Guessing The Lines

Week 18

I went 2-3 last week, which only matters bercause I was 5-0 in Week 16, and I thought I might have finished with an epic run, but it was not to be. Week 18 is always fun to guess who’s trying and who’s packing it in. My MO is usually to bet the teams who are missing the playoffs, have nothing to play for, but also no reason not to go all out. They’re usually undervalued.

Browns at Ravens — The Ravens need this game to win the division, so I expect them to try, though they might pull their starters in the second half if they’re way up. I’ll say Browns +14.5 and probably lay the wood.

Bengals at Steelers — The Bengals have a long shot chance of making the playoffs and will go all out. The Steelers are playing for the three seed, but they’d need the Browns to beat the Ravens. Hard to say whether they’ll go all out, but I’ll make it Bengals -3.

Panthers at Falcons — The Falcons need this (but also a Bucs loss), and the Panthers will go all out because they have no reason not to. I’ll say Panthers +4.5.

Killer Redskins at Cowboys — The KRs can move between the sixth and seventh seeds, but I doubt they’ll leave their starters in long. I’ll say KRs +6.5.

Bears at Packers — The Packers can move between the sixth and seventh seeds, but it doesn’t matter much. I’ll make it Bears -3.5.

Jaguars at Colts — Both teams are playing for nothing. Mac Jones is playing decently, and it’s unclear who’s under center for the Colts. I’ll say Jaguars +3.5.

Bills at Patriots — It’ll be Mitch Trubisky against maybe Drake Maye. The Bills don’t need it. I’ll say Bills +5.5.

Giants at Eagles — Neither team needs it, the Eagles are probably resting Saquon Barkley who has a chance to break the single-season rushing record against his old team that decided not to pay him. I’ll make it Giants -2.5.

Saints at Buccaneers — The Bucs need this, the Saints are a destroyed team. Maybe Derek Carr plays, but I’d be surprised. I’ll say Saints +14.5.

Texans at Titans — The Texans don’t care, the Titans can try their hardest. I’ll make it Texans +4.5.

49ers at Cardinals — Two failed teams playing out the string. I’ll say pick ‘em and probably stay away.

Chiefs at Broncos — The Chiefs are resting everyone, the Broncos need to win in order to get in. I’ll make it Chiefs +8.

Seahawks at Rams — The Rams have clinched, can only toggle between the third and fourth seeds. I’ll say Seahawks -6.

Chargers at Raiders — The Chargers can only toggle between the fifth and sixth seeds, the Raiders are obviously done. Let’s say Chargers +6.5.

Dolphins at Jets — Tua’s probably not playing, but the Dolphins still have an outside chance at the playoffs. I’ll make it a pick ‘em and lean Dolphins.

Vikings at Lions — This is for the No. 1 seed and a bye in the NFC. I’ll say Vikings +2.5 and lean Vikings due to their defense.