NFL Week 18 Preseason Preview: Flex Schedule Takes Full Effect

The final weekend of the NFL regular season is a bit different than the previous 17. The complete NFL schedule won’t be announced until after the competition of Week 17.

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Of the scheduled games, two will be moved to Saturday and one will be moved to the Sunday night slot. The NFL wants to ensure fans view the most important games, while also trying to eliminate any advantage a team may have in regards to needing to win or not.

The aim is for all NFL teams to play as hard in Week 18 as they did in Week 1. That doesn’t always happen, but it is an admirable goal. We’ll run down the final day of regular season games in NFL Week 18 preseason preview.

This one features an NFC South clash between a pair of teams hoping to be playing in a meaningful game.

• • Tampa Bay is favored by 2.5 points and the total appears to be a little bit low at 43.

This isn’t the most exciting of the Week 18 NFL games, but there’s a chance it could influence the playoff picture.

The Bucs appear to be a little more likely than New Orleans to still be alive, but stranger things have happened. Tampa Bay would appear to have the early edge in this one.

The Week 18 NFL lines seem to be a little bit on the light side here, but there’s also the chance the Bills have the division clinched and will be resting starters.

Buffalo was just 2-3 ATS as a road favorite last season and one of those losses came at the hands of the Patriots.

• New England upset the Bills 29-25 as 7.5-point underdogs midway through the season.

The weather is always a bit of a concern this time of the season and this one could be worth a look at the under.

This game is an NFC North encounter that has possible playoff implications. Green Bay is expected to make the playoffs, most likely as a wild card team behind the Lions in the division.

The Bears could be on the outside looking in, but aren’t completely without a chance. The NFL Week 18 betting lines are a shade low here, although it remains to be seen if it’s a game Green Bay needs to win.

It’s easier to feel more confident with Jordan Love in a pressure game right now than it is with Caleb Williams. Take Green Bay in this one.

The NFL Week 18 preseason preview sees one of the better games of the week that could have bearing on the playoff seedings.

Both teams are expected to battle for the postseason and this appears to be a likely candidate for the NFL Week 18 flex schedule to get moved.

There is a bit of logic in taking the Browns in this one, as it’s more likely this game will be more meaningful to Cleveland. The Cleveland defense can keep the teams in games and a cold-weather game should work to Cleveland’s advantage.

The NFL playoff picture Week 18 will likely be influenced by the outcome of this game. The Texans are big favorites in the AFC South, but even if they cruise to the division title, teams will be battling for seeding positions and home field during the playoffs.

The Texans should be in good shape there due to a favorable schedule that will help with the NFL team records.

• The Titans are clearly looking to the future right now and have a few decent building blocks in place. The under looks to be the safest wager right now.

This one should be one of the NFL Week 18 meaningful games, as the Bengals visit Pittsburgh. If Joe Burrow can stay healthy, Cincinnati figures to battle Baltimore and Cleveland for a playoff spot from the AFC North.

Pittsburgh can never be counted out, but it would be one of Mike Tomlin’s greatest coaching feats if he can get this Steeler team into the playoffs.

• Russell Wilson’s best days may be behind him, but he and Justin Fields are better than last year’s quarterbacks. Pittsburgh is worth a small shot here.

The Lions host the Vikings in a game that will likely have some bearing on the playoff picture. Minnesota is still considered a longshot to make the playoffs, but could surprise with decent QB play.

The skill players are there. The Lions have to pick it up a little defensively, as the offense is top-notch. The NFL Week 18 spreads are about right in this one, although it’s easier to make a case for the Vikings in this one.

Washington visits the Cowboys without much hope of making the postseason, while it remains to be seen what type of NFL Week 18 incentives the Cowboys have in this game.

Dallas may place a little more importance on securing as many home playoff games as possible, since the Cowboys tend to be much better at home.

That didn’t help them last season, however, as they were drilled by Green Bay at home. Dallas is probably the right side in this one with the line being less than a touchdown.

The Eagles are favored by five points in this rivalry game. Even if the Giants are eliminated, they’ll play their best if a victory can somehow make it tougher on the Eagles.

Philadelphia and Dallas should battle for the division title, so it’s quite possible this one will be meaningful. The NFL Week 18 weather is always a concern in Philadelphia and that’s reflected by a fairly low total. Still, the under could be the way to go in this one.

This is another one of the games that has a decent chance to be flexed to a time slot to attract more viewers. Both of these teams are mid-priced in the NFL Super Bowl odds due to the AFC being a much more well-rounded conference than the NFC.

There are six or seven teams capable of making the Super Bowl from the AFC, while you can point to three or four teams from the NFC.

The Dolphins aren’t the greatest road team and were bad last season as an underdog, but the NFL Week 18 odds could be off a bit here depending on Aaron Rodgers and the New York defense.

With the game being played in New York and January, the under is probably going to be worth a look.

This could be one of the better NFL Week 18 matchups depending on how the season plays out. It’s not entirely out of the question that at least one of these two is battling for a NFL playoff berth.

Neither team may be as good as several teams from the other divisions, but their schedules are a bit more conducive to posting a good record.

If the Jaguars have some incentive to win, they’re probably the right side and look especially good in a teaser.

The NFL Week 18 preseason preview sees the highest of the Week 18 point spreads, with the Falcons favored by 6.5 points. Atlanta could be popular in teasers and also in the NFL picks and parlays this week.

The Panthers should be a better team than they were last season. How much that’s reflected in the standings is a bit of an unknown.

Kirk Cousins is expected to lead the Falcons to the division title and it’s quite possible he does that, but it’s not guaranteed. There is a bit of rationale in taking the Panthers in this one.

San Francisco is another team that may not have anything to play for here, so it’s a bit risky taking them as a road favorite. At least the weather shouldn’t be bad in Arizona, which is always a positive this time of the year.

San Francisco is obviously the better team, but if you bet the 49ers you’re hoping they have some type of incentive to play hard.

The Cardinals are still a work in progress, but shouldn’t be all that bad offensively with Kyler Murray and Marvin Harrison Jr.

The NFL over/under Week 18 could call for the over 43 in this one. The total is a bit on the low side and both teams are capable of putting some points on the scoreboard.

The NFL Week 18 preseason preview gives us another game where the point spread is low, but you have to wonder if the game is going to have any meaning to Kansas City.

The Chiefs aren’t too concerned with having to play on the road in the playoffs, they just want everybody healthy.

• Kansas City appears to be the right side, but it’s a bit risky taking them now and seeing half their starters on the bench when the game rolls around.

Denver shouldn’t be a high-powered offense and the NFL Week 18 over under predictions like the under 42.5 in this one.

The #Chiefs have implemented a masterclass of roster building for the rest of the NFL to marvel at and prepare for each week. Can they be stopped?@ChiefsBlitz, @ChiefsInsider, @TalkPrimeTime, @PTSTNews, @BowTieSports_18, @FourGuysInABarhttps://t.co/HiwNmO5Izo

— Prime Time Sports Talk (@TalkPrimeTime) July 31, 2024

The NFL betting odds might be underestimating Seattle a little bit in this one. The Seahawks and Rams both have a chance at the playoffs and this game could be the deciding factor.

The road to the playoffs in the NFC looks a bit easier than it is in the AFC. The Seahawks were just 1-5 straight-up as an away underdog last season, but did go 4-2 against the spread.

Seattle can play teams close and this might be another spot where the Seahawks are right in it until the end, but fall just short. The NFL point spreads Week 18 2024 look a bit high and Seattle is probably the right side here.

The Chargers and the Raiders figures to be a NFL matchup between two teams coming up just short of the playoffs. Catching Kansas City in the standings is probably too tough of a task.

The competition for the AFC wild card spots looks to be tough with the AFC East and AFC North both having three teams capable of making the post season.

The NFL point spread Week 18 looks to have the wrong team favored, as Las Vegas plays well at home and have to believe the Raiders are the right side in this spot.

For NFL betting news, odds analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.

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