As we enter the final week of the 2023 NFL season, a record 20 teams have either clinched a postseason spot or remain alive with playoff hopes.
Which teams are motivated to play? Whose starters will rest? You need to answer those questions before betting on the final week of the NFL’s regular season.
Steelers vs. Ravens and Texans vs. Colts kick things off on Saturday, and both games have playoff implications. The biggest game of the week comes last on Sunday Night Football when the Bills travel to Miami in a game that will decide the AFC East.
Let’s examine NFL Week 18 odds with an eye on all the playoff possibilities that exist.
Odds for Week 18 of the 2023-24 NFL season
Check out the latest NFL betting odds for Week 18 on top sports betting apps.
The Steelers need to win on Saturday to have any chance of making the playoffs. The Ravens locked up the AFC’s No. 1 playoff seed after last week’s rout of the Dolphins.
Steelers (9-7 SU, 9-7 ATS) vs. Ravens (13-3 SU, 11-5 ATS)
Pittsburgh needs help to crash the postseason party, but first it must take care of business in Baltimore. Head coach Mike Tomlin is sticking with Mason Rudolph at quarterback despite Kenny Pickett being back to full strength.
The Steelers have won six of their last seven games against the Ravens. The last five games between these two teams have gone UNDER the total.
The Ravens are locked into the No. 1 seed, and there’s a chance that Lamar Jackson and other key starters could sit this one out. That’s reflected in the betting line, of course, and we’ll have to wait on word of who’s in or out before making a bet on the side here.
Texans (9-7 SU, 8-8 ATS) vs. Colts (9-7 SU, 9-7 ATS)
It’s win and get in the postseason for both of these teams, who can also win the AFC South if Jacksonville loses to Tennessee. Indianapolis can actually win the division if the Jaguars tie the Titans.
Houston QB CJ Stroud (concussion) returned last week to lead the Texans to a 26-3 win over the Titans. Stroud threw for 213 yards, a TD, and no picks.
Keep an eye on the total here. Indianapolis has played to the OVER in five straight games at home.
Bills (11-5 SU, 6-10 ATS) vs. Dolphins (11-5 SU, 10-6 ATS)
Buffalo enters SNF as a short road favorite over Miami, which has already clinched a playoff berth. The Bills can win the AFC East with a victory here.
The Bills can also make the playoffs under these scenarios:
Steelers loss or tie vs. RavensJaguars loss or tie vs. Titans Texans-Colts tie
Buffalo manhandled Miami, 48-20, back in Week 4. The Bills have owned the Dolphins with Josh Allen at QB. Buffalo is 10-1 SU in its last 11 games versus Miami.
Check & Bet: Super Bowl Futures Odds | Best NFL Betting Promos & Bonuses
Rest of NFL Week 18 games & playoff implications
Here’s a look at the rest of the NFL Week 18 slate and playoff implications (or not) for the teams involved.
Falcons (NFC South title) vs. Saints (NFC South title) Browns (none, eliminated) vs. Bengals (none, eliminated) Vikings (wildcard) vs. Lions (none, already in) Jets (none, eliminated) vs. Pats (none, eliminated) Bucs (win and in) vs. Panthers (none, eliminated) Jags (win and in) vs. Titans (none, eliminated) Bears (none, eliminated) vs. Packers (win and in) Cowboys (NFC East title) vs. Commanders (none, eliminated) Broncos (none, eliminated) vs. Raiders (none, eliminated) Chiefs (none, already in) vs. Chargers (none, eliminated) Rams (none, already in) vs. 49ers (none, already in as No. 1 seed) Eagles (NFC East) vs. Giants (none, eliminated) Seahawks (wildcard) vs. Cardinals (none, eliminated)
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Author(s)
Kris Johnson is lead writer with Catena Media. With more than 15 years in sports journalism, his work has been featured in Sports Business Journal, Sports Business Daily, The Sporting News, NASCAR Illustrated, and more.
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