NFL 2021 Week 18 picks

 Lots of playoff positions depend upon team performances, but there are a couple of teams who will have players sitting out.

Saturday games

Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos : The Chiefs want to win here, hoping for a Titans loss and gaining that first place bye.  Denver has a bit of an offense problem, which is not something that KC suffers from.  CHIEFS, 27-16

Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles : The Cowboys will likely sit many of their stars, since there is no benefit to a victory here.  They will host a first round playoff game, regardless of result.  The Eagles are in the playoffs, too, so they will likely rest some key starters.  I think more starters will play for the Eagles, so watch them win.  EAGLES, 24-17

Sunday early games

Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings : Neither team has a playoff future, so this is their last game.  They will play everyone they can.  For the Vikings, Kurt Cousins won't suit up, but the Bears might have Justin Fields.  Regardless, their running game will be back at full strength, and that will wear down the worn-down Vikings line.  BEARS, 24-20

Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions : The Packers already have the first week bye, so they will sit some starters.  Even so, the Lions are so weak that the Pack should still secure the win.  PACKERS, 34-17

Indianapolis Colts at Jacksonville Jaguars : Even without the playoffs on the line, the Colts would likely win this game.  The Jags just don't have it this season, and coaching chaos has not helped.  COLTS, 24-13

Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens : Both teams are shooting for the playoffs, so this will be a hard-fought "in the dirt" game like the AFC North of old.  Lamar Jackson is still questionable, but by now the Ravens are starting to get used to that.  The Steelers pulled off the win against the Browns last week, but it was a struggle, which didn't make them look strong enough to win this game, but this one will be close enough that they might pull it out.  RAVENS, 23-20

Tennessee Titans at Houston Texans : Given the Texans struggles, the Titans don't need the incentive of the Number One seed to win this game.  TITANS, 27-13

Washington at New York Giants : Things look grim in the Big Apple.  Taylor Heineke should be back for Washington, and he has been a pleasant surprise this season.  He wants to finish strong.  He will.  WASHINGTON, 24-10

Sunday late games

Carolina Panthers at Tampa Bay Bucs : With Green Bay clinching the top seed, I expect several Bucs to sit out.  Despite that, the Panthers are in freefall, and I don't think they have the confidence to win this game, even against a mostly second-team Bucs squad.  BUCS, 21-17

New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins : Hoping for a Jets upset, the Patriots are playing for a division title.  That gives them enough incentive to smear the Dolphins.  Miami loves to play spoiler, though, so watch out for them.  PATRIOTS, 34-23

New Orleans Saints at Atlanta Falcons : The Saints still have some playoff hopes, and with Hill coming back under center, they might generate enough yards to seal that needed victory.  SAINTS, 23-16

New York Jets at Buffalo Bills : It's easy for the Bills -- win and they're in.  Their offense seems to have regained their footing, so they should just overwhelm the Jets defense.  BILLS, 31-13

San Francisco 49ers at Los Angeles Rams : The Rams really want to win the division, although the 49ers won't make it easy.  For the 49ers, a win gives them a playoff spot.  Both of these teams are playing for a prize, so expect this one to be a battle.  The Rams are working a bit shorthanded, but the 49ers are missing Jimmy Garafolo, so their offense is limited.  RAMS, 20-13

Seattle Seahawks at Arizona Cardinals :  Arizona is fighting for the division title, too.  If San Francisco can upset the Rams, the Cardinals have their shot.  They seem to have started reversing the downhill slide that engulfed them after their first loss of the season, but the Seahawks love to play spoilers, and can be unpredictable.  Their inconsistent offense makes me hesitate to pick an upset, though.  CARDINALS, 23-16

Sunday night

Los Angeles Chargers at Las Vegas Raiders : Here's another close game.  The winner plays in the postseason, the loser does not.  That puts a lot on the line.  Certainly the Chargers have the defense to pull this one out, but those sneaky Raiders could design an upset.  CHARGERS, 17-13