NFL Week 18, 2025: Yes. It's 2025. Hoorah.

Last updated on 04 May 2025

Been a fun year. Image by Jeff x Ideogram

NFL Quick Hitters:

Week 18 - It’s always a weird one. Most teams have nothing to play for as far as the playoff standings go. Playoff teams may be resting guys. Yet, there are always exciting games that pop off. And one or two games that are basically playoff games. This week we have the Vikes and the Lions. Both are in the playoffs but the #1 seed and the division championship is up for grabs. The bye week matters. So expect a exciting no-holds barred game. I’m picking the Vikes. Better defense. Lions are banged up.
Bengals - They need a lot to happen to make the playoffs. But first they have to win on Saturday. Against the Steelers. It’ll be tough. The Steelers need to win. They don’t want to go into the playoffs on a 4 game losing streak. The Bengals have a few generational players. It’d be a shame to see their careers wasted. Bengals, get it together. Don’t fire your coaches. Just spend some money. Figure out how to keep Chase and Higgins. Double down on your defense this year. Good luck.
To Rest or Not to Rest - I’ve always been a firm believer that teams that played their key guys are better prepared in the playoffs and have more success. But with a 18 game season it may be better to manage the playing minutes of your best players. The Chiefs have always been smart about it. They play their guys more in the preseason. They’ve played their guys for part of the regular season games historically. But the last couple of years he sits key guys. Hasn’t hurt them. They’re the 2-time Super Bow Champions. We’ll watch and see.
Cowboys - They’re a mess. It may be better to end up with a record 4 or less win season than to win 6 or 7 or 8. Suffer to get better. But the Cowboys have stumbled to a 7 - 9 record going into the last game. They are in a terrible cap situation. They have a huge percent of their annual salary wrapped up in two players. Dak Prescott has the highest salary in the league. He’s not the best player. He may be middle of the road at best. The front office won’t change. The key players won’t change. You have professional qualified coaches. You won’t get a significant upgrade to McCarthy. You may lose your best player - Micah Parsons - after this year. Might as well trade him. Get some draft picks. Otherwise Cowboy fans might as well just expect a long line of 8 - 8 seasons.
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NFL Games: Week 17

Last week’s totals: 14- 2: Should’ve been even higher. Shooting for a perfect weekend at least once before the playoffs. Season’s totals: 173 - 63

Survivor pick/Lock of the week: (current streak 0) Bills - Thanks Colts. I could have gone with any of the other sure things but I wanted to make it challenging but still likely a win. How do you lose to the Giants? That’s embarrassing. Oh well. Had a 13 week streak. We’ll go with the Bucs They need the win and are the better team. Last week is weird as everyone is managing player minutes.

(Oh, and if you use these picks - or the fantasy lineup at the bottom - to gamble do so at your own risks. I’m a ‘gut feel’ type of picker. I don’t do a computer analysis.)

Week 18: Last week: Weird week

Saturday Games:

Browns vs. Ravens - The game means little for either team. I don’t Lamar Jackson plays a full game regardless of the score. But Ravens are loaded with talent. Ravens win.

Bengals vs. Steelers - This one matters. Bengals need to win to keep their slim playoff hopes alive. Steelers have lost three in a row and son’t want to go into the playoffs on a four game losing streak. It’s in Pittsburgh. Tough game but I believe in Joe Burrow. It’ll be high scoring but Bengals pull it out. Bengals win.

Sunday Games:

Panthers vs. Falcons - This is a perfect matchup for a Falcons offense that is at their best with play-action passes off of a string running game. SHould be able to do what they want against the Panthers. Falcons win.

Commanders vs. Cowboys - Fun rivalry game. Cowboys are done. Maybe playing for contracts or for the coach but it doesn’t matter for them. Expect off-season turmoil regardless. Commanders win.

Bears vs. Packers - Bears will be happy the season is over. Packers need a tune-up and a win heading into the playoffs. Packers win.

Bills vs. Patriots - Bills will be managing player minutes. Allen will likely sit out the second half at least. They still have enough. Bills win.

Jaguars vs. Colts - Ugh. Ugh. Ugh. Disgusted with the Colts performance last week. So… Jags win.

Giants vs. Eagles - Eagles will be resting their guys. No Saquon. Probably no Jalen Hurts. Eagles win anyway. Eagles win.

Saints vs. Buccaneers - Bucs are on a roll and need the win. Bucs win.

Texans vs. Titans - Texans have had a rough stretch of games. They need this - sort of - break. They’re likely one and out in the playoffs but experience is experience. Watch out next year if they can get some offensive linemen. Texans win.

49ers vs. Cardinals - Who knows? is Purdy playing? Does it matter? I’ll take the up and down Cardinals. Cards win.

Chiefs vs. Broncos - This will be a fun game even the Chiefs will be sitting their main guys. I think they rally around the 2nd teamers and win. Go Carson Wentz. Chiefs win.

Seahawks vs. Rams - Rams fine tune. They’re kind of the Chiefs lite; they win in many ways. Rams win.

Chargers vs. Raiders - Chargers run over the Raiders. It’s a big win. Chargers win.

Dolphins vs. Jets - again, another weird game. In NY. It’ll be cold, cold. Dolphins have an outside, slim, slim shot at the playoffs but by the time they line up to play this one they may be out. Who knows what the Jets will do? They could come out and play hard but I doubt it. Dolphins win.

Vikings vs. Lions - It’s the game of the week. Winner gets home field advantage and a bye week. Loser goes to the 5th seed and doesn’t even get to host a playoff game. This is huge. Lions are too beat up and Vikings are confident and on a roll. Vikings win.

My FanDuel lineup: Week 16: Score 101.76. -$15 Missed Week 17 while I was in Japan. I’m up for the year but with a very average score. Need a big final week and the last week is always difficult to predict. Week 18: Darnold, K. Williams, K. Hunt, J. Addison, M. Hollins, J. Williams, N. Gray, J. Dobbins, Buccaneers Team 2 (I’ll take a flyer on Wentz putting up some numbers despite a solid Denver defense): Wentz, Williams, Etienne Jr., Jefferson, Cooks, Hollins, Smith, Thielen, Bucs.

Season score: +$75