After watching Damar Hamlin collapse on the field and suffer cardiac arrest, making NFL picks seems even more secondary than usual. Our thoughts are with his family, the Bills, Bengals and all the fans in Cincinnati on Monday night. With encouraging news about Hamlin’s recovery, we move on to Week 18 with him in our hearts.
The lines are from covers.com and the home teams are in CAPs.
LAS VEGAS +9 over Kansas City
The Chiefs may have the best record in the AFC, but they also have the second-worst record overall against the spread. Vegas showed life with Jarrett Stidham at the helm last week and should manage a cover here.
JACKSONVILLE -6 over Tennessee
With all the cards on the table, we’re backing a Jaguars team that is at home and has been hot down the stretch while the Titans are starting an ex-Browns practice squader at QB. Derrick Henry should be fresh for this one, but there are still other injury concerns for Tennessee.
BENGALS -7 over Ravens
The status of their game with Buffalo is still up in the air, but Bengals should come out fired up in this one. The Ravens offence has been the pits, even before Lamar Jackson was hurt and, even if he can return this week (looking unlikely) it should struggle again.
New York Jets -1 over MIAMI
Just because a team is in a must-win situation, doesn’t mean it will win. The Dolphins have collapsed down the stretch and the Jets would relish being able to put the final stake in the heart of their playoff chances.
PITTSBURGH -2.5 over Cleveland
Deshaun Watson hasn’t been worth what the Browns have invested in him, even if they are 3-2 with him. The Steelers have had a spark down the stretch, provided by the return of TJ Watt and the development of Kenny Pickett.
Houston +2.5 over INDIANAPOLIS
There’s no chance that the Texans blow their chance at the top pick in the draft, right? Well, it could certainly happen seeing how bad the Colts have been – and they’re starting Sam Ehlinger at QB.
ATLANTA -4 over Tampa Bay
How long will the Bucs starters play? Probably not much more than a few series in this meaningless outing. The Falcons hope to see some further development from their young guns in this one.
Carolina +3.5 over NEW ORLEANS
Both teams are just playing out the season in this one, so we’ll play it safe with the points. Carolina has been a much better team under Steve Wilks and will be playing to leave a lasting impression for their interim coach.
BUFFALO -7 over New England
The Bills have run over the Pats in their past three meetings, winning each by at last 12 points, And with the added emotion after the Kamar Hamlin situation, all of Buffalo will be fired up for this one.
Minnesota -7.5 over CHICAGO
We were tempted by the Bears and the points until it was announced that Justin Fields is too banged up to play. The Vikes still have a shot at improving their playoff seeding and Justin Jefferson would love to set the receiving yard record too, but that might be out of reach.
L.A. Rams +6 over SEATTLE
The Rams have a good record against the Seahawks, winning three of their past four meetings and losing by just four last month. Seattle will be desperate but L.A. won’t make things it easy.
PHILADELPHIA -14 over New York Giants
The Eagles look like they’ll have Jalen Hurts back under centre and it couldn’t come at a better time for the fading Eagles. While they do have some other injury worries, this team blew out the Giants in Week 14 and the visitors have nothing to play for.
Arizona +14 over SAN FRANCISCO
Since we’re backing the Eagles to romp their way to the top seed, the Niners are likely to lift some key players and take this one lightly. And, a sentence we thought we’d never type: David Blough seems OK as a stand-in QB.
DENVER -1.5 over L.A. Chargers
Broncos Country is finally riding! The line has moved from the Chargers being favoured by three, so you have to guess the word is out that they’ll be sitting many of their star players with the playoffs dead ahead.
Dallas -7 over WASHINGTON
The Cowboys have a slim chance at the division title and even the No. 1 seed, which means we’ll see the starters for a while. Washington is starting raw rookie Sam Howell and may be down their top two RBs.
GREEN BAY -4.5 over Detroit
As much as we would all love to see the Lions make it into the playoffs, we all know how this story ends: The Packers are going use their experience to take down their upstart rivals and reach the playoffs after being written off in November.
Last week: 7-8
This season: 122-126-7