NFL Odds Week 18: Early Locks and Best Bets on the Schedule

Believe it or not, but we've reached the end of the 2024 NFL regular season. The final slate of games before the calendar turns to the postseason will be played this weekend.

For fans so inclined, Week 18 will provide one final batch of leaguewide wagering opportunities. Predicting outcomes, however, could be a tricky challenge, as some teams have much more to play for than others.

Will teams jockeying for draft positioning lay down in Week 18? Will teams with no shot at the postseason look to play spoiler in pivotal divisional matchups? Let's take a look at some early lines to consider as the regular season draws to a close.

*Lines via DraftKings Sportsbook

This is a massive line for any NFL game, let alone a divisional contest. However, we're inclined to back the favorite for a couple of reasons.

For one, the Baltimore Ravens are on a roll and have been playing like one of the biggest threats in the entire AFC field. Lamar Jackson and Co. are also fighting for the AFC North division title.

With Baltimore winning in Week 17 and the Pittsburgh Steelers losing, a win on Saturday will give the Ravens the division crown.

Secondly, the Cleveland Browns are actively trying to lose for a top draft pick. They won't say so publicly, of course, but if Cleveland was trying to win, it wouldn't continue to start third-string quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson.

The Browns benched Jameis Winston after turnovers became a problem, but things haven't been better with Thompson-Robinson behind center. He's thrown six interceptions with no touchdown passes and hasn't been able to push the ball down the field the way that Winston can.

The Ravens will be motivated, while the Browns won't. A commanding victory in Baltimore is likely incoming.

After Sunday night's deflating overtime loss to the Washington Commanders, the Atlanta Falcons no longer control their own destiny in the NFC South. With a win over the New Orleans Saints, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will claim the division, regardless of what Atlanta does against the Carolina Panthers.

However, both the Bucs and the Falcons will play in Sunday's early slate, meaning there's zero chance of Atlanta pulling punches against Carolina.

The Falcons won the first meeting with Carolina by 18 points, though Andy Dalton was behind center for the Panthers. Carolina has gotten much better quarterback play out of Bryce Young lately, though that won't be enough against Atlanta.

The Panthers defense, which surrendered 48 points in Week 17, is a liability. Atlanta's offense has been rejuvenated by rookie QB Michael Penix Jr., and it should have little trouble racking up points on Sunday.

Carolina's offense, meanwhile, will struggle to keep pace. Young has been a difference-maker, but with starting running back Chuba Hubbard (calf) on injured reserve, the Panthers can't field a balanced attack.

The Miami Dolphins may or may not have starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who is dealing with a hip injury, against the rival New York Jets. However, Miami got a good performance out of backup Tyler Huntley in Week 17 and should field a functional offense even if Tagovailoa can't go.

Huntley finished 22-of-26 for 225 yards and a touchdown against the Browns, while adding 52 yards and a touchdown on the ground.

The Dolphins need a win and a loss by the Denver Broncos to steal the final wild-card spot. With Denver and Miami both playing in Sunday's second window, there's no way that the Dolphins will bring anything other than their top effort.

The Jets, meanwhile, are ready to move on from the 2024 season altogether. That was apparent during Sunday's 40-14 loss to the Buffalo Bills. New York was losing 40-0 in the fourth quarter before backup QB Tyrod Taylor led a pair of garbage-time touchdown drives.

"You're telling me now it's 40-0? If you ask me that means it's the end of the season, obviously we're not going to the playoffs, some people might be checked out," Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner told reporters.

This is essentially a pick-em at this point in the week, and we'll back the team with something to play for over the team that no longer cares.

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Odds and lines subject to change. 21+ (18+ NH/WY). AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/LA/MI/NH/NJ/NY/OR/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. Eligibility restrictions apply. See draftkings.com/sportsbook for full terms and conditions.