NFL Regular Season Week 18 Betting Outlook

Week 18 in the NFL has arrived, with several teams still making a push toward the playoffs. One playoff spot remains to be decided in each conference, and several games will determine the seedings when the playoffs begin in less than two weeks. Many teams will rest players this week in preparation for the postseason, while others will do the same to ensure their top players are healthy heading into next season. 

This means that the betting lines for Week 18 will move around while teams determine who will be in and out of their lineups in the final game of the regular season. However, with the top seed yet to be decided in both conferences, top teams like the Chiefs, Bengals, and Bills in the AFC and the 49ers, Eagles, and Cowboys in the NFC are battling for the top spot and a first-round bye. There’s also a chance to find value in this week’s betting lines based on the early odds for this week. 

So, with that, let’s take a look at our week 18 betting outlook.

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Minnesota Vikings vs Chicago Bears – Sunday, January 8th, 12:00 pm CST 

The Minnesota Vikings travel to Soldier Field to face the Chicago Bears in Week 18. After winning two straight, they were beaten on the road 41-17 at Green Bay last week as three-point underdogs. Minnesota is 12-4 and has already clinched the NFC North title. 

The Vikings are much better than Chicago on both sides of the ball and have a chance to improve on their number-three seed in the conference with a win. Minnesota has nine wins by seven points or less, so taking them against Chicago on the moneyline at -130 odds is the safest bet. 

The spread of +2.5 for the Bears suggests an upset may be possible. However, Chicago has nothing to play for this week and is last in the league on defense, giving up 27.1 points per game. Therefore, the Vikings, at -130, will take the game.

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New York Giants vs Philadelphia Eagles – Sunday, January 8th 3:25 pm CST 

The New York Giants travel to face the Philadelphia Eagles in the regular season finale at Lincoln Financial Field. New York is 9-6-1 and will try to upset the division-leading Eagles after clinching a Wild Card playoff berth with their 38-10 win over the Indianapolis Colts as 7.5-point favorites on the road on Sunday. 

New York will likely rest starting QB Daniel Jones against Philly but won’t lose much on offense with backup Tyrod Taylor under center. His mobility could be a problem for the Eagles’ defense, which has given up 60 points in the past two games. 

The 13-3 Eagles have lost two straight without Jalen Hurts in the lineup and will be motivated to wrap up a first-round bye with a win in this matchup. The bookmakers believe Hurts won’t miss a beat after sitting for two weeks, but New York should still make this a much closer game, even with most of their starters on the bench. However, Philly is too far out in front, at -1111, to believe the Giants will be a threat.    

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* All odds provided by Action247 Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.
**All views expressed are my own. My picks are my own and are not a guarantee, bet at your own risk.