As the NFL enters its final week of the regular season, the betting market is abuzz with shifting odds as several teams fight for their playoff lives. Week 18 will feature a slew of high-stakes matchups with major implications for the postseason picture. Let’s dive into the latest betting lines and see where the money is moving as we approach these crucial games.
NFC North Title on the Line
The headliner of Week 18 is undoubtedly the Sunday Night Football clash between the Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions. This game will decide not only the NFC North champion, but also which team secures the NFC’s top seed and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
The Lions opened as 2.5-point home favorites, but early betting action has driven that line up to Detroit -3 at many sportsbooks. With so much at stake, the public seems to be backing Dan Campbell’s upstart squad to get the job done in front of a raucous Ford Field crowd.
The Lions have been one of the best bets in football over the second half of the season. They’re 7-2 against the spread in their last nine games.
SuperBook USA Director John Murray
The Over/Under total for Vikings-Lions opened at a robust 51.5 points, the highest on the Week 18 board. But it has since been bet up even further to 57.5 at some shops, indicating bettors are expecting a shootout between Kirk Cousins and Jared Goff. With both defenses ranked in the bottom third of the league, the Over is certainly a popular play.
AFC North Also Up for Grabs
The AFC North title will also come down to the wire with a pair of huge games on Saturday. The Baltimore Ravens host the Cleveland Browns as whopping 18-point favorites. Meanwhile, the Pittsburgh Steelers are short home ‘dogs against the Cincinnati Bengals in what could be the final game of Ben Roethlisberger’s storied career.
Bettors don’t seem to be giving the Browns much of a chance, as 89% of the money is currently on Baltimore to win outright at FanDuel. The Steelers are garnering more support, with 62% of spread bets on Pittsburgh +1.5.
The Steelers have been a great story down the stretch, winning their last three games outright as underdogs. The public loves backing a motivated underdog in prime time.
Jay Kornegay, VP of Westgate SuperBook
Other Notable Week 18 Matchups
The Buffalo Bills are currently 3-point road favorites against the New England Patriots, but that line could shift dramatically if Buffalo chooses to rest MVP front-runner Josh Allen with the #1 seed already locked up. Monitor that situation closely.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers find themselves in unfamiliar territory as huge 13-point home chalk over the New Orleans Saints. Tom Brady’s crew is just 4-6 ATS at Raymond James Stadium this season.
One team garnering notable sharp action is the Houston Texans, who are only 1-point home ‘dogs against the Tennessee Titans. Several respected money syndicates seem to be fading the Titans, who have dropped six straight and will be without star RB Derrick Henry.
Best Bets for NFL Week 18
- Detroit Lions -3 vs. Minnesota Vikings
- Pittsburgh Steelers +1.5 vs. Cincinnati Bengals
- Houston Texans +1 vs. Tennessee Titans
Expect plenty of line movement throughout the week as injury reports come out and playoff scenarios crystallize. As always, be sure to shop for the best odds across multiple sportsbooks and stay disciplined with your bankroll management. Best of luck with your Week 18 wagers!
