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The ultimate week of the 2025 NFL common season is right here, and there may be loads to be found out. Whereas there is only one playoff spot in every convention but to be clinched, nearly all seeding is up for grabs. The Inexperienced Bay Packers within the NFC are the one staff that’s locked into their present seed.
At present, the Jacksonville Jaguars look to clinch the AFC South with a win over the Tennessee Titans, whereas the Denver Broncos can clinch the No. 1 seed within the AFC with a win over the Los Angeles Chargers. If the Atlanta Falcons defeat the New Orleans Saints, it is going to be the Carolina Panthers that clinch the No. 4 seed within the NFC regardless of their Saturday loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Which groups must you choose in Week 18, and which must you fade? CBS Sports activities writers Jordan Dajani and Jared Dubin are right here to interrupt down the largest video games of the weekend. For readability, strains for these choices have been taken on Dec. 31 over at DraftKings Sportsbook.
Tennessee Titans at Jacksonville Jaguars
Dajani (Titans +12.5): The Jaguars want this win in the event that they need to clinch the AFC South, and have in mind they’ve misplaced to the Titans in a crucial Week 18 state of affairs earlier than. The Titans have surprisingly grow to be one of the enjoyable groups within the NFL. They’ve scored not less than 24 factors in every of their final 4 video games, Tony Pollard has crossed 100 yards dashing in three of the final 4, they’ve the very best rookie returner in NFL historical past with Chimere Dike, Jeffery Simmons is wanting like Aaron Donald in the midst of the protection, and Cam Ward, though inconsistent, has made some Patrick Mahomes-like performs and given you glimpses of why he was chosen No. 1 general on this previous draft. The issue is Tennessee’s secondary has been decimated by accidents. It is as much as guys like Darrell Baker Jr., Kaiir Elam and Kemon Corridor to include Jakobi Meyers, Parker Washington, Brian Thomas Jr. and Brenton Unusual. Yikes. Jaguars win, however 12.5 is a big quantity … Prediction: Jaguars 26, Titans 20
Dubin (Titans +12.5): The Titans have been enjoying much better down the stretch of the season, with Cam Ward discovering a bit of little bit of a rhythm, not taking as many sacks and turning the ball over final typically. Their protection remains to be extremely suspect, significantly towards the go, however after the Colts have been capable of preserve issues shut towards the Jags final week — even main for a lot of the sport — it feels just like the Titans can keep away from getting blown out too badly right here. … Prediction: Jaguars 27, Titans 17
Dajani (Texans -10.5): The Texans want this win and a Jaguars loss to the Titans to clinch the AFC South. Riley Leonard will get the beginning over Philip Rivers, and he appeared higher than I believed he would in his first in depth motion towards the Jaguars earlier this 12 months, throwing for 145 yards and one interception plus a dashing landing. DeMeco Ryans mentioned he will not think about sitting any starters this week, and I am positive he needs to see his offense register a strong efficiency earlier than the playoffs … Prediction: Texans 27, Colts 13
Dubin (Texans -10.5): Riley Leonard just isn’t going to have a great time going up towards the ferocious Houston protection. It is virtually imply, feeding him to the wolves like this in his first NFL begin. I really feel badly for him. … Prediction: Texans 26, Colts 10
Dajani (Falcons -3): This matchup really means greater than the Saturday showdown between the Panthers and Bucs. If the Falcons beat the Saints, Carolina will symbolize the NFC South within the postseason — irrespective of if the Panthers win or lose on Saturday. With that being mentioned, I really suppose this line is appropriate. The Falcons are coming off a monster upset of the Rams on Monday night time, the place Bijan Robinson racked up over 200 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns, whereas the protection picked off Matthew Stafford 3 times. Tyler Shough has been spectacular throughout this four-game win streak, however New Orleans did path Tennessee by double digits on the halftime break final week. The Falcons defeated Shough in New Orleans by 14 factors earlier this season. With this recreation being in Atlanta, I am going to take the Falcons -3 … Prediction: Falcons 27, Saints 21
Dubin (Saints +3): I hadn’t considered the thought of this recreation really being extra essential than the Bucs-Panthers recreation that ostensibly decides the division, however apparently really does not. However the Saints are enjoying quite a bit higher recently on the power of a pleasant run from Tyler Shough, and I feel they’ll put up some factors right here. I do know that the Falcons have been on a pleasant run over the previous couple of weeks with Kirk Cousins underneath heart as effectively, however I feel they’re ripe for an upset because the Saints end the season on a continued excessive notice … Prediction: Saints 24, Falcons 23
Dajani (Steelers +3.5): When DK Metcalf was suspended two video games for the tried assault of a fan, I mentioned, ‘Wow, he is fortunate this does not have an effect on the Steelers’ playoff hopes.’ I believed Pittsburgh would beat the Cleveland Browns, and the Packers would beat the Ravens. Neither occurred, and Metcalf shall be unable to play in a win-and-in recreation. Unbelievable. Metcalf was an enormous cause the Steelers defeated the Ravens in Baltimore earlier this season, as he caught seven passes for 148 yards in that matchup. Final week towards the Browns, Aaron Rodgers threw for simply 168 yards — and 58 of these yards got here on the ultimate drive when Cleveland was enjoying what was nearly forestall protection. I feel Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry are going to will this Ravens staff to victory, however I am on the fence with the unfold. Rodgers does not need this to be the ultimate recreation of his NFL profession. Plus, it is in Pittsburgh. The Steelers are 5-1 ATS of their final six video games vs. the Ravens. Give me Baltimore by precisely three factors … Prediction: Ravens 20, Steelers 17
Dubin (Ravens -3.5): I am happening with the ship with the Ravens, who I nonetheless suppose are a great staff that has underperformed their expertise degree, slightly than using with the Steelers, who aren’t a great staff however have someway wound up in a state of affairs the place they may as soon as once more end above .500. If Lamar Jackson is again wholesome for this recreation — which it looks like the unfold expects that he shall be — I merely must roll with Baltimore given my elementary beliefs about each groups. … Prediction: Ravens 24, Steelers 20
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