The NFL regular season will come to a dramatic conclusion this weekend when teams make their final pushes for playoff spots and positioning in Week 18.
After 17 weeks of play, there’s still much to be decided entering the final weekend of action, and football bettors should be aware of the varying levels of motivation for every team entering Week 18.
The majority of the NFL playoff field is already set with 12 of the 14 spots already claimed, but there are two key battles in the AFC North and NFC South divisions this weekend that will solidify the final 14 teams that will be competing for the Super Bowl in February. There’s also a ton of Week 18 matchups with playoff seeding implications.
Let’s take a look at the NFL Week 18 matchups that have serious playoff implications.
Baltimore Ravens @ Pittsburgh Steelers (+3.5, 40.5 o/u)
This battle for AFC North supremacy has been elevated to primetime status on Sunday night and should be the game of the week. Pittsburgh can win the division, and clinch a playoff spot, with a win or a tie, while the Baltimore Ravens need a win to leapfrog Pittsburgh in the standings and claim the division crown. The loser of this game will be watching the playoffs from home.
This game opened at Baltimore -3 and the spread has moved to -3.5 points as of Friday afternoon at most online sportsbooks, following news Thursday that Ravens star quarterback Lamar Jackson intends to play after missing last week’s game against Green Bay due to a back injury.
It’s going to be cold in Pittsburgh on Sunday night, with forecasts projecting temperatures around -5 C and clear skies. Winds will be light and not a factor.
Ravens spread -3.5
Carolina Panthers @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-3, 43.5 o/u)
The NFC South is the other division that still hangs in the balance entering the final week of the regular season. Carolina is in the driver’s seat with the best record in the division at 8-8, and can win the division with a win, tie, or an Atlanta Falcons win over the New Orleans Saints on Sunday. Tampa Bay can clinch the division for the fifth straight season with a win on Saturday over the Panthers and an Atlanta loss or tie vs. the Saints.
These two teams just met in Week 16, with the Panthers claiming a 23-20 home win over the Bucs.
San Francisco 49ers @ Seattle Seahawks (-1.5, 47.5 o/u)
The stakes couldn’t be higher when these two NFC giants square off on Saturday night, as the victor will clinch the NFC West Division title as well as the coveted No. 1 seed in the NFC to earn a first-round bye and home-field advantage leading up to the Super Bowl. In the rare event of a tie, Seattle would advance by virtue of having the bettor record (currently 13-3).
These two teams met back in Week 1 in Seattle, with the 49ers coming away with a 17-13 victory.
Weather could play a factor in this contest, as there’s a 55% chance of rain on Saturday night in San Francisco. Winds will blow across the field at 14 mph.
Seahawks moneyline
Los Angeles Chargers @ Denver Broncos (-12.5, 37.5 o/u)
This is a big game for the Broncos, who can clinch the top seed in the AFC with a win over the Chargers. They can also earn a first-round bye and home-field advantage leading up to the Super Bowl with a tie against the Chargers combined with a New England loss or tie vs. Miami. A New England loss combined with a Jacksonville loss or tie vs. the Titans would also get the job done for Denver.
The Chargers find themselves as big underdogs in this spot as they’ve already clinched a playoff berth and will open on the road next week. They can finish as high as the No. 5 seed or as low as the No. 7 seed, depending on the outcome of this game and others in Week 18. Either way, they’re looking ahead to the opening round of the playoffs and this game is virtually meaningless for them.
Miami Dolphins @ New England Patriots (-10.5, 45.5 o/u)
What a year for the Patriots, who have already clinched the AFC East title. They can still clinch the No. 1 seed in the AFC with a win on Sunday against the Dolphins and a Denver loss or tie. A New England tie combined with a Denver loss would also get the job done.
Miami is out of playoff contention and playing only for pride this week in the regular-season finale.
Tennessee Titans @ Jacksonville Jaguars (-13.5, 47.5 o/u)
The Jaguars have plenty to play for in the final week, with a slim shot at the AFC’s No. 1 seed still a possibility and the AFC South title up for grabs. Jacksonville can claim the coveted No. 1 seed with a win combined with a Denver and New England loss. But the Jags control their own fate in regards to the division crown, as they can simply claim the title with a win or tie vs. the lowly Titans. A Houston loss or tie will also hand Jacksonville the division crown.
Indianapolis Colts @ Houston Texans (-10.5, 39 0/u)
Houston has won eight straight games to clinch a playoff berth and is in fine form heading into the regular-season finale against the Colts, who have officially been eliminated from playoff contention after a hot start to the season. Houston needs a win and a Jacksonville loss to clinch the AFC South title.