NFL Week 18 Betting Recap
NFL Week 18 Betting Recap
The NFL season is now over so let’s get to recapping last week with only playoff teams involved. Let’s take a look at how teams played whether they were resting key players or not as they prepared for the postseason.
(home team in caps)
Saturday, Jan. 6
Pittsburgh (-3/33.5) over BALTIMORE 17-10
The Steelers won this game in a downpour against a Ravens’ team that had nothing to play for. Mason Rudolph completed 18 for 20 for 152 yards, which was strong considering the weather. Najee Harris rushed for 112 yards and a rushing TD on 26 carries. The Steelers (10-7) will now face Buffalo on the road on Sunday. Baltimore rested Lamar Jackson so Tyler Huntley started and threw for 146 yards and a TD on 15-of-28 passing. Pittsburgh won the game, but lost star LT T.J. Watt (knee sprain), who is not expected to play this week.
Houston (+1.5/4.5) over INDIANAPOLIS 23-19
Rookie C.J. Stroud threw for 264 yards and two TDs to lead the Texans to a playoff spot. With 6:20 left in the game, Devin Singletary scored on a 3-yard run to give Houston the winning score. The Colts (9-8) had a chance for the win but on 4th-and-1 at the Houston 15-yard line, they attempted a pass that fell incomplete. Gardner Minshew had a bad day, going just 13 of 24 for 141 yards. Jonathan Taylor had a big game with 188 yards and 30 carries. Houston will now face Cleveland at home on Saturday because they clinched the AFC South Division.
Sunday, Jan. 7
Tampa Bay (-4.5/36.5) over CAROLINA 9-0
The Bucs desperately needed this game and while they had to rely on three Chase McLaughlin field goals, they won and covered to win the NFC South for third straight season. Bake Mayfield, who played for the Panthers last season, went 20 of 32 for just 137 yards. Carolina (2-15) finished with the worst record in the NFL and gained just 199 yards of offense in the finale. DB Antoine Winfield set a single-season franchise record for tackles by a defensive back with 117. Tampa Bay, who won five of their last six, to go to 9-8, will host Philadelphia (11-5) on Monday night.
CINCINNATI (-7.5/37.5) over Cleveland 31-14
This was a meaningless game for both teams. Andrei Iosivas, a 6-3 rookie wide receiver from Hawaii, had five catches for 36 yards and two TDs for the Bengals, who improved to 9-8, but missed out on the playoffs. Jake Browning completed 18 of 24 for 156 yards with three TDs and a pick and was replaced by A.J. McCarron in the third quarter. Cleveland rest most of their key starters as Jeff Driskell completed 13 of 26 for 166 yards with two TDs and two picks. The Browns (11-6) were set as the fifth seed and will head to Houston on Saturday in the postseason.
DETROIT (-2.5/45.5) over Minnesota 30-20
The conundrum is whether key players should play in a meaningless game. Detroit finished the season with a win to end at 12-5, but star rookie TE Sam LaPorta suffered a knee injury and may miss the first game of the playoffs. He caught 86 passe to se t the NFL single-season record for most receptions by a rookie tight end. Jared Goff also played and he threw for 320 yards, while star WR Amon-Ra St. Brown added seven catches for 144 yards. As for Minnesota (7-10), Nick Mullens threw for 396 yards with two TDs ad two picks. Justin Jefferson caught 12 passes for 192 yards and a TD. While the Vikings will be at home watching the playoffs, Detroit will host the LA Rams on Sunday night.
Dallas (-11.5/47.5) over WASHINGTON 38-10
Dallas got of to a slow start, but just pounded Washington as they gained the o. 2 seed at 12-5 and will face Green Bay at home this Sunday. Dak Prescott completed 31 of 36 for 279 yards. CeeDee Lame caught 13 passes for 98 yards with two TDs. Lame finished the season with 135 catches, which is the sixth-most in NFL history. Washington (4-13) fired head coach Ron Rivera at the end of the season. They have to decide whether Sam Howell (153 yds passing) is the answer at quarterback. They need more than that as a rebuild might be in store.
NY GIANTS (+4.5/42.5) over Philadelphia 27-10
The Giants (6-11) with nothing to play for, simply dominated Philadelphia in this game. Saquon Barkley rushed for two TDs in what might be the last game as a New York Giants. Tyrod Taylor threw for 297 yards with a TD as the Giants snapped a five-game losing streak against the Eagles. Philadelphia (11-6) is in the playoffs as a wild card, but they are not in good shape. Jalen Hurt threw for 55 yards before being pulled in the second quarter. Marcus Mariota threw for 148 yards with a TD and a pick as his replacement. The Eagles, who lost five of their last six games, will travel to Tampa Bay on Monday night and might not have their top two WRs in A.J. Brown (knee) and DeVonta Smith (leg), who are both listed as questionable.
LA Rams (+5.5/40.5) over SAN FRANCISCO 21-20
The Rams got the win in the battle of backups as the 49ers (12-5) were locked in as a top seed in the NFL. The Rams (10-7) had Carson Wentz at quarterback and he threw for two TDs. They will take on Detroit on the road on Sunday. Sam Darnold threw for 189 yards with a TD and a rushing score for San Francisco, who gets a bye this week.
GREEN BAY (-2.5/46.5) over Chicago 17-9
The Bears gave the Packers (9-8) all they could handle, but Jordan Love got the job done. The young quarterback threw two TD passes and went over 300 yards on 26 completions. Aaron Jones ran over 100 yards for his third straight game as the Packers take on Dallas on the road this Sunday. Justin Fields completed 11 of 16 for 148 yards and ran for 27 yards for the Bears, who fell to 7-10, but will have Carolina’s number-one pick in the draft.
Kansas City (+4.5/34.5) over LA CHARGERS 13-12
The Chiefs rested Patrick Mahomes, but found a way to beat the Chargers thanks to their defense. Blaine Gabbert completed 15 of 30 for 154 yards and a pick as the Chiefs finished 11-6 and will host Miami on Saturday night. Easton Stick completed 28 of 47 for 258 yards and 77 rushing yards for the Chargers, who finished at 5-12.
Buffalo (-2.5/47.5) over MIAMI 21-14
Buffalo locked up the AFC East for the fourth straight season. Josh Allen threw for 359 yards and two TDs and rushed for 67 yards, but had two picks. Allen is now 11-2 as a starter against Miami (11-6), who will head to a frigid Kansas City on Saturday night. Tua Tagovailoa completed 17 of 27 for 173 yards with a TD and a pick. The Bills (11-6) will host Pittsburgh on Sunday afternoon. Miami played without RB Raheem Mostert (knee/ankle) and WR Jaylen Waddle (ankle) for the second straight game. Both are listed as questionable for Saturday’s game.
