NFL Betting Tips: 14/1 point spread four-fold for Week 18 action

As part of our expanding sports coverage here at BettingOdds.com we've enlisted our US sports specialist @OddsTerrier to do a weekly NFL preview and accumulator. This will lead up to the playoffs which start next week and eventually the 'Greatest show on Earth' Superbowl LVI, which will take place on February 13 in Inglewood, California at the SoFi Stadium, home of the LA Rams and Chargers. We'll have comprehensive NFL tips and prop bets throughout the playoff period.

It's officially the last week of the regular season people, and next week it's the start of the NFL playoffs. This is where it gets serious and there are a fair few teams who are still unsure if they'll be involved next week. Here's how the playoff picture looks currently:

There are three playoff slots and one divisional title (AFC East) still on the line. The Bills will head off the Pats with an expected victory over the Jets to win the division but the playoff berths are where it really gets interesting! 

In the AFC, The Colts loss to the Raiders in week 17 means they are no longer safe. Should they do the unthinkable and lose to the Jaguars, then we could see the bizarre situation where the Chargers and the Raiders could both claim a playoff spot with a tie. They are the last game of the weekend and it could all come down to that!

In the NFC it's all on the line for the 49ers and the Saints. The 49er's qualify for the playoffs with a win over the Rams, but should they slip up the Saints can sneak in with a win over the Falcons.

On the betting side of things, it's fairly hard this week with several teams resting key players for the playoffs. We have come up with a boosted 14/1 four-fold utilising Bet365's Accumlator Bonus, concentrating on the point spread markets. 

As always good luck if you follow my selections and bet responsibly.

Cincinnati Bengals @ Cleveland Browns -  Bengals +6.0

The Bengals clinched the AFC North last week with a stunning comeback last-minute win over the top seeded Chiefs. With it comes a guaranteed top 4 seed but they could go as high as second or even top seed, if a series of unlikely results were to happen. Quarterback Joe Burrow is apparently fit to play but will likely be rested after aggravating a knee injury at the end of the game. They will clearly miss him after throwing for over 950 yards in the last two games. 

The Browns are also missing their QB Baker Mayfield who has been badly beat up in recent weeks and was sacked a colossal nine times last time out; he will now have surgery as soon as possible on a persistent shoulder injury. 

We probably won't know how strong the Bengals will go until the Chiefs result on Saturday night but even if they do rest key players I fully expect them to beat the spread here against an eliminated Browns with nothing to play for. 

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Baltimore Ravens - Steelers +5.0

If this is Ben Roethlisberger’s final game, there is no way he will want to go out with a loss to the Ravens - especially if it sends them to the playoffs. Big Ben went out in style at Heinz Field last week with a decent win over the Browns and the defence were particularly impressive. Against a Ravens side that is still unsure whether QB Lamar Jackson will play; he didn't practice on Thursday so seems unlikely, I would expect the Steelers to cover the spread and possibly even win outright here at the M&T Bank.

Carolina Panthers @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Buccaneers -8.5

The Buccaneers can't really afford to rest anyone here as they are playing for potential home field advantage in the Divisional round. They just battered the Panthers 32-6 only two weeks ago and I can see them doing similar again here, even without the now cut Wide Receiver and twitter meme Antonio Brown. 

New Orleans Saints @ Atlanta Falcons - Saints -3.5

This is a really tough one, but the Saints have to win here or their season is over. They have been pretty impressive this year considering their injury problems and yet still have a chance to make the playoffs. I'm expecting Alvin Kamara to run the Falcons defence into the dirt here and take the Saints over the winning line. Whether it's enough for a play off spot is another thing?!