The Silcoff Selections: NFL Week 18 Predictions — Straight Up Picks and End-of-Season Projected Playoff Matchups

The Silcoff Selections are here for Week 18 of the 2025 NFL Season! Below are my records for my straight up and against the spread picks for the season thus far.

Records Last Week:

Straight Up: 8-8

Against The Spread: 6-9-1

Season Records:

Straight Up: 158-97-1

Against The Spread: 121-129-6

Saturday & Sunday Games:

Carolina Panthers (8-8) @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9) I Line: Buccaneers -3

What we originally thought would decide the NFC South has turned into something far more complicated. Even if the Buccaneers win, they still need the Falcons to win on Sunday to have any shot at the division. Otherwise, the Panthers walk away with the NFC South crown.

I actually like Carolina on the road regardless. I don’t like what I’ve seen from Tampa Bay at all. It looks like the team has quit on Todd Bowles. If there were any real desperation, it would have shown last week against the Dolphins, and it simply didn’t.

The Panthers, for whatever reason, have been a classic win-one, lose-one team all season. They lost last week to the Seahawks, which sets them up perfectly to bounce back. Give me the Panthers on the road to clinch the NFC South.

Score Prediction: Panthers 21, Buccaneers 20

ATS Pick: Panthers +3

Seattle Seahawks (13-3) @ San Francisco 49ers (12-4) I Line: Seahawks -1.5

This is probably the game of the weekend. The number one seed in the NFC and the NFC West title are both on the line.

These teams met in Week 1, where the 49ers won on the road in Seattle. This time, I think the Seahawks go into San Francisco and get their get-back. Brock Purdy has been unreal the last two weeks, but those Colts and Bears defenses don’t compare to what Seattle is bringing right now.

As for Sam Darnold, I know he’s tough to trust in these big moments, but I don’t think San Francisco has the pass rush to truly rattle him. It’s incredibly hard to beat a division rival twice in one season, especially one as good as Seattle.

This game should be great either way, but I think Seattle is the better team. Based on what we’ve seen all season, it makes more sense for them to be the number one seed. Give me the Seahawks to win the NFC West and secure home-field advantage.

Score Prediction: Seahawks 27, 49ers 23

ATS Pick: Seahawks -1.5

Cleveland Browns (4-12) @ Cincinnati Bengals (6-10) I Line: Bengals -7.5

The Browns are coming off their seemingly annual home win against the Steelers. Myles Garrett is still chasing the sack record, while the Bengals are really just playing for positive vibes heading into the offseason.

I think Joe Burrow and company take care of business. Cleveland’s defense has been significantly worse on the road than at home, and that shows again here. Cincinnati gets the win and heads into the offseason feeling pretty good about where they’re at.

Score Prediction: Bengals 28, Browns 17

ATS Pick: Bengals -7.5

Dallas Cowboys (7-8-1) @ New York Giants (3-13) I Line: Cowboys -3.5

This game doesn’t matter at all.

The Giants are locked into a top draft pick, while the Cowboys are just trying to finish at .500. I think Dallas wins pretty handily on the road.

Score Prediction: Cowboys 27, Giants 13

ATS Pick: Cowboys -3.5

Green Bay Packers (9-6-1) @ Minnesota Vikings (8-8) I Line: Vikings -9.5

The Packers are locked into the seventh seed and won’t be playing anyone meaningful.

I think Brian Flores puts together a strong defensive game plan as he continues to push for a head coaching job. This won’t be a game many people watch, but I like the Vikings to win it fairly handily.

Score Prediction: Vikings 20, Packers 7

ATS Pick: Vikings -9.5

Indianapolis Colts (8-8) @ Houston Texans (11-5) I Line: Texans -10

There’s still a path for the Texans to win the AFC South, but it requires a Jaguars loss. Either way, I think Houston takes care of business here.

The Colts are going to start Riley Leonard, with their playoff hopes done after a great start to the season pre-Daniel Jones injury. That sets up well for the Texans defense to have a strong day. Whether it’s enough to win the division remains to be seen, but I do think Houston wins this game.

Score Prediction: Texans 24, Colts 7

ATS Pick: Texans -10

New Orleans Saints (6-10) @ Atlanta Falcons (7-9) I Line: Falcons -3.5

If Chris Olave were playing, I’d take the Saints outright. Without him, I think the Falcons ride their momentum.

They’re coming off a massive Monday Night Football win over the Rams. For the Saints, I think Tyler Shough puts together a strong performance that likely clinches Rookie of the Year, which is wild to say. But give me Atlanta in a close one.

Score Prediction: Falcons 24, Saints 22

ATS Pick: Saints +3.5

Tennessee Titans (3-13) @ Jacksonville Jaguars (12-4) I Line: Jaguars -13.5

The Titans and Cam Ward, are playing better football right now, but Jacksonville simply has far more to play for. There’s still a scenario where the Jaguars can earn a one or two seed.

Tennessee just isn’t a good football team, while the Jaguars are playing unreal right now. I think they keep that momentum rolling, get the win at home, and carry it straight into the playoffs.

Score Prediction: Jaguars 30, Titans 10

ATS Pick: Jaguars -13.5

Arizona Cardinals (3-13) @ Los Angeles Rams (11-5) I Line: Rams -8

How much effort the Rams give depends on the Seahawks–49ers result. If San Francisco wins, the Rams are locked into the sixth seed. If Seattle wins, a Rams victory moves them up to the five seed.

In my scenario, the Seahawks win, and I think the Rams try, at least for a half. They need positive momentum after two awful losses. I think Matt Stafford puts on a clinic against the Cardinals defense in what is likely Jonathan Gannon’s final game as head coach.

Arizona has been a train wreck all season. Give me the Rams to build some momentum heading into the playoffs, and Stafford makes one last push for the MVP.

Score Prediction: Rams 27, Cardinals 14

ATS Pick: Rams -8

Detroit Lions (8-8) @ Chicago Bears (11-5) I Line: Bears -3

After going 15–2 and earning the number one seed last year, the Lions are missing the playoffs. A big reason for that is Ben Johnson, their former offensive coordinator, now in his first year as head coach of the Bears.

Chicago has already clinched the NFC North, and with a win here, they secure the number two seed. I like the Bears at home, setting up a playoff matchup with the Packers. That said, Detroit won’t go quietly. They’ll give Chicago a scare after how the last two weeks have gone.

Give me the Bears in a close one as they get revenge for the earlier loss this season.

Score Prediction: Bears 23, Lions 21

ATS Pick: Lions +3

Kansas City Chiefs (6-10) @ Las Vegas Raiders (2-14) I Line: Chiefs -5.5

The Raiders need to lose this game to clinch the number one pick. The Chiefs offense has been rough without Patrick Mahomes since the torn ACL, and this could be Travis Kelce’s final game in what would be a somewhat sad ending to a legendary career.

I think the Chiefs win, but it won’t be pretty. The Raiders complete the mission by losing, lock up the top pick. Give me Kansas City in a close one.

Score Prediction: Chiefs 17, Raiders 14

ATS Pick: Raiders +5.5

Los Angeles Chargers (11-5) @ Denver Broncos (13-3) I Line: Broncos -12.5

The Chargers are not playing Justin Herbert and are essentially handing the number one seed to Denver.

I think the Broncos destroy them. Denver wins, secures home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs, and finishes as the number one seed.

Score Prediction: Broncos 28, Chargers 10

ATS Pick: Broncos -12.5

Miami Dolphins (7-9) @ New England Patriots (13-3) I Line: Patriots -11.5

This could be a sneaky tough game for New England. Miami has shown some fight over the last couple of weeks, but I think Drake Maye puts together another strong performance.

This game likely secures him the MVP award and at least the number two seed in the AFC for the Patriots. I think it’s closer than people expect, but Drake Maye puts up good enough numbers, and New England gets the win at home.

Score Prediction: Patriots 27, Dolphins 20

ATS Pick: Dolphins +11

New York Jets (3-13) @ Buffalo Bills (11-5) I Line: Bills -8

It doesn’t sound like Josh Allen is going to play this week, as the Bills look to rest him for the playoffs. Honestly, it doesn’t really matter.

This is the final regular season game at Highmark Stadium and could end up being the last ever played there. If Mitch Trubisky is the quarterback, I still think he leads Buffalo to a win. The Bills are simply a better team, even with backups, against a Jets squad that already has Cancun on the mind. Bills win at home.

Score Prediction: Bills 23, Jets 10

ATS Pick: Bills -8

Washington Commanders (4-12) @ Philadelphia Eagles (11-5) I Line: Eagles -4

The Eagles are resting all of their starters and don’t seem to care much whether they end up as the two or three seed.

Even so, I still think they win. Washington is not a good football team right now and has had a brutal season after reaching the NFC Championship last year. Tanner McKee has shown enough to at least be a backup-caliber quarterback. Eagles win.

Score Prediction: Eagles 27, Commanders 14

ATS Pick: Eagles -4

Sunday Night Football: Baltimore Ravens (8-8) @ Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7) I Line: Ravens -3.5

Sunday Night Football closes the regular season, and the AFC North title is on the line.

Lamar Jackson is back after missing last week, and it sounds like T.J. Watt will return for Pittsburgh. Honestly, I don’t think either of these teams truly deserves a playoff spot. The Steelers are coming off an awful loss to the Browns, while the Ravens are coming off arguably their best performance of the season, with Derrick Henry running wild for four touchdowns against Green Bay.

I wanted to lean Pittsburgh at first. It’s Aaron Rodgers, and this could be the final game of his career. But no DK Metcalf due to suspension is massive for the Steelers. At the end of the day, the Ravens are just the more talented team.

I think Baltimore controls the game on the ground, dominates time of possession, and the Steelers simply don’t have the weapons to sustain drives. Give me the Ravens on the road to clinch the AFC North and a playoff spot.

Score Prediction: Ravens 23, Steelers 21

ATS Pick: Steelers +3.5

Straight Up/Moneyline Picks:

• Panthers

• Seahawks

• Bengals

• Cowboys

• Vikings

• Texans

• Falcons

• Jaguars

• Rams

• Bears

• Chiefs

• Broncos

• Patriots

• Bills

• Eagles

• Ravens

Picks ATS:

• Panthers +3

• Seahawks -1.5

• Bengals -7.5

• Cowboys -3.5

• Vikings -9.5

• Texans -10

• Saints +3.5

• Jaguars -13.5

• Rams -8

• Lions +3

• Raiders +5.5

• Broncos -12.5

• Dolphins +11.5

• Bills -8

• Eagles -4

• Steelers +3.5

Projected Playoff Matchups and Seedings

Based on my Week 18 predictions, here’s how I see the playoff picture shaping up heading into the postseason.

AFC Playoff Picture

1. Denver Broncos (Bye)

Wildcard Round

• 2. New England Patriots vs. 7. Los Angeles Chargers

• 3. Jacksonville Jaguars vs. 6. Buffalo Bills

• 4. Baltimore Ravens vs. 5. Houston Texans

NFC Playoff Picture

1. Seattle Seahawks (Bye)

Wildcard Round

• 2. Chicago Bears vs. 7. Green Bay Packers

• 3. Philadelphia Eagles vs. 6. San Francisco 49ers

• 4. Carolina Panthers vs. 5. Los Angeles Rams