Last week of 2025 NFL The regular season is here and there's a lot to think about. While only one playoff spot has yet to be clinched in each conference, virtually all of the seeding is up for grabs. Green Bay Packers in the NFC is the only team tied to its current seed.
On Saturday Carolina Panthers And Tampa Bay Buccaneers will compete for the NFC South crown, and Seattle Seahawks And San Francisco 49ers will face off for the No. 1 seed in the NFC. If the 49ers win, they will maintain home field advantage thanks to Super Bowl LH. In AFK Jacksonville Jaguars hope to conquer the South by winning Tennessee Titanswhile Denver Broncos can take first place in the AFC by winning Los Angeles Chargers.
Which teams should you pick in Week 18 and which should fade away? CBS Sports writers Jordan Dajani and Jared Dubin are here to break down the biggest games of the weekend. For clarity, the lines for this election were taken from December 31st DraftKings Bookmaker's office.
Carolina Panthers – Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Saturday)
Dajani (Panthers +2.5): Look, I'm not betting my salary on this, but I'm going to take the Panthers by surprise. No, I don't think Carolina is a Super Bowl sleeper, but what reason do I have to trust the Buccaneers? I thought they would beat the Panthers in Carolina in Week 16. But this did not happen. Well, of course, they could fight back and win. Quinn Evers and poor quality Dolphins in Miami? Nope. Tampa Bay has lost seven of its last eight games. Will home field advantage really save the Bucs' season? it's hard for me to watch Bryce Young as a franchise quarterback, but he's capable of some occasional explosions. He threw for 448 yards and three touchdowns against who was the No. 1 running back in the NFL earlier this season and scored three touchdowns in upsetting the team. Los Angeles Rams Also. Don't forget, this is also a rematch of Dave Canales, who was the Bucs' offensive coordinator in 2023. I don't trust any of these teams, but I trust the Bucs less… Forecast: Panthers 24, Buccaneers 21
Dubin (Buccaneers -2.5): I'm playing the Buccaneers for the same reason I (mistakenly) did a few weeks ago: I trust their offense more than the Panthers' offense. WITH Baker MayfieldThe weapons are back to normal, I think they can move the ball here. Since Tampa's defense is better at defending the run than the pass, I still don't believe Bryce Young can consistently do the same. … Forecast: Buccaneers 23, Panthers 20
Seattle Seahawks – San Francisco 49ers (Saturday)
Dajani (49ers +1.5): This matchup is not only about capturing the NFC West crown, but also about the No. 1 seed in the conference. I've had my doubts about the 49ers for most of the year. In fact, I still wonder if this broken defense can survive a Super Bowl run. But Brock PurdyThe offense has been the best in the NFL over the past few weeks. The last time the 49ers had back-to-back 40-point games was 1995! San Francisco has averaged an NFL-high 35.7 points per game during this six-game winning streak, and this entire roster knows what's on the line this week. Thanks to the Super Bowl, the 49ers could have home-field advantage. The Seahawks are certainly contenders and have won six games in a row, but I've seen them play too much with their food… Forecast: 49ers 31, Seahawks 28
Dubin (49ers +1.5): San Francisco won this game early in the season, and that was before the Niners hit the momentum they are in now, where the offense is firing on all cylinders. Add in the fact that the Seattle offense hasn't been as efficient or explosive as it was earlier in the year, and I have a hard time believing the Seahawks are going to go to Santa Clara and come away with a win. Especially if George Kittle ok, I like the 49ers – although their defense is probably allowing Seattle's offense to get back on track as well. … Forecast: 49ers 30, Seahawks 27
Tennessee Titans – Jacksonville Jaguars
Dajani (Titans +12.5): The Jaguars need this win if they want to clinch the AFC South, and keep in mind that they previously lost to the Titans in a critical situation in Week 18. The Titans have suddenly become one of the most fun teams in the NFL. They have scored at least 24 points in each of their last four games. Tony Pollard Has crossed 100 yards in three of the last four, they have the best returning rookie in NFL history with Chimera Dam, Jeffrey Simmons looks like Aaron Donald in the middle of defense and Cam WardWhile he's been inconsistent, he's made some Patrick Mahomes-esque plays and gives you an idea of ​​why he was the No. 1 overall pick in the last draft. The problem is that Tennessee's secondary has been decimated by injuries. It's up to guys like Darrell Baker Jr., Kayir Elam And Kemon Hall contain Meyers, Parker Washington, Brian Thomas Jr.. And Brenton Strange. Yes. The Jaguars win, but 12.5 is a big number… Forecast: Jaguars 26, Titans 20
Dubin (Titans +12.5): The Titans have been much better all season, with Cam Ward finding some rhythm, not taking as many sacks, and not turning the ball over as often. Their defense is still quite suspect, especially against the pass, but after… Colts While they managed to keep things under control against the Jaguars last week – even leading for much of the game – it appears the Titans may be able to avoid getting beaten too badly here. … Forecast: Jaguars 27, Titans 17
Dajani (Texans -10.5): The Texans need this win and a Jaguars loss to the Titans to clinch the AFC South title. Riley Leonard starts over Philip Riversand he looked better than I expected in his first big action against the Jaguars earlier this year, throwing for 145 yards and one interception plus a rushing touchdown. DeMeco Ryans said he won't consider starting this week and I'm sure he wants his offense to perform well heading into the playoffs… Forecast: Texans 27, Colts 13
Dubin (Texans -10.5): Riley Leonard isn't going to have a good time going against Houston's ferocious defense. It's almost mean to feed him to the wolves in his first NFL start. I feel sorry for him. … Forecast: Texans 26, Colts 10
Dajani (Falcons-3): This matchup actually means more than Saturday's matchup between the Panthers and Bucs. If the Falcons beat the Saints, Carolina will represent the NFC South in the postseason whether the Panthers win or lose on Saturday. With that being said, I do think this line is correct. The Falcons take on the Rams on Monday night. Sesame Robinson gained over 200 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns while the defense fought back Matthew Stafford three times. Tyler Shaw has been impressive during this four-game winning streak, but New Orleans trailed Tennessee by double digits at halftime last week. The Falcons beat Shaw in New Orleans earlier this season by 14 points. Since this game is in Atlanta, I'll take the Falcons 3… Forecast: Falcons 27, Saints 21
Dubin (Saints +3): I didn't think this game was actually more important than the Bucks-Panthers game, which supposedly settles the division, but apparently it doesn't. But the Saints have been playing much better lately thanks to the good play of Tyler Shaw and I think they can pick up some points here. I know the Falcons have done well over the last few weeks. Kirk Cousins under center as well, but I think they are ripe for disappointment as the Saints end the season on a consistently high note… Forecast: Saints 24, Falcons 23
Dajani (Steelers +3.5): When DK Metcalf was suspended for two games for attempting to assault a fan, I said, “Wow, he's lucky this doesn't affect the Steelers' playoff hopes.” I thought Pittsburgh would win Cleveland Brownsand the Packers will beat the Ravens. Nothing happened and Metcalf won't be able to play a win-win game. Incredible. Metcalf was a big reason the Steelers beat the Ravens in Baltimore earlier this season, as he caught seven passes for 148 yards in that game. Last week against the Browns Aaron Rodgers threw for just 168 yards – and 58 of those yards came on the top pass when Cleveland made plays that virtually hampered the defense. I think Lamar Jackson And Derrick Henry We're going to lead the Ravens to victory, but I'm not sure about the spread. Rodgers doesn't want this to be the last game of his NFL career. Plus, it's in Pittsburgh. The Steelers are 5-1 in their last six games against the Ravens. Give me Baltimore by exactly three points… Forecast: Ravens 20, Steelers 17
Dubin (Crows-3.5): I'm going down the ship with the Ravens, who I still believe are a good team that hasn't reached their talent level, rather than going with the Steelers, who aren't a good team but somehow find themselves in a situation where they finish above .500 again. If Lamar Jackson is back healthy for this game (and everyone seems to expect him to be), I'll just have to play Baltimore given my fundamental beliefs about both teams. … Forecast: Ravens 24, Steelers 20
