NFL Week 18 Best Bets and Picks For Sunday, January 8, 2023

We're 45-23-2 with our NFL best bets this season, and we're hoping to end the regular season on a positive note. Week 18 is upon us and it can be somewhat daunting to make picks when a lot of teams have no reason to compete, but we're here to try and make it easy on you. Our picks have hit at a 66% rate this season and we are confident that we can close the season out the right way. And if you don't like what you see here, our predictive analytics model also has some computer picks that you might be more comfortable following. Either way, we have you covered for the final week of the year, much like we did all season long. And you better believe that we'll continue to feed you picks when the NFL Playoffs roll around. We're as excited for the road to the Super Bowl as you are! 

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NFL Week 18 Best Betting Picks and Predictions

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Atlanta Falcons - 1:00PM ET

The Buccaneers clinched the NFC South in their comeback win over the Carolina Panthers in Week 17, so they have nothing to play for in this meeting with the Falcons. Sure, this doesn't mean much for Atlanta either, but the team has fought hard all year long. The Falcons are going to be trying to finish the year on a high note, and their opponent in this one will simply be trying to avoid getting injured. 

Tampa Bay is also just 2-8 against the spread when facing teams that allow a completion percentage of 61.0% or worse this season. That means that the Buccaneers haven't been able to capitalize when facing lousy passing defenses, and there's no reason that will change now. 

Week 18 can be tricky to bet on, but one of the easiest things to do is fade teams that are prioritizing their health for the playoffs. That would perfectly describe the Buccaneers. 

PICK: Falcons -4 (-110 at DraftKings Sportsbook)

🏈 Buccaneers vs. Falcons Predictions

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PARLAY: The best bets to parlay for Sunday's NFL

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Cleveland Browns vs. Pittsburgh Steelers - 1:00PM ET

The Steelers are in a situation in which they need to win in order to have a shot at making the postseason. Pittsburgh does need help from other teams along the way, but playing in the early slate of games means that the team must simply go out and win in order to have a chance. And being that the Browns are already eliminated, there will be different levels of motivation between these two. 

Pittsburgh has also been excellent on the defensive side of the ball recently, with the team giving up 17 or fewer points in each of its last six games. The Steelers have also won and covered in six of their last eight, so they are hot at the right time of the year. Look for them to pound away with Najee Harris between the tackles here. If he can get it going then rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett is capable of making enough plays in the passing game. He has really come on strong in recent weeks, coming up with some big throws to help the Steelers win games late. 

Cleveland is also 2-10 ATS when coming off a road game since the start of last season. 

PICK: Steelers -2.5 (-110 at DraftKings Sportsbook)

🏈 Browns vs. Steelers Predictions

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Los Angeles Chargers vs. Denver Broncos - 4:25PM ET

The Chargers are already in the postseason and they'll now take on a Broncos team that is still playing extremely hard — despite the fact that they've been eliminated for weeks. Last week, Denver nearly earned an upset win over the Kansas City Chiefs, as the Broncos ended up losing 27-24. 

This is just a line that really seems fishy, with a playoff team getting points against one of the worst teams in the league. But the Broncos might not have been in the league's basement had they never hired Nathaniel Hackett. This is still a talented football team and Russell Wilson looked much better in his former coach's absence last week. So, how about a little magic from the former Super Bowl champion in Week 18?

This is a team that is capable of playing elite defense, and it's an added bonus that Denver does not have its draft pick this year. That means you won't see the Broncos tanking. This is just a normal game for them, but they're playing a team that is hoping to avoid injuries heading into the playoffs. 

PICK: Broncos -2 (-110 at FanDuel Sportsbook)

🏈 Chargers vs. Broncos Predictions