NFL Week 18 Predictions: Straight Up & Against the Spread Picks for Every Game

| January 03 |

10 mins read

And like that, we've reached Week 18 and the end of the regular season, but with only nine out of 14 places confirmed, there is still plenty to play for.

It was a good week S/U for the crew, with everyone in double digits, led by Jonny with a cracking 13-3 record.

Against The Spread it was a different story, with only Adam reaching double figures, at a very impressive 11-5.

For our full season-long record check out the bottom of the article. Please read on for all of our NFL Week 18 Picks & Predictions.

No teams have a bye this week, so there are 16 games to cover.

*Odds accurate as of 11:00, Wednesday 3 January, 2024

NFL Week 18 Predictions:

Saturday - 21:30:

Game 1: Steelers (-3.5) @ Ravens

Picks ATS:

Adam: Steelers
Alan: Steelers
Jonny: Steelers
Neil: Steelers

Money Line - Ravens 13/8 & Steelers 1/2

Picks Straight Up:

Adam: Steelers
Alan: Steelers
Jonny: Steelers
Neil: Steelers

Comments: This is the first of many games this week that are heavily skewed by the possibility of already qualified teams resting their starters.

With Baltimore tying up the AFC #1 seed last week, in a 56-19 demolition of the Dolphins, the temptation to rest Lamar Jackson & Co. must be hugely tempting for HC John Harbaugh.

As for their AFC North rivals the Steelers, a win could clinch a wild-card spot, so they have everything to play for.

Obviously this line could move heavily depending on team news over the next 24 hours but as it stands and with the Ravens likely to sit their starters, I'm taking Pittsburgh to win this one - Adam

Sunday - 01:15:

Game 2: Texans (-1.5) @ Colts

Picks ATS:

Adam: Texans
Alan: Colts
Jonny: Colts
Neil: Texans

Money Line - Colts 21/20 & Texans 4/5

Picks Straight Up:

Adam: Texans
Alan: Colts
Jonny: Colts
Neil: Texans

Comments: In the ultra competitive AFC South, this game is absolutely huge. Both franchises are 9-7 along with Jacksonville, who have a much more winnable game against the Titans.

With that in mind both teams simply have to win here to maintain playoff aspirations and the Colts at home are a slight dog.

The main reason for that is the return of Houston QB CJ Stroud, who has had a stellar rookie season and should have enough to get the Texans over the line here. - Adam

Sunday - 18:00:

Game 3: Jaguars (-5.5) @ Titans

Picks ATS:

Adam: Titans
Alan: Jaguars
Jonny: Jaguars
Neil: Jaguars

Money Line - Titans 9/5 & Jaguars 4/9

Picks Straight Up:

Adam: Jaguars
Alan: Jaguars
Jonny: Jaguars
Neil: Jaguars

Comments: In that same AFC South, the Jags know that if they win here, they take the divisional title and homefield advantage in the playoffs.

However, Trevor Lawrence is still struggling with shoulder issues and Jacksonville have not been firing 100% of late.

The Titans will be keen to upset their divisional rivals and should make this one close enough to cover the spread. - Adam

Game 4: Vikings (+2.5) @ Lions

Picks ATS:

Adam: Lions
Alan: Lions
Jonny: Lions
Neil: Lions

Money Line - Lions 8/13 & Vikings 13/10

Picks Straight Up:

Adam: Lions
Alan: Lions
Jonny: Lions
Neil: Lions

Comments: As far as postseason goes, the Vikings need snookers, Erling Haaland and Luke Littler. One preview I've seen says they're on life support. The Lions meanwhile have clinched the NFC North. We know where the motivation lies then, but is it that simple? Sport rarely is .. Alan

Game 5: Falcons (+3.5) @ Saints

Picks ATS:

Adam: Saints
Alan: Saints
Jonny: Saints
Neil: Saints

Money Line - Saints 4/7 & Falcons 7/5

Picks Straight Up:

Adam: Saints
Alan: Saints
Jonny: Saints
Neil: Saints

Comments: In New Orleans, the Saints must beat Atlanta to keep their hopes alive of taking the NFC South. The Falcons aren't entirely devoid of hope themselves - it's a 'get the slide rule out' job in the NFC.

New Orleans have been a massive disappointment to me at least this term - .500 is bang average in every sense of the word - but I'm still taking them to cover here - Alan

Game 6: Jets (+2.5) @ Patriots

Picks ATS:

Adam: Patriots
Alan: Patriots
Jonny: Patriots
Neil: Patriots

Money Line - Patriots 8/11 & Jets 23/20

Picks Straight Up:

Adam: Patriots
Alan: Patriots
Jonny: Patriots
Neil: Patriots

Comments: Neither of these sides will be competing further after weekend - so it's all down to pride, or who can resist thoughts of imminent Hawaiian islands the best.

Pats' Coach Belichick has been one of the finest and most successful the game has ever seen, but could be on his way at the final whistle. Surely a last hurrah, if that's what it's to be, is only right at his beloved Gillette Stadium - Alan

Game 7: Buccaneers (-5.5) @ Panthers

Picks ATS:

Adam: Panthers
Alan: Buccaneers
Jonny: Buccaneers
Neil: Buccaneers

Money Line - Panthers 21/10 & Buccaneers 2/5

Picks Straight Up:

Adam: Buccaneers
Alan: Buccaneers
Jonny: Buccaneers
Neil: Buccaneers

Comments: The Bucs can cinch the NFC South with a win against the 2-and-14 Panthers. Remember those heady days in Carolina of Cam Newton and Christian McCaffrey? No, neither do I anymore.

The Bucs are no bomb-proof conveyance but surely they can navigate their way to winning this? - Alan

Game 8: Browns (+5.5) @ Bengals

Picks ATS:

Adam: Browns
Alan: Bengals
Jonny: Browns
Neil: Bengals

Money Line - Bengals 2/5 & Browns 2/1

Picks Straight Up:

Adam: Browns
Alan: Bengals
Jonny: Bengals
Neil: Bengals

Comments: The Browns will play on Wild Card weekend whereas the Bengals will be planning for next season.

That is why I'm going for Cincinnati here as Cleveland are locked into a playoff berth and can't win their division, so time to rest up and make sure they are at 100% for next weekend rather than this - Neil

Sunday - 21:25:

Game 9: Bears (+2.5) @ Packers

Picks ATS:

Adam: Packers
Alan: Packers
Jonny: Packers
Neil: Bears

Money Line - Packers 8/13 & Bears 13/10

Picks Straight Up:

Adam: Packers
Alan: Packers
Jonny: Packers
Neil: Bears

Comments: For the second year running, the Packers have to win their final game of the regular season to secure a playoff berth.

The Packers have won nine-straight games against the Bears, but Chicago are one of the hottest teams in the NFL, so I don't think this game will be as straightforward as everybody may think.

Green Bay rolled to a 38-20 win in the Week 1 matchup against Chicago, and I think Lambeau Field could prove to be the advantage here. - Jonny

Game 10: Cowboys (-13.5) @ Commanders

Picks ATS:

Adam: Commanders
Alan: Commanders
Jonny: Commanders
Neil: Commanders

Money Line - Commanders 5/1 & Cowboys 2/15

Picks Straight Up:

Adam: Cowboys
Alan: Cowboys
Jonny: Cowboys
Neil: Cowboys

Comments: I think this is one of the easier games to predict this week.

Dallas simply have a better offense, better defense, and are superior to Washington in almost every aspect.

The Cowboys can clinch the NFC title with a victory here, however, I suspect the Commanders would like nothing more than to spoil the party. In addition, the Cowboys aren't a great road team, so I can see a scenario where Washington cover but Dallas take the win. - Jonny

Game 11: Broncos (+2.5) @ Raiders

Picks ATS:

Adam: Raiders
Alan: Raiders
Jonny: Raiders
Neil: Raiders

Money Line - Raiders 7/10 & Broncos 6/5

Picks Straight Up:

Adam: Raiders
Alan: Raiders
Jonny: Raiders
Neil: Raiders

Comments: In dead rubber matches between two sides of similar levels, always bet on the home team having a bit more juice in the tank in front of their own fans.

If this game was in Denver and they were -2.5, I'm going for them but quite simply, home-field advantage is the tie-breaker - Neil

Game 12: Eagles (-4.5) @ Giants

Picks ATS:

Adam: Giants
Alan: Giants
Jonny: Eagles
Neil: Giants

Money Line - Giants 2/1 & Eagles 2/5

Picks Straight Up:

Adam: Eagles
Alan: Giants
Jonny: Eagles
Neil: Giants

Comments: Philly look like a side trying to find their form ahead of the play-offs as they've been on a torrid run in the past month or so. I actually expect their starters to play a bit more than other teams in similar situations on Sunday due to needing to find their mojo but the Giants will just be going all-out looking for one final win after what has been a very disappointing season.

Should be a competitive game and I'll take the home side - even if Philly play their starters into the second-half - Neil

Game 13: Seahawks (-2.5) @ Cardinals

Picks ATS:

Adam: Cardinals
Alan: Cardinals
Jonny: Seahawks
Neil: Cardinals

Money Line - Cardinals 5/4 & Seahawks 4/6

Picks Straight Up:

Adam: Cardinals
Alan: Cardinals
Jonny: Seahawks
Neil: Cardinals

Comments: I just don't know what to make of Seattle but I was very impressed with Arizona last week, winning on the road in Philadelphia and showing the watching public that maybe, they are a decent side who have been snake-bitten by key injuries. Give me Kyler Murray to get one more win and end the play-off chances for Pete Carroll's men - Neil

Game 14: Rams (+3.5) @ 49ers

Picks ATS:

Adam: Rams
Alan: 49ers
Jonny: Rams
Neil: Rams

Money Line - 49ers 4/7 & Rams 7/5

Picks Straight Up:

Adam: Rams
Alan: 49ers
Jonny: Rams
Neil: Rams

Comments: The 49ers have already clinched the top seed in the NFC, as well as home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, which means they literally have nothing to play for in this game.

The dilemma for Kyle Shanahan is whether he rests his starters, and they go three weeks without playing, or names his usual lineup at the risk of someone potentially getting injured, and missing the postseason.

As for the Rams, they've already clinched a playoff spot, so this game only matters for seeding purposes. If they win, they'll lock up the sixth seed, but if they lose, they could end up as the seventh seed, although there's a chance that they could get the sixth seed anyway with a loss.

I like the Rams for this one - I think San Francisco will chop and change their team but ultimately, this game matters more for Los Angeles. - Jonny

Game 15: Chiefs (+2.5) @ Chargers

Picks ATS:

Adam: Chargers
Alan: Chiefs
Jonny: Chiefs
Neil: Chargers

Money Line - Chargers 8/13 & Chiefs 13/10

Picks Straight Up:

Adam: Chargers
Alan: Chiefs
Jonny: Chiefs
Neil: Chargers

Comments: Kansas City finally stumbled over the line to clinch their eighth straight divisional title in the AFC West.

That 25-17 victory over the Bengals now means that Andy Reid will be given the choice of whether to rest the likes of Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and Isiah Pacheco, heading into the playoffs.

It could be tempting for Reid to actually carry on playing his starters in a desperate attempt to regain some momentum but it looks highly likely that they won't see a full game.

That would see the likes of Easton Stick line up against Blaine Gabbert and with the Chargers at home and desperate to salvage some pride from the season, I'm routing for Los Angeles. - Adam

Monday - 01:20:

Game 16: Bills (-2.5) @ Dolphins

Picks ATS:

Adam: Bills
Alan: Bills
Jonny: Bills
Neil: Bills

Money Line - Dolphins 13/10 & Bills 8/13

Picks Straight Up:

Adam: Bills
Alan: Bills
Jonny: Bills
Neil: Bills

Comments: The NFL have saved best for last here.

The AFC East title is on the line when Buffalo travel to Miami, and there could be plenty of twists in this tale, too. If both the Jaguars and Steelers win this week, then the Bills will be in a situation where a win gives them the division title, but a loss leaves them out of the playoffs altogether.

Things aren't quite as dramatic for the Dolphins - going into this game, they'll know they'll get the two seed with a win or the sixth seed with a loss.

Luckily for the Bills, their record against Miami in recent years is excellent - the Dolphins are 1-10 in their past 11 games against the Bills, mainly because they can't figure out how to slow down Josh Allen.

Given what's at stake, it's difficult to see anything other than a Bills win. - Jonny

Season Records:

Against the Spread: