NFL Week 18 betting tips and predictions – Copybet
The 2025 NFL regular season concludes with Week 18 and a host of teams are drinking in the last chance saloon as far as their playoff hopes are concerned.
In the NFC South, the Carolina Panthers have a chance to rubber stamp their playoff ticket at the expense of Saturday's opponents Tampa Bay, who are threatening to fumble their hopes after a fourth straight loss.
The most important game of the weekend arguably comes from the AFC North, where the winner of the Sunday night clash between Baltimore and Pittsburgh will lock up a postseason spot as divisional winners.
There are also a number of games which will impact the seedings for those already assured of a playoff place.
Carolina Panthers vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers
This is not quite a winner-takes-all clash because Tampa Bay need results elsewhere to go their way, but that could be immaterial because the Carolina Panthers appear to have every chance of eliminating the Bucs on Saturday evening.
Bryce Young and the Panthers have been underestimated all season, reaching 8-8 to top the NFC South and chalking up an 8-5 record against the spread as underdogs. They can keep it close against a team who have suffered seven losses in eight games.
Seattle Seahawks vs San Francisco 49ers
The NFC's top two teams clash with the No.1 seed on the line on Saturday night and it could be the Seattle Seahawks who hold firm and grab the advantage in the playoffs.
Since suffering a two-point loss to the Rams in Week 11, the Seahawks have won six straight games, helped by being one of the healthiest teams in the NFL.
San Francisco, meanwhile, have been productive on offence since Brock Purdy returned at quarterback, but their injury-hit defence could be exposed by Seattle.
Detroit Lions vs Chicago Bears
With the NFC North title locked up for the first time since 2018, the Chicago Bears will bid to seal the No.2 seed with victory over the Detroit Lions, who will be happy to draw a line under a disappointing season.
After a Week 1 loss to Minnesota, the Bears have been perfect at Soldier Field, winning all six games and covering the spread in five of them. They can cover again against an unmotivated Detroit team.
Baltimore Ravens vs Pittsburgh Steelers
The NFL's regular-season finale is a must-win contest for both the Baltimore Ravens and the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the Ravens' hopes were boosted earlier this week with news that star quarterback Lamar Jackson is expecting to play.
Baltimore have been beset by injuries, but they've shown their appetite for a battle in scoring back-to-back wide-margin road wins over the Bengals and the Packers, and Jackson's return gives them the edge over Pittsburgh's stuttering offence.