NFL Week 18: Hart’s Picks

For Week 17 of the NFL season, Mile High Report’s Christopher Hart picked 13 of 16 games correctly. Here are his straight up picks for Week 18.

It’s finally here—Week 18—the last of the regular season.

For last week’s slate of picks, I picked 13 of 16 games correctly. That’s a multi-game improvement over Week 16. Through 17 weeks, I’m at 178-78 for the season sporting 69.5-percent accuracy. I’m pretty happy with that.

Let’s see how I do in Week 18. Remember, there is no Thursday Night Football or Monday Night Football game this week, but there are two games on Saturday. With various teams likely resting key starters, some of these games are hard to predict. Let’s see if I can end the regular season on a high note.

Without further ado, here are my picks.

Saturday Football (Afternoon Game) – Cleveland Browns at Baltimore Ravens

I haven’t seen anything that suggests the Ravens are going to rest a lot of starters this week. A win gives them the AFC North title and a home playoff game in the Wildcard Round. They’ll easily take care of business at home against the Browns.

Winner: Ravens

Saturday Football (Evening Game) – Cincinnati Bengals at Pittsburgh Steelers

The Bengals need to win. On top of that, both the Denver Broncos and Miami Dolphins to lose in order to make the playoffs. If the Ravens win as predicted, the Steelers would berelegated to just a Wild Card spot. Perhaps Mike Tomlin would rest some key players knowing that was the case?

Winner: Bengals

Sunday Football (Early Game) – Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons need to win and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to lose to punch their ticket to the playoffs. I think Atlanta will take care of business in front of their hometown fans, but will they make the postseason? Hm.

Winner: Falcons

Sunday Football (Early Game) – Houston Texans at Tennessee Titans

Regardless of what happens in this game, the Texans are the fourth seed in the AFC as the South champions and get to host a home game in the Wildcard Round. The Titans? Well, they are reportedly going to give Mason Rudolph and Will Levis snaps in the finale. Neither are their quarterback of the future. A loss would ensure the Titans a Top 3 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Winner: Texans

Sunday Football (Early Game) — New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles

Drew Lock’s magnificent Week 17 performance against the Indianapolis Colts may have cost the Giants the top pick in the draft. The Eagles will be resting some key starters, so another win isn’t out of the equation for the Giants. Even so, I’m still going to take the Eagles.

Winner: Eagles

Sunday Football (Early Game) — Jacksonville Jaguars at Indianapolis Colts

The Colts’ playoff hopes were vanquished by the aforementioned Giants. This game doesn’t mean anything other than the loser getting a much higher draft pick. The Jaguars could cement themselves in the Top 5 with a loss, while the Colts could be a Top 10 team if they falter. But I’m taking the home team here.

Winner: Colts

Sunday Football (Early Game) — Washington Commanders at Dallas Cowboys

I’ve read some reports that the Commanders, who currently have the sixth seed in the NFC, will play their starters in Week 18. If that is the case, I think they won’t have an issue handling the Cowboys who embarked on another mediocre campaign.

Winner: Commanders

Sunday Football (Early Game) – Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers

This is another game where the Packers, who are already playoff bound, could also rest their starters. They can’t get higher than the sixth seed and are set in a road game for the first-round anyways. Though I haven’t seen any indication on what they will do in that regard. However, it was revealed yesterday that star cornerback Jaire Alexander is done for the year and will be having knee surgery. That’s a big blow to them before the playoffs.

Winner: Packers

Sunday Football (Early Game) – New Orleans Saints at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

All the Buccaneers need to do is defeat a Saints team that has looked putrid and lost their last three games. No doubt in my mind Baker Mayfield comes out firing and propels his squad to victory to win the NFC South and earn the honors of hosting a playoff game.

Winner: Buccaneers

Sunday Football (Early Game) – Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots

The Bills have the #2 seed in the AFC on wrap and I don’t see any reason why they’d play their starters against the Patriots. If the Patriots lose, they will secure the #1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Even if they ice their starters, I’ll still take Buffalo on the road.

Winner: Patriots

Sunday Football (Early Game) – Los Angeles Chargers at Las Vegas Raiders

The Chargers are the sixth seed in the AFC. They could snag fifth and face the Texans if they can beat the Raiders. while the Bengals defeat the Steelers. That would likely be a more preferably matchup than facing the Ravens off the bat. Based on my pick prior (Bengals win) that’s what I think will happen.

Winner: Chargers

Sunday Football (Afternoon Game) – San Francisco 49ers at Arizona Cardinals

Both these teams are out of the playoffs and Brock Purdy’s season came to a close after an elbow contusion last weekend. It was definitely a rough year on the injury front for the 49ers who significantly underperformed expectations. However, Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch are expected back next year per Jed York. Nevertheless, I’ll take the Cardinals in this one.

Winner: Cardinals

Sunday Football (Afternoon Game) – Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos

The Broncos have faltered in back-to-back games and are down to this matchup against the Chiefs to make the postseason. Win and you’re in. It’s that simple. The Chiefs will be resting some starters and Carson Wentz gets the nod at quarterback for Kansas City. All I’ve got to say is this—please let the Broncos win.

Winner: Broncos

Sunday Football (Afternoon Game) – Seattle Seahawks at Los Angeles Rams

The Rams clinched the NFC West last week and have the third spot in the NFC as of right now. There have been rumors they might rest some starters considering they already get to host a playoff game. With that in mind, I’ll take the Seahawks on the road.

Winner: Seahawks

Sunday Football (Afternoon Game) – Miami Dolphins at New York Jets

Based on the picks above, the Dolphins would already be out of the playoffs. However, they could earn a winning season by defeating the Jets. What a terrible year for Aaron Rodgers and company. That team certainly has some things to figure out. I’ll take Miami on the road.

Winner: Dolphins

Sunday Night Football – Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions

I would have never guessed in a million years the Vikings would be 14-2 and have a shot at the NFC North title heading into Week 18. The winner of this game gets the #1 seed and homefield advantage in the NFC playoffs. The loser? The fifth seed and a road game to start their playoff endeavors. Crazy, right? This is going to be a great game. My gut is telling me to take the home team so I will.

Winner: Lions