As the NFL regular season and this series wrap up, we hope to end it with a bang on a couple of divisional games on Saturday with huge playoff implications. With no Thursday Night Football this week, we sadly have to wait longer for football. However, it should be well worth the wait with these exciting matchups.
First, the Carolina Panthers travel to Tampa Bay to take on the struggling Bucs. The stakes are simple for Carolina. With a win, they will make the playoffs for the first time since 2017. For the Bucs, a bit more needs to happen. In addition to a win at home, they need the Saints to beat the Falcons. It comes as quite a shock that the Bucs have lost control of their own fate. They looked to be a lock to win their 5th straight NFC South title, but a huge slide in the 2nd half of the season has opened the door for the Panthers. This one will be a battle, but it may not be pretty. Whichever team wins the division is the clear weak link in the NFC playoff race. Still, a game that determines the division is all we can ask for in week 18.
Next up, the Seattle Seahawks are traveling to Santa Clara to play their rival, the 49ers. This one also determines the division winner, but with an extra incentive. The winner of this game claims the #1 seed in the NFC, which, of course, comes with a first-round bye. The two teams haven’t met since week 1, when the 49ers won a close one on the road. Many people counted the Niners out after numerous injuries to key players, but somehow the team has continued to win.
With the playoffs approaching, promotions are going crazy on betting apps, and there will certainly be boosts to take advantage of for these Saturday games. Let’s look at who I think will cover for each of these games, hopefully finishing this series witha winning record against the spread!
Game Pick: Bucs -2.5
The Bucs have looked atrocious for the 2nd half of the season. With both of these teams, you don’t know what version you are going to get. The main reason I lean towards the Bucs here (besides being at home) is the experience factor. Baker has gotten it done before in must-win games, while Bryce Young hasn’t played in an NFL game with this much on the line. I think this one will be ugly, with both teams not coming into it at their best. Ultimately, the Bucs have more guys who know how to grind out these ugly games.
Game Pick: 49ers +1.5
An elite defense against a scortching offense will make for an interesting game. The Seahawks look really tough, but the 49ers have been putting up a ton of points lately. Sam Darnold has shown he likes to collapse in this type of game, while Brock Purdy has risen to the occasion. With this being a home game for the 49ers, and home field throughout the playoffs (including the Super Bowl) on the line for them, I expect Kyle Shannahan to be in his bag. This game will make the earlier matchup look like a JV game in comparison, but I expect the 49ers to keep up their momentum and simply outscore the Seahawks.
Total Odds on 2-leg Parlay: +252
Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook
Running total:
Game Picks ATS: 7-6-1
Player Props: 14-7
Last Week’s Results:
Cowboys -7.0 (Push)
Lions -7.0 ❌
Broncos -12.5 ❌
By Jake Koehler
Jake is a sports betting writer at BettingApps.com, covering the latest sportsbook news, app reviews, promos, and betting features across the NFL and beyond. For the rest of the season, he will provide weekly analysis, predictions, and updates to help readers make smarter bets and stay ahead of the game.
