Here we go, it’s Week 18, and as things stand now, the Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks are tied for the top Super Bowl odds at +550.
Speaking of the Seahawks, they face the San Francisco 49ers this week, and the winner will be the No. 1 seed in the NFC.
Two other storylines to watch:
• Carolina Panthers vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The winner of this game could be crowned the NFC South champion. However, if the Atlanta Falcons beat the New Orleans Saints, the Panthers will win the NFC South, regardless of the outcome of this matchup.
• Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Baltimore Ravens: The winner wins the AFC North.
Check out my prediction for these games and the rest of the slate below in a week where we could see plenty of backups.
While the Panthers took down the Buccaneers 23-20 in Week 16, I’m leaning toward the Buccaneers at home.
The Buccaneers mostly play Cover-3, and Panthers quarterback Bryce Young has three touchdowns and five interceptions against it.
Remember, though: If the Falcons beat the Saints, the Panthers will win the NFC South, regardless of the outcome of this game.
PREDICTION: Buccaneers -2.5 (-118)
There’s no way I’m going against the 49ers and QB Brock Purdy at home. They’ve put up 90 points over the last two games, and Purdy has eight touchdown passes and two interceptions in that span.
Also, there’s a chance tight end George Kittle could suit up.
The 49ers will be the No. 1 seed in the NFC and could play home games all the way through the playoffs as Super Bowl 60 will be hosted on their home field.
PREDICTION: 49ers +1.5 (-110)
If the Panthers lose to the Buccaneers, the Falcons will be big fans of that result.
The Falcons and QB Kirk Cousins are coming off a win over the Rams, and they also beat the Saints at their place in Week 12.
Riding a three-game winning streak, I predict the Falcons win and cover, leading to one of the weirdest division-clinching scenarios we’ve seen in some time.
With the Falcons' win, the Panthers can clinch the NFC South as an 8-9 squad.
PREDICTION: Falcons -3.5 (-102)
The Browns could be without both TE Harold Fannin Jr. and guard Teven Jenkins.
Yes, the Bengals have one of the worst NFL defences in recent memory, but with all of the injuries on the Browns’ side, they’re too low on weapons to compete with Bengals QB Joe Burrow.
PREDICTION: Bengals -7.5 (-110)
It’s unclear whether Jordan Love, Malik Willis or potentially even Clayton Tune will be under centre for the Packers.
Also, the Packers are locked into the No. 7 seed no matter what, so we could see more backups.
Regardless, I’m leaning toward the Packers in this spot because there’s a chance the Vikings again roll with Max Brosmer, who’s coming off a game where he completed nine passes for 51 yards.
PREDICTION: Packers +6 (-110)
It’s unclear what the Cowboys’ motivation could be heading into this game, but running back Javonte Williams, TE Jake Ferguson and wide receiver Ryan Flournoy are on the injury report.
This could be a spot for backup QB Joe Milton to get on the field.
As for the Giants, I expect them to play their starters because these are important reps for rookie QB Jaxson Dart.
I’ll take the points.
PREDICTION: Giants +3.5 (-115)
The Jaguars have a chance to move up from their No. 3 seeding. They also have a chance to lose the AFC South if they were to lose this game and the Houston Texans beat the Indianapolis Colts.
While I think they’ll win, the Titans have actually played well recently, with rookie QB Cam Ward throwing eight touchdowns over his last four games.
Jaguars win, but Titans cover.
PREDICTION: Titans +12.5 (-115)
Although it’s not confirmed, it appears that the Colts might give QB Riley Leonard the start in this spot after the three-game run with Philip Rivers.
If so, I’m not confident Leonard will be able to move the ball much at all against a motivated Texans squad.
PREDICTION: Texans -10.5 (-105)
With the Bills losing to the Philadelphia Eagles, they’re going to be on the road in the wild-card round no matter what.
That said, this is going to be the Bills’ final home game at Highmark Stadium, so I expect there to be motivation to keep the starters on the field.
After all, there is a chance they could land the No. 5 seed and play the winner of the AFC North on the road, which, based on the current teams in the playoffs, may be the “best” matchup to draw.
PREDICTION: Bills -7 (-110)
The Bears don’t have a chance at the No. 1 seed, but they could land as the No. 3 seed with a loss and an Eagles win.
It hasn’t outright been said, but based on comments made by Bears head coach Ben Johnson, saying, “We’re playing to win this week,” the starters should be out there.
I also don’t expect the Lions to sit their starters, even though they're out of the playoffs.
The Lions and QB Jared Goff pulverized the Bears earlier this season, dropping 52 points on them. While I don’t expect that to happen again, this is a division game, and I don’t think the Lions will roll over.
I’ll take the points.
PREDICTION: Lions +3 (-118)
The Chargers are resting their starters, and if the Broncos win, they lock up the No. 1 seed in the AFC. I predict an easy Broncos win and cover at home.
PREDICTION: Broncos -12.5 (-110)
Please, for your own sanity, don’t watch this game. That said, I suppose I’ll take the points with the Raiders at home as they have the better QB. I hope no one got tickets to this game for Christmas.
PREDICTION: Raiders +5.5 (-110)
If the 49ers beat the Seahawks, the Rams are locked into the No. 6 seed in the NFC. However, if the 49ers were to lose, the Rams, with a win, would be the No. 5 seed, putting them on the road against the winner of the NFC South.
Based on my predictions here, I believe the 49ers will win. Thus, the Rams could sit their starters. That said, QB Matthew Stafford is still pushing for the MVP award.
I’ll lean toward the Rams -7.5.
PREDICTION: Rams -7.5 (-102)
There’s no chance the Patriots rest their starters with QB Drake Maye in the driver’s seat for the MVP award.
That said, against Cover-2 and Cover-3, the coverages the Dolphins most often play, Maye has six touchdown passes and three interceptions. Also, the Dolphins are coming off a big win over the Buccaneers last week.
I expect the Patriots to win at home and for Maye to cap off his MVP run, but the Dolphins will keep it within 10.
PREDICTION: Dolphins +10.5 (-110)
There’s no universe in which I’m taking the Commanders with Josh Johnson under centre against an Eagles team that could end up as the No. 2 or No. 3 seed.
PREDICTION: Eagles -7 (-110)
The Steelers' offence looked miserable last week against the Browns without WR D.K. Metcalf, but there’s still no official word yet on whether Ravens QB Lamar Jackson will play.
At home, I’ll lean toward the Steelers. They’ll have defensive end T.J. Watt back in action most likely, and he’ll single-handedly prevent points from being scored.
PREDICTION: Steelers +3.5 (-115)
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