Kevin Davies
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It’s finally here. The last week of the NFL regular season. The playoffs are right around the corner and it’s a very exciting time in football, but first, we have to get through Week 18. I’ve found 3 underdogs that I think could win outright in what it typically one of the most unpredictable weeks of the year, so I’ve parlayed them together for a +1213 payout at DraftKings Sportsbook. Let’s break down our NFL parlay picks, while you can also find out our NFL picks on the side and total for EVERY game in Week 18.
Texans ML (+104)
Jaguars ML (+180)
Vikings ML (+130)
NFL parlay odds: +1213
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Houston Texans ML over Tennessee Titans (+104)
These two teams will head in opposite directions after Week 18. The Texans are locked into a playoff spot while the Titans are currently slated to get the #2 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Tennessee is 1 of 4 teams that are 3-13 heading into Week 18 and their main priority this week should be to remain at the top of the draft order by losing. Will Levis might not be the answer for the Titans and it’s looking like they could draft a quarterback to try and change the course of the franchise. A loss in Week 18 would cement their status at the top of the draft order, and that shouldn’t be too difficult considering Tennessee has lost 5 straight games.
The Texans got embarrassed on national television last week. Houston was 1 of 4 teams playing on the special Christmas Day slate and they lost 31-2 to the Ravens. That’s right, the only score the Texans were able to muster was a safety by their defense. CJ Stroud had a terrible game and morale seems at an all-time low for the Texans. Although Nico Collins might not play too much, I can’t see DeMeco Ryans’ wanting to go into the playoffs on a 3-game losing streak. I’ll take the plus-money odds with the Texans.
Jacksonville Jaguars ML over Indianapolis Colts (+180)
The Colts had one job last week: beat a team on a 10-game losing streak to keep their playoff hopes alive. Instead, Indy allowed 45 points to Drew Lock and the Giants which ruined the Colts’ playoff hopes and lost New York’s place at the top of the NFL Draft order. The reason the Colts lost was simple and it’s been the same reason the entire season: their defense. Indy has allowed the 4th-most total yards and the 6th-most points per game this season. In the last few weeks, they have allowed 45, 30, 31, 24, 24 and 27 points. That gives me the confidence that even a quarterback like Mac Jones can have success against the Colts’ defense.
The expectations for Mac Jones were very, very low. However, it hasn’t been all bad lately. The Jags have beaten the Titans twice and have lost by one score to the Jets, Raiders and Texans in the last 2 months. Jones has made an instant connection with rookie Brian Thomas Jr., who has 5 touchdowns and 490 yards in the last 5 games. It wouldn’t be a crazy shock to see the Jags beat this morale-sapped Colts team, so let’s take another underdog as the next leg of our NFL parlay picks.
Read our full Jacksonville Jaguars vs Indianapolis Colts predictions
Minnesota Vikings ML over Detroit Lions (+130)
The game of the week also happens to be the final game of the regular season. The Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions are both 14-2 and will play each other for the NFC North division title on Sunday Night Football. Minnesota has won 9 games in a row and Sam Darnold is looking more and more like the franchise quarterback instead of a 1-year bridge to JJ McCarthy. Darnold led the Vikings to a 27-25 win over the Packers last week and he was nearly perfect through the air as he completed 33 of his 43 passes for 377 yards and 3 touchdowns. Between Darnold in the pocket, Aaron Jones on the ground and the duo of Jordan Addison and Justin Jefferson as the top 2 options, the Vikings have an elite offensive group.
The Lions have been arguably the most dominant team in the league this season. They were Super Bowl favorites for more than half of the regular season but injuries have started to derail Detroit’s potential. They lost David Montgomery a few weeks ago and numerous key players on defense have missed the last month or so. That’s led to the Lions’ defense starting to struggle and become vulnerable. Detroit has allowed 34, 17, 48 and 31 points in the last 4 weeks and has been fortunate enough to go 3-1 in that span. Minnesota has the edge on defense and the talent to make it tough for the Lions’ defense which is why I’m taking them at plus-money odds to pull the upset, win the NFC North and secure the #1 seed in the NFC.
Read our full Minnesota Vikings vs Detroit Lions predictions for the biggest SNF game EVER
