NFL Odds Week 18: Top Longshots to Bet Against the Spread
As we approach the end of the NFL regular season, we can look back on a campaign that featured massive upsets almost weekly.
The Arizona Cardinals were responsible for two of the biggest upsets of 2023. They thumped the Dallas Cowboys back in Week 3, and this past Sunday, they stunned the Philadelphia Eagles—a game that could cost Philadelphia the NFC East. We saw a plethora of underdogs win between those games, many of them doing it in prime time.
While several teams will have nothing to play for in Week 18, we can expect at least one long shot to end the season with another surprise. Below, we'll examine some of our favorite underdogs to consider, based on the early lines.
Check the latest lines at DraftKings.
Giants +5 Versus Eagles
This would have felt like an appropriate line early in the season, when the Eagles were surging and the New York Giants were stumbling.
However, the Eagles have fallen hard over the last month, losing four of their last five and narrowly escaping the Giants in Week 16. Quarterback Tyrod Taylor entered that game and helped New York give Philly quite a scare.
Taylor's ability to buy time in the pocket and deliver pinpoint shots down the field could become a real problem for Philly's fading pass defense. The Eagles rank 25th in net yards per pass attempt allowed and 28th in passing yards allowed. Their defense couldn't corral Kyler Murray and the Cardinals last week, and it's likely to struggle against Taylor and the Giants.
The Eagles are still the better team in this matchup, and it would be a shock to see New York win outright. However, the Giants only lost by eight in Philadelphia and will have a great chance to keep things closer at home.
Bears +3 at Packers
Sunday's game between the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers is shaping up to be one of the most fun contests of the week.
Packers quarterback Jordan Love has been sensational down the stretch, and he's poised to put Green Bay into the postseason with a win here. However, Chicago has all of the pieces needed to play spoiler.
While the Bears don't have a ton to play for in this one, the chance to keep a division rival out of the postseason should be a motivating factor.
Justin Fields has emerged as a dangerous dual-threat quarterback over the back half of the season, and he can create serious issues for Green Bay's 21st-ranked defense. He has established a palpable chemistry with wideout D.J. Moore, a player the Packers will likely struggle to contain.
The Bears defense, meanwhile, has been one of the best in the NFL over the last month. In a game with two young, exciting and capable quarterbacks, defense should be the difference-maker.
Green Bay may get its victory and secure a wild-card berth, but the Bears are going to keep this one extremely close.
Rams +3 at 49ers
Will the San Francisco 49ers do their part to derail a rival's postseason plans? Perhaps, but it sure feels like San Francisco's biggest goal in Week 18 will be to get healthy.
San Francisco has already announced that running back Christian McCaffrey won't play this week. With the No. 1 seed already secured, the 49ers are likely to rest several other starters as well.
While the Rams are already locked into a wild-card spot, a win here could mean the difference between the No. 6 and the No. 7 seed. That's reason enough to keep Matthew Stafford, Cooper Kupp and most of the Rams stars on the field for the majority of the contest.
L.A. also has a chance to give standout receiver Puka Nacua the rookie receiving record Nacua needs 29 receiving yards against San Francisco to break the record Bill Groman set back in 1960.
Expect head coach Sean McVay to seek a win here, and if the Rams don't get it, they should still force a tight outcome.
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