotional Monday night win over the Browns with Ben Roethlisberger doing just enough with the passing game and Najee Harris going off with a monster home finale.

For all of Pittsburgh’s problems, it’s okay on third downs and …

– NFL Expert Picks, CFN Week 18

Why Baltimore Will Win

Run, run, run, run, run.

There’s no Lamar Jackson, but Tyler Huntley is ready to go and can take off a bit. He has to run, the rotation of running backs have to run, everyone has to run on a Steeler D that got rocked by everyone before doing a decent job against Cleveland last week.

The Ravens barely got over 100 yards in the first meeting in Week 13 – a 20-19 Pittsburgh win – but the ground attack was great against the Rams, was good against Green Bay, and it has to be excellent from the start to keep all playoff hopes alive.

They need to win and Miami, Indianapolis, and the Chargers all have to lose.

– NFL Week 18 Schedules, Predictions

What’s Going To Happen

Neither team will end up making the playoffs, but they’ll put on an entertaining show to give it a shot.

Pittsburgh had its big emotional moment with the Najee Harris emphatic dive into the end zone against Cleveland, and now Baltimore will do its part at home to close out strong after a string of misery.

Huntley will be fine, the running game will be good, and the Raven defense will shut down the Pittsburgh passing game to a stop.

Pittsburgh at Baltimore Prediction, Line

Baltimore 24, Pittsburgh 20
Line: Baltimore -3.5, o/u: 40.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 2

Must See Rating: 3

5: Elmo
1: Rocco

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Chicago at Minnesota Prediction, Game Preview

Chicago at Minnesota prediction, game preview, how to watch and lines for Week 18 of the NFL season, Sunday, January 9

Chicago at Minnesota prediction, game preview, how to watch: Sunday, January 9

Chicago at Minnesota How To Watch

Date: Sunday, January 9
Game Time: 1:00 ET
Venue: US Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN
How To Watch: FOX
Record: Chicago (6-10), Minnesota (7-9)
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Chicago at Minnesota Game Preview

Why Chicago Will Win

It’s about as much of a play-out-the-string game as possible for a Bears team that’s about to enter the Jim Harbaugh era with a new vision and energy, and …

Just kidding. Maybe.

The current Chicago coaching regime is on its last legs, and that means Matt Nagy is about to pull out every possible trick – that’s a positive.

The Bears have always had problems when they’ve tried to be too cute by half, but considering the offense will be all about David Montgomery and the ground game early, the fun will start after the running game is established.

The Viking run D has been steadily bad all season long, and ow it’s about to get hit for well over 100 yards. However …

– NFL Expert Picks, CFN Week 18

Why Minnesota Will Win

We just did this a few weeks ago in a 17-9 Minnesota win, and the Bear running game hardly took things over.

Justin Fields played in the previous meeting, and this time around it’s going to be Andy Dalton giving it a go. He’s a competent NFL quarterback, but he’ll have to keep up with a Minnesota passing attack that should go off.

Kirk Cousins is back from the COVID list, and it would be a major positive to have one more good showing before everything – almost certainly – changes up with the Viking coaching staff.

The Chicago secondary has been able to hold it together at times, but it’s about to get hit hard.

– NFL Week 18 Schedules, Predictions

What’s Going To Happen

Don’t be shocked if this is an entertaining game.

Both teams will play with almost nothing to lose in a true bowl game-like exhibition. Both sides will take crazy chances and do a whole lot of wacky things that don’t make sense, and in the end, Minnesota will get more out to its passing game than Chicago will get out of Dalton.

Chicago at Minnesota Prediction, Line

Minnesota 27, Chicago 23
Line: Minnesota -5.5, o/u: 44.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 2

Must See Rating: 3.5

5: Elmo
1: Rocco

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