The NFL calendar is about to flip to 2026 and the playoffs are ahead of Super Bowl 60. But before then, there is one more tricky week of regular-season picks and predictions against the spread to make for 2025.
Many of the games have great meaning in terms of playoff implications, from seeding scenarios to just qualifying for the tournament. There are alsoa lot of unpredictable division rivalry matchups where it's only about pride with some teams resting players to boot.
Once more with feeling, here's diving into the full finale slate of contests, attempting to stay hot with AllSportsPeople' fearless forecast:
POWER RANKINGS: Ravens, 49ers rising at right time for Week 18
NFL picks against the spread for Week 18
NFC Game of the Week: Seahawks at 49ers (-1, 49.5 o/u)
Saturday 8 p.m. ET, ESPN/ABC
The Seahawks are rolling with their formula of running game and defense lifting up Sam Darnold in the passing game. The 49ers, with their defensive injuries and sometimes run-blocking issues, have been more about opening up the offense with Brock Purdy to win games with plenty of dual-threat Christian McCaffrey. San Francisco has been inspired and scrappy for Kyle Shanahan and knows it can stay at home all the way through Super Bowl 60 with a win here, an opportunity it won't surrender.
Pick: 49ers win 27-24 and cover the spread.
MORE: Where 49ers-Bears shootout ranks among highest-scoring NFL games
AFC Game of the Week: Ravens (-3.5, 41.5 o/u) at Steelers
Sunday 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC/Peacock
Baltimore gave the ball to Derrick Henry a ton as an overcorrection in Green Bay and it worked out much better than expected with Henry hammering to 216 yards of rushing dominance. Pittsburgh will regret its clunker in Cleveland, which raises the pressure to win this much tougher home game. Mike Tomlin and John Harbaugh have done well to put limited teams in this position, but no DK Metcalf burns the Steelers again.
Pick: Ravens win 20-17 but fail to cover the spread.
NFL STANDINGS: Updated AFC, NFC playoff pictures after Week 17
Lock of the Week: Chiefs (-5.5, 36.5 o/u) over Raiders
Sunday 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS
Something needs to give here, barring a tie. The Chiefs are on a five-game losing streak. The Raiders have doubled that, losing 10 straight games. Kansas City did show some Super Bowl competitiveness despite being well removed from Patrick Mahomes at QB at home vs. Denver. Las Vegas has been going through the motions to make this an ugly battle without top stars Brock Bowers and Maxx Crosby. The Chiefs' veterans have too much pride to lose to their arch-nemesis to end the first disappointing season under Andy Reid.
Pick: Chiefs win 23-10 and cover the spread.
MORE: Ranking Chiefs' best draft picks in 2026
Upset of the Week: Giants (+5.5, 53.5 o/u) over Cowboys
Sunday 1 p.m. ET, Fox
The Giants' offense has found some pop in favorable matchups with Jaxson Dart. Despite no Malik Nabers, he's made it work with other playmakers such as Wan'Dale Robinsona nd the running game is showing some juice with Devin Singletary and Tyrone Tracy Jr. Replacing Cam Skattebo. That's enough weaponry to give Dallas' defense fits, given it was Russell Wilson losing a shootout with Dak Prescott on the road in Week 2. The Giants show a little more lift to knock off their also non-playoff rivals.
Pick: Giants win 27-24.
Panthers at Buccaneers (-3, 43.5 o/u)
Saturday 8 p.m. ET, ESPN/ABC
These teams have been crazy inconsistent all season. Since Week 7, the Panthers have alternated between wins and losses to go 5-5, matching their classic 8-8 record. The Buccaneers started 6-2 before their Week 8 bye and have gone 1-7 since. It's difficult to know which version of either team will show up in Tampa. Based on second-half trends, it's time to flip a coin. Let's go Carolina to keep up its every other week pattern to end the hosts' four-year stranglehold on the NFC South title.
Pick: Panthers win 20-17.
Saints at Falcons (-2.5, 43.5 o/u)
Sunday 1 p.m. ET, Fox
Tyler Shough has played well enough to put himself in the Offensive Rookie of the Year conversation in Kellen Moore's New Orleans offense. He definitely will go in as the franchise starting passer in 2026, riding a four-game winning streak into Atlanta. Shough and his weapons can come in an get the better of Kirk Cousins and his.
Pick: Saints win 24-20.
MORE: Updated NFL Draft order heading into Week 18
Browns at Bengals (-7.5, 44.5 o/u)
Sunday 1 p.m. ET, CBS
The Bengals are once again putting finishing cosmetic touches on a season with Joe Burrow playing well and all of his diverse weapons thriving, trying to make up for a miserable middle of the season that cost them what could have been in the playoffs. The Browns' defense isn't the same on the road and despite Myles Garrett getting his record-breaking sack, they are buried by Burrow down the road in Cincinnati.
Pick: Bengals win 33-20 and cover the spread.
Packers at Vikings (-6.5, 36.5 o/u)
Sunday 1 p.m. ET, CBS
The Packers won't be taking any chances with so many banged-up offensive players, including Jordan Love, Josh Jacobs, Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs and some linemen. They also will try their best to rest some defenders ahead of the wild-card round. The Vikings can now smell finishing above.500 to salvage a rough season of QB transition for Kevin O'Connell. Regardless of the QB they throw in vs. Malik Willis, the Vikings will finish well to make Justin Jefferson and others feel much better for 2026.
Pick: Vikings win 24-20 but fail to cover the spread.
Titans at Jaguars (-11.5, 47.5 o/u)
Sunday 1 p.m. ET, Fox
Cam Ward is making the Titans' offense more competitive but the defense keeps failing to do its part by falling apart against the better, more explosive passing attacks. Trevor Lawrence is leading that type of machine and the Jaguars won't relent in Duval with the division title and a playoff home game right there for the easy taking.
Pick: Jaguars win 34-17 and cover the spread.
MORE: Six reasons why Jaguars can win Super Bowl 60
Colts at Texans (-10.5, 40 o/u)
Sunday 1 p.m. ET, CBS
The Colts' confluence with Philip Rivers didn't add up to wins and throwing his 44-year-old body at this brutal defense on the road isn't a good idea. So it's likely rookie Riley Leonard will take the lumps instead while C.J. Stroud and the Texans' balanced offense gets a good tuneup to complement the other side.
Pick: Texans win 26-13 and cover the spread.
Jets at Bills (-8.5, 39.5 o/u)
Sunday 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS
The Bills should think about giving Josh Allen and James Cook a little breather here, given the division is out of reach. What can help is the factthat the Jets are putting out a shell of an offense and defense that Buffalo can handle with top backups at home. The Jets need to wake up and show Aaron Glenn some positive notes late while the Bills take some rest.
Pick: Bills win 21-13 but fail to cover the spread.
Lions at Bears (-2.5, 50.5 o/u)
Sunday 4:25 p.m. ET, Fox
The Lions are in danger of dipping into an all too familiar place of finishing a season below.500. The Bears are in new territory with winning the NFC North for the first time in seven years, with Caleb Williams on the brink of being their first-ever 4,000-yard passer. Williams can pick apart the Lions' depleted defense while the Bears force some key turnovers of Jared Goff at home to compensate for giving up a "fifty burger" in the first matchup.
Pick: Bears win 27-20 and cover the spread.
MORE: Why Lions' 2025 season ended in disastrous playoff miss
Credit: John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune
Chargers at Broncos (-7.5, 39.5 o/u)
Sunday 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS
The Chargers' offensive line is breaking down and the Broncos' pass rush won't give it a break, combined with tough coverage for Justin Herbert's wide receivers downfield. Denver will take care of business earlier than the fourth quarter with Bo Nix to lock down the No. 1 seed, while Los Angeles once again limps into the wild-card round.
Pick: Broncos win 23-13 and cover the spread.
Cardinals at Rams (-9.5, 47.5 o/u)
Sunday 4:25 p.m. ET, Fox
The Rams should be resting players with their wild-card status not changing but the Cardinals feel more like lame ducks under beleaguered coach Jonathan Gannon. Los Angeles' offensive system with Sean McVay will still keep the ball moving and the defense will play hard, too, while Jacoby Brissett can do only so much to save Gannon.
Pick: Rams win 23-20 but fail to cover the spread.
MORE: Key stats to know in MVP debate between Matthew Stafford and Drake Maye
Dolphins at Patriots (-11, 45.5 o/u)
Sunday 4:25 p.m. ET, Fox
The Patriots will do their best to jump the Broncos for the top seed with the division title in hand but the Dolphins can push to 8-9 to maybe save Mike McDaniel's job. Miami will come in and play hard while New England backs off a little on the pedal. Drake Maye, however, will do what he can to push for more MVP stats.
Pick: Patriots win 24-14 but fail to cover the spread.
Commanders at Eagles (-8, 42.5 o/u)
Sunday 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS
The Eagles need to stay sharp and tune up again offensively before the playoff even if they can't jump the Bears for the No. 2 seed. The Commanders' shell of a defense will oblige for the second time in recent weeks with Jalen Hurts getting well big time.
Pick: Eagles win 31-20 and cover the spread.
Stats of the Week
- Week 17 record straight up: 11-4
- Week 17 record against the spread: 10-5
- 2025 season record straight up: 158-95
- 2025 season record against the spread: 125-125