Regardless of whether an NFL team will reach the playoffs, players will often have milestones or contract incentives to achieve.
Their teammates and sometimes coaches will often lean in and help them reach those goals.
While it's hardly a sure thing to expect this to happen,
The Saturday NFL schedule highlights two of the most important games of the final week. Panthers-Buccaneers is a win-and-in NFC South title game, and Seahawks-49ers will decide the NFC's top seed and NFC West winner.
With true stakes on the line, there's little risk of players losing a significant snap share unless injured.
Two players who squared off last week, the Panthers' Rico Dowdle and Seahawks' Sam Darnold, sit in prime position to cash in on player incentives.
Betting on the NFL this weekend? Put props focused on these contract incentive statistics near the top of your list.
We're referencing data from Spotrac's tracker for NFL contract incentives and bonuses. Odds listed are current as of Friday at 2 p.m. ET.
MORE: 2025 NFL player contract incentives
How to bet Sam Darnold's contract incentives in Week 18
Sam Darnold's 2025 contract incentives
- 100 Passer Rating: $500,000 (99.18 currently)
- 28 Passing TD: $500,000 (25)
- 4,000 Passing Yards: $500,000 (3,850)
- 67.5% completion rate (67.2%)
The Seahawks are playing on Saturday's featured game for the NFC West title and NFC's No. 1 seed, so they'll be trying to earn that status. It'll be
While passer rating and completion rate don't have any markets, we don't need to worry about them.
Sam Darnold Week 18 prop bets
Sam Darnold 250+ passing yards (+108) at FanDuel Sportsbook
The 49ers' pass rush ratings commonly rank among the worst in the league, and they consistently leak passing yardage in "bend, don't break" fashion.
San Francisco's stout run defense should push the Seahawks to lean on the aerial game.
Darnold has thrown for 250-plus yards seven times, including Weeks 15 and 16, and had 240+ an additional three outings.
Darnold's Week 1 dud against the Niners (150 passing yards) came with linebacker Fred Warner active; he's still injured and leaves a giant hole in the pass defense.
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Sam Darnold 2+ Pass TD (-122) at FanDuel
Sam Darnold 3+ Pass TD (+310) at DraftKings Sportsbook
Feel free to climb the ladder on Darnold's TD tosses due to the favorable circumstances.
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Sam Darnold Incentives Week 18 SGPs
Sam Darnold Same Game Parlay with 2+TD: (+168) at FanDuel
- 250+ Pass Yds (+108)
- 2+ Pass TDs (-122)
Sam Darnold Same Game Parlay with 3+TD: (+400) at DraftKings
- 250+ Pass Yds (-101)
- 3+ Pass TDs (+267)
*Note that the DraftKings SGP has friendlier correlation pricing for both milestones despite the individual legs holding worse EV odds. The same parlay was +378 on FanDuel.
However, DK was (-166) for the 2 passing TDs parlay.
Compare your betting lines!
MORE: Why bettors should use multiple sportsbook apps
How to bet Rico Dowdle's contract incentives in Week 18
Rico Dowdle's 2025 contract incentives: statistical milestones
- 1,350 scrimmage yards: $1,000,000 (1,343)
- 8 total touchdowns: $250,000 (7)
Dowdle already has netted $500,000 each for 800, 900, and 1100 scrimmage yards and $250,000 for 6 total touchdowns.
With another $1,250,000 within fingertips' reach and the Panthers chasing a playoff berth, expect Dowdle to remain busy to close out a stellar prove-it season.
Rico Dowdle Week 18 prop bets
Rico Dowdle Anytime TD scorer (+130) at FanDuel
The positive odds with just one touchdown to go put us in fine position to hit.
Plus, Carolina ranks a a top run-blocking offensive line, per Pro Football Focus, and Tampa Bay has ranked in the bottom half for statistical team rushing defense most of the season.
PASS on Rico Dowdle rushing yards + receiving yards totals
Given that he only needs 7 yards to eclipse his incentive total, there's little value in trying to guess how much he'll carve out.
Plus, sportsbook trading teams already give him significantly short odds in these props.
Lock in the singular event of the touchdown that they'll likely force-feed with red-zone and inside-the-5 attempts.
- MAYBE 70+ yards (-166) at FanDuel can be your choice if you want to pad an SGP.
MORE: How to use bonus bets when you sign up for a sportsbook
Sam Darnold, Rico Dowdle parlay: Week 18 contract incentives
Sam Darnold, Rico Dowdle parlay (+1025) at DraftKings
- Sam Darnold 250+ Pass Yds (-101)
- Sam Darnold 3+ Pass TDs (+267)
- Rico Dowdle Anytime TD (+125)
Best NFL Week 18 sportsbooks that may be available in your area
Even if sports betting is legal in your state, not all sportsbooks may be available to you. Here are some of the most popular options to look into:
MORE: How sportsbooks set betting lines