There have been 256 NFL games played this regular season, and after Week 18, the total rises to 272 as the league moves on to the postseason. With the interconnectivity of the final slate of games, all 16 matchups will be played over a condensed two-day window on Saturday and Sunday. This scheduling aims to keep as many contests meaningful as possible heading into the playoffs.
So, let’s dive right into the ClutchPoints 2025 NFL Week 18 picks, predictions, and odds.
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### Week 18: A “Be Careful Out There” Situation
The last week of the NFL regular season is always tricky. While all these games have 2026 NFL Draft implications and some will also impact playoff seeding, anything can happen in these final matchups. Coaches may rest key players from the start, or if they’re scoreboard watching, they might pull star players if another game is trending a certain way.
Teams eliminated from playoff contention might already have one foot on their plane to Cancun, while others could use this game as an opportunity to put one more high-intensity effort on tape for their next coach or team.
Overall, spreads tend to be large, and outcomes even more variable than usual, so proceed with caution. If you are a volume bettor who likes to spread bets across many games, this may be the week to change things up and be a bit more selective on the contests you feel confident about. Don’t worry — you can get back to action on every game next week!
Thursday and Monday Night Football are over now that everything is on the line (for a few teams) in Week 18. This week’s slate condenses all NFL games into a two-day window:
– **Saturday**: four games with 4:30 pm and 8:00 pm ET kickoffs
– **Sunday**: six 1:00 pm ET games, seven late window tilts, and a Sunday night affair
After a solid Week 16, we came back to earth in Week 17, going 8-8 straight up and 6-9-1 against the spread. This brings us to 153-103 on picking winners and improves our record to 115-135-6 ATS on the season.
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### Previous Weeks
Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5 | Week 6 | Week 7 | Week 8 | Week 9 | Week 10 | Week 11 | Week 12 | Week 13 | Week 14 | Week 15 | Week 16 | Week 17
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### NFL Week 18 Picks, Predictions, and Odds
Courtesy of DraftKings, here are the picks and predictions for Week 18:
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#### Carolina Panthers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-3)
The two teams in this winner-take-all game got here in wildly different ways. The Panthers exceeded expectations and grinded out wins to get to the top of the NFC South, while the Buccaneers fell off a cliff in the second half, losing seven of their last eight games.
Either way, one of these teams will get into the playoffs. Tampa Bay is the better team all around, but Carolina is better coached and seemingly healthier. Outside of a three-point win against the lowly Cardinals back in Week 13, the Bucs haven’t won convincingly since October 26 against the Saints.
In a game like this, even with the talent skewed, I’ll take the team with the better coach and the more functional (healthier?) quarterback. That team is the Panthers, believe it or not.
**Pick:** Panthers 21-20
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#### Seattle Seahawks (-1.5) at San Francisco 49ers
Both teams are playoff-bound, and the winner earns the No. 1 seed in the NFC and a first-round bye to rest up for the playoffs.
The Seahawks showed toughness against the Rams in Week 16 with an incredible comeback led by Sam Darnold. We’re sticking with that momentum and the Seahawks’ strong run game and defense. They are arguably the class of the NFC right now.
**Pick:** Seahawks 28-25
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#### New Orleans Saints at Atlanta Falcons (-3)
This could be the biggest game of the weekend in the NFC South, possibly determining who makes the playoffs. If the Panthers win on Saturday, they’re in. However, if the Buccaneers prevail, they become the biggest Saints fans on Sunday.
If the Falcons win, it knocks the Bucs out of the playoffs, no matter Saturday’s result. Both Falcons and Saints have been playing well down the stretch.
We’ll take the Falcons to finish the year on a win at home, which might save Raheem Morris’ job.
**Pick:** Falcons 24-20
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#### Cleveland Browns at Cincinnati Bengals (-7.5)
The Battle for Ohio is a bit of a dud this season but always contentious. Joe Burrow and the Bengals are the team to beat, looking to finish strong to prepare for a deeper playoff run.
Expect the Bengals to dominate and finish on a high note.
**Pick:** Bengals 35-16
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#### Dallas Cowboys (-3.5) at New York Giants
The Giants often struggle to secure the No. 1 draft pick by messing up their late-season games. This week, a loss to the Cowboys could threaten their chance at the No. 2 pick.
For Giants fans’ sake, we hope the Giants lose.
**Pick:** Cowboys 23-10
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#### Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings (-7.5)
Another game that could go either way, but with the Packers banged up and resting players, this should be a Vikings win.
Have the Vikings had any easy wins this season? Not really, but Week 18 is a different animal.
**Pick:** Vikings 25-13
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#### Indianapolis Colts at Houston Texans (-10)
The Colts brought back 44-year-old Philip Rivers instead of starting Riley Leonard, showing they didn’t believe Leonard was ready to win.
The Texans are motivated for playoff seeding and should win convincingly.
**Pick:** Texans 23-10
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#### Tennessee Titans at Jacksonville Jaguars (-12.5)
This game breaks normal Week 18 rules because it’s a divisional matchup.
The Jaguars want the win but expect a closer final score.
We’ll take the Jaguars to win, but the Titans to cover.
**Pick:** Jaguars 20-14
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#### Kansas City Chiefs (-5.5) at Las Vegas Raiders
A tough matchup since it’s a division game with little playoff impact for either team.
The Raiders have a lot to lose, especially the No. 1 overall pick, so they might not play hard to keep their draft position.
Take the Chiefs to win and cover the spread by a field goal.
**Pick:** Chiefs 14-7
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#### Detroit Lions at Chicago Bears (-3)
The Bears are fighting for playoff seeding and should host a playoff game to start the postseason.
The Lions are eliminated but will play hard under Coach Dan Campbell to finish on a high note.
Expect the Lions to pull off an upset over a resting Bears squad.
**Pick:** Lions 23-18
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#### Los Angeles Chargers at Denver Broncos (-12.5)
One team wants a bye (Broncos), the other has little to play for (Chargers).
With the Chargers likely not dressing their star QB, this division game should be an easy Broncos win by two touchdowns.
**Pick:** Broncos 31-17
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#### Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots (-10.5)
The Patriots are trying to secure an outside shot at the No. 1 seed and will fight hard.
The Dolphins, playing well, will not go quietly.
Since the Broncos’ game outcome may influence Patriots’ decisions, take the Patriots to win but expect the Dolphins to at least cover.
**Pick:** Patriots 29-26
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#### Washington Commanders at Philadelphia Eagles (-4.5)
Coach Nick Sirianni wants a well-rested team over a higher seed for the playoffs, so expect backups on the field.
The Eagles backups vs. a banged-up Commanders roster with a third-string QB makes this a toss-up.
Dan Quinn and the Commanders will go all out, so take the Commanders to win by a slim margin.
**Pick:** Commanders 24-23
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#### Arizona Cardinals at Los Angeles Rams (-7)
This is tough to call before knowing the Seahawks-49ers outcome.
If the 49ers win, the Rams could get the No. 5 seed for an easier playoff opener.
If the Seahawks win, the Rams might rest players.
Either way, resting Rams are still better than the Cardinals.
**Pick:** Rams 27-16
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#### New York Jets at Buffalo Bills (-7)
An invitation to pick the Jets, as the Bills don’t need this win and may rest starters like Josh Allen.
However, this is the last game at Highmark Stadium, a site of many highs and lows over five decades.
Expect the Bills to show out and win convincingly.
**Pick:** Bills 28-12
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#### Baltimore Ravens (-3.5) at Pittsburgh Steelers
The biggest game of the weekend and a de facto playoff match between two wildly inconsistent teams.
Despite Lamar Jackson’s return, the Ravens have underperformed all year.
The Steelers lack firepower without DK Metcalf.
Take the Ravens to win and clinch a playoff spot, but expect a close game.
**Pick:** Ravens 23-21
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That wraps up the ClutchPoints 2025 NFL Week 18 picks, predictions, and odds. Proceed carefully in this unpredictable final week, and enjoy the thrilling conclusion to the NFL regular season!
https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/nfl-stories/nfl-picks-predictions-odds-week-18-2025
