NFL Picks Against the Spread for Week 18: Back the Underdog in Ravens vs Steelers

• NFL Week 18 is upon us
• In my NFL ATS picks this week, I am targeting two underdogs and one favorite
• See below for my NFL picks against the spread for Week 18 and my analysis for my NFL bets bets

We have made it to the final week of the NFL regular season. There are two important games on Saturday with huge NFL playoff bracket implications.

Sunday is full of divisional games and caps off with the Ravens and Steelers on Sunday Night Football to see who will win the AFC North and clinch a playoff spot.

Keep reading for all my NFL Week 18 picks against the spread, plus my best bets for Sunday, January 4.

NFL Week 18 Picks Against the Spread

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Odds as of Friday, January 2, at BetMGM. Be sure to claim the best BetMGM promo code before locking in your NFL Week 18 bets.

NFL ATS Pick #1: Bengals -7.5 vs Browns

Since Joe Burrow returned on Thanksgiving, the Bengals are averaging 29.6 points per game. They have put up at least 32 points in four of those five games as well. The offense has been moving with ease, and I do not see how the Browns offense will stop them on the road.

On the other side, Cleveland has been struggling to move the ball, and even though the Bengals have the worst defense in the NFL, Shedeur Sanders and co. do not pose enough of a threat for me to worry.

I bet on the Browns last week in a great spot at home to play spoiler for the Steelers. Mission accomplished. Now heading into Week 18, I do not know how motivated Cleveland will be in what is kind of a letdown spot.

The only motivation I could see for this team is getting Myles Garrett the sack record, but that should not interfere with the Bengals winning this game by more than a touchdown.

Joe Burrow and the Bengals want to end their season on a high note, and I believe they will accomplish that on Sunday.

NFL Week 18 Pick: Bengals -7.5 (-108)

NFL ATS Pick #2: Giants +3.5 vs Cowboys

The Cowboys plan on playing Dak Prescott and a lot of their starters, but this is still a good spot for the Giants at home in Week 18.

New York got a big win against the Raiders in Week 17, so now their chances of getting the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft are slim. They would love nothing more than beating the Cowboys in front of their home fans to finish off their season, while the Cowboys are eliminated and not playing for anything.

The Giants have not been playing terrible football of late. Four of their last five losses were by one score before beating the Raiders last week.

Dallas’s defense is worrisome, giving up 33.75 points per game over the last four, including allowing 23 points to Josh Johnson and the Commanders on Christmas. Jaxson Dart should be able to score enough points to keep this close, even if some of the Cowboys starters play most or all of the game.

I love getting over a field goal with the home team in this NFC East matchup.

• NFL Week 18 Pick: Giants +3.5 (-110)

NFL ATS Pick #3: Steelers +3.5 vs Ravens

As soon as this line opened, I knew who I would be betting on. AFC North home underdogs have been extremely profitable over the last few years, and they have been even more profitable in Steelers vs Ravens games.

The underdog is 25-7-3 against the spread in this series with John Harbaugh and Mike Tomlin as head coaches. Mike Tomlin is 14-4-2 against the spread vs the Ravens in his tenure.

Pittsburgh blew their opportunity last week to clinch the division against the Browns in the most Steelers way ever. They were already focused on this potential Week 18 game, which is why I bet against them last week. I expect a much better effort on their part Sunday night.

Derrick Henry ran all over the Packers last week, but I do not expect him to get 36 carries again against a stout Steelers run defense. Lamar Jackson should be back for the Ravens, which is a boost, but Lamar has not looked like himself since returning from injury.

I like getting over a field goal with the Steelers at home in a matchup where both teams know each other well.

NFL Week 18 Pick: Steelers +3.5 (-110)