The over/under picks for Week 18 are coming out a few days later this week because of the uncertainty of the Week 18 schedule. The NFL announced just yesterday that the Week 17 matchup between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Buffalo Bills, suspended after Bills defensive Damar Hamlin collapsed with a cardiac arrest in the first quarter, would not be finished. This finalized the Week 18 schedule, so now we have point total picks for each of the showdowns as you plan out your NFL betting.
NFL News: O/U Picks for Week 18
→ Saturday, January 7
Kansas City Chiefs (-9) at Las Vegas Raiders (O/U 52) (4:30 pm ET, ESPN)
If you were amazed by the way Jarrett Stidham made big plays while on the move against San Francisco last week, you may have forgotten how well he played at Auburn. His time in New England never really gave him the exposure or confidence he needed to play well, but he seems to have gotten past that. The Raiders have many of their backups starting on defense, and the Chiefs’ defense can be porous, so take the over.
Tennessee Titans (+6.5) at Jacksonville Jaguars (O/U 40) (8:15 pm ET, ESPN)
Derrick Henry will be back for the Titans, and Kristian Fulton and Amani Hooker will be back for the Titans’ secondary. Jeffery Simmons and Denico Autry will also return to the D-line, so the Titan reserve lineup that played Dallas should have reinforcements. Joshua Dobbs will start at quarterback again, and he didn’t look that bad against the Cowboys. Trevor Lawrence should be able to get the Jaguars’ offense going as well, so take the over.
→ Sunday, January 8
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+4) at Atlanta Falcons (O/U 40) (1:00 pm ET, FOX)
The Bucs have clinched the NFC South, so while Tom Brady is expected to play, I don’t expect him to finish the game. The defense should give Atlanta quarterback Desmond Ridder some fits, so I expect this to be an ugly finale as the Bucs look ahead to their playoff game. Take the under.
New England Patriots (+7.5) at Buffalo Bills (O/U 42.5) (1:00 pm ET, CBS)
The Patriots’ offense makes more mistakes this year than it did last year, but the Patriots’ pass rush is better than it was in 2021. This could just be the first of two straight games between the Pats and Bills if the Bills don’t get the top seed and the Pats win and get a wild card. I see Buffalo coming out with a full head of steam, though, and delivering a rout. Take the over.
Minnesota Vikings (-7.5) at Chicago Bears (O/U 43) (1:00 pm ET, FOX)
The Vikings have clinched the NFC North title but are not in the running for the top seed, so we could see the Vikings rest some players. After their ridiculously bad performance at Lambeau last week, though, it would be good to see Minnesota play a complete game. Dalvin Cook and Kirk Cousins could both use big games, and the Bears are starting Nathan Peterman at quarterback. Take the over.
Houston Texans (+2.5) at Indianapolis Colts (O/U 38) (1:00 pm ET, CBS)
The Jeff Saturday era has devolved into a joke by this point, as the team has a -86 point differential since he became the interim coach. Houston has outplayed Indianapolis over the last month and should win straight up. Take the over.
Baltimore Ravens (+7) at Cincinnati Bengals (O/U 40.5) (1:00 pm ET, CBS)
The Ravens will have Tyler Huntley at quarterback, and the Bengals have already clinched the AFC North. Cincinnati has a much more explosive offense at this point, but how long will the starters play? Take the under.
N.Y. Jets (+2) at Miami Dolphins (O/U 38.5) (1:00 pm ET, FOX)
The curious case of Tua Tagovailoa continues, as he remains in the concussion protocol. Teddy Bridgewater remains questionable with that finger injury. Both teams have solid pass rushes, but both teams have five-game losing streaks. The Jets won easily in the first matchup, and with Mike White back, the offense should be able to get enough going to win. Take the over.
Carolina Panthers (+3.5) at New Orleans Saints (O/U 42) (1:00 pm ET, FOX)
The Saints have won three games in a row, as Andy Dalton has shown signs of life in the last third of the season. Sam Darnold looks like he might actually be a franchise quarterback as well. This could turn into a bit of a track meet in the Big Easy. Take the over.
Cleveland Browns (+2.5) at Pittsburgh Steelers (O/U 40.5) (1:00 pm ET, CBS)
Deshaun Watson threw three touchdown passes last week, but his decision-making still shows a lot of rust. The Browns’ defense has improved, and Nick Chubb is still pounding the ball. The Steelers are a team on the rise, as Kenny Pickett’s terrific touchdown pass to Gerald Pickens last week showed. Even so, this will be a grinding game. Take the under.
N.Y. Giants (+14) at Philadelphia Eagles (O/U 43) (4:25 pm ET, CBS)
Based on his increasing workload in practice, it looks like Jalen Hurts will return this week for the Eagles. The Giants, who are locked into the NFC’s sixth seed, would make a lot of sense if they rest Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkley. So a game that doesn’t feature a full game of Hurts and also doesn’t show much from the Giants’ offense shouldn’t feature a lot of points. Take the under.
Dallas Cowboys (-7) at Washington Commanders (O/U 41) (4:25 pm ET, FOX)
Rookie Sam Howell makes his first NFL start against a defense that can overwhelm quarterbacks with its pass rush (but also tends to give up a ton of chunk plays). If Philadelphia starts pounding the Giants early, you could see the Cowboys move to rest Dak Prescott as they would be locked into the NFC’s fifth seed with an Eagle win. Given the chaos going on in Washington, though, a rout is likely. Take the over.
L.A. Chargers (+2.5) at Denver Broncos (O/U 40) (4:25 pm ET, CBS)
If the Ravens lose in the early game, the Chargers would be locked into the AFC’s fifth seed, which means that the Chargers will rest their offensive skill players. However, if the Ravens win, the Chargers will play their starters as they would need the win to get that seed. The Broncos’ offense has been frustrating all season long, but take the under if the Bengals beat Baltimore. Take the over if Baltimore wins.
L.A. Rams (+6) at Seattle Seahawks (O/U 41.5) (4:25 pm ET, FOX)
Baker Mayfield has rejuvenated the Rams’ offense, but the Seahawks can have a playoff shot if they win this game, while the Rams are out. Seattle barely beat the Rams with John Wolford running the Rams’ offense, but the Seahawks’ defense has rebounded, and Kenneth Walker III is running the ball effectively. Take the over.
Arizona Cardinals (+14) at San Francisco 49ers (O/U 40.5) (4:25 pm ET, FOX)
Arizona won’t have DeAndre Hopkins, and David Blough is starting at quarterback. This game should be over after the half or after three quarters, so the 49ers could limit exposure for Christian McCaffrey and Deebo Samuel (if he ends up playing at all). Take the under.
Detroit Lions (+4.5) at Green Bay Packers (O/U 49) (8:20 pm ET, NBC)
Detroit started 1-6 and has gone 7-2 since then, but the Packers have used their secondary, their running game, and Aaron Rodgers to turn a 4-8 start into an 8-8 record. Green Bay just has to win this game to get into the playoffs. This could be a bit of a track meet, or it could be another week when the Packers use their mental edge to demolish a divisional opponent. Take the under4.
NFL Betting Odds
Love betting NFL football? | Xbet Sportsbook offers up to date NFL lines
