The Philadelphia Eagles announced quarterback Jalen Hurts will return from a shoulder injury to start against the New York Giants, and Philly is listed as one of the biggest favorites of Week 18. Here's our analysis of the NFL odds and lines for Week 18.
After failing to clinch the No. 1 seed in the NFC with consecutive losses, are the Eagles rushing their star quarterback's return to action?
While the Giants have already clinched a postseason berth and have little to play for in Week 18, the Philly brass is clearly confident in Hurts' health and unwilling to risk top seed in the NFC slipping away for a third straight week by resting their MVP candidate.
Here are the NFL spread and Over/Under lines for Week 18, and how we think they'll move throughout the week (odds via FanDuel Sportsbook, BetMGM, DraftKings Sportsbook, PointsBet, and Caesars Sportsbook).
NFL Week 18 Odds and Lines: Saturday
Spread: Chiefs -9.5
There's been a slight adjustment to this spread following the Week 17 performances of the Kansas City Chiefs and Las Vegas Raiders. KC was a 10.5-point favorite in look-ahead markets, but the Chiefs are now trading below the key number of 10. It's a notable move. Vegas, as well as quarterback Jarrett Stidham, impressed against the San Francisco 49ers, but Kansas City still has plenty to play for with an avenue to clinching the No. 1 seed in the AFC. I expect this spread to continue to trade between the key numbers of 8 and 10, barring a huge influx of support for a particular side.
Total: 51.5
The Stidham-led Raiders put up 34 points against the heralded 49ers defense last week, and this total has climbed from the look-ahead 48.5 that was available. Most importantly, it's now above the key number of 51. Early money is also on the Over, so this total could move closer to the key range of 53-54.
Spread: Jaguars -6.5
FanDuel is on an island with the Jacksonville Jaguars trading as a 6-point home favorite, and it's worth adding they'll finish first in the AFC South with a win or a tie. I'm expecting the early trend of betting support for Jacksonville to continue, and bookmakers will probably be testing the key number of 7 sooner than later. I'm not expecting bettors to rush to the window to back the Tennessee Titans and quarterback Joshua Dobbs starting behind center.
Total: 38.5
Again, DraftKings is hanging an outlier total of 39, but with all our top-rated sportsbook s between the key ranges of 36-37 and 40-41, it isn't significant. The total was 39.5 in look-ahead markets, too, and early betting action has been relatively even on both sides. I'm not anticipating a huge move leading into Saturday.
NFL Week 18 Odds and Lines: Sunday
Spread: Falcons -3
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers secured a postseason berth and the NFC South with their win over the Carolina Panthers in Week 17. Tampa Bay is locked in as the No. 4 seed in the NFC playoffs, and there isn't anything on the line for the Bucs. As a result, the Atlanta Falcons opened as a -7.5 home favorite, but the early betting action has been on the Tampa side.
Total: 39
There hasn't been a significant adjustment to this total from the look-ahead 40 that was available. Add that it's now between the key ranges of 36-37 and 40-41, and I don't expect significant movement unless it's announced that Tampa Bay will be resting multi ple starters.
Spread: Bills -7.5
Both teams have playoff implications tied to this game, and there's been a significant move from the Buffalo Bills -9.5 spread that was available in look-ahead markets. The New England Patriots control their postseason fate and will earn a wild-card berth with a win in Week 18. How Buffalo fares in tonight's Monday Night Football matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals could have an impact on this spread, too. The Bills need to beat Cincy and New England to earn the No. 1 seed in the AFC.
Total: 42.5
There hasn't been enough early betting action on this total to move it significantly from the respective opening or look-ahead numbers of 42.5 and 43. It is notable that the total is now trading below the key range of 43-44, though, and I wouldn't be surprised to see it climb following a strong offensive showing from the Bills in a potential shootout with the Bengals on Monday.
Spread: Vikings -1 .5
With championship hopes crumbling around the Minnesota Vikings, it's easy to overlook that the Chicago Bears have lost nine straight games to fall to 3-13 this season. Even with nothing on the line for the 12-4 Vikings, this spread feels incredibly short. Minnesota was a -2.5 road favorite in look-ahead markets, and it's also worth noting that's the spread available through FanDuel as of Monday afternoon. The rest of our top-rated sportsbooks have Chicago listed as a 1.5-point home underdog.
Total: 46.5
There's some disparity in this total. PointsBet is hanging the lowest number (46), whereas DraftKings is hanging the number at 47. The total was trading at 45.5 in look-ahead markets, and I could see the number continuing to climb given how poorly both teams have played down the stretch.
Spread: Bengals -7
With the Cincinnati Bengals hosting the Buffalo Bills on Monday Night Football to conclude Week 17, there's still a lot up in the air. The Baltimore Ravens might only have wild-card seeding to play for next week, and the Baltimore brass may opt to rest No. 1 quarterback Lamar Jackson (knee) for a fifth consecutive week. Jackson's status and Cincy's results on Monday could have an impact on this spread.
Total: 42.5
The total went Under the number for a fifth consecutive game involving the Ravens last week, so it isn't surprising this number dropped from the 43 available in look-ahead markets. I don't expect significant movement to this total with it trading between the key ranges of 40-41 and 43-44.
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Spread: Chargers -3
The Denver Broncos were the favorites in look-ahead markets, but the script has flipped, and the Los Angeles Chargers have taken the majority of early betti ng action and are as large as a -3.5 road favorite through PointsBet. Even with a strong showing from Denver in Week 17 against the Chiefs, I'm not expecting a lot of betting support for the Broncos leading into Sunday.
Total: 40
This total is trading as high as 40.5 through Caesars and BetMGM, which is even further from the 37.5 that was available in look-ahead markets. The Denver offense looked significantly better under new interim head coach Jay Rosburg and offensive play caller Klint Kubiak, but I'd expect buyback on the Under if this number moves above the key range of 40-41.
Spread: Packers -4.5
The Green Bay Packers have rolled off four consecutive victories and can clinch a postseason berth with a win over the Detroit Lions in Week 18. This projects to be one of the best and most meaningful games on the docket, as the Lions have also been playing well and won seven of their past nine contests. Detroit needs to beat Green Bay, an d for the Seattle Seahawks to lose to the Los Angeles Rams to make the playoffs. While this spread hasn't moved off the opening number, the Pack were trading as a 3-point home favorite in look-ahead markets.
Total: 48.5
This total was 47 in look-ahead markets, and I expect it to continue to climb closer to the key number of 51. Both offenses have been clicking, early money is on the Over, and the Lions sport a 10-6 Over/Under record.
Spread: Colts -2.5
Players auditioning for a 2023 job might be the only incentive for either of these teams Sunday. Additionally, the spread hasn't moved from the number available in look-ahead markets or at opening. I don't expect there to be a significant betting handle on this game, and I doubt we see the spread stray too far from the key number of 3.