NFL Week 18 Predictions: 49ers, Ravens, Panthers Win/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Week 18 brings high-stakes matchups across the NFL, with division titles and seeding on the line. The Ravens and Panthers are projected to win their divisions, while the 49ers narrowly edge out the Seahawks for the NFC’s No. 1 seed. Playoff races intensify as several teams rest starters or fight for survival.
NFL Week 18 Predictions Quick Looks
- Ravens predicted to beat Steelers, win AFC North
- Panthers upset Buccaneers to claim NFC South crown
- 49ers edge Seahawks for NFC’s top playoff seed
- 12 playoff spots secured, 2 still up for grabs
- Cowboys avoid losing record with win over Giants
- Bears aim for No. 2 seed, defeat Lions
- Bills win but likely rest key starters
- Rams may rest starters depending on 49ers result
- Chiefs beat Raiders, remain out of playoff hunt
- Patriots keep AFC’s No. 1 seed hopes alive
Deep Look: NFL Week 18 Predictions: 49ers, Ravens, Panthers Win
NFL Week 18 closes the regular season with playoff spots, division titles, and seeding on the line across the league. As the dust settles, Pro Picks projects that the Carolina Panthers and Baltimore Ravens will claim their respective division crowns, while the San Francisco 49ers narrowly clinch the NFC’s No. 1 seed over the Seattle Seahawks in a thrilling showdown.
Twelve playoff spots are already spoken for, leaving four teams fighting for the final two. With only the Green Bay Packers locked into a postseason seed, Week 18 presents a dynamic mix of meaningful games and others featuring resting starters and draft position implications.
Here’s a breakdown of every matchup with predictions from Pro Picks:
Dallas Cowboys (7-8-1) at New York Giants (3-13)
Line: Cowboys -3.5
Dak Prescott aims to avoid his first losing season as a starter, and Dallas will be motivated to close strong. The Giants, who accidentally cost themselves the No. 1 overall pick by beating the Raiders, have little incentive to win.
Pick: Cowboys 30, Giants 20
Best Bet of the Week
Carolina Panthers (8-8) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9)
Line: Buccaneers -2.5
The Panthers can clinch the NFC South with a win or tie. The Bucs need a win and help from Atlanta. Tampa Bay has lost four straight and looks outmatched.
Pick: Panthers 24, Buccaneers 20
Upset Special
Seattle Seahawks (13-3) at San Francisco 49ers (12-4)
Line: Seahawks -1.5
This is the game of the week, with the NFC’s No. 1 seed at stake. The 49ers have home-field advantage and a red-hot Brock Purdy. Expect a tight finish.
Pick: 49ers 23, Seahawks 22
New Orleans Saints (6-10) at Atlanta Falcons (7-9)
Line: Falcons -3.5
Tyler Shough has the Saints surging, but the Falcons are more balanced with Kirk Cousins and rookie RB Bijan Robinson leading the way.
Pick: Falcons 24, Saints 21
Cleveland Browns (4-12) at Cincinnati Bengals (6-10)
Line: Bengals -7.5
Myles Garrett is chasing the single-season sack record, but the Bengals are healthier and more complete at this stage.
Pick: Bengals 23, Browns 17
Green Bay Packers (9-6-1) at Minnesota Vikings (8-8)
Line: Vikings -7
The Packers are locked into the NFC’s No. 7 seed and will likely rest starters. Minnesota will aim to finish with a winning record.
Pick: Vikings 24, Packers 13
Tennessee Titans (3-13) at Jacksonville Jaguars (12-4)
Line: Jaguars -12.5
Cam Ward is a bright spot for Tennessee, but Trevor Lawrence leads a Jaguars team that needs the win to take the AFC South title.
Pick: Jaguars 27, Titans 12
Indianapolis Colts (8-8) at Houston Texans (11-5)
Line: Texans -10.5
The Texans are playing for a division title and will be locked in. Colts rookie Riley Leonard replaces Philip Rivers, who went 0-3 in his return.
Pick: Texans 23, Colts 14
New York Jets (3-13) at Buffalo Bills (11-5)
Line: Bills -7
The Jets limp to the finish line after another disastrous season. The Bills may rest players but should still manage a win.
Pick: Bills 20, Jets 16
Detroit Lions (8-8) at Chicago Bears (11-5)
Line: Bears -3
The Lions’ collapse from 15-1 to playoff elimination is shocking. Caleb Williams and the NFC North champion Bears want the No. 2 seed.
Pick: Bears 27, Lions 23
Los Angeles Chargers (11-5) at Denver Broncos (13-3)
Line: Broncos -12.5
Trey Lance gets the start for the playoff-bound Chargers. Bo Nix and the Broncos are pushing for the AFC’s No. 1 seed.
Pick: Broncos 26, Chargers 13
Kansas City Chiefs (6-10) at Las Vegas Raiders (2-14)
Line: Chiefs -5.5
Chris Oladokun impressed in his first start. The Chiefs are just playing for pride, while the Raiders look to lock in the No. 1 draft pick.
Pick: Chiefs 25, Raiders 12
Arizona Cardinals (3-13) at Los Angeles Rams (11-5)
Line: Rams -7.5
The Rams are playoff-bound but could rest starters depending on the 49ers-Seahawks result. Arizona is heading toward another long offseason.
Pick: Rams 24, Cardinals 17
Miami Dolphins (7-9) at New England Patriots (13-3)
Line: Patriots -10.5
Drake Maye has the Patriots chasing the AFC’s top seed. Quinn Ewers has brought life to Miami late in the year, but it won’t be enough.
Pick: Patriots 31, Dolphins 17
Washington Commanders (4-12) at Philadelphia Eagles (11-5)
Line: Eagles -4
Philadelphia will likely rest starters but should have enough to beat a Commanders team closing a forgettable year.
Pick: Eagles 23, Commanders 16
Baltimore Ravens (8-8) at Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7)
Line: Ravens -3.5
The AFC North title is on the line. Lamar Jackson may return. A dramatic finish is expected, but Baltimore edges Pittsburgh.
Pick: Ravens 24, Steelers 23
Standings Recap (Before Week 18)
- Straight up (SU): 176-79-1
- Against the spread (ATS): 134-114-8
- Best Bet SU Record: 12-5
- Upset Special SU Record: 13-4
- Prime Time SU Record: 32-23-1
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