As the NFL regular season winds down with Week 18, crucial stakes are at play, including the NFC’s top seed and multiple playoff positions. The finale features an exciting face-off between the Detroit Lions and the Minnesota Vikings, each vying for the NFC North title and the conference’s front spot. The losing team will find themselves seeded No. 5, while the Lions enjoy the advantage of the tiebreaker in case of a draw.

In the NFC South, the title race remains between either the Buccaneers or the Falcons, while the AFC North will see a resolution on Saturday with either the Ravens or Steelers securing their respective positions. Regardless of the outcome, both teams will make the playoffs. Meanwhile, the Broncos maintain control of the AFC’s final wild-card position, while the Bengals and Dolphins harbor slim chances of securing a playoff berth.

The following matchups outline predictions for Week 18’s games:

**Houston Texans (9-7) at Tennessee Titans (3-13)**
Line: Titans -1
Despite being underdogs, the Texans are playoff-bound and plan to field their starters following a humiliating loss to Baltimore on Christmas Day. The Titans are currently positioned for a high draft pick but could leap to the top with a loss.
**BEST BET: TEXANS: 27-12**

**New York Giants (3-13) at Philadelphia Eagles (13-3)**
Line: Eagles -2
Eagles coach Nick Sirianni is likely to rest Saquon Barkley and key starters since his team is set as the NFC’s No. 2 seed. Meanwhile, the Giants previously put their top draft pick at risk with a win over the Colts.
**UPSET SPECIAL: GIANTS: 22-20**

**Cleveland Browns (3-13) at Baltimore Ravens (11-5)**
Line: Ravens -17.5
With minimal margin for error, Lamar Jackson and the Ravens require a win to secure the AFC North. The Browns are struggling and eyeing a high draft pick if they can’t turn their season around.
**RAVENS: 30-13**

**Cincinnati Bengals (8-8) at Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6)**
Line: Bengals -2
After enduring consecutive losses, the Steelers face elimination if the Ravens claim victory. The Bengals still cling to playoff hopes and must win while also rooting for losses from the Broncos and Dolphins.
**BENGALS: 24-20**

**Carolina Panthers (4-12) at Atlanta Falcons (8-8)**
Line: Falcons -8.5
Atlanta needs a win for a playoff shot, depending on a Buccaneers loss. Despite recent improvements from the Panthers, they are positioned low in the draft order.
**FALCONS: 27-17**

**Washington Commanders (11-5) at Dallas Cowboys (7-9)**
Line: Commanders -4.5
Rookie QB Jayden Daniels has sparked a playoff run for Washington, while Coach Dan Quinn is set on maximizing their playoff position. Dallas struggled in their last game against Philadelphia.
**COMMANDERS: 27-20**

**Chicago Bears (4-12) at Green Bay Packers (11-5)**
Line: Packers -10
The Bears are desperate for a win to end a lengthy losing streak, but the Packers may opt to rest their starters as they cannot climb the playoff seeding higher than the sixth position.
**PACKERS: 24-20**

**Jacksonville Jaguars (4-12) at Indianapolis Colts (7-9)**
Line: Colts -5
The Colts have faced a tough season and will look to salvage hope against the Jaguars, who currently sit with the fifth pick in the upcoming draft.
**COLTS: 26-16**

**Buffalo Bills (13-3) at New England Patriots (3-13)**
Line: Bills -2.5
With a secured playoff position, the Bills will manage player presence with coach Sean McDermott looking to rest starters. New England is in a position for a coveted number-one draft pick.
**BILLS: 23-17**

**New Orleans Saints (5-11) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-7)**
Line: Buccaneers -13.5
The Buccaneers can capture their fourth consecutive NFC South title with a win, while the Saints wrap up a disappointing season as they search for a new head coach.
**BUCCANEERS: 34-17**

**Kansas City Chiefs (15-1) at Denver Broncos (9-7)**
Line: Broncos -10.5
The Broncos are aiming to secure a playoff berth against a Chiefs roster of backups, as they have already clinched the AFC’s top seed.
**BRONCOS: 26-23**

**Los Angeles Chargers (10-6) at Las Vegas Raiders (4-12)**
Line: Chargers -5
The Chargers are committed to winning despite being set for a playoff position, while the Raiders’ recent successes fall short of a postseason dream.
**CHARGERS: 24-17**

**Seattle Seahawks (9-7) at Los Angeles Rams (10-6)**
Line: Seahawks -6.5
Rams are locked into a playoff position and will engage backup players, while the Seahawks can match their win record with the Rams but have lost the tiebreaker.
**SEAHAWKS: 25-16**

**San Francisco 49ers (6-10) at Arizona Cardinals (7-9)**
Line: Cardinals -4
Both teams are aiming for a strong finish, albeit marred by injuries and inconsistency throughout the season, particularly for the 49ers.
**CARDINALS: 26-20**

**Miami Dolphins (8-8) at New York Jets (4-12)**
Line: Dolphins -1
The Dolphins can advance with a win, but they may have to do so without Tua Tagovailoa. Meanwhile, the Jets hope to close out a troubling season on a positive note.
**DOLPHINS: 20-17**

**Minnesota Vikings (14-2) at Detroit Lions (14-2)**
Line: Lions -3
This anticipated matchup not only determines the NFC North champion but also the conference’s No. 1 seed. The Lions hope to overcome injury while maintaining their momentum against the formidable Vikings.
**LIONS: 30-26**

Overall, fans can expect a dynamic final week packed with pivotal matchups that will shape the playoff landscape across both conferences.