We're now approaching Week 18 of the 2024 NFL Season. Let's roll out our weekly picks and score predictions. The final week of the regular season also means that the playoffs are right around the corner, and there are still a few playoff spots up for grabs here in Week 18.
Most of the playoff spots have been clinched, though. Can teams still vying for a spot finish the job? Furthermore, we still have entire divisions up for grabs as well, so the final week of the regular season could be quite intense. Let's see if we can hit the nail on the head with our picks and score predictions for this week.
Let's get into it.
2024 NFL Picks and Score Predictions for Week 18 action
Saturday, January 4th, 4:30 PM - Cleveland Browns @ Baltimore Ravens
The Cleveland Browns have ridden with Dorian Thompson-Robinson at QB over the last few weeks, so you can kind of tell that they are indirectly tanking. The team will likely stick with DTR for the final game, and with the Browns way out of it and surely looking toward the 2025 NFL Draft.
The Baltimore Ravens still have something to play for and could wrap up the AFC North title with a win. Baltimore absolutely comes into this game wanting to score some quick points and to get the game out of reach before halftime even happens. If that is the case, it would not shock me to see the Ravens pull some of their starters in preparation for the postseason.
Yeah, the Ravens are going to demolish the Browns.
Prediction: Ravens win 31-6
Saturday, January 4th, 8:00 PM - Cincinnati Bengals @ Pittsburgh Steelers
The Cincinnati Bengals would be eliminated from the NFL playoffs if they lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers, a team that beat them a few weeks ago in Cincy. The Bengals have won four games in a row but still have some serious problems on defense. Meanwhile, the Pittsburgh Steelers have lost three games in a row to three very good teams.
This contest does feel like a coin flip, but Pittsburgh absolutely still has something to play for, especially if the Browns upset the Ravens. Playing in Pittsburgh is one of the toughest places to play in the NFL, and as good as Joe Burrow has been, the Steelers win this one.
Prediction: Steelers win 28-24
Sunday, January 5th, 1:00 PM - Carolina Panthers @ Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons could win the NFC South with a win in Week 18 over the Carolina Panthers and a Tampa Bay Buccaneers' loss, so this team still has a ton to play for. However, there is no way for the Falcons to earn a Wild Card seed even if they win. All of the Wild Card teams will have to have double-digit wins, so it's either a division title or nothing, which kind of stinks.
Anyway, the frisky Carolina Panthers come to town, a team that has seen second-year QB Bryce Young play notably well in recent weeks. He's played well enough for the Panthers to not have to take a QB in the 2025 NFL Draft. Carolina struggles on defense, though, so for rookie QB Michael Penix Jr., this could be a great game for him.
The Falcons gave the Washington Commanders a run for their money in Week 17, so this team isn't some bottom-feeder with a rookie QB. They've got a good bit of a talent on both sides of the ball, and I would feel comfortable picking the Falcons here.
Prediction: Falcons win 29-20
Sunday, January 5th, 1:00 PM - Washington Commanders @ Dallas Cowboys
The Washington Commanders cannot win the NFC East, so they will have to settle for a Wild Card seed. However, they still are in the mix for the sixth or seventh Wild Card seed. They are currently in the sixth spot, and the fifth spot either goes to the Detroit Lions or Minnesota Vikings, two teams that have already eclipsed Washington's max win total in 2023.
The Commanders are in Dallas to face the Cowboys, a team that lost Dak Prescott a while back to a pretty nasty hamstring injury. Washington is the better team period, and I really do not think they are going to endure a late-season upset. Dallas' season has been over for weeks now, so this is a game where Washington takes care of business and earns their 12th win of their insane 2024 season.
Prediction: Washington wins 24-17
Sunday, January 5th, 1:00 PM - Chicago Bears @ Green Bay Packers
Poor Chicago Bears. This team began the year 4-2 and have not won a game since. They fired former head coach Matt Eberflus after a horrible blunder to end their Thanksgiving Day game against the Detroit Lions, but if nothing else, Caleb Williams does look legit, and I am personally sick and tired of Bears' fans trying to act like the franchise did Justin Fields dirty.
Justin Fields could not do what Williams has done through the air this year, and they would take Williams over Fields every single time. The Bears are at Lambeau Field against the Green Bay Packers, a team that cannot win the NFC North but is still playing for either the sixth or seventh Wild Card seed in the NFC.
The Packers are the better team from top to bottom and should have no problem dispatching the Bears at home. However, it's clear that the Packers are tier or two below the top dogs in the NFC in the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings.
This is going to be a huge Packers' victory, and it will send the Bears to the end of the season with 11 losses in a row. Eleven!
Predicton: Packers win 34-13
Sunday, January 5th, 1:00 PM - Houston Texans @ Tennessee Titans
Neither the Houston Texans nor Tennessee Titans really have much of anything to play for. This applies to the Texans a bit more, who are locked into the fourth seed and will host the fifth seed in the AFC playoffs. It would not be surprising to see the Texans not play their starters for the entire game, which would be the smart play.
But they played on Christmas Day and got blown out by the Baltimore Ravens, so they surely want to try and get their minds right on the field for a bit. The Tennessee Titans are horrific and will probably take a QB in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Even if the Texans do pull some of their starters at halftime for example, I am not sure the Titans will be able to get it done.
This may not be a very fun game to watch, but I am taking the better team here.
Prediction: Texans win 20-17
Sunday, January 5th, 1:00 PM - Jacksonville Jaguars @ Indianapolis Colts
In a game that means nothing for the playoff picture in the AFC, as both teams are eliminated, the Jacksonville Jaguars and Indianapolis Colts are playing each other in Week 18. It's been a brutal year for each team, but for different reasons. The Jags came into this year having gone 9-8 in the 2022 and 2023 seasons, and this was the best roster that this team ever had.
However, it became clear very quickly that head coach Doug Pederson just does not have it anymore, and those back-to-back winning seasons mean nothing now. The Jags actually won the AFC South in 2022 and won a playoff game, and that was only two years ago. Jacksonville has a good roster, period, and they are a solid coaching staff away from being a frisky team again.
The Colts also have a good roster but just have not seen second-year QB Anthony Richardson take a leap. He is probably coming back in 2025 as their starter, and while I believe that is a wrong decision, the Colts might not have another viable option.
Indy is the better team and will win their eighth game of the season in a game that means nothing besides NFL Draft position.
Prediction: Colts win 30-20
Sunday, January 5th, 1:00 PM - Buffalo Bills @ New England Patriots
The Buffalo Bills are locked into the second seed in the AFC and have nothing to play for in Week 18 against the New England Patriots, a team that gave them fits a couple of weeks ago. The Bills might be the best team in the NFL and are the best team in the AFC. This honestly might be the year for Buffalo to finally get past the Kansas City Chiefs in the NFL playoffs.
It would have to come in Arrowhead, though. As for the Patriots, the team took Drake Maye at the top of the 2024 NFL Draft, and he has been quite good this year. The Pats have something of substance to latch onto for 2025 and beyond, but the team is still multiple years away from being legitimate again.
Buffalo is going to insert their backups into the lineup at some point. The Pats will keep it close, but Buffalo wins this game.
Prediction: Bills win 20-16
Sunday, January 5th, 1:00 PM - New York Giants @ Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles have nothing to play for in Week 18. They have clinched the second seed in the NFC playoffs, but the big story here, obviously, is Saquon Barkley being just 101 yards away from Eric Dickerson's all-time single-season rushing record. It would be somewhat understandable to see Barkley out there against the New York Giants to try and beat the record.
However, it also makes zero sense, and it would be a shock if the Eagles did not bench many of their starters for this one. They have nothing to gain by playing their starters and have everything to lose if you ask me. The Giants are coming off of a wild win over the Indianapolis Colts in Week 17. It was one of those odd games where Drew Lock puts up some insane numbers. He does that from time to time.
The Giants won't win this game, even with the Eagles resting their starters, and for all the criticism that comes Nick Sirianni's way, the main simply knows how to win games, period. Eagles win in a pretty boring game overall.
Prediction: Eagles win 21-10
Sunday, January 5th, 1:00 PM - New Orleans Saints @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a lot to play for in Week 18 and are going to come out to try and clinch the NFC South with a win over the New Orleans Saints, who were 2-0 through two games and seemed like a top team in the NFL. How quickly things can change...
Anyway, the Buccaneers are 9-7 on the season and can simply win the NFC South and earn one of the top four seeds in the NFC playoffs with a win over the lowly Saints. That's all it takes. They could also win the NFC South if the Atlanta Falcons lose to the Carolina Panthers. However, if the Bucs lose and the Falcons win, the Falcons get the division and kick the Bucs out of the postseason.
Baker Mayfield is having an insane year and is playing the best football of his career, period, and the Bucs could be a team that wins a playoff game. They don't feel like a top team in the NFL by any means, but they are legit. Tampa will come into this game and handle business.
Prediction: Buccaneers win 35-16
Sunday, January 5th, 4:25 PM - Kansas City Chiefs @ Denver Broncos
This could end up being one of the biggest games of the weekend. The Kansas City Chiefs are locked into the first seed in the AFC playoffs and have nothing to plan for. Like other teams who are locked into a seed, they have way more to lose than gain. We already know that Patrick Mahomes isn't playing in this game, and more starters will follow.
Backup QB Carson Wentz is going to get the start here in Week 18, and the Chiefs could honestly approach this like a preseason game, giving all of their snaps to second, third, and fourth-string players. And this is great news for the Denver Broncos, who would clinch a playoff spot with a win. That's all they need is a win over the Chiefs' backups.
They would also clinch with a tie. They can also clinch with losses by the Cincinnati Bengals and Miami Dolphins, so Denver is in a decent spot even having lost two games in a row. Denver has lost two games in a row two times this year, and in their first game after the second loss, they have blown out their opponent.
This could be shaping up to be a Broncos' blowout in their throwback uniforms at home.
Prediction: Broncos win 27-10
Sunday, January 5th, 4:25 PM - Los Angeles Chargers @ Las Vegas Raiders
The Los Angeles Chargers have clinched a spot in the AFC playoffs, so they are not playing for their lives here in Week 18, but they can still earn the fifth seed in the Wild Card side of things, which would give them an easier matchup with the Houston Texans. The Chargers do not have a lot of explosion on their roster and still need help on both sides of the ball, but they are very well coached and know how to win games.
The Las Vegas Raiders come into this game having actually won two games in a row, so they are feeling themselves. I could see this being a closer game than we think, and while the Chargers win, it might not be a slam-dunk blowout like they were able to secure against the New England Patriots in Week 17.
Give me the Los Angeles Chargers in a low-scoring, ugly game in Week 18.
Prediction: Chargers win 20-17
Sunday, January 5th, 4:25 PM - Seattle Seahawks @ Los Angeles Rams
The Los Angeles Rams have won the NFC West in 2024. The Seattle Seahawks are eliminated from playoff contention, so it's another year watching football on the couch in January and February for Seattle. The Rams went 10-7 last year and were a frisky team to deal with. I kind of feel like they can be a similar team in 2024. Matthew Stafford is one of the best QBs in the NFL, and both he and Sean McVay were the main driving forces in the Rams winning the Super Bowl back in 2021.
LA is not a team to mess around with, and they have their final game of the season at home. The Seattle Seahawks started out this season 3-0. They are now 9-7 on the season, so after a cakewalk first three games, they have since gone 6-7, which sounds about right when Geno Smith is your quarterback.
Seattle won't go anywhere until they upgrade from Smith, who is probably the 19th-best QB in the NFL. When you look at any given matchup on paper, you tend to look at the QBs first and foremost. Give me Stafford over Smith every single time.
Prediction: Rams win 28-20
Sunday, January 5th, 4:25 PM - Miami Dolphins @ New York Jets
The Miami Dolphins can still make the NFL playoffs this year, but they may have to try to win this game without Tua Tagovailoa. He is nursing a hip injury, and that has kind of been the story with Miami this year. They'd probably have two-ish more wins if Tagovailoa is healthy all year, but that's kind of why he isn't a true franchise QB.
Snoop Huntley could be in line for the start, and with a loss, the Dolphins are out of the postseason. They have to win and get some help. They are playing the New York Jets, and this could be the final game of the failed Aaron Rodgers era. Heck, this could be the final game of the long career of Aaron Rodgers, so I would expect that he is going to leave it all out there, period.
Rodgers is one of the more interesting figures in the history of the NFL, but you have to respect just how long he has lasted in this league. I actually do not think the Dolphins are going to win this game if Tua Tagovailoa is out of the lineup. The Jets are going to play some inspired football on Sunday and come away with the victory.
Prediction: Jets win 23-21
Sunday, January 5th, 4:25 PM - San Francisco 49ers @ Arizona Cardinals
The San Francisco 49ers and Arizona Cardinals are both out of the NFL playoff picture and have nothing to play for in Week 18 besides some NFL Draft positioning. The 49ers have totally bottomed out this year, as their main foundation of players are getting old and have been hurt this year.
We have hardly had Christian McCaffrey and Brandon Aiyuk on the field. Trent Williams has also been banged up, and it seems like that each year of the Kyle Shanahan era that does not go well is due to major injuries. If you ask me, the Niners need to blow this thing up and rebuild their team the right way.
The Arizona Cardinals are better than they were last year but were 6-4 at one point and leading the NFC West. I say but because they've totally bottomed out and are just not a good team. The Cards simply need more talent, and I am not sure Kyler Murray is that slam-dunk franchise QB we think he is. I guess the 49ers win this game because they have the better talent and coaching.
Prediction: 49ers win 24-20
Sunday, January 5th, 8:20 PM - Minnesota Vikings @ Detroit Lions
It's fitting that the last game of the 2024 NFL regular season could be the game of the year. You could argue that the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings are the two best teams in football, but both cannot win the NFC North. The winner of the this game will earn the top seed in the NFC playoffs, but the loser falls all the way down to the fourth seed, so this game means a lot.
The first seed has a bye and homefield advantage during the playoffs, and right now, I may have to pick the Vikings in this one. Sam Darnold is playing slightly better than Jared Goff, and the Vikings are not nearly as hurt as the Lions are.
Heck, the Lions were unquestionably the best team in the NFL before these injuries started mounting up in a huge way. It's a sad situation for Detroit, as even winning double-digit games in the NFL is very hard, let alone making a deep playoff run. Now yes, the Lions can still make a deep playoff run, but I just do not see it right now.
Sam Darnold is playing his tail off and the Vikings are a lot healthier. I will take the Vikings in a classic, close game where they win by three points and earn the top seed in the NFC playoffs.