GAME PICKS... NFL WEEK 18
Picking winners for the final week of the regular season
It’s official! I’m stuck in an ever-revolving 9-7 rut. I simply must up my game come the playoffs. It won’t be easy in Week 18 as we have to factor in teams who may rest star players before and even during contests, depending how results are shaping up elsewhere.
That’s got the excuses in early this week. My season record – if you’re keeping count – is now 164-94.
Carolina Panthers (8-8) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9)
The Bucs have the talent to finally figure things out, but Atlanta may still wreck their playoff dreams with a win on Sunday. Neil’s Pick… Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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Seattle Seahawks (13-3) at San Francisco 49ers (12-4)
Both teams have won six in a row and the winner takes the NFC West and the conference one seed. I’m really starting to believe in the Niners. Neil’s Pick… San Francisco 49ers
New Orleans Saints (6-10) at Atlanta Falcons (7-9)
The Falcons have found some late form with Kirk Cousins and Bijan Robinson leading the way and will hand the Panthers the South with a win. Neil’s Pick… Atlanta Falcons
Cleveland Browns (4-12) at Cincinnati Bengals (6-10)
I think Cincy end with a win, but things must improve in 2026. That was the warning sent by Joe Burrow this week. Neil’s Pick… Cincinnati Bengals
Indianapolis Colts (8-8) at Houston Texans (11-5)
Houston may eventually fall short of the AFC South, but they can win their ninth in a row against Riley Leonard. Neil’s Pick… Houston Texans
Tennessee Titans (3-13) at Jacksonville Jaguars (12-4)
With a victory here, Jacksonville will become just the third team in NFL history to lose 13 contests one season and win 13 the following year. Neil’s Pick… Jacksonville Jaguars
Green Bay Packers (9-6-1) at Minnesota Vikings (8-8)
The Packers will rest starters with their playoff seeding locked in… and that means they could enter the postseason on four straight losses. Neil’s Pick… Minnesota Vikings
Dallas Cowboys (7-8-1) at New York Giants (3-13)
The Cowboys at least have something to play for in Week 18 as Dak Prescott can end the year as the NFL’s passing yards leader. Neil’s Pick… Dallas Cowboys
New York Jets (3-13) at Buffalo Bills (11-5)
Even if the Bills were to rest some starters, they will be desperate to close out their time at Highmark Stadium with a win. Neil’s Pick… Buffalo Bills
Detroit Lions (8-8) at Chicago Bears (11-5)
The Lions are always a dangerous proposition, but the Bears need the win to secure the two seed in the NFC. That is important. Neil’s Pick… Chicago Bears
Los Angeles Chargers (11-5) at Denver Broncos (13-3)
The Chargers are resting some key starters and the Broncos need a victory for the top seed in the AFC. This is surely a Denver win. Neil’s Pick… Denver Broncos
Arizona Cardinals (3-13) at Los Angeles Rams (11-5)
If Seattle win and the Rams are victorious on Sunday, they can jump from the six to the five seed in the NFC. Either way, LA needs to find some form. Neil’s Pick… Los Angeles Rams
Kansas City Chiefs (6-10) at Las Vegas Raiders (2-14)
The Chiefs are depressed. The Raiders are even worse as the league’s poorest team, but could Geno Smith spring a meaningless upset? Neil’s Pick… Las Vegas Raiders
Miami Dolphins (7-9) at New England Patriots (13-3)
If the Pats play their starters the whole way, they win this one. But if Denver blow out the Chargers and New England send key players to the bench, Miami have a chance. Neil’s Pick… New England Patriots
Washington Commanders (4-12) at Philadelphia Eagles (11-5)
The Eagles are the three seed in the NFC and can get to the two if they win this one – which they will – and the Bears lose to Detroit. Neil’s Pick… Philadelphia Eagles
Baltimore Ravens (8-8) at Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7)
Winner takes all in the AFC North. After a terrible start to the season, I think Baltimore takes the win and the division with Derrick Henry leading the way. Neil’s Pick… Baltimore Ravens