Get ready for the end of the NFL regular season with our final picks for Week 18.
Photo Courtesy of Chris Szagola/AP
The NFL (regular) season is coming to a close. The playoffs will be here before you know it, and in the end, there will be one winner. For one last time, here are regular season picks for Week 18.
Houston Texans vs Indianapolis Colts (Texans -1) – The Houston Texans and the Indianapolis Colts have identical records. They are both 9-7. Of course, they are also in the same division. This has the makings of an interesting game. Both teams won their last games. The Texans beat the Titans in their last game and the Colts beat the Raiders in their last one. This could be a good game and could come down to the wire. But the Texans may take it.
Prediction: The Texans take it.
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Tennessee Titans ( Jaguars -4.5) – The Jacksonville Jaguars picked up a win in their last game, which snapped a four-game losing streak. The Jaguars are 9-7 and their opponent (and division rival) is 5-11. The Tennessee Titans are on a three-game losing streak. The Jaguars could finish up the season with another win.
Prediction: The Jaguars get the win.
Minnesota Vikings vs Detroit Lions (Lions -3.5) – The Minnesota Vikings are third in the NFC North. They are also on a three-game losing streak. The Detroit Lions are on top of the division with a record of 11-5. The Lions are 5-2 in home games, and this should be a win for them.
Prediction: The Lions win.
Atlanta Falcons vs New Orleans Saints (Saints -3) – The Atlanta Falcons are third in the NFC South with a record of 7-9. The Saints are above them with a record of 8-8. The Saints won their last game while the Falcons lost their last one. The Saints have a chance to go over .500 and chances are they do just that.
Prediction: The Saints get the win.
New York Jets vs New England Patriots (Jets +1.5) – The New York Jets are 6-10 this season. They are third in the AFC East. The New England Patriots are fourth in the AFC East with a record of 4-12. The Patriots are 1-7 at home. The Jets struggle on the road but this is a chance to get a road win.
Prediction: The Jets get the win.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Carolina Panthers (Buccaneers -4) – The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are on top of the NFC South with a record of 8-8. They have an opponent that is 2-14 and on a two-game losing streak in the Carolina Panthers. Tampa Bay should have no problem getting the win.
Prediction: The Buccaneers take it.
Cleveland Browns vs Cincinnati Bengals (Bengals -7) – The Cleveland Browns are in good shape. They clinched a wild card spot, and are 11-5. They are also on a four-game winning streak. The Browns will be resting Joe Flacco in this game, and Jeff Driskel will be their starting quarterback. The Cincinnati Bengals are on a two-game losing streak and are at the bottom of the AFC North. With Flacco resting, and the Bengals being a solid team at home (with a 5-3 record in home games), the Bengals could come away with the win.
Prediction: The Bengals take it.
Chicago Bears vs Green Bay Packers (Packers -3) – The Chicago Bears are 7-9, and despite being on a two-game winning streak, they are last in the NFC North. The Green Bay Packers are second in the NFC North with a record of 8-8. They are also on a two-game winning streak. The Packers are 4-3 in home games, and this would be a good opportunity to go over .500 to finish the season.
Prediction: The Packers get the win.
Dallas Cowboys vs Washington Commanders ( Cowboys -13) – The Dallas Cowboys are 11-5. They won their last game (a close one against the Lions). The Washington Commanders are 4-12 and are on a seven-game losing streak. The Cowboys may be 3-5 on the road but this is a chance to get a road win.
Prediction: The Cowboys get the win.
Denver Broncos vs Las Vegas Raiders (Raiders -3) – The Denver Broncos are .500 with a record of 8-8. They are second in the AFC West. They won their last game (against the Los Angeles Chargers), and despite being 3-4 on the road, have a chance to get a win. The Las Vegas Raiders are 7-9 this season, and third in the AFC West. They lost their last game (against the Colts). The Raiders are a much better home team than they are on the road. This could be a chance to get a win and finish the season near .500.
Prediction: The Raiders get the win.
Philadelphia Eagles vs New York Giants (Eagles -4.5) – The Philadelphia Eagles are 11-5 this season. They lost their last game (to the Arizona Cardinals). The New York Giants are 5-11 and on a three-game losing streak. The Eagles are 5-3 on the road and should have no problem beating the Giants.
Prediction: The Eagles get the win.
Seattle Seahawks vs Arizona Cardinals (Seahawks -3) – The Seattle Seahawks are 8-8 going into this game. They lost their last game (against the Steelers). The Seahawks take on a fellow NFC West team in the Arizona Cardinals. The Cardinals are 4-12 and picked up a win in their last game (over the Eagles). The Cardinals may try to get another win to close the season, but the Seahawks should get the win.
Prediction: The Seahawks take it.
Los Angeles Rams vs San Francisco 49ers (49ers -4) – The Los Angeles Rams are second in the NFC West with a record of 9-7. The San Francisco 49ers are on top of the NFC West with a record of 12-4. The Rams could be a tough opponent, as they are on a three-game winning streak. The Rams will try to keep their streak alive and end on a good note, but the 49ers should come away with the win.
Prediction: The 49ers get it.
Kansas City Chiefs vs Los Angeles Chargers (Chargers -3.5) – The Kansas City Chiefs have clinched the AFC West. They have a record of 10-6. The Chiefs are set as far as the playoffs and do not have to over-exert themselves this week. The Los Angeles Chargers are at the bottom of the AFC West. They are 5-11 and on a four-game losing streak. Despite that, this could be a chance to end the season on a somewhat positive note.
Prediction: The Chargers get the win
Buffalo Bills vs Miami Dolphins (Dolphins +3) – This game could be a battle. The Buffalo Bills are 10-6 and on a four-game winning streak. The Miami Dolphins lost their last game (by a lot), and are on top of the AFC East with a record of 11-5. This is truly a battle of the AFC East, and things could get interesting. If the Dolphins win, this would give them their first division title since 2008. And they may do enough to win. It will be a challenge, but it will be a good way to bounce back from their loss to the Ravens.
Prediction: The Dolphins get the win.
The regular season has been fun, and the playoffs will be even better.