The final week of the NFL regular season is here, and there are three massive matchups on the slate. The Carolina Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers will meet with the NFC South on the line, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens will battle for the AFC North, and the Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers will meet to determine who gets the No. 1 seed in the NFC. I also make a pick for an NFC North showdown.
Here is my best NFL pick-em advice for Week 18.
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NFL Week 18 Pick’em Pool Predictions (2025)
Carolina Panthers vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
There was a time when the Buccaneers were 6-2. But now, after losing seven of their last eight games, the Buccaneers are in danger of missing the postseason, even if they win Saturday's game. For those wondering, if the Falcons win against the Saints, then the Panthers would get in no matter what happens in this game.
The Buccaneers have lost four consecutive games, and while each of those losses has come by four or fewer points, the team has had no identity at all. Just two weeks ago, the Buccaneers lost to the Panthers, despite rushing for 169 yards. Last week, against one of the worst rush defenses in football, the Buccaneers managed just 53 yards on 16 carries.
The Panthers are far from unbeatable, and they're very likely going to be one-and-done once they get into the postseason. However, this is a team that hasn't lost back-to-back games since they started 0-2. They've already knocked off the Packers at Green Bay and the Rams in Week 13. This game might be in Tampa Bay, but the Buccaneers are just 1-3 in their last four home games.
Pick: Carolina Panthers
Seattle Seahawks vs. San Francisco 49ers
These two teams haven't played since Week 1, yet they meet again in Week 18 with the No. 1 seed in the NFC on the line. Both teams are red-hot entering this contest, as each has won six consecutive contests.
The main reason I like the Seahawks to go on the road and win this game is because of their pass defense. The 49ers have the fourth-ranked passing attack in the league, averaging 252.3 yards per game. While the Seahawks rank just 12th against the pass, giving up 198.6 passing yards per game, they're allowing just 9.8 yards per completion, which is the second-fewest in the league.
Brock Purdy has thrown 11 touchdown passes in his last three games, but he's also thrown two interceptions. The Seahawks have the fifth-most interceptions in the league with 17. I expect the Seahawks to win the turnover battle, which will lead to more opportunities for Sam Darnold to carve up the league's 25th-ranked pass defense.
Pick: Seattle Seahawks
Detroit Lions vs. Chicago Bears
Though the Bears can't get the No. 1 seed, they likely need to win this game to hold onto the No. 2 seed and guarantee themselves two home games should they win their first playoff game. Additionally, while the Lions beat the Bears by 31 the first time these two teams played, these two have gone in completely different directions since that game.
The Lions have lost three consecutive games after being embarrassed by the Minnesota Vikings on Christmas Day. Jared Goff and the offense turned the ball over six times, as the Lions fell 23-10 despite allowing just three passing yards.
Caleb Williams is certainly going to manage more yardage than that, as the Lions have allowed quarterbacks to throw for at least 266 yards in three of their last four games. The Lions also haven't been able to run the ball of late, averaging just 51.0 yards per game over their last three contests. I don't expect that to change despite facing the league's fifth-worst rush defense.
Pick: Chicago Bears
Baltimore Ravens vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Lamar Jackson's status is in question for Sunday night's AFC North Championship game, but I'm going with the Ravens, whether it’s him or Tyler Huntley under center. The first time these two teams met, the Steelers beat the Ravens 27-22 in Baltimore. However, DK Metcalf had 148 receiving yards in that game, and he won't be on the field Sunday.
Derrick Henry has rushed for 100 yards in three consecutive games, after rushing for 216 and four touchdowns last week. Though the Steelers are allowing just 111.6 rushing yards per game, which ranks 12th in the league, Henry managed 94 against them the first time, and I expect another huge game here.
Therefore, this will come down to the Steelers' offense vs. the Ravens' defense. The Steelers just scored six points against the Browns last weekend, and they've now been held to fewer than 10 points in two of their last three games. Also, while the Ravens struggled defensively early in the season, they now rank 18th in scoring defense and 11th in rush defense. While the pass defense ranks 30th, I don't know who Aaron Rodgers is going to throw the ball to.
Pick: Baltimore Ravens
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Phil Wood is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Phil, check out his archive and follow him @Phil_Wood_Jr.