The final slate of the regular season is loaded with mixed motivations and contrasting interests. But amid all this madness, you can give your bets a fighting chance by getting the best number to back them up.
Week 18 spreads and totals will move fast as teams reveal their plans, so I circle the best lines and NFL picks to “Bet Now” and some you can come back and “Bet Later” once the market moves.
NFL predictions: Week 18 bet now, bet later picks
- Colts at Texans (-9.5): Bet Now
- Panthers at Buccaneers (-3): Bet Later
- Browns at Bengals (Over 43.5): Bet Now
- Giants at Cowboys (Under 52.5): Bet Later
Indianapolis Colts at Houston Texans (-9.5): Bet Now
The Houston Texans have secured a playoff spot and can even still win the AFC South if the Jaguars shit the bed versus the Titans. While that scenario seems a little far-fetched, Houston can still earn the No. 5 seed in the AFC with a win in Week 18.
The Texans are at home to the Indianapolis Colts, who could be starting QB Riley Leonard over Philip Rivers in the finale. Either way, this Texans defense is a tall task for any QB.
Houston has given up more than 21 points only once on its eight-game run and has taken down some of the NFL's best quarterbacks along the way. C. J. Stroud and the offense do their best work inside NRG Stadium, where Houston averages 6.2 points more than on the road.
This spread sits short of the key number of -10 at some shops, while other books are already dealing the Texans as high as -10.5 in Week 18. Get that -9.5 now.
Best odds to bet Texans -9.5 right now
Carolina Panthers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-3): Bet Later
The NFC South comes down to a Week 18 showdown between the Carolina Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The winner advances to the tournament, and the loser lands in Mexico sometime on Monday afternoon.
Tampa Bay opened between -3 and -3.5, and we’re seeing a market consensus move down to a field goal in the first few hours of action.
Tampa Bay has been terrible in the second half of the year, specifically the defense. The Bucs just lost at Carolina two weeks ago, falling 23-20 as 3-point road chalk. We also saw the market move toward the Panthers for Sunday’s game with Seattle, slimming from Carolina +7.5 to a closing number of +6.5.
If you still believe in Baker Mayfield and the Bucs, wait and watch. If this line keeps trending down, maybe you’ll get Tampa -2.5. You’ll at least get a cheap field-goal favorite.
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Cleveland Browns at Cincinnati Bengals (Over 43.5): Bet Now
Despite having nothing to play for, the Cincinnati Bengals sound like they’ll send out the starters in Week 18.
Following Sunday’s one-sided win over Arizona, head coach Zac Taylor told the media that QB Joe Burrow would be on the field for this Battle of Ohio against the Cleveland Browns. That pumped up the spread from Cincinnati -6.5 to a touchdown and has also sent the total ticking upward.
Bookies opened this number at 43.5, but many books have jumped up to the key number of 44 and beyond, with some shops dealing 44.5 O/U.
The Bengals offense is humming with 82 points over the last two outings, and Cleveland should chip in with some offense against this bad Bengals defense.
Best odds to bet Over 43.5 right now
New York Giants at Dallas Cowboys (Under 52.5): Bet Later
Kudos to Dak Prescott for wanting to finish out the season and suit up in Week 18. The Dallas Cowboys quarterback is saying all the right things heading into this finale with the New York Giants, which has pumped up the total.
Also throwing gas on the fire was the Giants’ refusal to tank for the No. 1 overall pick against the Raiders in Week 17. New York scored 34 points in a lopsided win in Las Vegas, and this coaching staff is either looking to keep their jobs or beef up their resumes for 2026.
The Over/Under opened at 51.5 and is now as high as 52.5 points for this NFC East matchup at MetLife Stadium. I could see this total climbing further, which may offer some value on the Under later in the week.
First off, the MetLife turf has been known to claim the knees and ankles of many a superstar. I’d be surprised if Dallas lets Dak play more than a half next weekend.
Second, the extended forecast for East Rutherford calls for chilly conditions (the official Week 18 sked isn’t out just yet), especially Sunday, with temperatures “feeling like” 20 degrees. Not exactly Texas weather.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
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