Week 18 NFL Picks Against the Spread – Early Lines to Target

Published: January 3, 2024 at 6:50 am EST

In the Week 18 NFL picks ATS, the Packers are 9-0 ATS in the last nine against the Bears. — Dec 31, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) hands off the ball to running back Aaron Jones (33) against the Minnesota Vikings during their game at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dan Powers-USA TODAY Sports

In the Week 18 NFL picks against the spread picks, the Detroit Lions and Baltimore Ravens are sharing the league lead with ATS marks of 11-5
At 4-10-2, the Carolina Panthers are all alone as the NFL’s worst ATS teams this season
All of the Week 18 NFL picks against the spread and early lines to target are outlined in the story below

The only thing to look ahead about as the NFL season arrives at Week 18 is that this is the final regular-season week for NFL picks against the spread.

But before we get to that, add another kick in the teeth as a reminder of what a dismal campaign it has been. Just when you thought it couldn’t get any worse, Week 17 figuratively said hold my beer.

Yours truly went 0-3. Tampa Bay, with a share of the NFL’s best ATS record, couldn’t cover at home against the Saints, who owned a share of the league’s worst ATS mark when they took the field. That’s the kind of year it’s been.

The Rams gave up a punt return TD in the game’s dying moments to fail to cover against the Giants. And speaking of kicking, I’m still kicking myself for picking the Eagles over the Cardinals. As someone who covered the Matt Patricia-coached Detroit Lions, it should’ve been incumbent to recognize that counting on any team that was counting on Patricia to be a difference maker was pure folly.

Who’s gonna quit when they’re behind? Not me.

Let’s look forward to the NFL football line for the Week 18 ATS picks.

If the Texans win over the Colts, they’re in the playoffs. They’ll get it done. So will the Packers, who generally dismantle the Bears at home. As for the Seahawks, there’s mixed emotions. They’ll cover against the Cardinals, but won’t get the needed Packers setback in order to grab a place in the NFL postseason.

Now, let’s check out all the best early bets in the Week 18 ATS picks.

Week 18 NFL Picks Against the Spread

Matchup	Spread	Pick	Units Risked
Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts	HOU-1.5	HOU	1
Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers	GB-3	GB	1
Seattle Seahawks at Arizona Cardinals	SEA-2.5	SEA	1

Our top NFL ATS picks this week in the table above will feature plays on the Texans, Packers, and Seahawks.

Odds as of January 3 at ESPN BET. Check out the ESPN BET promo before betting on NFL Week 18 NFL action. And don’t forget to input the promo code “DIME” when signing up at ESPN BET to get your $250 in bonus bets when you wager at least $10 with your first bet.

NFL ATS Picks 1: Texans Make Playoffs

A road victory over the Indianapolis Colts guarantees that the Houston Texans are in the NFL postseason. A Houston win plus a Jacksonville loss at Tennessee gives the Texans the AFC South title.

The future is looking bright for the @HoustonTexans 🤘 pic.twitter.com/bXRUFotj61

— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) December 31, 2023

The road club is 3-0-1 ATS in the past four games between the Colts and Texans.

NFL ATS Picks: Houston Texans -1.5 (-110), 1 unit

NFL ATS Picks 2: Green Bay Owns Chicago

The Green Bay Packers are 9-0 SU and ATS in the past nine meetings with their NFC North rivals the Chicago Bears.

justin fields vs the packers:

• 0W-5L
• 7 interceptions
• 2 pick sixes

bears week is upon us cheeseheads.. pic.twitter.com/oYdOpL6vX8

— RELAX (@itzzSKL) January 2, 2024

At Lambeau Field, Green Bay is 7-0 SU and 6-1 ATS over the past seven contests. The Packers won their past three home games against Chicago by an average margin of 17 points.

NFL ATS Picks: Green Bay Packers -3 (-105), 1 unit

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NFL ATS Picks 3: Seahawks Soar Past Cardinals

Seattle’s Week 18 scenario is identical to last season. The Seahawks need to win and hope Green Bay loses in order to make the playoffs.

It worked out for them last year. This time, though, like Jon Bon Jovi, Seattle will get halfway there while living on a prayer. The Seahawks have covered in four straight against Arizona.

NFL ATS Picks: Seattle Seahawks -2.5 (-120), 1 unit

NFL ATS record: 16-31-4

Week 18 NFL Picks Against the Spread Quick Picks

Steelers (-3.5) vs Ravens: Pittsburgh is 5-1 ATS in the last six games at Baltimore
Patriots (-2) vs Jets: Jets haven’t beaten the Patriots in New England since 2011

Browns (+6) vs Bengals: Cincinnati might win, but it’ll be a close one
Titans (+5.5) vs Jaguars: Tennessee is 7-2-1 ATS as a home underdog since the start of the 2021 season

Falcons (+3) vs Saints: New Orleans is an NFL-worst 3-10-1 ATS following a victory since the beginning of last season
Buccaneers (-5) vs Panthers: Tampa Bay is 7-1 ATS in the last eight road games
Lions (-3) vs Vikings: Detroit is 4-1 ATS over the past five games
Raiders (-2.5) vs Broncos: Las Vegas is 6-1-1 ATS over the last eight games
Commanders (+13) vs Cowboys: Dallas is 1-4 ATS in the past five games
49ers (-3.5) vs Rams: Los Angeles is 1-7 ATS in the last eight meetings with San Francisco
Chiefs (+3) vs Chargers: Kansas City is 6-2 ATS the last eight times playing as a betting underdog
Giants (+5) vs Eagles: New York is 5-1 ATS in the last six games. Philadelphia is 0-5 ATS in the past five games
Bills (-3) vs Dolphins: Buffalo has alternated between covering and not covering over the past 10 years against Miami (5-5 ATS). This year, the Bills are due to cover

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Robert Duff

Sports Writer

An industry veteran, Bob literally taught the course on the history of sports at Elder College. He has worked as a Sports Columnist for Postmedia, appeared as a guest on several radio stations, was the Vice President of the Society For International Hockey Research in Ontario, and written 25 books.

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