The final week of the NFL regular season continues on Monday with a massive 14 game slate including plenty of games with playoffs implications. Check out our preview and betting tips for the key games of the day below.
NFL Week 18 Monday Betting Tips
New Orleans Saints at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
5am (AEDT)
There is a little more to play for in the NFC, but the scenario is simple for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They clinch the NFC South division and a spot in the playoffs with a win over the Saints at home from 5am. The Buccs have been one of the hottest teams in the league over the past few months, winning five of their last six games to storm into contention for the NFC South.
It’s been a contrasting last few months for the Saints, who have lost four of their last five games, with those four losses coming by an average margin of 14.3 points. They are battling a long injury list and certainly won’t be taking any chances with key players in the likes of Chris Olave and Alvin Kamara this week given they have nothing to play for.
The Buccs start as massive 14-point favourites here but I’m leaning more towards the overs. I despite a host of injuries, the Saints should still play pretty free flowing football with nothing to lose, so that could create scoring opportunities for both sides. And the Buccs will be balls to the wall as they have been all season, averaging 29.7 points per game.
Over 45.0
$1.90 (2 Units)
Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos
8.25am (AEDT)
At the moment, the Broncos hold all of the keys to the AFC playoffs race, which, at the moment is almost completely decided. If they win, they will clinch the No.7 seed, the final playoff spot in the conference. However, if they lose, they open the door for the Dolphins or Bengals to pinch the playoff berth.
Luckily for the Broncos, they are hosting a Chiefs side that will be resting their starters as they are already locked into the No.1 seed in the AFC playoff picture. As such, the Broncos will start as massive 10.5 point favourites here, as veteran Carson Wentz will start at quarterback or the Chiefs.
I think the Broncos win here to secure their playoff berth but this line seems a touch high to me at 10.5. Despite resting some of their starters, the Chiefs are still 15-1 this season and this is still a divisional rival, so I have no doubt that they’ll be trying to make it tough for the Broncos this week. Back the Chiefs to cover the high line.
Chiefs +10.5
$1.90 (1.5 Units)
Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions
12.20pm (AEDT)
Easily the game of the round sees the Lions hosting the Vikings in a game where the winner will not only claim the NFC North division, but the coveted No.1 seed in the conference that comes with it. It’s a massive game given the winner will get the lone first-round bye in the NFC as well as home field advantage throughout the conference playoffs.
The Lions have had the No.1 rated offence in the league throughout the season, averaging 33.3 points per game on the back of a litany of talented skill position players in Jahmyr Gibbs, David Montgomery, Amon-Ra St.Brown, Sam LaPorta and Allen Robinson. On the other side of the ball is the Vikings defence, which is the 4th rated in the league and the catalyst in the Vikings nine game winning streak to end the season.
Love the overs again here. These two teams will be throwing haymakers from the word go and I think the way the Lions play could promote a really high scoring game. When the two teams met back in Week 6 of the season, 60 total points were scored as the Lions came away 31-29 winners. Back a similar scoreline here.
Over 56.0
$1.90 (1.5 Units)
Other Tips
Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons – Falcons -7.5 ($1.89) at TradieBet
Washington Commanders at Dallas Cowboys – Cowboys +6.5 ($1.90) at TradieBet
Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers – Under 41.5 ($1.89) at TradieBet
Houston Texans at Tennessee Titans – Over 36.5 ($1.89) at TradieBet
Jacksonville Jaguars at Indianapolis Colts – Colts -3.5 ($1.91) at TradieBet
Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots – Bills -3.5 ($1.88) at TradieBet
New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles – Under 37.5 ($1.90) at TradieBet
Seattle Seahawks at Los Angeles Rams – Rams +7 ($1.89) at TradieBet
Miami Dolphins at New York Jets – Over 38.5 ($1.89) at TradieBet
San Francisco 49ers at Arizona Cardinals – Under 42.5 ($1.87) at TradieBet
