Thursday, November 7, 2024
Sports

NFL Week 18 2022: Picks and predictions for every game

It’s time for NFL Week 18 picks, and we finish up the regular season with what should be a drama-packed slate of games to watch.

Matchup

Kansas City Chiefs

13-3

Las Vegas Raiders

6-10

Saturday, Jan. 7

4:30 p.m. ET

The Chiefs are 5-0 against the AFC West this season, with a point differential of +16. Every time, it’s been a one-score game. Expect another.

Pick: Kansas City 32, Las Vegas 27

Matchup

Tennessee Titans

7-9

Jacksonville Jaguars

8-8

Saturday, Jan. 7

8:20 p.m. ET

How can you pick the Titans in this spot? Jacksonville has the better team, the better quarterback and a ton of confidence. It’s the Jaguars.

Pick: Jacksonville 23, Tennessee 17

Matchup

New York Jets

7-9

Miami Dolphins

8-8

If the Jets’ defense is getting Skylar Thompson for the second time this season, it could be over for the Dolphins. If it is, what a colossal collapse.

Pick: New York 20, Miami 17

Matchup

New England Patriots

8-8

Buffalo Bills

12-3

The Patriots know that if they win, they’re in. As for the Bills, how do you account for their emotions following the terrifying situation with Damar Hamlin?

Pick: New England 20, Buffalo 17

Matchup

Cleveland Browns

7-9

Pittsburgh Steelers

8-8

Pittsburgh has a great chance to make the playoffs after starting 2-6. Can’t ask for much more come Week 18.

Pick: Pittsburgh 18, Cleveland 16

Matchup

Houston Texans

2-13-1

Indianapolis Colts

4-11-1

It would be the most Texans thing imaginable to win a game that means nothing, but takes them out of the top pick. Well, here come the Colts.

Pick: Houston 23, Indianapolis 20

Matchup

Baltimore Ravens

10-6

Cincinnati Bengals

11-4

Again, what’s the motion for Cincinnati here? Also, if the Bills-Bengals game is cancelled, Cincinnati has already won the AFC North.

Pick: Cincinnati 20, Baltimore 16

Matchup

Minnesota Vikings

12-4

Chicago Bears

3-13

Without Justin Fields being active, it’s hard to see Chicago making a real push here. The Vikings are the vastly superior team.

Pick: Minnesota 20, Chicago 17

Matchup

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

8-8

Atlanta Falcons

6-10

The Falcons will play their starters and the Buccaneers will not. Atlanta gets to 7-10 and starts the process of finding a franchise quarterback.

Pick: Atlanta 24, Tampa Bay 13

Matchup

Carolina Panthers

6-10

New Orleans Saints

7-9

The battle of Sam Darnold and Andy Dalton. It’s what we’ve all been waiting for.

Pick: Carolina 24, New Orleans 21

Matchup

Los Angeles Chargers

10-6

Denver Broncos

4-12

Sunday, Jan. 8

4:25 p.m. ET

If Los Angeles elects to play hard, it’ll handle the Broncos, who might petition the NFL for a running clock to make this season end immediately.

Pick: Los Angeles 23, Denver 15

Matchup

New York Giants

9-6-1

Philadelphia Eagles

13-3

Sunday, Jan. 8

4:25 p.m. ET

New York is locked into the sixth seed and the Eagles are fighting for home field. This should be a blowout by halftime.

Pick: Philadelphia 31, New York 7

Matchup

Dallas Cowboys

12-4

Washington Commanders

7-8-1

Sunday, Jan. 8

4:25 p.m. ET

Dallas is going to play hard, knowing it has a slim chance at the top seed. However, the Commanders, who are rolling with rookie quarterback Sam Howell, may just lay down.

Pick: Dallas 28, Washington 17

Matchup

Arizona Cardinals

4-12

San Francisco 49ers

12-4

Sunday, Jan. 8

4:25 p.m. ET

The 49ers aren’t losing the No. 2 seed to Arizona. This is going to be ugly.

Pick: San Francisco 34, Arizona 10

Matchup

Los Angeles Rams

5-11

Seattle Seahawks

8-8

Sunday, Jan. 8

4:25 p.m. ET

Seattle knows it must win to keep hope alive for the No. 7 seed. Geno Smith will handle business, and the Seahawks, at minimum, will earn a winning record.

Pick: Seattle 26, Los Angeles 21

Matchup

Detroit Lions

8-8

Green Bay Packers

8-8

Sunday, Jan. 8

8:20 p.m. ET

For the Packers, a dream ending to what was a nightmare is at stake. Green Bay isn’t about to lose at home with the playoffs on the line.

Pick: Green Bay 31, Detroit 23

Last Week: 11-4
Season: 161-84-2

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