NFL Week 18 Picks Against The Spread 2022: Predictions ATS, Betting Odds For 2021 Season Finale
The NFL Week 18 schedule features plenty of interesting betting lines with so many teams having little or nothing to play for in the regular-season finale. Four games feature a double-digit point spread. Three first-place teams are only favored by one score in matchups with last-place teams.
Here are picks against the spread for every game in Week 18 of the 2021-22 season, as well as updated betting odds. Betting lines come from FanDuel Sportsbook.
Kansas City Chiefs (-10) at Denver Broncos
Kansas City still has a shot at the No. 1 seed, so Patrick Mahomes and other starters won’t rest in the first game of Week 18. Not only is Mahomes 8-0 against Denver in his career, but four of the Chiefs’ last five wins over the Broncos have come by 13 points or more. Denver has scored 13 points or fewer in four of its last five games this season.
Prediction ATS: Kansas City
Dallas Cowboys (-7) at Philadelphia Eagles
Both teams will play on Wild-Card Weekend with little to gain in Saturday’s contest. The Cowboys are the No. 4 seed and unlikely to finish higher than No. 3. The Eagles will be the No. 6 or No. 7 seed. If the backup quarterbacks see any action, Philadelphia has the edge with Gardner Minshew waiting behind Jalen Hurts.
Prediction ATS: Philadelphia
Green Bay Packers (-2.5) at Detroit Lions
With a first-round bye locked up, the Packers would be smart to sit Aaron Rodgers and other starters for much of this game. The Lions play as hard as any team on a week-to-week basis with one of the NFL’s best records against the spread.
Prediction ATS: Detroit
Chicago Bears (+2.5) at Minnesota Vikings
As long as Kirk Cousins is on the field, this is a game the Vikings should win. Over their last 11 games, the Bears have not beaten a team that sits above them in the standings. Minnesota beat Chicago 17-9 just a few weeks ago.
Prediction ATS: Minnesota
Indianapolis Colts (-15.5) at Jacksonville Jaguars
Jacksonville looks worse and worse every week. The Jaguars have lost their last seven games by an average of 19.4 points. Trevor Lawrence has two touchdown passes and eight interceptions during that stretch. The Colts clinch a playoff spot with a win.
Prediction ATS: Indianapolis
Tennessee Titans (-10.5) at Houston Texans
The Titans will be motivated to crush the Texans and secure home-field advantage until the Super Bowl. Eight of Houston’s 12 losses have come by more than 10 points. Aside from matchups with the lowly Jets and Jaguars, the Texans are scoring 13.4 points per game. Tennessee has given up 9.8 points per game over the last four contests.
Prediction ATS: Tennessee
Washington Football Team (-6.5) at New York Giants
New York’s offense is barely functional at this point. The Giants have totaled just 276 passing yards in the last three weeks, and the team is down to third-string quarterback Jake Fromm. New York has scored fewer than 14 points and given up at least 20 points in six of the last seven games.
Prediction ATS: Washington
Pittsburgh Steelers (+4.5) at Baltimore Ravens
This game probably won’t be much different from the 20-19 Week 13 matchup that was decided by a failed Ravens two-point conversion attempt in the final seconds. Baltimore quarterbacks have been sacked a season-high 54 times. Pittsburgh leads the NFL with 52 sacks as T.J. Watt eyes the sack record.
Prediction ATS: Pittsburgh
Cincinnati Bengals (-2) at Cleveland Browns
The Browns are out of the playoff race, and it doesn’t make much sense for Baker Mayfield to start now that he’s headed for shoulder surgery. Joe Burrow could rest, as well, but any significant playing time for the quarterback should result in a Bengals victory. Burrow has the NFL’s second-best passer rating.
Prediction ATS: Cincinnati
New England Patriots (-7) at Miami Dolphins
Look for Miami to show some pride and look to play spoiler against their division rival as New England vies for the AFC East title. Opposing quarterbacks have an 85.1 passer rating against Miami. The Dolphins beat the Patriots 17-16 in Week 1.
Prediction ATS: Miami
New York Jets (+16.5) at Buffalo Bills
There’s too much uncertainty surrounding the Bills to lay nearly 17 points. The Bills have no chance to get a first-round bye. Sean McDermott has rested Josh Allen in past season finales when the Bills had little on the line before the playoffs.
Prediction ATS: New York
Carolina Panthers (+8) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Because Tampa Bay is guaranteed to host a playoff game next week, Tom Brady could rest for much of this contest. Chris Godwin and, of course, Antonio Brown won't play for the Bucs. Carolina can keep it close if Blaine Gabbert sees extended time under center.
Prediction ATS: Carolina
New Orleans Saints (-4.5) at Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons beat the Saints earlier this season when Trevor Siemian started under center. With Taysom Hill at quarterback, this should be another close contest. The Saints rank 28th in total offense and have scored fewer than 19 points in three of Hill’s four starts.
Prediction ATS: Atlanta
Seattle Seahawks (+6.5) at Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals easily beat the Seahawks in Week 11 when Kyler Murray didn’t play. A win over Detroit doesn’t mean Seattle’s problems have been fixed. This might very well be the final game of the Russell Wilson-Pete Carroll era.
Prediction ATS: Arizona
San Francisco 49ers (+4) at Los Angeles Rams
Kyle Shanahan appears to have Sean McVay’s number, leading the 49ers to five straight wins over the Rams. San Francisco is giving up 15.8 points over the last eight games and held L.A. to just 10 points in a Week 10 victory. Matthew Stafford has thrown 11 interceptions in the last eight games.
Prediction ATS: San Francisco
Los Angeles Chargers (-2.5) at Las Vegas Raiders
In what should be a de facto play-in game, the Chargers will come out on top. Even in their three-game winning streak, the Raiders’ offense has struggled. Las Vegas has scored 17 points or fewer in seven of its last nine games. Los Angeles is sixth in scoring. Justin Herbert is tied for third in passing touchdowns, and Las Vegas ranks 26th in opponents’ passer rating.
Prediction ATS: Los Angeles
Season Record: 117-134-5
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