The final regular season games have arrived for the 2023 NFL season. With multiple teams fighting for their playoff aspirations, the slate of games offered up for the finale have tantalizing odds as multiple teams are expected to rest their starters prior to the NFL playoffs.
We’ll reveal the opening odds below for the NFL’s Week 18 schedule. Let's get into it!
The final regular season starts on Saturday this week with the Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7) facing the Baltimore Ravens (13-3). Pittsburgh has won two straight with Mason Rudolph helming the offense.
Baltimore locked up AFC’s bye by walloping Miami 56-19 last week, leaving the Ravens with little to play for on Saturday. This game’s over/under total is starting at 36.5 points.
The AFC’s South division could come down to Saturday’s primetime matchup featuring the Houston Texans (9-7) against the Indianapolis Colts (9-7). These two teams are tied atop the division along with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Either way, the winning team is positioned to make the playoffs as either the divisional winner or a wild card entrant. This game’s over/under starts at 47 points.
Cleveland is locked into the playoffs thanks to the Browns (11-5) winning their past four games. Cincinnati’s season will end Sunday as the Bengals (8-8) cannot make the playoffs after dropping their past two games.
With both teams’ postseason futures locked in, this game should favor the Bengals as the Browns do not have to suit up their starters in Week 18. This contest’s over/under total is set at 39.5 points.
Tampa Bay faces a must-win situation this weekend after the Buccaneers (8-8) blew a chance to clinch the division, falling 23-13 to New Orleans in Week 17. To win the NFC South, Tampa Bay has to win against the Carolina Panthers (2-14), a team that has lost two straight outings. This game’s over/under total is set at 37.5 points.
Two teams with forgettable seasons collide Sunday as the New York Jets (6-10) square off against the New England Patriots (4-12). New York’s future looks bright as QB Aaron Rodgers is set to return next season for the Jets.
New England’s future at the QB spot could be determined via the draft or free agency as neither Mac Jones nor Bailey Zappe appear to be ready to be full-time starters. This game’s over/under total is Week 18’s lowest, starting at 30.5 points.
The Minnesota Vikings (7-9) can still clinch a playoff berth in the NFC as only five teams have winning records this season. To do so, the Vikings have to win against the Detroit Lions (11-5), a team that just clinched its first divisional title for the first time in 30 years.
Detroit’s locked in as either the second or third seed, meaning the Lions could rest multiple starters for the finale. This game’s over/under total is starting at 45 points.
The Jacksonville Jaguars (9-7) must win in order to keep their playoff hopes alive. Losing against the Tennessee Titans (5-11) would mean the Jaguars would need multiple scenarios to come through in order for the team to secure the seventh and final playoff spot.
Tennessee is looking to play spoilers and end the season by snapping their three-game losing streak. This game’s over/under total is starting at 39.5 points.
Both the Atlanta Falcons (7-9) and the New Orleans Saints (8-8) can still win the NFC South title. Both Atlanta and New Orleans need to win and have Tampa Bay lose or tie in order to clinch this weekend.
The Falcons lost 37-17 to Chicago in Week 17 while the Saints beat Tampa Bay to set up this unlikely scenario. This contest’s over/under total is starting at 41.5 points.
The Dallas Cowboys (11-5) will clinch the NFC East with a win over their rival Washington Commanders (4-12) Sunday. Dallas earned this position by beating the Detroit Lions in Week 17.
Washington is on the league’s longest slide, dropping seven straight games entering their regular season finale. This contest’s over/under is set at 45.5 points.
With their division title secured, the Kansas City Chiefs (10-6) have little motivation entering their regular season finale against the Los Angeles Chargers (5-11). The Chargers have not earned a victory since a 6-0 victory over New England to start December. This game’s over/under total is set at 35.5 points.
With Denver eliminated from playoff contention, expect the Broncos (8-8) to play multiple individuals as a tryout for the 2024 season. The Las Vegas Raiders (7-9) will be looking for their third win in four games, closing out the season on a high note with interim HC Antonio Pierce gunning for the full-time job. This contest’s over/under total is set at 37.5 points.
The Los Angeles Rams (9-7) and the San Francisco 49ers (12-4) are locked into their positions for this playoff cycle, meaning both teams can rest their starters. The Rams are the hotter team entering the game, posting three straight wins.
The 49ers earned the top NFC spot for the playoffs, besting Washington 27-10 in Week 17. This game’s over/under total is starting at 42 points.
Before this contest, the Philadelphia Eagles (11-5) will know whether a victory over the New York Giants (5-11) will earn them a home playoff game. Philadelphia would have been in the driver’s seat for the NFC East, but a devastating 35-31 loss to Arizona Sunday cost the Eagles that positioning.
If Philly cannot win the division, this contest quickly could turn into one where the back-ups play the majority of the game. This contest’s over/under total is set at 41.5 points.
The Chicago Bears (7-9) are playing for pride now. With the No. 1 draft pick locked up – thanks to the Carolina trade last season – Bears QB Justin Fields could be playing in a final audition to keep his starting role. Green Bay, on the other hand, still maintains a shot at the playoffs.
The Packers (8-8) need a win to secure their playoff berth or multiple scenarios come into play to determine their fate. This game’s over/under total is starting at 44 points.
Seattle’s playoff hopes rest on other teams’ fates, meaning the Seahawks (8-8) could miss the playoffs even if the team defeats the Arizona Cardinals (4-12) in Week 18. Seattle dropped a pivotal 30-23 decision to Pittsburgh last week while the Cardinals shocked the football world by upsetting the Eagles 35-31. This contest’s over/under total is starting at 47.5 points.
The final regular season game of the 2023 NFL slate will be for the AFC East crown. The Buffalo Bills (10-6) can win the division by beating the Miami Dolphins (11-5) in this primetime showdown.
Buffalo is riding a four-game win streak and easily crushed the Dolphins in their first game this season. Miami is licking its wounds after a 56-19 spanking at Baltimore Sunday. This contest’s over/under total is starting at 49.5 points, the highest Week 18 figure.
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Earnest is a 25-year veteran of the newspaper industry. He's spent the majority of his early years working as a sports reporter and editor. He made the move back to the digital world in 2022, joining EatWatchBet as a senior writer. Ernie covers college football betting, fantasy football, and NFL betting for EatWatchBet.