NFL betting tips: 4 best bets for Week 18
Guy Giles makes his NFL betting picks for Week 18 of the 2021 season, with four picks against the spread.
Visit Betway’s NFL picks page for picks and predictions throughout the season.
MINNESOTA VIKINGS (-5.5) vs Chicago Bears
Neither of these teams have anything to play for in Week 18, so this pick simply comes down to backing the better team.
Minnesota has lost its last two, but those were tough matchups against the Rams and the Packers. The Vikings will also welcome back Kirk Cousins off the COVID list.
Chicago, meanwhile, is coming in off the back of two straight wins over the Seahawks and the Giants, neither of whom have had a good season.
The Vikings came out on top 17-6 when they went to Soldier Field in Week 15, and they should cover the spread again at home to close out the season.
WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM (-7) at New York Giants
It’s been a hugely disappointing season for Washington, particularly in recent weeks with their playoff hopes being dashed by four straight losses.
They should still beat the Giants comfortably, though. New York has been abysmal this season, with five straight defeats taking its record to 4-12 on the season. All five of those losses came by 10 points or more, including 24 and 26-point defeats in Week 16 and 17.
The Giants have been without their starting quarterback Daniel Jones since their last win in Week 12, and with Mike Glennon also injured, third-stringer Jake Fromm will make his second career start on Sunday.
In two appearances on the season, Fromm has completed 12 of 29 passes for 107 yards, with no TDs and one interception.
Washington should have more than enough to end its season on a high against a depleted NFC East rival.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (-3.5) at Atlanta Falcons
The Saints have an outside chance of earning an unlikely playoff berth in Week 18, needing to beat the Falcons and hope the Rams beat the 49ers.
New Orleans has had to rely on the defense to keep its postseason hopes alive, with a number of injuries decimating the offense for much of the campaign.
To say the defense has risen to the occasion would be an understatement. New Orleans has won three of its last four, allowing just 39 points in that time.
Atlanta came out on top in the first meeting between these NFC South rivals this season, winning by two at the Superdome, but New Orleans has won its last three at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Look for the Saints defense to stifle the Falcons and Taysom Hill to help the offense over the line.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (-7) at Miami Dolphins
Although unlikely, the Patriots are still in contention to regain their AFC East crown and secure at least one home game in the playoffs.
They are also still mathematically in the race for the No. 1 seed in the AFC, but would need a win and three massive upsets for that to happen.
Either way, there is still a lot to play for here, while the Dolphins are out of contention after their seven-game win streak was snapped with an emphatic 34-3 loss to the Titans in Week 17.
New England lost a 17-16 slugfest to Miami earlier in the season, but is rolling into this one following a 40-point win over the Jaguars.
The Patriots have one of the best defenses in the league, and will look to pound the Dolphins with their running game, while Mac Jones has had the edge over former Alabama teammate Tua Tagovailoa this season.