NFL Week 18: Predictions, Updated Odds, Players Sitting Out, Teams Resting Starters

It's time for the NFL regular season finale, and we're going to take a look at some of the biggest matchups today involving playoff teams. When betting on Week 18, it's critical to understand who's playing, who's motivated, and which teams have a history of benching their starters in this situation.

The Eagles and Bills are some of these top teams that will be benching their best players to avoid injuries, but how about others like the Texans and Chargers? Let's break down these Week 18 matchups with the latest guidance and how it impacts the odds with the playoffs looming large next week.

NOTE: We're only going to touch on the questionable teams here for the most part, as any matchup like the Vikings vs. Lions will have players going full tilt for their playoff spots. What matters here is the teams that already clinched, who may or may not move around in seeding based on today's results.

Click here for the latest NFL Week 18 Odds

NFL Week 18: Sit Watch

Houston Texans Starts and Sits

The Houston Texans are said to be playing their starters against the Tennessee Titans, but are still a +1.5 underdog on the road. They are trying to stay in playoff shape despite their injuries, so C.J. Stroud and the other starters will be out there in Nashville as they try to get back on track before hosting a game next week.

How long they'll be in the game is the real question, especially if they are winning or losing by double-digits early on. This team truly can't afford any more injuries, and will try make sure they can build some consistency without risking anything else. This will be one of the weirdest matchups of the day, and we don't recommend taking any props or spreads in this game where a coaching decision could change everything in a matter of moments.

Philadelphia Eagles Starts and Sits

The Eagles are slim -2.5 favorites over the Giants, and that's because they are resting a ton of starters today. Jalen Hurts is still in concussion protocol, and will not play again until at least the playoff round, if he's cleared in time. Kenny Pickett has been filling in since then, doing a solid job in the last game and a half. Pickett may not even be the starter, with Tanner McKee taking first team reps after Pickett's rib injury. Either way, there will be a backup under center at Lincoln Financial Field today.

He'll have to overcome a charge from the newly-refreshed Giants, who just picked up their first win in 10 games last week. Drew Lock was spectacular, throwing one of the most unexpected games of the last two decades against the Colts. Will he bring the same magic today? Oddsmakers think he and the Giants have a shot at an upset.

Additionally, Saquon Barkley will be out for the Eagles after eclipsing 2,000 yards last week. Head coach Nick Sirianni wants to rest him ahead of the playoffs, stopping him 102 yards short of breaking Eric Dickerson's single season rushing record. Barkley was not pleased with the benching, but knows it was best for the team. Lane Johnson and AJ Brown will also be among the starters sitting out this week as they rest up for their No. 2 seeded playoff matchup next week at home.

Buffalo Bills Starts and Sits

The Buffalo Bills will visit the Patriots on Sunday afternoon after locking up a No. 2 seed of their own in the AFC. They'll try to start better than they did against the Patriots two weeks ago, going down 14-0 early. But they'll have to do it without Josh Allen, who will take just one snap under center.

Allen wants to preserve his consecutive starts streak which is at over 100 games, but will only play a few downs before exiting to avoid injury. As for the rest of the starters, Sean McDermott has been vague, but said most of the starters will play for at least a little on Sunday. They've had one of the highest injury rates in the league this year, so we can't imagine they will be in for the entire game, but he does want to keep the machine ready for the playoffs next week.

Kansas City Chiefs Starts and Sits

The Chiefs will head to Denver for one final battle against the Broncos, who are desperately in need of a win to reach the playoffs. Bo Nix and the Broncos also have revenge on their mind, so this game becomes even bigger for them after coming up short a few months ago in KC.

The Chiefs are expected to sit most of their starters, with Carson Wentz taking over under center for Patrick Mahomes. Carson Steele should also get most of the reps at RB, with the Chiefs trying to keep Pacheco and Hunt fresh for the playoff push. Kansas City didn't even get to Denver until late with a serious ice storm delaying them, so it's even harder to anticipate them pulling this upset as an 11-point underdog on the road with most of the bench in the game.

Los Angeles Chargers Starts and Sits

The Los Angeles Chargers are in an interesting position, with a playoff spot locked up but not the seed. After the Steelers lost last night, the Chargers can now steal the fifth spot, which would send them to Houston next week. That's a much better proposition than going to Baltimore and facing off with the red-hot Ravens in a Harbaugh battle of brothers.

John already got the best of Jim earlier this year in LA, and it wouldn't be the most optimal opening round clash for Jim's squad. For that reason, expect the Chargers to take advantage of this opportunity when they take on the Raiders today, playing Justin Herbert and the starters for as long as necessary to lock up that fifth seed.

Los Angeles Rams Starts and Sits

Last but not least the Rams will be sitting a lot of starters today against the Seahawks. That's why you see them as a +7 underdog, because Matthew Stafford, Puka Nacua, Kyren Williams, Cooper Kupp, and others will not be on the field. Sean McVay's team has won nine out of 11 games to lock themselves into this No. 3 playoff spot, one of the most unlikely comebacks of the season after starting 1-4. They essentially accomplished what everyone thought the Bengals would, and are now rewarded with a week of rest.