Football bettors need to break out the yarn map when betting the NFL Week 18 odds, with so many twists and turns for the final slate of the 2023 regular season.
Uncertainty is the name of the game in Week 18, with only a handful of teams enjoying the luxury of resting up before the postseason. The majority of clubs are still jostling for playoff position or a spot in the tournament.
Those motivations are already moving the spreads and totals for this weekend’s contests. Bettors looking to score the best of the number for their opinions will want to grab some of those odds now, while others may wait to buy back any market moves later in the week. Here's Bet Now, Bet Later for Week 18.
Week 18 bet now, bet later picks
- Jaguars (-3.5) at Titans: Bet Now
- Broncos (+2.5) at Raiders: Bet Later
- Vikings at Lions (Over 43.5): Bet Now
- Texans at Colts (Under 47): Bet Later
Click on each pick to jump to the full analysis.
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Jacksonville Jaguars (-3.5) at Tennessee Titans: Bet Now
The Jaguars simply need a win over Tennessee in Week 18 and they’re the kings of the AFC South. However, some additional factors could force this line to tick up before Sunday.
First, Trevor Lawrence. Jacksonville’s franchise player missed Week 17 with a shoulder injury. That put backup C.J. Beathard at the wheel in the 26-0 win over Carolina.
The Jags’ QB2 was serviceable as a game manager and that may be all Jacksonville needs to beat the terrible Titans. But if the resilient Lawrence comes back, this one jumps past Jags -4 and flirts with -6.
Second, Ryan Tannehill. Tennessee’s quarterback situation is just as murky. Rookie passer Will Levis left Week 17’s loss to Houston on a cart due to a foot injury, which makes Tannehill the potential Week 18 starter.
The veteran QB lost his starting gig to Levis in October for his inability to push the ball downfield and has absorbed 11 sacks in his last two appearances.
Oddsmakers opened this spread at Jacksonville -3.5 on the road and some books did go to -4, which quickly drew buyback on the home pup. As of Monday morning, the industry consensus is Jaguars -3.5 with some added vig at select sportsbooks.
The four-point spread is an undervalued key number and even if Beathard gets the start, Jacksonville has a solid shot of covering this current line against a bad Tennessee team with a dead-arm QB under center. Bet the Jags now.
Best odds to bet Jaguars -3.5 right now
Denver Broncos (+2.5) at Las Vegas Raiders: Bet Later
Despite this AFC West finale meaning absolutely nothing in terms of the playoff pecking order, the narratives coming out of Denver and Las Vegas will be very different in Week 18.
The Broncos are currently clouded in controversy following the shrewd decision to mothball Russell Wilson to protect payroll. Head coach Sean Payton — already not the most likable guy in the league — barked at reporters about his “good” relationship with his now-benched QB, who was replaced by Jarrett Stidham for Denver’s 16-9 win over the L.A. Chargers in Week 17.
Over in Sin City, the Raiders' locker room is singing a different tune and that could draw action on the Silver and Black.
Interim head coach Antonio Pierce has energized Las Vegas since taking over for the fired Josh McDaniels back on Halloween. The Raiders have gone just 4-4 straight up under Pierce, but his influence shows in the team’s 6-1-1 against-the-spread mark in that span.
Las Vegas’ stars are rallying around Pierce to become the next head coach and a Week 18 win could be the straw that finally breaks Mark Davis’ back on hiring the well-liked coach. However, more accomplished names like Bill Belichick and Jim Harbaugh are atop the list for Raiders’ ownership.
Given the contrasting public opinions of these teams and the mix of motivation, we’re already seeing Vegas -2.5 draw heavy juice to -115. A field goal spread could be on the way. Payton may not be as likable as Pierce but he is the far superior head coach.
If you’re not already down on Denver, wait and make sure you get the +3 with the Broncos.
Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions (Over 43.5): Bet Now
The Vikings and Lions met just two weeks ago, with Detroit scoring a 30-24 road win that topped the closing 48-point total. These NFC North rivals are back at it again in Week 18, with books chopping that number to 43.5 O/U.
While the Lions have already punched their postseason ticket, there’s still work to do and head coach Dan Campbell has already stated he won’t be resting starters. Detroit can earn the No. 2 seed in the NFC with losses from the Eagles and Cowboys.
And even after a bad loss at home to Green Bay in Week 17, Minnesota is mathematically still alive in the playoff hunt. The Vikes need a series of events to shake out just right but winning this Week 18 finale is the first step.
Minnesota’s defense has been among the worst in the league the past three weeks. Brian Flores’ aggressive approach has been roasted for scores of 27 (in overtime), 30, and 33 — producing three straight Over winners.
As for the Vikings offense, it started rookie QB Jaren Hall in Week 17 and yanked him after a dismal first half against the Packers. Nick Mullens played the final 30 minutes and at least shows signs of life on offense.
The Lions average almost 31 points per home game and boast a 5-2 Over/Under record inside the fast track of Ford Field. Detroit’s defense has been shoddy, especially against NFC North rivals. It’s 4-1 O/U in divisional games this season.
As of Monday morning, the books that do have this total on the board are at 43.5 but some sharper books are starting to tick up as high as 45.5. Grab the Over with the lowest number you can.
Best odds to bet Over 43.5 right now
Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts (Under 47): Bet Later
A playoff spot — and potentially the AFC South title — is on the line when the Texans tangle with the Colts in Week 18. These division rivals are in the hunt for at least a Wild Card slot on Saturday night.
The short week doesn’t do Houston any favors, however. The Texans have been dealing with a laundry list of ailments on both sides of the ball and the newest rash of injuries sees the receiving corps depleted ahead of this regular-season finale.
The Texans were already missing WR Tank Dell but watched fellow wideouts Noah Brown and Robert Woods leave Sunday’s victory over Tennessee. That leaves WR Nico Collins and TE Dalton Schultz (who’s been nursing a tender hamstring) as C.J. Stroud’s top targets.
Indianapolis has almost been a blind Over bet this season (11-5 O/U) due to its pace on offense and wretched defense. This total opened at 46.5 points and trending as high as 47.5 as of New Year’s Day.
If this total ticks to 48 points or more, you may want to consider taking the Under and getting ahead of any updates on the Texans’ offensive injuries, which also include stud OT Laremy Tunsil.
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