NFL Week 18: All Division Matchups Offer Bundle of Must-See Games
Week 18 in the NFL is both sad and exciting. It symbolizes the end of the regular season, but a new round of NFL betting will start soon with the playoffs. Furthermore, many of these final games of the regular season could decide if a team makes the playoffs or wins a division, increasing the entertainment. It might be hard to predict which games could determine which teams make the playoffs, but these are some games to look forward to. Every Week 18 game is a division matchup.
Top 4 NFL Week 18 Games
1. AFC East: High Stakes When Jets Host Dolphins
This was an easy game to include in this list. Last season, the AFC East came down to the final game between the Miami Dolphins and the Buffalo Bills. It could be between the New York Jets and the Dolphins this season. The Bills are still the favorite to win the division, but not by much with their odds set at +170. The Dolphins are a close second, listed at +180 and the Jets are third at +200.
The Dolphins and the Jets both have a chance to unseat the Bills, who have had their depth chart torn apart this offseason due to cap space issues. Last season, the Dolphins got over their late-season collapse from 2022. They finished with an 11-6 record and one of the best offenses in the league. Expect something similar to happen as the offense still runs through the wide receiver duo of Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.
🚨AARON RODGERS 1st JETS TD🚨
📺: #NYJvsNYG on NFL Network
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/624TrfDUF6 pic.twitter.com/PSWFIwcLcF— NFL (@NFL) August 26, 2023
The Jets will spend this season trying to rectify their disappointing 2023. After being on the field for just one drive, Aaron Rodgers tore his Achilles, sending New York’s season into a tailspin. This offseason, the Jets did everything they could to rebuild the offensive line and add more weapons at receiver.
If this does not turn out to be a game with the AFC East on the line, both teams are looking to make a playoff run this season. This matchup will have a playoff feel because of what will be on the line.
2. 2 Huge AFC North Clashes on Tap
I know this is two games, but picking one over the other does not make sense. The AFC North is pure chaos. It is the best division in football, with three teams making the playoffs last season and all having winning records.
The Baltimore Ravens, who won the division last season and have their line set at +125 to do so again, will face the Cleveland Browns in Week 18. Despite having one of the best defenses last season and finishing second in the division, the Browns have the third-lowest odds of winning the AFC North at +550. Even though the Ravens have the advantage in winning the division, the Browns might still push for a playoff spot late in the season.
Zac Taylor on Joe Burrow’s health, “He’s been accurate, he’s been on time, throwing with great velocity and power. I like what I see.”
First Day of OTAs in Cincinnati:
9 ➡️ Andrei Iosivas
9 ➡️Trenton Irwin
9 ➡️Jermaine Burton
9 ➡️Drew Sample
9 ➡️Chase Brown
9 ➡️Tanner Hudson… pic.twitter.com/9N9plTFxo3— Olivia Ray (@OliviaRayTV) May 28, 2024
The team with the second-best odds to win the AFC North is the Cincinnati Bengals, at +165. They are also the only team from this division to miss the playoffs last season, mainly because of the injury to Joe Burrow. With Burrow healthy, the Bengals should push for a division win. On the other hand, the Pittsburgh Steelers snuck into the playoffs last season and will try to do the same in 2024 despite having the worst odds of winning the division at +700.
Each of these two games will be crucial for the winner of the AFC North, but every team could be in the hunt for a Wild Card spot.
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3. Could Packers Be Playoff Obstacle for Bears?
This is the NFL’s most historical rivalry with 208 matchups between the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers. There will also be a little more on the line in this game. While the NFC North title could be in play, it does seem like the Detroit Lions have that locked up, with odds set at +150 of them winning the division.
However, the Packers, who made the playoffs in 2023 and have their odds set at +200 to win the NFC North, are favored to be a Wild Card team if they don’t take the division. The odds of the Packers making the playoffs are set at -180. The Bears also have a solid line to make the playoffs at -125 odds.
Jordan Love made some unbelievable throws last season
— Steve Palazzolo (@PFF_Steve) June 27, 2024
The Bears could be battling for a Wild Card spot in Week 18 in their first year with rookie Caleb Williams under center. The Packers also have their young star quarterback in Jordan Love. That makes this matchup a must-watch game, with the rivalry and the playoff implications only increasing the entertainment.
4. Jaguars Face Colts in Pivotal AFC South Contest
Finally, this might be a sneakier game to pay attention to, but the AFC South could be in a similar situation as the NFC North. The Houston Texans are clear favorites in the division, with their odds at +105.
However, last season, the AFC South was decided by a game between the Texans and the Indianapolis Colts in Week 18. When the Colts face the Jacksonville Jaguars in the final week, both teams could be fighting for a Wild Card spot. They both finished last season with a 9-8 record, a win away from the playoffs, and tried to improve in the offseason.
Only one of these teams likely has a chance to make the playoffs through the Wild Card for NFL picks, making this game much more intense. Neither team has the best odds to make the playoffs, with the line set at +120 for the Jaguars and +150 for the Colts. Still, in Week 18, this game is bound to be important for the playoffs and the AFC South.
Questions of the Day
What is the best game of Week 18?
The best games of the final regular season week in the NFL will be both from the AFC North. That division will be chaotic down to the final week, and it could change a lot about the playoffs.
