The final week of the NFL regular season is rarely short on intrigue.
If you need a reminder, just look back at last year when the 2-14 Jaguars upset the Colts to prevent their AFC South rivals from making the playoffs. We also witnessed the most electric near-tie in NFL history as the Raiders outlasted the Chargers in overtime of a game that would’ve sent both to the playoffs if it ended in a stalemate.
Week 18 of the 2022 campaign should be equally electric, with 16 divisional matchups to close out the schedule for the 13th consecutive season. A winner-take-all showdown for the AFC South will headline Saturday’s doubleheader, while the final NFC playoff spot will be awarded on Sunday.
Here are the current Week 18 NFL odds and lines for the 2022 season.
Week 18 NFL Odds & Lines
Week 18 NFL odds are courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook unless otherwise noted and are current as of Monday, Jan. 2 at 2 p.m. ET. Be sure to keep tabs on all of our current NFL odds leading into NFL Week 18.
Week 18 NFL Games
Kansas City Chiefs @ Las Vegas Raiders (Jan. 7, 4:30 p.m.)
Chiefs -9.5 (-110) @ Raiders +9.5 (-110)
Regardless of what happens on Monday night between the Bengals and Bills, the Chiefs will have a shot to earn the AFC’s No. 1 seed with a win in Week 18. Whether or not they can clinch on their own or will need help from New England, who visits Buffalo on Sunday, remains to be seen.
Given the motivation and large spread, oddsmakers are expecting to see Patrick Mahomes and the starters feature prominently against Jarrett Stidham and the Raiders. Still, Stidham was superb in his first NFL start Sunday against the 49ers, and could certainly deliver a backdoor cover for Las Vegas if this gets out of hand early.
I’d lean toward taking the points with the home team, but I’m hesitant to think Stidham can back up that exceptional performance with another one.
Tennessee Titans @ Jacksonville Jaguars (Jan. 7, 8:15 p.m.)
Titans +6.5 (-110) @ Jaguars -6.5 (-110)
The AFC South title comes down to this Week 18 matchup, as the surging Jaguars will host the reeling Titans on Saturday night.
Outside of a rest disadvantage, all signs point to Jacksonville completing this remarkable comeback after a 2-6 start. The Jags have a better quarterback in Trevor Lawrence, a more talented complement of weapons, and a healthier defense.
It’s hard to see a Mike Vrabel-coached team going down easily, even with Josh Dobbs starting at quarterback, but I’d take Jacksonville at less than a touchdown.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Atlanta Falcons (Jan. 8, 1 p.m. ET)
Buccaneers +3 (+100) @ Falcons -3 (-120)
Tom Brady and the Buccaneers clinched the NFC South on Sunday, so this game is essentially meaningless to both teams, but Tampa Bay head coach Todd Bowles indicated Monday that he won’t be resting his starters against the Falcons.
If that’s the case, there’s plenty of value to be had on taking the underdogs here against an Atlanta team focused on evaluating Desmond Ridder.
Houston Texans @ Indianapolis Colts
Texans +2.5 (-110) @ Colts -2.5 (-110)
This might be one of the ugliest NFL games in recent memory.
Sam Ehlinger will get the start at quarterback for the Colts after Nick Foles suffered a rib injury in last week’s blowout loss to the Giants. Meanwhile, the Texans will likely continue to go with a mix of Davis Mills and Jeff Driskel.
Houston has been the more competitive team of late and a win won’t hurt their draft stock all that much, especially since Chicago already has a franchise quarterback. Ideally, I’d want a three, but it’s Texans or nothing for me.
New England Patriots @ Buffalo Bills
Patriots +7.5 (-110) @ Bills -7.5 (-110)
If the Bills lose on Monday night and the Chiefs win on Saturday, Buffalo could arrive at its season finale with very little to play for. Meanwhile, the Patriots control their own destiny for the final wild card spot in the AFC.
There could be some value here on New England depending on how things play out, but the Bills could also very well be playing for a bye and the No. 1 seed. This is Patriots or nothing for me.
New York Jets @ Miami Dolphins
Jets +2.5 (-110) @ Dolphins -2.5 (-110)
Both teams have lost five straight games, but only the Dolphins still have a chance to reach the postseason.
However, those hopes now likely lie on the shoulders of rookie quarterback Skylar Thompson, who could be forced to start with Teddy Bridgewater (broken finger) out and Tua Tagovailoa (concussion) still in the protocol.
The Jets are definitely a team that would win a meaningless game after losing five straight to sink their own playoff hopes, so I’d be comfortable taking the points here.
Minnesota Vikings @ Chicago Bears
Vikings -1.5 (-110) @ Bears +1.5 (-110)
After getting throttled by the Packers on Sunday in Green Bay, the Vikings are no longer in contention for the NFC’s No. 1 seed and are expected to rest a bulk of their starters Sunday against the Bears.
Meanwhile, Chicago has lost nine games in a row and still has a chance at the No. 1 pick in April’s NFL Draft with a loss and a Houston victory. Justin Fields is 63 yards away from the NFL’s single-season QB rushing record, so I’d expect him to play as long as it takes to surpass that mark, but it’s hard to back either side with confidence.
Carolina Panthers @ New Orleans Saints
Panthers +3.5 (-110) @ Saints -3.5 (-110)
The Panthers haven’t won in New Orleans since 2018 and after last week’s deflating loss to Tampa Bay, it would be a bit of a shock to see Sam Darnold and co. break that streak here.
Both teams have nothing to play for, but Carolina is missing a lot of key pieces on defense and New Orleans just got Marshon Lattimore back last week.
I think the Saints win at home, but laying the points isn’t all that intriguing.
Cleveland Browns @ Pittsburgh Steelers
Browns +3 (-105) @ Steelers -3 (-105)
What more can you say about Mike Tomlin and his coaching staff?
The Steelers never say die, and rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett has come up clutch in the fourth quarter each of the last two weeks to keep Pittsburgh’s postseason hopes alive.
Deshaun Watson and the Browns will pose one last test for Pittsburgh, which needs a win and some help to make the playoffs. I’d expect Tomlin’s crew to handle its business at home.
Baltimore Ravens @ Cincinnati Bengals (Start Time TBD)
Ravens +7 (+100) @ Bengals -7 (-120)
Could this be the game that decides the AFC North?
If Cincinnati can’t wrap up the division on Monday night against Buffalo, Joe Burrow and co. will get another shot in their season finale against the rival Ravens. Baltimore head coach John Harbaugh is still mum on Lamar Jackson‘s status, so it’s hard to back the visitors unless there’s no motivation for the hosts.
New York Giants @ Philadelphia Eagles (Jan. 8, 4:25 p.m. ET)
Giants +14 (-110) @ Eagles -14 (-110)
This number has ballooned because of a handful of factors. Namely, the Giants have nothing to play for after clinching a wild card berth, while the Eagles are expected to get quarterback Jalen Hurts back and need a victory to secure the division title and No. 1 seed in the NFC.
New York coach Brian Daboll didn’t give a definitive answer Monday about his plans for the game, so I’d lean toward taking all the points, but waiting for confirmation makes some sense.
Dallas Cowboys @ Washington Commanders
Cowboys -3.5 (-110) @ Commanders +3.5 (-110)
If the Eagles lose to the Giants, the Cowboys can claim the NFC’s No. 1 seed and a second straight division title with a win over Washington. Meanwhile, the Commanders have been eliminated from playoff contention, something head coach Ron Rivera didn’t seem to know was possible heading into Week 17.
Dallas has been rolling opponents lately, so I’d favor the Cowboys on the road, but there’s certainly a chance Mike McCarthy pulls some starters in the second half if he sees Philly up big over New York.
Los Angeles Chargers @ Denver Broncos
Chargers -3 (-120) @ Broncos +3 (+100)
While the Chargers are locked into a wild card spot, they’ll likely want to win to hold the No. 5 spot to secure a first-round matchup against the AFC South winner.
If things get out of hand like they did on Sunday against the Rams, we could see some key players like Justin Herbert sit the fourth quarter, but I’d expect Los Angeles to give this a full go. I’m not sure I would lay more than three points, though.
Los Angeles Rams @ Seattle Seahawks
Rams +6.5 (-110) @ Seahawks -6.5 (-110)
The Seahawks need a win and a Packers loss to make the playoffs, but I think this is a situation where the number is getting a bit out of hand. Baker Mayfield has given the Rams a solid lift in recent weeks, and Los Angeles doesn’t have a first-round pick to tank for.
Expect another big day for Cam Akers against this inconsistent Seattle defense.
Arizona Cardinals @ San Francisco 49ers
Cardinals +14.5 (-110) @ 49ers -14.5 (-110)
Just based on the number, this is Cardinals or nothing for me.
Sure, San Francisco still has some motivation when it comes to playoff seeding in the NFC, but there’s no opportunity for the 49ers to fall further than the No. 3 seed. I would be surprised if Kyle Shanahan doesn’t play this game pretty conservatively, especially since he’s already down to his third-string quarterback.
Detroit Lions @ Green Bay Packers (Sunday Night Football)
Lions +4.5 (-110) @ Packers -4.5 (-110)
This will be one of the most intriguing games of the week as Aaron Rodgers and the Packers look to reel off their fifth straight victory and secure one of the most surprising playoff berths in recent memory.
To do so, they’ll have to take down a Lions team that also ranks amongst the league’s best stories, as Jared Goff has resurrected himself in Detroit and Dan Campbell has inspired a competitive bunch.
I’m expecting the Lions’ lack of defensive consistency to eventually doom them here, but I wouldn’t be shocked if this is a field-goal game.
