Jan 3, 2023
NFL Preview - Week 18
NFL Week 18 Preview
Kansas City Chiefs at Las Vegas Raiders (+7.5, O/U 52.5)
Where to watch
Saturday, January 7th, 4:35 PM EST at Allegiant Stadium
Kansas City Chiefs at Las Vegas Raiders
Las Vegas lost a close one to the 49ers last week and now faces one of the best teams in the league. The Chiefs have proven that they don’t like blowing teams out and somehow always keep it close even against inferior teams. They typically do just enough to get a win every week. The Raiders should be able to move the ball but there is no guarantee that they can get a win late in the game as they are the first team to lose 5 games with double-digit leads this season. The offensive firepower is there to put up points against a Chiefs team that may have their foot off the gas as they cruise into the playoffs regardless of the result.
Expert Pick:
Tennessee Titans at Jacksonville Jaguars (-6.5, O/U 38.5)
Where to watch
Saturday, January 7th, 8:20 PM EST at TIAA Bank Field
Tennessee Titans at Jacksonville Jaguars
The Titans dropped one to the Cowboys last Thursday night but played better than expected. The Jaguars have been on a roll lately and with a win over the Titans they will see the playoffs. The Titans are going to show up and play hard but they will be starting 3rd string quarterback Joshua Dobbs. Derrick Henry always has the ability to gain big yards on the ground but with the lack of playmaking ability at QB and the receiver position, the Titans may struggle against the high-powered Jaguars offense.
Expert Pick:
Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers (-4.5, O/U 49.5)
Where to watch
Sunday, January 8th, 8:25 PM at Lambeau Field
Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers
Detroit and Green Bay are in a must-win situation this Sunday. Both teams have been surging lately and need this win to move on to the playoffs. If the Lions win and the Seahawks lose they are in the playoffs for the first time in well over a decade. The Packers defense has looked better and they have been leaning on the run game for success. Detroit has an awful run defense and Green Bay is starting to get healthy on the offensive end of the ball. Regardless of the result, the Packers should have no problem scoring points against a hot and cold Detroit Lions.
Expert Pick:
Green Bay Packers Team Total Over 27 Points
Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears (+4, O/U 45.5)
Where to watch
Sunday, January 8th, 1:05 PM EST at Soldier Field
Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears
The Vikings are coming off a game where they embarrassed themselves at Lambeau Field and now they face another cold-weather outdoor opponent to wrap up their regular season. The Bears struggled to score against the Lions’ weak defense last week. The Vikings defense is really bad and they don’t NEED to win this game to make the playoffs. Justin Fields looks awesome out there but at some point, he will get injured running around like that. Every week he gets beaten up physically. The Vikings should be able to win this one easily but their motivation might not be there. Regardless, the Bears can’t be trusted right now.
Expert Pick:
Baltimore Ravens at Cincinnati Bengals (-7, O/U 42.5)
Where to watch
Sunday, January 8th, 1:05 PM EST at Paycor Stadium
Baltimore Ravens at Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals might still be shaken up from the Monday Night Football game that was postponed due to an in-game injury to Bills' safety Damar Hamlin. Both the Bengals and Ravens are still playoff viable so they will both be trying to win this game for better playoff positioning. The Ravens haven't had much success with their offense as they have been without their star quarterback. Their ability to move the ball has been stunted without Lamar running the show. The Bengals are getting healthy at the right part of the season and are poised to make another playoff run. Look for Joe Burrow to refocus the team and get ready for this divisional matchup.
Expert Pick:
Los Angeles Chargers at Denver Broncos (+3, O/U 40)
Where to watch
Sunday, January 8th, 1:30 PM at Empower Field
Los Angeles Chargers at Denver Broncos
The Chargers are in the playoffs and the Broncos are out. This has been a very disappointing season for the Broncos and they will most likely want to finish on a high note. Charger’s star QB Justin Herbert was pulled with 12 minutes left in the 4th quarter. The Chargers probably won’t be putting out their best players and putting forth their best effort against an already broken Denver Broncos squad. Without knowing who will play against the Broncos it’s difficult to back the Chargers in this spot on the road.
Expert Pick:
New York Jets at Miami Dolphins (PK, O/U 38.5)
Where to watch
Sunday, January 8th, 1:05 PM EST at Hard Rock Stadium
New York Jets at Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins have had a miserable end to their impressive season as Tua Tagovailoa is in concussion protocol yet again to the end of the season. The Jets & Dolphins still have a long shot at the playoffs depending on the result of this game and the result of the Patriots/Bills game. Considering the Dolphins are without their top quarterback and the Jets have struggled to score, the under might be the best option here. The Jets scored 6 points last week against the Seahawks and the Dolphins scored 21 against the Patriots.
Expert Pick:
New York Jets and Miami Dolphins Under 38.5 Points
Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints (-3.5, O/U 41.5)
Where to watch
Sunday, January 8th, at 1:05 PM EST at Caesars Superdome
Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints
Both these NFC South teams are out of a playoff spot and are only playing for pride at this point. The Panthers are going to feel absolutely gutted after being so close to locking in a playoff birth and now don’t have anything left in the tank. While the Saints don’t have a shot at continuing their season they have been playing better lately and are always a tough opponent at home. The Panthers might not have much energy left to battle it out.
Expert Pick:
New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles (-13.5, O/U 42.5)
Where to watch
Sunday, January 8th, at 4:30 PM EST at Lincoln Financial Field
New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles
The Giants are locked into the 6th seed and are expected to rest their starters while the Eagles will be battling for the top seed and a first-round bye. Philadelphia has now lost back-to-back games and has not been able to clinch the 1 seed for the NFC. The Eagles are limited with Minshew at QB but Jaylen Hurts is rumored to play in this game. This is an interesting game between two divisional opponents, one with all the motivation to win and one without any motivation to win.
Expert Pick:
Philadelphia Eagles First Half -9
New England Patriots at Buffalo Bills (-7.5, O/U 42.5)
Where to watch
Sunday, January 8th, at 1:05 PM EST at Highmark Stadium
New England Patriots at Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills will have an interesting outlook on this one. The Bills’ safety Damar Hamlin is still in critical condition after a hit to Tee Higgins put him into cardiac arrest where he was transported to the hospital where he still remains. If the news on Hamlin is positive the Bills would have loads of momentum and should have no problem handling the Patriots. If the news is bad, the Bills will most likely be too devastated for everyone to be on board and focused enough to care enough about the game. This is an unprecedented situation in the NFL and the result may very well end up being determined by the mood of the Buffalo Bills.
Expert Pick:
New England Patriots and Buffalo Bills Under 43.5 Points
Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers (-14, O/U 40)
Where to watch
Sunday, January 8th, at 4:30 PM EST at Levi Stadium
Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers
This might be Cliff Kingsbury’s last game as head coach of the Arizona Cardinals. This has been a disaster of a season for them and they are on their 4th quarterback of the year. The 49ers continue to look like a Super Bowl contender even with rookie Brock Purdy leading them. The Cardinals don’t have anything left to play for and are already scheduling their vacations after the season is over. The Cards should get blasted by the 49ers this weekend.
Expert Pick:
San Francisco Team Total Over 27.5 Points
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Atlanta Falcons (-4, O/U 40.5)
Where to watch
Sunday, January 8th, at 1:05 PM EST at Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Atlanta Falcons
Tampa had been struggling lately but when they needed it the most, Tom Brady led an 8 play drive for 92 yards and a touchdown to Mike Evans last week to seal their playoff spot. Now that they are in the playoffs look for the coaches to rest their starters to get ready for a run. The Falcons don’t have anything left to play for but their head coach will make sure they are still fighting and playing hard until the last whistle. Look for rookie quarterback Desmond Ritter and the Atlanta offense to finish strong.
Expert Pick:
Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers (-3, O/U 40)
Where to watch
Sunday, January 8th, at 1:05 PM EST at Acrisure Stadium
Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers still have a chance to sneak into the playoffs and give Mike Tomlin another winning season. They are currently 8-8 and if they win can continue the head coach’s streak of never having a losing season, so the Steelers are definitely the more motivated squad in this matchup. The Browns look to wrap up their less-than-stellar season with a tough divisional opponent against a great defense. The Browns haven’t scored well at all this season and that should continue into this game. These two teams usually go under the total when they meet and that should be the case in this one as well.
Expert Pick:
Cleveland Browns Team Total Under 19 Points
Dallas Cowboys at Washington Commanders (+5.5, O/U 41)
Where to watch
Sunday, January 8th, at 4:30 PM EST at Fed Ex Field
Dallas Cowboys at Washington Commanders
Outside of their several-game win streak in the middle of the season, the Commanders have been struggling. Can’t imagine the Cowboys have any incentive to play this one tough as their eyes are already on the playoffs. The Commanders don’t have any interest in playing games with Carson Wentz as their leader and it shows. They much prefer Taylor Heinicke to be their quarterback but the coaching staff has been committed to Carson as the season wraps up. This Washington team is most likely focused on their upcoming mid-January vacations with their families than this game.
Expert Pick:
Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts (-2.5, O/U 38)
Where to watch
Sunday, January 8th, at 1:05 PM EST at Lucas Oil Stadium
Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts
Two terrible teams with nothing to play for. Houston has been playing some of the top teams closely. The Colts have been outscored by 3 touchdowns per game throughout the last month. If the Texans win and the Bears lose then Houston won’t get the number one pick, so they would be better off losing against the Colts. This is a mess of a game and there isn’t much incentive either way. The Colts may be the only move here just simply because they want to win the game and the Texans organization doesn’t stand to gain anything from winning this game. Neither teams nor players want to play this game.
Expert Pick:
Los Angeles Rams at Seattle Seahawks (-6.5, O/U 41.5)
Where to watch
Sunday, January 8th, at 4:30 PM EST at Lumen Field
Los Angeles Rams at Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks are coming off their best game in months. They looked like a team that could actually win and covers spreads. Kenneth Walker is healthy again and able to help this Seattle team move the ball without issue. The Rams will want to continue to see if they have a place for Baker Mayfield going forward. Cam Akers came off back-to-back 100-yard rushing games. He will be trying his hardest to continue his success for a contract. They should be able to stay within the number. If the Lions beat the Packers and if the Seahawks beat the Rams then Seattle will be in the playoffs, so the motivation sides with the Seahawks.
Expert Pick:
All odds provided by the William Hill Sportsbook
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