NFL · 1 year ago

5 Underrated NFL Week 18 Favorites to Cover the Spread

Zack Cook

Host · Writer

Minnesota Vikings vs. Detroit Lions (-3)
The Detroit Lions have to be steaming after how last week ended against the Dallas Cowboys. There are still some things to clean up on defense, but there are a lot of positives to take from their showing against the Cowboys. The Minnesota Vikings have a tiny ounce of hope left to make the playoffs, and they'll need a win and a lot of help to do so. The Lions make a statement in the first half, allowing them to rest up their stars in the second half.
Atlanta Falcons vs. New Orleans Saints (-3)
The New Orleans Saints can still qualify for the postseason, but they need some help along with a victory over the Atlanta Falcons. These two teams are still alive in the race for the NFC South crown, and the Saints are coming off a statement win against the current front-runners in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Falcons already handled the Saints earlier this year, and payback is in order. The Saints get the upper hand and stay alive with a four-point win over the Falcons.
Philadelphia Eagles (-5.5) vs. New York Giants
It's been a strange last month for the defending NFC champs. The Philadelphia Eagles are struggling to find consistency, which has put them in a spot where they no longer control their destiny for the NFC East crown in Week 18. The Eagles are set to visit the New York Giants for the second time in the last three weeks. This is a spot where the Eagles need to get right, and we expect them to do so by a touchdown over the Giants.
Denver Broncos vs. Las Vegas Raiders (-2.5)
The Las Vegas Raiders have quietly played some really strong football down the stretch under interim head coach Antonio Pierce. The Raiders are set to host the Denver Broncos as a 2.5-point favorite, and the Broncos have been creating headlines of late for all the wrong reasons. We expect Pierce to make a statement and continue to prove that he deserves to have the full-time head coaching job for the Raiders.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-5.5) vs. Carolina Panthers
With a victory in Week 18 over the Carolina Panthers, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers clinch the NFC South. The Buccaneers are coming off a disappointing showing against the New Orleans Saints, and this is a really good matchup for them to finish the task at hand in Week 18. The Bucs have the ability to really thrive in this matchup. They only defeated Carolina by three earlier this season, but we like for them to make a statement and win this divisional clash by double-digits.
Minnesota Vikings vs. Detroit Lions (-3)
The Detroit Lions have to be steaming after how last week ended against the Dallas Cowboys. There are still some things to clean up on defense, but there are a lot of positives to take from their showing against the Cowboys. The Minnesota Vikings have a tiny ounce of hope left to make the playoffs, and they'll need a win and a lot of help to do so. The Lions make a statement in the first half, allowing them to rest up their stars in the second half.
Atlanta Falcons vs. New Orleans Saints (-3)
The New Orleans Saints can still qualify for the postseason, but they need some help along with a victory over the Atlanta Falcons. These two teams are still alive in the race for the NFC South crown, and the Saints are coming off a statement win against the current front-runners in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Falcons already handled the Saints earlier this year, and payback is in order. The Saints get the upper hand and stay alive with a four-point win over the Falcons.