2021 NFL Week 18 Picks

New Orleans Saints (-4 1/2, 40) at Atlanta Falcons 4:25 pm - The Saints can get into the playoffs at 9-8 win a win and a loss by the 49ers to the Rams, which will be played at the same time as this game. Atlanta lost at New Orleans in week nine, 27-25, so they might want revenge and keep the Saints from making the playoffs.

The problem for the Falcons is that they're not very good and the Saints will be heavily motivated unless the 49ers begin blowing out the Rams. That's not very likely, so the Saints seem like a logical choice.

Coin Flip: New Orleans

Prediction: Saints 30 Falcons 20

NY Jets at Buffalo Bills (-17, 43 1/2) 4:25 pm - Buffalo needs to in or have the Patriots lose to the Dolphins in order to take the AFC East crown, so Josh Allen and company will probably be on their game early in this one.

Buffalo blew away the Jets in NY, 45-17, in week 10, so there's no doubt that they can rip them again. Only really bad weather (which is a possibility) could keep the Bills from winning, and winning by a lot.

Coin Flip: Buffalo

Prediction: Bills 38 Jets 13

Seattle Seahawks at Arizona Cardinals (-6 1/2, 48) 4:25 pm - The Cardinals topped the Seahawks in week 11, 23-13, at Seattle, so, coming off their nifty, 25-22, win at Dallas, Arizona appears to be in pretty good shape to win their final game before the playoffs. Multiple tie-breakers with the Rams mean they could win the division title, if the 49ers prevail over Los Angeles. The difference is playing a home or away game the first week of the playoffs.

In any case, Arizona should handle the Seahawks. Seattle QB, Russell Wilson, may only ply part of this game, if at all, since it has no bearing on anything to Seattle.

Coin Flip: Arizona

Prediction: Cardinals 27 Seahawks 17

San Francisco 49ers at LA Rams (-5, 44 1/2) 4:25 pm - San Francisco has won six of their last eight games and look like a team deserving of a playoff spot, but the Rams - already assured at least a wild card and the division title with a win or Arizona loss - stand in their way. Given that both teams will probably be all out in the first half, taking the 49ers with points seems to be a safe play. If the Saints fall far behind the Falcons in their game, the 49ers could reach the playoffs even with a loss, but that scenario is not likely to evolve.

The 49ers already whipped the Rams once, 31-10, in week 10, but that game was in San Francisco. Still, the 49ers are pretty hot right now and will be highly motivated and ready to rock in what should be one of the better games of the day.

Coin Flip: San Francisco

Prediction: 49ers 31 Rams 24

New England Patriots (-7, 40) at Miami Dolphins 4:25 pm - The Patriots are already in the playoffs, but they can jump ahead of Buffalo if the Bills somehow manage to lose to the Jets.

Miami had their seven-game winning streak snapped by the Titans last week in a 34-3 rout. These two teams met in week one, with the Dolphins securing at 17-16 victory at home. Much has changed since then, especially in New England. Look for the Patriots to do a number on their AFC East rivals and finish the season 11-6.

Coin Flip: New England

Prediction: Patriots 27 Dolphins 13

Carolina Panthers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-8, 42 1/2) 4:25 pm - The Bucs and Panthers met just two weeks ago in Charlotte, as Tampa Bay rolled to a 32-6 rout. This is likely to be more of the same, though how long Tom Brady plays - if at all - is a big question. The Bucs can get the #2 seed with a win, which means they'll be playing at home next week against the #7 seed. That really doesn't sound like much in the way of motivation, but, given the Panthers have lost six straight, a Tampa Bay win seems more probable than a Carolina upset whether Antonio Brown plays or not.

Coin Flip: Carolina

Prediction: Buccaneers 31 Panthers 14

LA Chargers (-2 1/2, 49) at Las Vegas Raiders 8:20 pm - As usual, the NFL has saved the best for last. This game is likely to be a win-and-you're-in situation, given an Indianapolis victory over Jacksonville earlier in the day.

Both teams enter with 9-7 records, despite the Chargers winning their first meeting, 28-14, week four, in LA. Having had more than the usual share of ups and downs, the Raiders, who were 6-7 just three weeks ago, have reeled off wins over Cleveland, Denver, and last week, the Colts, 23-20. Their defense deserves much of the credit and they'll need to be on their game against Justin Herbert.

The Chargers don't bring a great deal of defense to the table, which may really sting, and keep them out of the post-season.

Coin Flip: Las Vegas

Prediction: Raiders 27 Chargers 24

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IdleGuy.com December 2024, Vol. 1 #11