Week 18 NFL Game Picks: Who Wins the AFC South, Secures Final Wildcard Berths?

 Here we are. The final week of the regular season starts today and with that come my picks for the week which will also give us the final playoff picture at the conclusion. Usually I've just been briefly making my game picks at the bottom of the weekly power rankings, but this week I figured it made sense to write about each game with so many important ones on tap. At the bottom of this article I will include what the playoffs would look like if my picks were right! Let's see if I can crack this thing!

Last Week's Record: 10-5

2022 Season Overall: 140-97-2 (.591)

SATURDAY

Kansas City Chiefs (13-3) at Las Vegas Raiders (6-10)
Score Prediction: Chiefs 38, Raiders 17

I'm writing this article as this game is being played so not going to speak much on this one, however I have always seen a Chiefs blowout coming here so we will see if it shapes up that way.

Tennessee Titans (7-9) at Jacksonville Jaguars (8-8)

This is one of the big ones of week 18. A division championship on the line. Win and in, lose and go home. The Titans ran away with the AFC South to start the year but after a nasty losing streak and string of injuries, they are in danger of missing the post-season entirely. Jacksonville on the other hand started poorly but has caught fire of late behind the emergence of QB Trevor Lawrence and now look like a team that could compete if they get into the post-season. I think the Titans do have a good defense and Derrick Henry is going to be impossible to stop on the Jacksonville side, but I can't pick against these red-hot Jags right now and Lawrence. They will find a way to get it done, especially with the unproven Josh Dobbs QBing the Titans.
Score Prediction: Jaguars 27, Titans 20

Cleveland Browns (7-9) at Pittsburgh Steelers (8-8)

Both of these teams fell to rough starts this season, but QB changes have sprung them back to life and now the Steelers even have a real shot of jetting back into the post-season again, just like they shockingly did a season ago. Rookie QB Kenny Pickett has injected new life into the offense and these Steelers simply won't go away. Their star-studded defense hasn't been as good this year, nor has RB Najee Harris, but they find a way to win late in games. The Browns have a similarly streaky defense but Deshaun Watson is starting to get comfortable in the offense and looking like his old self. With Watson at the helm, it is tough to pick the hit-or-miss Pickett and his Steelers, but again, they just find ways to win and with Mike Tomlin coaching, I can't pick against this team. With a win coupled with Dolphins and Patriots losses (very possible), the Steelers are IN!
Score Prediction: Steelers 23, Browns 19

Baltimore Ravens (10-6) at Cincinnati Bengals (11-4)

Here's another game with playoff implications. Big time. While the Damar Hamlin situation that resulted in the no-contest of the Bengals/Bills game made it so record-wise, the Ravens would not be able to catch the Bengals in the standings, this is still a big game for the Ravens to win. If they win, a coin would be flipped for whether they would get home-field advantage over the Bengals or vice-versa if they play in round 1 of the playoffs. With that being said, I don't see a win happening. Lamar Jackson remains out and Tyler Huntley has not been very inspiring over the past couple of games. This defense in Baltimore continues to look like it is stepping back as well. The Bengals are going to be amped up and ready to play after all that happened with them and I can see Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins lighting up the scoreboard in Cincinnati.
Score Prediction: Bengals 38, Ravens 24

Minnesota Vikings (12-4) at Chicago Bears (3-13)

This game actually is important in the NFC. The Vikings can move back up to the 2 seed with a win and a Niners loss. The Bears can secure the #2 or even #1 overall pick in the 2023 draft with a loss. It seems like you may already know where I'm going with this score. The Vikings have stuff to play for while the Bears actually want to LOSE this one. To make matters worse for the Bears, Justin Fields is out. This one could get ugly.
Score Prediction: Vikings 40, Bears 16

New England Patriots (8-8) at Buffalo Bills (12-3)

I think this should have been the SNF game. So much to unpack here. Firstly, the Patriots, who have struggled SO much lately suddenly find themselves with a win and in scenario to the playoffs after beating Miami last weekend. The Bills on the other hand went through something we've never seen before over this past week but could still get the 1 seed in the conference with a win and a Chiefs loss. Both teams really do have things to play for, getting in for the Pats and seeding for the Bills. As cool as it would be to see Mac Jones and Bill Belichick along with that stout stout NE D find a way back into the playoffs, I think the Bills are going to be playing with another gear in front of their home crowd after what happened. Can't wait to see this game.
Score Prediction: Bills 35, Patriots 19

New York Jets (7-9) at Miami Dolphins (8-8)

A big rivalry game here with playoff implications on the line. The Jets were eliminated from making the playoffs last weekend with their loss in Seattle, but they would love to help play spoiler against their division foe Dolphins. The 'Fins have looked like a top 3 team in football at times this season, but injuries to QB Tua Tagovailoa AND Teddy Bridgewater have this team on a major skid of late. Despite this awful streak they are in, the 'Fins can get in with a win at home over a worse team and a Patriots loss on the road to a better team. Their path is quite clear. Still, will rookie third-string QB Skylar Thompson be able to guide this team to victory over Joe Flacco and the Jets? My guess: yes!
Score Prediction: Dolphins 24, Jets 18

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-8) at Atlanta Falcons (6-10)

I won't get too deep into games with no meaning. This is one of them as the Bucs have already clinched the NFC South title and the #4 seed that accompanies it this year. The Falcons have been eliminated from the post-season already as well. While the Bucs could rest their starters, they are reportedly not doing so. I'm not sure how fired up they will be in this one, but they are the better team and I believe that is enough to take down this lowly Falcon squad. Also, Tom Brady is 10-0 in his career against Atlanta. Just sayin'. 

Score Prediction: Buccaneers 26, Falcons 19

Carolina Panthers (6-10) at New Orleans Saints (7-9)

I will not also dive too deeply into this game as it has no playoff implications for either side, but this is a tough one to pick. One of the hardest of the week. These two division rivals play each other close every time and they have both looked so good AND so bad of late. The Panthers beat the Saints early in the season but both teams looked much different then. Jameis Winston and Christian McCaffrey were featured players for either side in that one. Since then, both teams have adopted completely different identities and made personnel changes. Both teams are also coming off of good performances (Panthers played well despite the loss). I love the way the Panther O has been rushing lately but the Saints D has also been so stout of late. I'm going with my gut here, but just know I was not sure on this one at all.
Score Prediction: Panthers 28, Saints 25

Houston Texans (2-13-1) at Indianapolis Colts (4-11-1)

Battle of two of the very worst teams in football here, this one has big implications, only for the DRAFT this time. With a loss, the Texans would secure the no. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft. With a win they could fall to 2. The Colts meanwhile sit currently at no. 5 but could move up from there with a loss. I firmly believe the Texans are actually the better team here, but I doubt they will actually try their hardest and lose a chance at the top selection in the April draft for a meaningless win. This could be an odd game with both teams have ulterior motives. I'd consider this Colts win a bit of an upset honestly.
Score Prediction: Colts 21, Texans 19

Arizona Cardinals (4-12) at San Francisco 49ers (12-4)

This game is more important than it looks. For the Niners, a win would secure them AT LEAST the no. 2 seed in the NFC with an actual shot at the 1 seed if the Eagles were to lose as well. Can't believe they are in this position right now given the fact they are starting a rookie 7th rounder at QB. The Cardinals who are awful, could move up from pick 4 to 3 with a loss and also a Broncos win later in the day. With David Blough starting at QB, against THIS fired up defense, yeah, I don't love the Cardinals' chances.
Score Prediction: 49ers 37, Cardinals 12

Dallas Cowboys (12-4) at Washington Commanders (7-8-1)

I will keep this one quick. The Cowboys are fighting for the NFC East (with a win and an Eagles loss) while the Commanders are out and giving their rookie mid-round QB Sam Howell his first career start. This one should be over quick.
Score Prediction: Cowboys 30, Commanders 21

Los Angeles Rams (5-11) at Seattle Seahawks (8-8)

Let me start off by saying to the NFL, you deeply screwed the Seahawks. For the 8-8 Hawks to get in, they would need to win this game and see Green Bay lose to Detroit. However, that game got moved to the SNF slot meaning that if Seattle were to take care of business and win this one, Detroit would then be eliminated before their game even begun and lose some fire and motivation to beat Green Bay. Obviously they play for THE motivator in Dan Campbell, but still it is going to be different than it could have been. Either way though, the Hawks have to first win this game. A lot of people are writing the Rams off here, but this is going to be a close battle. The Rams have owned the Seahawks in recent years, and even the first game probably should have gone to the Rams if not for a clutch game-winning drive FTW by Geno Smith. I also wouldn't rule out some bad reffing as the NFL would probably rather have the Lions/Packers game be win and in for either side. This is going to be a really close one, and I could see the Rams coming out on top.
Score Prediction: Seahawks 27, Rams 25

New York Giants (9-6-1) at Philadelphia Eagles (13-3)

With the Giants locked into the no. 6 seed in the NFC playoffs, HC Brian Daboll has said to the media that the team will rest its key starters. This is welcome news to a reeling, banged up Philly team that needs this victory to secure the top seed in the NFC, and the bye week that comes with it. Jalen Hurts has rallied back from his shoulder injury and will start on Sunday. Sorry Cowboys fans, the Eagles are going to stick it to the Giants' backups.
Score Prediction: Eagles 33, Giants 13

Los Angeles Chargers (10-6) at Denver Broncos (4-12)

This is an interesting game with a lot of different things at stake. Let me start this one off by saying the NFL screwed the Seahawks here again. This game was originally going to be played at the same time as the Ravens/Bengals game before that other game got moved up. With that being said, the Chargers will know the outcome before this game even kicks off. If the Ravens lose (which they are heavily projected to) then the Chargers will be locked into the 5 seed in the AFC and can rest their starters in this one. That means Denver could have a much easier time winning here and moving Seattle's pick (the one from Denver) from no. 3 possibly to 4 or worse. I think if the Chargers' starters sit, Denver will take this one. They will be keen on ending the year on a high note and Russ is known for showing out in the final week of the season, as he did last year as well.
Score Prediction: Broncos 23, Chargers 17

Sunday Night Football - Detroit Lions (8-8) at Green Bay Packers (8-8)

This is the big one! Both teams fighting for the 7 seed in the NFC playoffs and they will square off at Lambeau Field on SNF. Like I said earlier, this one could be more or less exciting based off the results of the Seahawks game. If the Hawks lose, this game becomes a win and in for EITHER team. If not though, the Packers will be playing for the spot and the Lions will be fighting to spoil things for their rival Packers. This is such a tough pick. The Packers might be the hottest team in football right now. Offense with Aaron Rodgers. Defense with those linebackers and Jaire Alexander. Special Teams with Keisean Nixon. And at home in a playoff atmosphere. It is hard to pick against them. Then again, the Lions have been counted out all year and have clawed their way back from everything. Their defense has come alive of late and their offense stays one of the best in the league. If the Hawks win, the Lions would have zero pressure on them which could be a dangerous thing. If the Hawks lose, the Lions could be amped up with a real shot at the post-season. I truly can't decide here. The score I say below I am not confident about at all and don't fully agree with. This one could go EITHER way.
Score Prediction: Packers 27, Lions 25

*If all of my predictions were correct, this is what next weekend's Super Wildcard Weekend would look like! 

NFC:

1 Eagles (BYE WEEK)

5 Cowboys at 4 Buccaneers
6 Giants at 3 Vikings
7 Packers at 2 49ers

AFC:

1 Chiefs (BYE WEEK)

5 Chargers at 4 Jaguars

6 Ravens VS 3 Bengals (COIN TOSS FOR VENUE)

7 Dolphins at 2 Bills