Believe it or not, we've only got one full weekend of NFL action left before the playoffs begin. Everything is on the line now: postseason spots and seeding are up for grabs, and it's anyone's guess as to which clubs will prove to be contenders rather than pretenders in Week 18. "Any given Sunday" applies now more than ever. So which teams are actually worth backing? We're glad you asked!
We've collected all of the best picks and predictions content from CBSSports.com and SportsLine and put it in one place, so you can get picks against the spread from our CBS Sports experts, as well as additional advice for each game, including plays from top SportsLine experts and the SportsLine Projection Model, best bets from our staff, survivor picks and more.
Ready? Let's jump in.
All NFL odds via Caesars Sportsbook.
Which picks can you make with confidence in Week 18? And which Super Bowl contender goes down hard? Visit SportsLine, as its incredible model simulates every NFL game 10,000 times and is up almost $7,000 for $100 players on top-rated NFL picks since its inception.
Buccaneers at Falcons
Time: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (Fox), stream on fuboTV (try for free)
Open: Falcons -8, O/U 38.5
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NFL game 10,000 times, and it's now up more than $7,000 for $100 players on top-rated NFL picks since its inception. The model enters Week 18 of the 2022 NFL season on a 160-113 run making top-rated NFL picks since 2017, and it says to avoid the Buccaneers, even though they are facing Atlanta, whom the Bucs have beaten in five straight head-to-head matchups. Why? Probably because Tom Brady and the starters aren't likely to play the entire contest now that Tampa Bay has already secured the NFC South title and a playoff spot.
Catch a full breakdown of the matchup, plus additional ATS advice, right here on SportsLine.
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| Buccaneers at Falcons (-4) |  | | |  | | | | |
Patriots at Bills
Time: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS), stream on Paramount+ (click here)
Open: Bills -8, O/U 43
"This is an important game for both teams. The Bills are playing for seeding, while the Patriots can get into the playoffs with a win. That won't be easy. The Bills are coming off the suspended game Monday night and have had to handle the mental part of having a fallen teammate in Damar Hamlin. Getting past that will be tough. But I expect the Bills to play well here and all but end New England's playoff chances."
CBS Sports senior NFL writer Pete Prisco went 10-5 on straight-up predictions in Week 17, and now he likes Buffalo to come out strong in this AFC East rematch. Catch more of Prisco's analysis, and all his Week 18 picks, right here.
Vikings at Bears
Time: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (Fox), stream on fuboTV (try for free)
Open: Vikings -1, O/U 46.5
"There are two reasons why I like the Vikings here: Minnesota will absolutely want to rebound after that terrible loss to the Green Bay Packers, and Nathan Peterman is starting for the Bears with Justin Fields shut down for the year. Making the Vikings a best bet hasn't exactly worked out for me this year, but they are better ATS than the Bears, and I mean, c'mon. Fields has been Chicago's entire offense this season. If Peterman keeps it close with the Vikings this weekend, taking Minnesota to lose in the first round of the playoffs will be a trendy pick."
CBS Sports NFL writer Jordan Dajani is 166-87-2 making straight-up picks this season, and he's all over the road team in this NFC North clash. Check out his full rundown of Week 18 projections right here.
Texans at Colts
Time: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS), stream on Paramount+ (click here)
Open: Colts -3, O/U 38.5
"If you're wondering what's wrong with the Colts right now, it's everything: They've been outscored 97-16 since halftime of their Week 15 loss to the Vikings, they're going to be down to their third-string quarterback (Sam Ehlinger) and Jeff Saturday is in the argument for worst interim coach ever. Every bone in my body is telling me to pick against the Colts, but I can't do it. No team has been better at losing this year than the Texans and they have every reason to want to lose this game since a loss will clinch the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. On the other hand, if Houston wins, the Bears could get the top pick with a loss to Minnesota, so understandably, Texans fans actually want the Texans to lose."
CBS Sports NFL writer John Breech doesn't like Indy, but he thinks Houston won't be particularly motivated for this one, either, considering the draft-pick implications. Check out Breech's full breakdown of the game, and more Week 18 picks, right here.
Jets at Dolphins
Time: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (Fox), stream on fuboTV (try for free)
Open: Dolphins -3.5, O/U 41
The SportsLine Projection Model has ranked in the top 10 on NFLPickWatch four of the past six years on straight-up NFL picks, and it's beat more than 94% of CBS Sports Football Pick'em players four times during that span. Entering Week 18, we can tell you the model is shying away from the Dolphins even though they are favorites over the Jets. Miami is reeling, having lost five straight and its starting quarterback in Tua Tagovailoa. The team then lost backup QB Teddy Bridgewater to a finger injury in Week 17, meaning seventh-round rookie, Skylar Thompson, could be forced into action with the team fighting for its playoff lives.
Check out a full analysis of this matchup, and superior Survivor pool picks for Week 18, right here.
Panthers at Saints
Time: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (Fox), stream on fuboTV (try for free)
Open: Saints -4.5, O/U 39.5
Carolina has been one of the better stories of the NFL late in 2022, with interim coach Steve Wilks keeping the Panthers in contention for an improbable NFC South title up until Week 17's loss to the Buccaneers. But the Saints might be one of the most underrated spoilers right now, entering Week 18 on a three-game win streak that most recently included an upset of the Eagles. Dennis Allen's defense has now gone five straight games allowing no more than 18 points, so don't assume Sam Darnold and Co. will have their way while rematching with New Orleans in this one. Check out SportsLine for a full ATS breakdown.
Browns at Steelers
Time: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS), stream on Paramount+ (click here)
Open: Steelers -3, O/U 40.5
SportsLine expert and CBS Fantasy editor R.J. White is a powerhouse in the Westgate Las Vegas SuperContest, the world's most prestigious handicapping tournament. In 2017 he tied for 18th out of 2,748 contestants with a 52-29-4 mark against the spread, and to this day he ranks as SportsLine's No. 1 NFL expert in ATS projections. This week, selecting five best bets for the SuperContest, he likes Pittsburgh to deliver at home against the Browns, with an improbable playoff trip on the line. Check out his full forecast for Week 18 over at SportsLine right here.
Ravens at Bengals
Time: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS), stream on Paramount+ (click here)
Open: Bengals -6.5, O/U 42.5
"Since Lamar Jackson left in Week 13, Baltimore has averaged just 11.8 points per game. The defense has been great with Jackson out, but it's notable that the Ravens haven't scored more than 17 points since Nov. 27. Maybe Jackson returns this week, but he missed practice yet again on Wednesday and Thursday. The Bengals have won and covered in seven straight games since losing to the Browns in Week 8, and are an incredible 20-3 ATS in their last 23 games played! Why would I bet against them now in an important divisional matchup at home?"
CBS Sports NFL writer Jordan Dajani has every reason to stand behind the Bengals in this AFC North tilt, even as Cincinnati recovers from Monday night's on-field events. Check out all of his Week 18 ATS predictions right here.
Chargers at Broncos
Time: Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET (CBS), stream on Paramount+ (click here)
Open: Chargers -3.5, O/U 40.5
SportsLine's simulation model, which predicts every snap of every game to forecast final scores, is on a 14-6 roll on top-rated NFL picks since Week 7 of this season. Now, it has simulated Broncos vs. Chargers 10,000 times and the results are in. We can tell you that the model is leaning Over the total, and it also says one side of the spread hits almost 60% of the time. For a complete breakdown of the matchup, head over to SportsLine and lock in on a safe ATS bet.
Giants at Eagles
Time: Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET (CBS), stream on Paramount+ (click here)
Open: Eagles -13.5, O/U 40.5
SportsLine expert Larry Hartstein entered the 2022 season 427-344 all-time on NFL side picks (plus $3,764 for $100 players), including 394-330 against the spread. He's also 29-21-1 on his best bets this season, including 23-15-1 the past 13 weeks. Now, Hartstein has locked in three confident Week 18 NFL best bets. If you successfully parlay his picks, you're looking at a payout of almost 6-1. This matchup is part of the parlay, and we can tell you Hartstein loves the Giants to cover against the Eagles. "This is a massive number, and the Eagles remain without elite right tackle Lane Johnson," Hartstein told SportsLine. "They're 9-22 straight-up all time without him." Check out his full breakdown over at SportsLine.
Cardinals at 49ers
Time: Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET (Fox), stream on fuboTV (try for free)
Open: 49ers -13.5, O/U 40
"The Cardinals have been done for a long time, so they are looking toward Cabo. The 49ers need this to possibly have a chance for the top seed in the NFC. The 49ers defense was bad last week against the Raiders, but that will change against a bad Cardinals offense. They get back on track here."
CBS Sports NFL senior writer Pete Prisco thinks this one's cut and dry: San Francisco is a big home favorite for a reason, and with something to play for, they're a virtual lock to claim a decisive victory. Check out all of Prisco's Week 18 picks right here.
Rams at Seahawks
Time: Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET (Fox), stream on fuboTV (try for free)
Open: Seahawks -6.5, O/U 41.5
SportsLine has simulated every snap of Week 18 and just revealed its best parlay picks. Its proposed five-team parlay could lead to a massive 25-1 payout. One piece we can reveal: The Seahawks, desperate for a win and then a Detroit victory to clinch a playoff spot, cover at home against the Rams. The model says Seattle covers in well over 50% of simulations, making it one of its strongest Week 18 picks. For a more detailed breakdown, and other Week 18 ATS bets, check out SportsLine here.
Cowboys at Commanders
Time: Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET (Fox), stream on fuboTV (try for free)
Open: Cowboys -6, O/U 41.5
"Dallas could climb as high as the No. 1 seed in the NFC and possibly win the NFC East if certain dominos fall their way. However, all of that is predicated on the Cowboys winning their Week 18 matchup against Washington, so they'll have plenty of motivation in this division matchup. Meanwhile, one of the top defenses in the league will get some fresh meat as the Commanders are set to start rookie Sam Howell in the regular-season finale. Howell will also have to keep up with one of the more prolific offenses in the NFL. In the last 10 games, Dallas is averaging 35.1 points per game and has gone nine straight games with at least 27 points. That feels like too big of a mountain for Howell to climb."
CBS Sports NFL writer Tyler Sullivan believes in Dallas as a heavy favorite to round out the NFC East matchups. Check out his full breakdown of the Week 18 slate right here.
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| Cowboys (-7) at Commanders |  | |  | | | | | |
Lions at Packers
Time: Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET (NBC), stream on fuboTV (try for free)
Open: Packers -4.5, O/U 48.5
SportsLine expert R.J. White, a Fantasy and gambling editor for CBS Sports, went a whoppuing 445-378-24 on his ATS picks from 2017-21, which returned $2,542 to $100 players. He's also an incredible 58-21-2 on his last 81 ATS picks involving the Packers, returning $3,437 for $100 bettors. In this crucial NFC North showdown, which can send Green Bay to the playoffs, we can tell you White is leaning Over the total. For his full analysis and ATS bet, head over to SportsLine.
