NFL picks predictions for Week 18 Jaguar

How do you make picks in Week 18 of the NFL season?In some ways, it's almost tougher than Week 1. Some teams have everything to play for, ranging from home-field advantage to a divisional title to a wild-card spot. Others have the option of resting starters. It makes for a me sy week of picks, especially when those decisions can be made in real time based on other results.It makes Week 18 the most-exciting week, but also the toughest to pick. It starts on Saturday with Kansas City looking to wrap up home-field advantage in the AFC at Las Vegas. The AFC South also will be decided between Tenne see and Jacksonville.Sunday has some great questions, too.Will Buffalo knock New England out of the playoffs and give either Miami or Pittsburgh a chance to sneak in? Will the Green Bay-Detroit game be for a playoff on both sides? Only if Seattle loses to the Rams. There is a lot to sort out.A look at our track record this season:Record: 162-91-2, .639Here are our straight-up picks for Week 18 (lines courtesy of BetMGM):POWER RANKINGS: Kansas City Chiefs (-9.5) at Las Vegas RaidersThe Chiefs can earn NFL San Francisco 49ers Jersey the No. 1 seed in the AFC for the third time in five years, and the line has hit double digits in a few spots. The Raiders nearly played spoiler against the 49ers with Jarrett Stidham under center. Las Vegas lost 30-29 in the first meeting, and they are 4-2 ATS as an underdog. Patrick Mahomes II, however, isn't letting an upset happen here.Pick: Chiefs 32, Raiders 24Tenne see Titans at Jacksonville Jaguars (-7)The Jaguars beat the Titans 36-22 in Week 13, which started a four-game winning streak. The winner takes San Francisco 49ers Jersey the AFC South here, and Tenne see coach Mike Vrabel has to choose between quarterbacks Joshua Dobbs and Malik Willis. Dobbs might be the better bet here, and he will have to be on point against a Jacksonville run defense that has allowed an average of 75 rushing yards. Will Derrick Henry (hip) play?Pick: Jaguars 26, Titans 21Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts (-3)The Texans have the No. 1 pick for now, but that Week 1 tie with the Colts could complicate that if Houston wins here. Indianapolis' nightmare season ends here, but interim coach Jeff Saturday at least has a chance to go out with a victory. The Colts win ugly at home.Pick: Colts 19, Texans 18 Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints (-4)The Saints have won the last three meetings against the Panthers in this NFC South rivalry, and despite the ups-and-down this season New Orleans still has a 4-3 home record. Carolina interim coach Steve Wilks has made a great case to take the full-time job, and a win here could seal it. The only problem is that 1-6 record on the road. Will Wilks overcome that?Pick: Panthers 28, Saints 25Minnesota Vikings (-1) at Chicago BearsWhy is this line so low? The Vikings are out of the mix for the No. 1 seed, meaning Kirk Cousins, Dalvin Cook and Justin Jefferson are among the key players that could rest here. They could still beat a Bears team that has lost nine straight games. This is one to stay away from, but if Cousins and Co. start, then look for Minnesota to try to get that blowout lo s to Green Bay out of the memory bank.Pick: Vikings 29, Bears 24Tampa Dante Pettis Jersey Bay Buccaneers at Atlanta Falcons (-8)This is another one where the starters might sit. Tom Brady led the Buccaneers to the NFC South title. Brady wants to play in Week 18, but Todd Bowles can opt to sit a veteran team ahead of a playoff run. The Falcons are 5-3 S/U this season, but that spread still looks high considering four of those wins were by three points or le s. Maybe Brady plays a half?Pick: Falcons 27, Buccaneers 20 (Getty Images) New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles (-13.5)Will Jalen Hurts play? Will the Giants rest starters knowing they are locked into a No. 6 seed? That's what the line is pointing toward. Philadelphia won the first matchup 48-22. As much as Hurts need to return, the defense has allowed 30 points per game the last two weeks. Philadelphia is 1-2 ATS when favored by more than 10 points, and it's still a division game. The Eagles still wrap up the No. 1 seed.Pick: Eagles 31, Giants 20Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers (-2.5)Mike Tomlin can still sneak the Steelers into the playoffs, just like last year. Kenny Pickett saved the season against Baltimore in Week 17. The Browns have a chance to play spoiler with Weston Richburg Jersey Deshaun Watson for the second straight week, however, and they can sweep the season series with Pittsburgh for the first time since 1988. Even if the Steelers can't get in the playoffs, this game is going to be heated.Pick: Browns 23, Steelers 20Dallas Cowboys (-5.5) at Washington CommandersThe Commanders were knocked out of the playoff race, and they catch a Cowboys' team that still has a chance at home-field advantage. Dallas has won the last three meetings Dak Prescott has completed more than 70% of his pa ses each of the last three weeks, but he has to clean up the interceptions. Speaking of picks, Carson Wentz must be better than last week's three-interception performance for Washington to pull an upset.Pick: Cowboys 33, Commanders 20 (Getty Images) New England Patriots at Buffalo Bills (-7.5)The Patriots still have a playoff shot, but they need a win against Buffalo to seal that final spot in the AFC. After years of being haunted by Tom Brady, the Bills have taken control of this AFC North rivalry by winning five of the last six meetings. Will they knock the Belichick-led Pats out of the playoff here?Pick: Bills 28, Patriots 22New York Jets at Joe Montana Jersey Miami Dolphins (-2.5)The Dolphins have a shot at the AFC Wild Card, but Tua Tagovailoa remains out so it's on Teddy Bridgewater to break a five-game losing streak. The Jets also are on a five-game losing streak, and they've lost their last four road games. Miami takes that last playoff spot, but just barely.Pick: Dolphins 31, Jets 27Los Angeles Chargers (-3) at Denver BroncosThe Broncos' miserable season ends, and the Chargers have the option of resting their starters here with little room for movement in the AFC playoff hunt. This is another stay-away game as a result. Denver played Kansas City tight. Will they show up here?Pick: Broncos 23, Chargers 19 Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers (-13.5)The 49ers have won nine straight games, and Brock Purdy hasn't lost a start yet. San Francisco is 7-2 ATS in that stretch. The 49ers might pull back if the Eagles win, but the Cardinals will not slow them down. San Francisco makes it 10 in a row