NFL MATCHUPS
Five teams — the Indianapolis Colts, Los Angeles Chargers, Baltimore Ravens, Pittsburgh Steelers and Las Vegas Raiders — are still alive for two remaining AFC playoff spots, while only the San Francisco 49ers and the New Orleans Saints are competing for the NFC’s final berth. With only divisional games on the schedule, though, long-eliminated teams can play spoiler to their rivals, adding a bit of drama.
The 49ers’ road to the playoffs goes through the Los Angeles Rams. There will be a desperate attempt to slip into the postseason for the Steelers and the Ravens before the Raiders’ and Chargers’ winner-take-all matchup in prime time.
Here’s a look at NFL Week 18.
Last week’s record: 8-8
BROADCAST LOCALLY Packers at Lions
11 a.m. Fox
Line: Packers -2.5 Total: 42.5
The Packers (13-3), having already secured the NFC’s top seed and a firstround playoff bye, will rest their starters, resulting in the low spread against the otherwise outmatched Lions (2-13-1). Coach Matt LaFleur said Green Bay will approach the season finale “like any other game,” regardless of the risk for injuries in a meaningless game. Approach that statement with skepticism but bet the Packers with your eyes closed.
Pick: Packers -2.5
Steelers at Ravens
11 a.m. CBS
Line: Ravens -4 Total: 42.5
The Ravens (8-8), losers of five straight, are alive in part because of the ineffectiveness of the rest of the AFC North. Baltimore can make the postseason by beating the division-rival Steelers (8-7-1) and getting help in the form of losses from the Colts, Chargers and Dolphins.
But Pittsburgh, with a marginally better postseason chance, will be a tough matchup. The Steelers barely outlasted the Ravens in Week 13 when Baltimore failed to convert a 2-point attempt at the end of regulation. Pittsburgh’s defense has played well enough in two of the past three games — forcing six turnovers and 13 sacks against the Titans and Browns — that the Steelers could cover, or win outright. In the case of the latter, and with a Colts loss, Ben Roethlisberger’s final season could be extended into the playoffs.
Pick: Steelers +4
49ers at Rams
2:25 p.m. Fox
Line: Rams -4 Total: 44
It’d be tempting to think Los Angeles might rest its starters, but Cooper Kupp needs just 12 catches for 136 yards to break the single-season receiving records in both categories, and the Rams (124) need a victory to win the NFC West and have a shot at the No. 2 seed in the playoffs. The team also hasn’t beaten the 49ers (9-7) since 2018 — five consecutive games. San Francisco has had the upper hand. Its run game and quick throws negate Aaron Donald and the Rams’ potent pass rush, and coach Kyle Shanahan has shown that he can consistently outscheme Sean McVay. It’s unclear whether Trey Lance will start again in place of Jimmy Garoppolo (finger), but the running game is so effective and Deebo Samuel and George Kittle carry such loads. The 49ers should clinch the NFC’s final playoff spot.
Pick: 49ers +4
Panthers at Buccaneers
4:25 p.m. Fox
Line: Buccaneers -8 Total: 41.5 Coach Bruce Arians cut Antonio Brown from the Buccaneers (12-4) after his odd episode on the sideline last week when he refused to enter the game. Brown’s absence will drastically affect Tampa Bay’s offense, which was already short-handed without receiver Chris Godwin (ACL tear) and running back Leonard Fournette, who is recovering from a hamstring injury.
Tom Brady and the rest of the Buccaneers should still suffice against the Panthers (5-11), who have not scored more than 20 points in any of their past three games no matter if Cam Newton or Sam Darnold was starting. Whether or not Brady can depend on second-string receivers in the playoffs remains to be seen, but Tampa Bay can surely outpace Carolina.
Pick: Buccaneers -8
Chargers at Raiders
6:20 p.m. NBC
Line: Chargers -2.5 Total: 49.5 Other teams’ playoff scenarios are complicated. The equation is simple for the Chargers (9-7) and the Raiders (9-7): Win and get in.
The Raiders crept into this position on a three-game winning streak during which they eked out one-score victories and Derek Carr completed 74 percent of his passes. Of course, those wins came against the coronavirus-depleted Browns, the painfully average Broncos and the Colts led by a rusty Carson Wentz.
Justin Herbert should feast on Las Vegas’s defense as he did in their Week 4 meeting, when he threw for 222 yards and three touchdowns. Las Vegas has allowed more than 240 passing yards five times and tends to crumble in key moments.
Pick: Chargers -2.5
OTHER GAMES Colts at Jaguars
11 a.m.
Line: Colts -15.5 Total: 44
This is the linchpin game for the rest of the AFC. The Jaguars (2-14) are one game away from a merciful ending to a disastrous season. The Colts (9-7) need to win not only for their playoff berth but also because a loss would create chaos for other wild-card hopefuls.
Carson Wentz looked wobbly in his fast-track return from the COVID-19 list last week, throwing for only 148 yards and completing less than 50 percent of his passes in a loss to the Raiders. Jacksonville’s defense, should allow him to rebound easily. Having Jonathan Taylor, the league’s rushing leader, in the backfield to help run out the clock helps, too.
Pick: Colts -15.5
Bears at Vikings
11 a.m.
Line: Vikings -3 Total: 44.5
Both the Bears (6-10) and the Vikings (7-9) have been eliminated and both teams are expected to look for new head coaches. Kirk Cousins, who contracted the coronavirus last week, is expected to play, and his return should lift Minnesota after its dismal showing against Green Bay last week. Though the Bears have won their past two games, it’s tough to imagine them covering on the road.
Pick: Vikings -3
Washington at Giants
11 a.m.
Line: Washington -6.5 Total: 38.5 Washington (6-10) showed life in the middle of the season, winning four straight, but a loss to the Cowboys in Week 14 and a coronavirus outbreak that caused a game to be rescheduled killed its momentum. The Giants (4-12) have played horridly all year, and the profanity-laced rant by coach Joe Judge after their drubbing in Chicago last week epitomized the organization’s frustration. Expect Washington to win easily and then enter the offseason focused on fixing its roster, name, mascot and, hopefully, its stadium.
Pick: Washington +6.5
Titans at Texans
11 a.m.
Line: Titans -10.5 Total: 43
The team officially designated Derrick Henry for return this week from surgery to repair a foot injury that has kept him out since the end of October. Tennessee’s offense has regrouped now that receiver A.J. Brown is healthy, and D’Onta Foreman, who rushed for 132 yards last week, is also capable of providing starting-caliber production.
The Texans (4-12) shockingly upset the Chargers last week, but it’s unlikely that Houston will pull off a win against the Titans (11-5), who will want to bury this one early with the AFC’s No. 1 seed — and a bye week — on the line.
Pick: Titans -10.5
Bengals at Browns
11 a.m.
Line: Bengals -2 Total: 42.5
Joe Burrow told reporters Wednesday that he will not play Sunday to rest before the playoffs, and its unclear whether many other Bengals (10-6) starters will, too. Baker Mayfield will be out for a shoulder surgery while the Browns (7-9) continue their limp toward the exit.
The spread acknowledges the lineup holes, but Cleveland has been clobbered in its past two games and it’s hard to bet on a team that’s already so checked out.
Pick: Bengals -2
Saints at Falcons
2:25 p.m.
Line: Saints -4.5 Total: 40
The Saints (8-8) can clinch a postseason spot if they beat the Falcons (7-9) and the 49ers lose. But given New Orleans’s unpredictability and the enmity between the two rivals, Atlanta could play spoiler. A.J. Terrell has emerged as one of the league’s best cornerbacks, and rookie tight end Kyle Pitts was named to the Pro Bowl. Atlanta beat the Saints in Week 9 and has the players to keep the score close.
Pick: Atlanta +4.5
Jets at Bills
2:25 p.m.
Line: Bills -16.5 Total: 43
The Jets (4-12) narrowly lost to Tampa Bay last week and have shown that they have building blocks to develop the franchise. None of that matters to the Bills (106), though, who need to win to clinch the AFC East and secure a home playoff game. They are capable of blowing out the Jets, but that depends on Josh Allen protecting the ball (he threw two interceptions in the first half against Atlanta last week). If he does, Buffalo fans should have their folding tables ready.
Pick: Bills -16.5
Patriots at Dolphins
2:25 p.m.
Line: Patriots -6.5 Total: 40
Miami was eliminated from playoff contention last week with a blunt end to its seven-game win streak, and could go out with a whimper against the Patriots (106). Since 2016, though, the late-season matchups between these two have been trap games: The Dolphins are 4-7 against the Patriots over that period, with all four of those wins coming in the second meeting.
Mac Jones has matured into an Offensive Rookie of the Year candidate for New England, Damien Harris has improved his ball security over the season and the defense now allows the third-fewest yards per game (311.6). New England is building steam before the playoffs and a win here clinches the division (if the Bills also lose). It should sidestep the trap.
Pick: Patriots -6.5
Seahawks at Cardinals
2:25 p.m.
Line: Cardinals -6.5 Total: 48
The Cardinals (11-5) can rebound and reclaim the NFC West by defeating the Seahawks (6-10), if the Rams also lose to the 49ers. Seattle should be energized, as this could be Russell Wilson and coach Pete Carroll’s last game together, but Arizona has more to play for.
Pick: Cardinals -6.5