We have arrived. It is officially Week 18 of the NFL regular season and, for many that means a last-ditch effort for playoff bids and seeding, while others are already looking toward the off-season.
For us here at betcha, we have one more week of regular season action to dive into as we try to find some value in the biggest matchups of the week one last time.
So, with the table set, let’s crack into it.
If you had told me the Panthers would not only have a shot to win the NFC South, but be in prime position to do so after Tampa Bay looked set to cruise into the playoffs once again, I would not have believed you.
However, with a Week 18 matchup between the two sides, everything remains on the table, with the Bucs needing a win to keep their hopes alive, while the Panthers could lock up the division with a win or draw come Sunday morning.
When looking at the game, the biggest saving grace for the Buccaneers is that they will host it at Raymond James Stadium, which should have a playoff type intensity. For Carolina, their biggest positive is the style of game likely to be played, with two run-first teams that try to limit the number of possessions on the day.
With that said, I am not sold on either team in the result market, but what I do like the look of is the under on the total line, based on the pressure and potential game script of the occasion.
Another ripper of a matchup is on the sunday afternoon slate, with one of the most unlikely showdowns for the NFC number one seed set to take place. That of course, is between divisional rivals the 49ers and Seahawks, who after being overshadowed for the majority of the season by the greatness of the Rams, are now two of the hottest teams in the league.
Looking at the tale of the tape, the Seahawks have been one of the best surprises in the league this season. After being a team expected to be middle of the pack, now having the best record in the NFC is a great story. The 49ers, on the other hand, are always expected to be good, but the absurd number of injuries has made where they sit this season even more outstanding.
With this being another big game with playoff implications, anything could really happen. With that in mind, I am backing the home underdog 49ers to get the job done at Levi’s Stadium. This team has championship DNA and experience in these kinds of big games, which is why I like them to come out on top.
A team that I have thoroughly enjoyed watching rise in the second half of the season has been the Houston Texans, who now sit at 11–5 and continue a dominant win streak over the last two months.
The last obstacle on the road to their playoff seeding is the once Super Bowl hopeful Indianapolis Colts. Who, since hitting the middle of the season, have been decimated by injuries and poor form, which resulted in them bringing back Phillip Rivers in an attempt to make the playoffs.
When looking at this one, the Texans no doubt have one of, if not the best, defences in the NFL and, in recent weeks, have also seen CJ Stroud look more like the rookie version of himself. With the form they are rolling with right now and everything seemingly finally clicking, I think the Colts might just be the next team to get bulldozed by this Texans unit.
Another side that has taken a huge leap this year and, whatever happens from here on out, could no doubt be described as a success is the Chicago Bears. Their franchise, I feel has turned a corner with head coach Ben Johnson, who is truly one of the cream of the crop in the league right now. The biggest positive of his addition has been the play of former first overall pick Caleb Williams, who is starting to look like the hero-type quarterback he was described as during the draft process.
On the other side of the ledger, the Detroit Lions have begun to live up to the prophecy set by their head coach, Dan Campbell, after a playoff loss in which he stated their Super Bowl window may have passed. This season has looked like that could be the case, with them capitulating down the stretch and now sitting fourth in their division.
For the Lions, the season is gone. When looking at the Bears, they could still be in play for the two seed if they can win this one and have results go their way. With that extra motivation, being at home and simply being the better team this year, them covering the spread makes sense to me in this one.
Righto, to close this one out, we have the last game of the slate ready to roll, which will be between two of the most bitter rivals in the NFL, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens. These two big-time AFC North foes have plenty of history, and come Monday afternoon, a new chapter will be written in the book of their rivalry.
The two sides are essentially battling it out for a playoff berth, as neither has been good enough for a wild card spot. With the automatic bid for winning the division on the line, this game shapes as winner takes all.
For the Steelers, it seemed like they were beginning to turn a corner with three straight wins heading into last week, before blowing a chance to secure the division against the Browns. The Ravens, meanwhile, were beginning to lose their grip on the season, but with a last-ditch effort win against the Packers, they have set the table for this showdown.
For me, it is tough to predict the AFC North, especially when it comes to these two sides in important games. One thing we have seen however, is the ability of opposing quarterbacks to sling the ball around the park against the Steelers, so even if Lamar Jackson is not 100 percent, I could still see him dicing up this Pittsburgh secondary.