The NFL playoff picture comes into focus with 12 teams locked in and the remaining two spots will be decided in winner-take-all matchups in Week 18.
Carolina Panthers hit the road to meet Tampa Bay Buccaneers The NFC South title is on the line, and Pittsburgh Steelers accept Baltimore Ravens on Sunday night against the AFC North. The winners of these games will advance to the playoffs and play a home game, the loser is eliminated.
Other key matchups will determine playoff seeding, including Seattle Seahawks And San Francisco 49ers A matchup with the top seed in the NFC is on the line. The loser will have to play an away playoff game.
Matt Bowen, Joe Fortenbaugh, Pamela Maldonado, Eric Moody and Seth Walder looked at the odds heading into Week 18 and determined which ones are worth paying attention to now before possible changes appear later this week.
Note. Odds by Bookmaker DraftKings and are subject to change.
Bowen: Assuming Dak Prescott and the Cowboys' best offensive players are ready for it, I'll take Dallas to cover the spread. Prescott has scored back-to-back touchdowns and will have his sights set on matchups at the second and third levels of the field. There are big roles to play here.
Last week: Steelers -4.5 vs. Browns (Browns won, 13-6)
Ravens – Steelers UNDER 41.5 (-110)
Fortenbaugh: It opened at 43 o'clock and was immediately directed south for several reasons. For starters, did you see what Pittsburgh looked like on Sunday without DK Metcalfe? Just six points for 4.5 yards per play against Cleveland Browns defense that gave up 31 points at home Tennessee Titans still December 7th. To make matters worse, Steelers Darnell Washington broke his hand in Sunday's loss to the Browns. It's worth noting that the last 11 meetings between the Steelers and Ravens have resulted in an average of just 34.5 points per game. Rock battle is coming!
Titans in Jaguars OVER 46.5 (-115)
Maldonado: The Jags can make the overall run on their own by averaging 27 points per game, 35 in their last three, converting in the red zone and not being conservative when ahead. Over the last few games, the Titans have stepped up their offensive game in more than a functional way. Cam Ward has shown lately that he is capable of pushing the Titans into scoring range when the game script turns up the volume beyond what is needed.
Last week: Cowboy Commanders over 50.5 (Cowboys won, 30-23)
Browns in Bengals OVER 44.5 (-110)
Capricious: The Bengals are expected to play their starters in Week 18, including Joe Burrow. Cincinnati has scored 82 points in its last two games, and the Browns must score points against a Bengals defense that has allowed the second-most points per game this season.
Last week: Lions -6 at Vikings (Vikings win, 23-10)
Walder: He just recorded the highest QBR in the history of the metric (since 2006) with a 99.8 vs. New York Jets on Sunday. This allows him to become the clear QBR leader for the season, three points behind the next highest player (Jordan Love). And after the San Francisco 49ers won on Sunday night, Los Angeles Rams were knocked out of contention for the NFC West. While it shouldn't matter too much, the fact that Los Angeles will be just a wild card while the Patriots won their division and still have a shot at the No. 1 seed will likely hurt. Matthew Staffordin the minds of some voters.
