The final week of the 2024/25 NFL regular season kicks off with an AFC North double header, with plenty on the line in both contests. First up, the Browns head to Baltimore to take on the Ravens, with the Browns currently listed as the biggest underdogs for the season. For the main course, the Bengals look to keep their slim playoff hopes alive, as they head to Pittsburgh to take on the Steelers. Regardless of the result of the first game, both teams are playing for something here, and this should be an absolute beauty! games this season, as well as a preview of the main slate on Monday’s. All for free!
NFL 2024-25: Week 18 Double Header
Baltimore Ravens vs Cleveland Browns
M&T Bank Stadium, Sunday 5th January, 8:30am (AEDT)
These teams met back in week 8 of the regular season in Cleveland, as the Ravens went off as 7.5-point road favourites, as the Browns started Jameis Winston for the first time this season. Winston went off for the Browns, throwing for 334 yards and 3 touchdowns, which proved enough for the Browns to get the win, 29-24.
Fast forward to week 18, and the Ravens opened as massive 17.5-point home favourites for this game and look to possibly be heading even higher as they are heavily juiced at 17.5. This is pretty close to the number I make the game, but it’s difficult to understand the motivation levels of both teams. The Ravens lock up the AFC North and the #3 seed with a win, however if they lose, they put themselves in a spot where they need the Bengals to beat the Steelers to win the North. I’ve no doubt the Ravens will win, but this is a huge spread, and if they lead big early, the Ravens may put the cue in the rack.
The total opened 42.5 and has been bet to the under, with the current total sitting at 41.5. This is 3 points lower than the total closed in week 8, and it’s hard to argue given the ineptitude of the Browns’ offense under Dorian Thompson-Robinson. I don’t really have a take on the total here, as I’m not sure what the Ravens will do in the second half.
Given I believe the Ravens will push hard early in this game, I’m going to go with a first half bet in this game. I’m worried the Ravens will sit their starters if they are up big early, which could lead to a backdoor cover for the Browns. So, we will go the Ravens to cover the first half spread.
Props wise, it’s hard to go too hard at the Ravens, given the possibility of players being rested throughout the game. With the Browns’ offense so poor, it will be a low outlay on Jerry Jeudy to go over his receiving yard total of 48.5.
Prop Bet
Jerry Jeudy (over) 48.5 receiving yards - $1.90 at Bet365 (1u)
1st half line – Ravens (-10.5)
$2.00 (1.5 Units)
Pittsburgh Steelers vs Cincinnati Bengals
Acrisure Stadium, Sunday 5th January, 12:00pm (AEDT)
The Steelers and Bengals met just one month ago in Cincy, where the Steelers closed 3-point road dogs. In an exciting back-and-forth shoot out, the Steelers managed to get the win off the back of 518 total yards, winning 44-38. Three Joe Burrow turnovers proved the difference in the game, whilst Russell Wilson threw for a massive 414 yards and 3 touchdowns.
Moving forward to week 18, and the Bengals opened 2.5-point road favourites in this must win game for them, with early money pushing the Bengals close to 3-point favourites. This is where the buy-back came in, with Steelers money flooding the market since, pushing the Bengals down to 1.5-point favourites on the road. I make this game basically a pick em’, so agree with the move off 3, however the Bengals do have the motivation edge here. Whilst the Steelers will be desperate to win if the Ravens lose in the early game, even if the Ravens win and clinch the north, the Steelers will still want to win for seeding, however the Bengals are officially done if they lose, so a definite motivation edge.
The total opened 48, where it remains. The total was 46 in the first meeting, and that sailed over. My fair total is 48, however I have had trouble getting my Bengals’ totals high enough this season, and believe the over is the bet in this game. Neither team is likely to leave anything to chance, and despite there being a slight chance of snow in Pittsburgh, I like the over here.
There’s plenty of good prop options in this game, particularly for the Bengals. I’ll take Joe Burrow to throw for 300+ yards here though. The biggest concern is the loss of his safety valve over the middle, with running back Chase Brown likely out this week. Despite this, I like Burrow to give it everything this week, in one last push towards the playoffs.
Prop Bet
Joe Burrow (300+) passing yards - $2.25 @ Unibet (1.5u)
Over 47.5 points
$1.90 (2 Units)
