You won’t find many people that genuinely love betting on the final week of the NFL season. It’s hard to figure out which teams are resting their starters and how much each team will care about each game. That makes it very difficult to handicap how the week will go. And in some cases, even having the information isn’t enough. However, we know there’s a good chance people will be betting on Week 18 of the NFL season anyway. So, we’re going to do what we can to help. That said, keep an eye on our live VSiN programming throughout the week. Our VSiN hosts, analysts and guests will drop lineup news and whatever edges they find. But below you’ll find some stuff you might find interesting about each matchup, ranging from playoff scenarios to the 2025 NFL Draft order (all as of Thursday, January 2nd). Also, check out our Week 18 NFL bet hub for all of our content this week, including Steve Makinen’s advice for games with starters resting!
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Cleveland Browns at Baltimore Ravens – Saturday at 4:30 pm ET
If the Ravens win, they win the AFC North and will be the third seed in the AFC playoffs. If they lose, the Steelers can steal the division with a win over the Bengals. Baltimore would then be the No. 5 in the AFC. However, there might not be much intrigue here. The Ravens are favored by nearly three touchdowns, and the Browns are starting Bailey Zappe at quarterback. Honestly, while the division is a story in this game, the real thing to watch might be Lamar Jackson’s stats. Would a massive season finale help him secure his third league MVP award? Josh Allen is -300 to win the award for the first time in his career, but Jackson could make a late push. Allen won’t be playing much in Week 18.
Cincinnati Bengals at Pittsburgh Steelers – Saturday at 8:00 pm ET
The Bengals can make the playoffs with a win over the Steelers, along with a Broncos loss to the Patrick Mahomes-less Chiefs and a Dolphins loss to the 4-12 Jets. Cincinnati has won four games in a row, including an overtime win over Denver last week. Joe Burrow has been lighting opponents up to keep the team alive in this race, but this is going to be a tough one. While Pittsburgh’s place in the postseason is secure, the team can win the AFC North if Cleveland somehow upsets Baltimore. However, even if the Ravens lock up the division, the Steelers might be motivated by seeding. So, Mike Tomlin could opt to play the starters the entire game no matter what.
Houston Texans at Tennessee Titans – Sunday at 1:00 pm ET
The Texans are the No. 4 seed in the AFC playoffs. They won the AFC South and that will be their spot with a win or a loss. However, Houston head coach DeMeco Ryans did say that his starters will play — even if it’s just for a little. The direct quote was, “Well see how the game goes.” Titans fans should be hoping the Texans play their top guys most of this one. Tennessee is in the mix for the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots – Sunday at 1:00 pm ET
The Bills are locked into the No. 2 seed in the AFC, so they have no incentive to win this game. Buffalo is still starting Josh Allen in this game, but it does sound like Mitchell Trubisky will play most of the game. The Bills just want to extend Allen’s consecutive starts streak. This sets up a very interesting situation, as New England is currently picking first in the 2025 NFL Draft. Will the Patriots beat a shorthanded Bills team and lose out on an incredible long-term asset? While Drake Maye is long-term answer at quarterback, New England might want two-way star Travis Hunter. And even if the Patriots don’t, they can get a lot by trading the top selection.
New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles – Sunday at 1:00 pm ET
The Eagles are going to be the No. 2 seed in the NFC no matter what happens here, so Nick Sirianni will be resting his starters. That’s being viewed as a controversial call, as Saquon Barkley had a chance to break the rushing record. But Philadelphia needs to prioritize being healthy in the playoffs. Meanwhile, New York can probably use a loss in order to avoid further damaging its 2025 NFL Draft standing. Last week’s win over Indianapolis cost the Giants the top slot heading into Week 18. Another meaningless win here could be dooming for the franchise.
Jacksonville Jaguars at Indianapolis Colts – Sunday at 1:00 pm ET
The Colts won’t be in the postseason after their miserable loss to the Giants last week, so they don’t have anything to play for in this game. Meanwhile, the Jaguars would be better off losing. They’re currently slated to pick fifth in the 2025 NFL Draft, but moving up isn’t out of the question.
New Orleans Saints at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Sunday at 1:00 pm ET
The Buccaneers will win the NFC South with a win. And with a victory, along with a Los Angeles loss to Seattle, the Buccaneers will be the third seed in the NFC. That could very well be how this all plays out, as the Rams are resting their starters against the Seahawks. Seattle is favored by nearly a touchdown.
Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons – Sunday at 1:00 pm ET
With an unlikely Buccaneers loss to the Saints, the Falcons would win the NFC South with a win over the Panthers. But if Atlanta loses, the team misses the postseason. So, the Falcons are a pretty good bet to finish their season with a victory. However, it might not matter all that much.
Washington Commanders at Dallas Cowboys – Sunday at 1:00 pm ET
The Commanders will be the sixth seed in the NFC playoffs with a win over the Cowboys. However, a loss and a Packers win would mean Green Bay is No. 6. Dallas beat Washington 34-26 when the two teams met earlier in the season, and that was a home game for the Commanders. That said, this isn’t a gimme for Washington.
Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers – Sunday at 1:00 pm ET
This game only means something if the Commanders lose. Green Bay can earn the sixth seed in the NFC, but the starters are playing regardless. Matt LaFleur has already noted that, but it wouldn’t be surprising if they only play the first half.
Miami Dolphins at New York Jets – Sunday at 4:25 pm ET
The Dolphins won’t know what will be happening in the Broncos game, but a win and a Denver loss would put Miami in the playoffs. So, the team will be treating this like a playoff game. However, New York is known to win the meaningless ones, even though a loss here would help the team’s 2025 NFL Draft standing. This could be the final game of Aaron Rodgers’ career, so you know he’s going to want to go out with a win.
Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos – Sunday at 4:25 pm ET
If the Broncos win, they’re in. If they lose, they’ll be out if either the Bengals or Dolphins win. But Denver is going to feel good about its chances. While things fell apart a bit late in the year, the Chiefs won’t be playing Patrick Mahomes and several other starters here. So, if Denver’s season is going to be wrecked, it’ll be Carson Wentz holding the sledgehammer.
Seattle Seahawks at Los Angeles Rams – Sunday at 4:25 pm ET
The Rams won the NFC West and the Seahawks can’t make the playoffs. But Los Angeles can clinch the No. 3 in the NFC with a win. However, the Rams are resting their starters, opening the door for the Buccaneers to jump them in the seeding. But it is worth noting that Los Angeles’ backup quarterback is Jimmy Garoppolo and the team is high on other young players. So, the Rams might be big underdogs now, but it shouldn’t surprise anybody if they look competitive. After all, the Seahawks won’t have any motivation to win.
Los Angeles Chargers at Las Vegas Raiders – Sunday at 4:25 pm ET
The Chargers can move up from No. 6 to No. 5 by winning this game, and it’s a game the Raiders are better off losing. However, the Steelers can cement the Chargers as the No. 6 with a win on Saturday, so this could be a meaningless game for Los Angeles. We haven’t gotten any word on whether the Chargers will sit their starters, but Jim Harbaugh doesn’t seem like much of a rest guy.
San Francisco 49ers at Arizona Cardinals – Sunday at 4:25 pm ET
With both of these teams having barely missed out on the playoffs, this is one of the more meaningless Week 18 games. Neither one of these teams will be selecting near the top of the 2025 NFL Draft, and they don’t have any incentive to win either.
Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions – Sunday at 8:20 pm ET
The winner of this game will have home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs, as they’ll finish with the best record in the conference and win the NFC North. The loser end up as the No. 5, going on the road for a meeting with the No. 4 in the opening round of the playoffs. So, this is the biggest game of the week, by far.
