NFL Week 18 is upon us. The 2022 NFL season finale games will be played across the league with all 32 teams in play. This massive NFL betting slate will be played in a two-day window on Saturday and Sunday.
There are no more Thursday or Monday games.
The final week of the NFL season could go either way. Some of these finals are loaded with meaningful games while others are not.
This year, we have more of the former.
There are 14 total playoff berths between the AFC and NFC. Although only three berths remain up for grabs, two in the AFC and one in the NFC, there is a lot to play for when it comes to playoff seeding in both conferences.
Anthony Cervino’s 2022 NFL Best Bets Record: 35-56 (-28.5 Units)
All NFL odds and lines are current as of noon ET, on Tuesday, Jan. 3, at Caesars Sportsbook.
Week 18 NFL Featured Best Bet
Keep up with the best NFL odds for Week 18 games
Week 18 Best Bet: Lions vs Packers
Packers -4.5 (-110) at Caesars Sportsbook
WAGER: 1 Unit
The Packers control their own destiny. They need a win over the Lions at home to get into the NFL Playoffs.
Both the Packers and Lions are two of the hottest teams in football, as the Lions have won seven of their past nine games while the Packers are riding a four-game winning streak.
However, when it comes to meaningful games at the end of the season, erring on the side of Aaron Rodgers and the Packers is the right way to lean, especially when the game is in Green Bay.
The Packers are 4-0 against the spread in their past four games. The home team is also 6-0 ATS in their past six meetings between these two clubs.
Taking into consideration that the Lions are a different team at home versus on the road, this should be a game where Detroit’s magic fades.
Week 18 Best Bet: Cowboys vs Commanders
Cowboys -5.5 (-110) at Caesars Sportsbook
WAGER: 1 Unit
The Cowboys still have something to play for in Week 18, which is why I don’t expect them to take their foot off the gas. If the Eagles lose to the Giants, Dallas can still win the NFC East.
The No. 1 seed is also up for grabs with an Eagles and 49ers loss and a Cowboys win, as well.
The Commanders were eliminated from postseason contention in last week’s loss to the Browns thanks to another Carson Wentz meltdown. Washington may want to play spoiler, but this is a team that has imploded following a somewhat promising start to the year.
Turning to Wentz could have caused Ron Rivera to lose the locker room, as well.
The Commanders have failed to cover the NFL point spread in four straight games. Furthermore, when it comes to the Cowboys-Commanders rivalry, the favorite is 6-2 ATS in their past eight meetings with the Cowboys covering in three straight.
Week 18 Best Bet: Rams vs Seahawks
Seahawks -6.5 (-110) at Caesars Sportsbook
WAGER: 1 Unit
The Seahawks are one of three teams in play for the final playoff berth in the NFC. They must win to stay alive, and the good thing is that they will host the Rams.
Seattle has dropped five of their past seven games but righted the ship in last week’s home win over the Jets. The Rams have won two of their past four games, but they are a hard team to trust with an erratic Baker Mayfield under center.
The Rams have owned the Seahawks both in the win column and when it comes to covering the spread. However, this is not the same Rams team we are accustomed to seeing.
The home team is 5-2 ATS in the past seven games played between these two clubs. This is a trend to follow in Week 18.
Week 18 Best Bet: Jets vs Dolphins
Under 38.5 (-110) at Caesars Sportsbook
WAGER: 1 Unit
When the Jets and Dolphins face off in the season finale, we will see two teams that started off the year hot but fizzled down the stretch. Most notably, due to quarterback play.
The Jets were exposed when it comes to Mike White and Zach Wilson. The Dolphins can’t seem to keep their starter in place due to recurring injuries.
Despite both sides entering Week 18 on five-game losing streaks, the Dolphins are still hanging on to their playoff lives. The Jets were knocked out of contention last week, but the Dolphins must win and need some help to get in.
When it comes to the total of this game, expect it to go Under 38.5. The Jets have scored fewer than 17 points in three straight games while the Dolphins’ offense is night and day sans Tua Tagovailoa.
The Under is also 6-1 in Miami’s past seven games at home.
Week 18 Best Bet: Titans vs Jaguars
Jaguars -6.5 (-110) at Caesars Sportsbook
WAGER: 1 Unit
The AFC South is one of the worst divisions in the NFL. But the division title is up for grabs in Week 18.
Contrary to years past, the Jaguars are the superior team. They are the now and the future.
The Titans have dropped six straight games and are 0-4-2 ATS in that time period. Meanwhile, the Jaguars are 5-1 in their past six games, winners of four straight.
They have covered the spread in all of the games they have won.
Despite Tennessee’s historical dominance over the Jaguars dating back to 2017, this is not the same Titans team. They are down to their third-string quarterback and have been bitten by the injury bug.
This is also not the same Jaguars team, either. They have an upper-echelon quarterback and a Super Bowl-winning head coach leading the locker room.
The Jaguars should take this game convincingly barring an implosion.
