It’s the final week of the regular season and I can’t imagine we will be seeing many teams sitting their players .
16 divisional games will wrap up the 2023/24 regular season and there is still so much at stake.
There are still 11 teams in contention for five playoff spots and only four of the 16 divisions have been wrapped up.
There is certainly a heap of storylines worth following in the final week of the regular season and I will do my absolute best to try and predict them.
Here is my preview of Week 18 of the NFL.
The Ravens are you’re AFC Champions for the 2023/24 season.
It’s been a hell of a year for Lamar Jackson and the Ravens. They’ve gone on a six game winning streak to be currently sitting on 13-3 with a first round bye already locked in for the playoffs.
The Ravens are more than likely to sit majority of their starters, there is no reason for them to risk injuries when the AFC is wrapped up and the markets reflect that.
Baltimore are $2.65 underdogs against the $1.65 Steelers and if last week is anything to go off. There is a chance that a win here for the black and yellow sees them book in a wildcard spot.
The Steelers two headed monster of a runningback committee is where I am looking to in this game. Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren both had massive games against the Seahawks last week and I can see that happening against Baltimore’s reggies here.
My Bets
- Steelers -3.5 @ $1.90
- Najee Harris 50+ Rushing Yards
- Jaylen Warren 50+ Rushing Yards
The AFC South is wide open. The Jaguars, Colts and Texans all currently sit at 9-7 and a win to either of these two teams would go a really long way to winning the division.
The Texans are slight favourites in this matchup and while I have my own personal qualms against the Colts, I think the bookies have this one right.
The return of CJ Stroud was massive for the Texans in Week 17, coming back from his concussion CJ Stroud and the Texans put on a clinic over the Texans last week and the Colts defence allowed Aidan O’Connell throw for 299 Yards and 2 TDs.
I’m with Stroud to torch the Colts here and lead his team to the playoffs in his rookie year.
My Bets
SGM $5.20
- Texans -1 @ $1.90
- Dalton Schultz Anytime Touchdown @ $2.95
Detroit have come out already and said that they will not be benching their starters in Week 18.
For that reason they are $1.57 favourites over the Vikings who are limping to the finish line.
It’s been an incredibly disappointing season for Minnesota, the injury to Kirk Cousins has had a massive impact and it’s looking likely that they will finish the year 7-10.
If the Lions play their starters, I think a play on 14+ isn’t out of the realm of possibilities.
My Bets
- Lions -3 @ $1.90
- Lions 14+ @ $4.00
- Jahmyr Gibbs 60+ Rushing Yards
The Jags need a win to lock up the AFC South but with the injury cloud over Trevor Lawrence it’s looking more and more likely the winner of the other AFC South game could snatch the division title off Jacksonville.
The Jags are $1.42 favourites but if TLaw doesn’t suit up, a play on the Titans to cover the 5.5 point line isn’t really that foolish.
Jacksonville were quite lucky to have face Carolina last week and all though the Titans are sliding backwards, they should give them a run for their money especially if Lawrence doesn’t go.
My Bets
- Titans +5.5 @ $1.90
- Travis Etienne 60+ Rushing Yards
- Travis Etienne Anytime Touchdown Scorer
Another matchup where it looks like we might see the B Team trotted out.
The Browns cannot improve from second in the AFC North and the Bengals have been eliminated from Playoff contention.
Rough year for Cincy, it’s already an incredibly tough division but it makes it harder when your franchise QB gets injured in preseason.
The Browns will be resting their hotboys and Jake Browning did make the Chiefs earn it last week. They should get the job done here.
My Bets
- Bengals 1-13 @ $2.20
- Joe Mixon 60+ Rushing Yards
- Tee Higgins Anytime Touchdown
Heaps to play for in this NFC South clash.
They both require the Bucs to lose to Carolina but one of these teams will have a chance of a playoff spot with a win here.
The Saints are $1.57 favourites over the Falcons and that’s the way I’m leaning, ATL were torched by Justin Fields and the Bears last week. Even though they have some incredible offensive and defensive pieces. This team will never do much as long as Arthur Smith is in charge.
Just writing his name makes me angry.
I reckon the Falcons have put the cue in the rack.
My Bets
- Saints 14+ @ $3.70
- Chris Olave 60+ Receiving Yards
- Chris Olave Anytime Touchdown
The playoff hopes of both the Saints and Falcons rest on Bryce Young and the Panther’s shoulders.
After being shut out last week, I don’t think they have much hope.
Bryce Young is the second most sacked Quarterback in the league this year. He’s on 59 just two behind Sam Howell who is unlikely to play for the Commies this week.
It’s hard to do much when your getting sacked four times a game on average and your boys either don’t get open or drop easy receptions cold.
Buccs have played pretty well this year too, Baker will have a couple more chances to prove to either the Tampa or another organisation that he is capable of being a Franchise QB.
Buccs 14+ looks the go to me here.
My Bets
- Buccaneers 14+ @ $3.25
- Baker Mayfield 250+ Passing Yards
- Rachaad White Anytime Touchdown Scorer
Quite possibly the final ever Patriots game with Bill Belichick as Head Coach.
The Jets despite having quite a strong defence have proven to be quite beatable this season.
Despite Zappe’s 3 ints against Buffalo last week, the Patriots kept up with the Bills and the Bookies have NE as $1.72 favourites over the Jets.
If this truly is Bill’s last game as Coach, you’d imagine he’d be pretty keen to win this game not only for himself but to also tank their top draft pick as much as possible.
The Pats currently have pick number three but a win could see that pick lose a heap of value if results go against the Patriots.
What’s Bill got up his cut off sleeves?
My Bets
- Patriots -2.5 @ $1.90
- Ezekiel Elliott Anytime Touchdown Scorer
Jordan Love won me a fantasy championship last week. I think I love him.
I’m really looking forward to this game. Fields has one last chance to prove to Chi-Town they don’t need Caleb Williams and Jordan Love has been airing that thang out of late.
Fields was incredible to watch against the Falcons last week some of the passes he made to DJ Moore were perfect. You certainly not getting better than that from a rookie QB, especially initially.
The lines set at 3 points for this one. Am I foolish for thinking Chicago might cover? I think the over is the bet here.
My Bets
- Over 44 Points @ $1.90
- DJ Moore 60+ Receiving Yards
- Jayden Reed 60+ Receiving Yards
The 49ers have locked up the #1 seed in the NFC already so there is a huge chance that we see the majority of the 49ers sit out for this one.
MVP frontrunner Christian McCaffrey has already been declared out. He tweaked his calf last week against the Commies and will use the two weeks to rest up before the 49ers big playoff push.
The 49ers are still favourites for this game and I think it just shows you how good of a roster they have. Before CMC came to town, Elijah Mitchell was a gun RB in his own right.
The Rams have been exciting this year but I’m leaning towards one last win for San Fran.
My Bets
- 49ers -3.5 @ $1.90
- Elijah Mitchell 60+ Rushing Yards
- Elijah Mitchell Anytime Touchdown
The Cardinals have one last chance to hit the overs on their season total wins line this week (4.5) and after an upset win over the Eagles last week. I like their chances.
I think people forgot just how truly good at football Kyler Murray is. He only threw 6 incompletions last week to beat Philly and last week the Seahawks had no answer for Pittsburgh’s run game.
James Conner should eat and I’m going to have a big crack on him this week.
My Bets
- Cardinals H2H @ $2.20
- James Conner 80+ Rushing Yards
- Kyler Murray 40+ Rushing Yards
Both teams are eliminated from playoffs, the Broncos are dogs for benching Russ to save money and quite frankly I do not care about this game at all.
Raiders to Cover.
My Bets
- Raiders -2.5 @ $1.90
- Jakobi Meyers Anytime Touchdown
The Commies have lost seven straight and are staring down the barrel of eight straight L’s this week.
They play the Cowboys who have a chance to win the NFC East.
No one knows what QB will be starting for the Commies this week but there is a big chance they will be making way for Caleb Williams next year.
Cows 14+ and to with the NFC East.
My Bets
- Cowboys 14+ @ $1.82
- CeeDee Lamb 75+ Receiving Yards
- Tony Pollard Anytime Touchdown
The Chiefs will be resting majority of their players this week after clinching the AFC West already.
The Chargers are short priced favourites at $1.65 but even against KC’s B team I can’t willingly back the Chargers.
Impossible to back player markets this far out because I don’t know who’s actually playing but Chiefs on the nose is my play here.
My Bets
- Chiefs H2H @ $2.35
Philly will look to run up the score here and lock up the NFC East while the Giants wouldn’t be against another L and improving their draft pick.
Philly were embarrased by the Cardinals last week and while they have really declined recently. I’m not reading too much into it.
The Giants had an opportunity to tie up last weeks game against the Rams. All they had to do was decline a penalty on their PAT but they instead decided to go for the win and couldn’t convert the two point conversion. Looked a bit fishy if you ask me.
Giants are commiting to the tank and I can’t wait to see Jayden Daniels in NY next year.
My Bets
- Eagles -5 @ $1.90
- AJ Brown Anytime Touchdown
- Dallas Goedert Anytime Touchdown
They’re saving the best till last this week.
Miami and Buffalo will battle for the AFC East divisional title in the final game of the regular season.
Buffalo have really turned their year around after a poor start, they’re $1.58 favourites here over the $2.40 Dolphins who are limping into the playoffs.
Miami were belted last week by Baltimore and if that’s a taste of what’s to come in the playoffs. This one won’t be close.
Bills to cover
My Bets
- Bills -3 @ $1.90
- Stefon Diggs 100+ Receiving Yards
- Tyreek Hill 100+ Receiving Yards