The NFL advances the Week 18 schedule in a difficult, emotional week.
As coaches, players, fans and the sports community focus on protecting Bill’s health from Damar Hamlin, the final weekend of the regular season begins on Saturday with the Kansas City Chiefs visiting the Las Vegas Raiders.
The Chiefs (13-3) took over the AFC No. 1 when the Bills-Bengals game was halted in the first quarter after Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest and had to be resuscitated on the field.
It’s uncertain if the Bills-Bengals game will resume or be called off, so the Chiefs need a win to retain that top spot.
The Raiders (6-10) were eliminated last week after losing to San Francisco in overtime.
The Chiefs are 9 1/2 point favorites, per FanDuel Sportsbook.
Pro Picks understand Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs are looking to finish strong after a fight against the lowly Broncos last week.
CHIEFS, 31-17
Houston (up 2 1/2) at Indianapolis
The Texans (2-13-1) must lose to win the No. 1 draft pick.
Foal, 16-13
New York Giants (up 14) in Philadelphia
The Eagles (13-3) are playing for the No. 1. The Giants (9-6-1) are trapped in the NFC’s sixth seed.
BEST BET: EAGLE, 30-13
Tennessee (up 6) in Jacksonville
The AFC South title is at stake. Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars (8-8) have won four straight games. The Titans (7-9) are giving Josh Dobbs his second straight start in a bid to end a six-game losing streak and secure a third straight title.
Jaguars, 23-20
New York Jets (down 1) in Miami
The Dolphins (8-8) are likely to start rookie Skylar Thompson on injuries to Tua Tagovailoa and Teddy Bridgewater as they aim to end a five-game losing streak and look to secure a wildcard berth. The Jets (7-9) become the spoiler after losing five games in a row.
JETS, 22-17
Cleveland (up 2 1/2) at Pittsburgh
The Steelers (8-8) still have a shot at a wildcard spot and are looking to avoid coach Mike Tomlin’s first losing season.
STEELERS, 23-20
Tampa Bay (up 4 1/2) in Atlanta
Tom Brady wants to play even though the Buccaneers (8-8) are locked in the fourth seed of the NFC. Bucs coach Todd Bowles can’t hold off his starters for too long.
FALCONS, 24-16
Carolina (up 3 1/2) in New Orleans
This game would have had playoff implications had the Buccaneers not played Carolina last week.
SAINTS, 23-17
New England (up 7) at Buffalo
It’s hard to imagine how the Bills (12-3) will handle playing this game with Hamlin in the hospital. The Patriots (8-8) need a win to secure a wildcard spot.
BILLS, 24-22
Minnesota (down 7 1/2) at Chicago
The Vikings (12-4) fell to the third seed. Nathan Peterman starts for the Bears.
VIKINGS, 27-13
Baltimore (up 6 1/2) at Cincinnati
The AFC North would have been up for grabs if the Bengals (11-4) lost to the Bills. The Ravens are 2-2 with Tyler Huntley replacing Lamar Jackson.
Bengal, 27-17
Los Angeles Rams (up 6 1/2) in Seattle
The Seahawks (8-8) need a win and a loss against Green Bay to earn a wildcard spot.
SEAHAWKS, 24-13
Los Angeles Chargers (down 2 1/2) at Denver
Not much is at stake for the Chargers (10-6), neither a fifth nor a sixth seed.
ORIGIN SPECAL: BRONCOS, 20-17
Arizona (up 14) in San Francisco
The 49ers (12-4) would secure first place with a win and loss against Philadelphia.
49ERS, 34-9
Dallas (down 7 1/2) at Washington
The Cowboys (12-4) still have a shot at winning the NFC East.
COWBOYS, 27-13
Detroit (up 4 1/2) in Green Bay
Aaron Rodgers and the Packers (8-8) are up from 4-8 to a point where a win secures a wildcard spot. The Lions (8-8) need a win and loss against Seattle to get going after a 1-6 start.
PACKERS, 27-24
RECORD 2022
Last week: Straight up: 12-3. Against spread: 9-6.
Season: Direct: 159-95. Against spread: 128-121-5.
Thursday: Straight: 13-6. Against spread: 9-10.
Monday: Direct: 10-7. Against scatter: 8-9.
Best Bet: Straight up: 9-8. Against spread: 9-8.
Angry Special: Straight up: 6-11. Against spread: 8-8-1.
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