There Are Three Playoff Spots Up For Grabs In Week 18

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NFL Week 18 Preview

Heading into the NFL’s final weekend, three playoff spots are still up for grabs — two of three AFC wild cards are up in the air, while the NFC has a single spot remaining

In the NFC, here’s what the Wild Card picture looks like today

• Arizona Cardinals: 11-5 (clinched a playoff spot, still alive to win the NFC West)

• San Francisco 49ers: 9-7 (would be in if the season ended today)

• New Orleans Saints: 8-8 (would be out)

How can the Saints get in? Well, they have to take care of business against the Falcons on Sunday. If they lose, it’s over! The second part of the equation involves the Rams. Los Angeles must beat the 49ers for the Saints to get in. If the Rams lose, the Saints will be enjoying an EARLY vacation

NFL NFC Odds to Make the playoffs as a Wild Card 

• Arizona Cardinals: -370 (bet $370, win $100)

• San Francisco 49ers: -145

• New Orleans Saints: +115 (bet $100, win $115)

• Los Angeles Rams: +270

The AFC playoff picture is a bit more complicated 👇

• Indianapolis Colts: 9-7 (would be in if the season ended today)

• Los Angeles Chargers: 9-7 (would be in)

• Las Vegas Raiders: 9-7 (would be out)

• Pittsburgh Steelers: 8-7-1 (would be out)

• Baltimore Ravens: 8-8 (would be out)

With a handful of these AFC teams playing each other in Week 18, the playoff picture will remain murky until the dust settles on Sunday

NFL AFC Odds to Make the Playoffs as a Wild Card

• Indianapolis Colts: -1250

• Los Angeles Chargers: -160

• Las Vegas Raiders: -105

• Pittsburgh Steelers: +1000

• Baltimore Ravens: +2000

Steelers @ Ravens Preview

After playing in his first regular season game in Baltimore against the Ravens, Ben Roethlisberger could be ending his career the same way. That’s of course, if the Steelers can’t make the playoffs. Both Pittsburgh (6%) and Baltimore (2%) have a pretty minuscule chance, but never say never 👀

The only time that both of these teams missed the playoffs was in 2013. Things aren’t looking good, but there’s still a game to be played, and the first step is getting a WIN

Steelers @ Ravens Odds

• Spread: Ravens -4.5

• Moneyline: Ravens -215, Steelers +180

• Over/under: 41.5

In order to get in, the Steelers would need…

• To beat the Ravens

• The Jags to beat the Colts

• And for the Chargers and Raiders not to tie

The Ravens would need…

• To beat the Steelers

• The Jags to beat the Colts

• The Raiders to beat the Chargers

• And the Pats to beat or tie the Dolphins

49ers @ Rams Preview

The Rams have an opportunity to win the NFC West and clinch the No. 2 seed by beating the 49ers at home on Sunday. However, they could also slip all the way to the No. 5 seed if they lose and the Cardinals win. Winning seems like the easier choice, don’t you think?

49ers @ Rams Odds

• Spread: Rams -4

• Moneyline: Rams -215, 49ers +180

• Over/under: 44.5

Not only is there a lot on the line in terms of playoff seeding for the Rams, but also some history. Cooper Kupp can set the single season record for receptions (needs 12 more) and receiving yards (needs 136 more)

• On the other hand, the Niners are guaranteed one of the NFC Wild Card spots with a win. If they lose, their fate will be in the Saints’ hands, who would need to lose to the Falcons

Here’s the good news for the 49ers, their head coach Kyle Shanahan is 6-3 against the Rams, despite being 5-15 against the rest of the NFC West 👀

Trivia question: when was the last time that three teams from the same division made the playoffs? (answer below)

Chargers @ Raiders Preview

The final game of the regular season will be a Sunday night showdown between the Chargers and Raiders. The winner of this game will automatically earn a bid to the playoffs

If your juices aren’t flowing enough, the Raiders will also be honoring the late John Madden. I don’t know about you, but I already have goosebumps

Chargers @ Raiders Odds

• Spread: Chargers -3

• Moneyline: Chargers -164, Raiders +138

• Over/under: 49.5

Despite this looking like a simple WIN and your IN breakdown, there’s actually a wild scenario still in play…

• If the Jaguars beat the Colts, the Chargers and Raiders tie, BOTH the Steelers and Ravens make the playoffs

I’m assuming no one would want to see this game end in a kneel-off. The Raiders better take a page out of their former head coach Al Davis’ book and “just win, baby” 😏

For My Parlay Gurus

On Sunday, I’m taking the two LA teams to win their respective matchups. Expect Stafford and Herbert to come through, as they’ve become two of football’s most reliable QBs in big games. Peep this parlay 👇

• Rams -3 vs. 49ers: -112

• Chargers -4 @ Raiders: -115

$100 on this bet would win you $254 — if we hit, make sure to email justin.schnell@itsovertime.com for $100**. First come, first serve 😉

Trivia answer: Believe it or not, last season three teams from the AFC North made the playoffs. The Steelers were the three seed, the Ravens the five seed, and the Browns the six seed. Baltimore and Cleveland both won, but both lost in the Divisional Round