Sports betting enthusiasts are just one group benefiting from the addition of an 18th week to the NFL’s regular season for the first time since 1993, as this gives us another week’s worth of money to add to the wagering account (assuming that things go well, of course). We got a lot of clarity from the action in Week 17, as Green Bay nabbed the top seed in the NFC. Kansas City had a chance to move toward clinching the top AFC seed as well but ended up watching the Cincinnati Bengals mount a furious comeback to secure the AFC North title and move into contention for that top seed themselves.
How should you wager on the NFL Week 18 slate?
We have already put up articles about some sure Week 18 losers and some lock picks, and we will finish up with a few more games about which we have some sage advice.
NFL News: Betting Advice on Week 18 Games
L.A. Chargers (-3) at Las Vegas Raiders (O/U 48.5)
Sunday, 8:20 pm ET, NBC
Both of these teams come in at 9-7, and both sides put together gritty wins last week. The Raiders went to Indianapolis and beat a team that has dealt some whippings to other elite competition by three, as Derek Carr threw for 255 yards and avoided turnovers, always one of his key problems when the Raiders lose. Interestingly, since Pittsburgh beat Cleveland, both the Chargers and Raiders would advance if they tied…which has led to memes and tweets speculating about how both teams should just kneel all game. That’s not likely to happen, though. In this case, despite the fact that the Chargers demolished a hobbled Denver team last week, I like the gritty Raiders to prevail at home.
Raiders to cover : Bet the Game Today
Chicago Bears (+3) at MInnesota Vikings (44.5)
Sunday, 1:00 pm ET, FOX
Chicago has somehow won two in a row, with Nick Foles (!) and Andy Dalton leading the Bears’ offense to wins. Foles keyed the Bears’ crazy win in Seattle, and then Dalton led the way in a rout of the hapless New York Giants. Justin Fields remains questionable for the Bears, so a matchup between Dalton/Fields and Kirk Cousins, who returns from COVID-19 quarantine. Dalvin Cook and David Montgomery should both have big rushing days, but the Vikings have the edge in the passing game with Cousins returning and with Justin Jefferson running routes.
Vikings to win and cover : Bet the Game Today
Washington Football Team (-6.5) at N.Y. Giants (38.5)
Sunday, 1:00 pm ET, FOX
The Football Team is still playing with full effort, which shows you just how strong a motivator Ron Rivera can be. Quarterback Taylor Heinicke has one more chance to stake his claim to the starting quarterback job, now with Kyle Allen and Garrett Gilbert behind him on the depth chart, and he looked OK trying to throw the ball to a large number of receivers last week in a close loss to Philadelphia. The Giants took a 29-3 beating from the Bears, as they looked quite ready to pack things up and head to 2022. I don’t expect things to look much different on Sunday.
Washington to win and cover : Bet the Game Today
Cincinnati (+3) at Cleveland (44)
Sunday, 1:00 pm ET, CBS
The Bengals may or may not rest Joe Burrow, pending the outcome of Kansas City’s game with Denver on Saturday. If the Chiefs get upset, then the Bengals could snag the AFC’s top seed. That’s unlikely, but then we were in the minority when it came to picking the Bengals to beat the Chiefs last week. Cleveland will have Case Keenum at quarterback, as Baker Mayfield will have surgery for a fracture in his non-throwing shoulder this week. However, Keenum led the Browns to a 17-14 win over Denver when Mayfield missed a start earlier this season due to injury. With two backup quarterbacks in the game, the focus turns to the running game – but also to motivation. The Browns would likely have more to drive them if the Bengals can’t snag the top seed – but if Burrow plays, the Bengals should be able to win anyway.
Bengals to cover : Bet the Game Today
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