NFL Week 18 predictions, odds and betting tips: Rams can make Seattle sweat

Free NFL tips, best bets and analysis for Week 18 of the 2022 NFL season.

Best bets

Under 41.5 in Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns
6pm Sunday
3pts 4-5 Boyles, Coral, Ladbrokes

Hayden Hurst over 3.5 receptions
6pm Sunday
1pt 11-10 bet365

LA Rams +6.5
9.25pm Sunday
2pts 4-5 bet365, Boyles

Tyler Higbee over 28.5 receiving yards
9.25pm Sunday
2pts 10-11 bet365

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Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns

A series of ugly wins has given the Steelers a shot at making the playoffs heading into the final round of the regular season and their must-win trip to Cleveland is unlikely to be for the faint of heart.

The return of defensive ace TJ Watt from injury mid-way through the season transformed Pittsburgh’s fortunes and they’ve gone six games since they last allowed more than 17 points.

They’ll be looking to draw the Steel Curtain on a struggling Browns offence that has seen limited production from quarterback Deshaun Watson since his return from suspension.

Cleveland are averaging 12.6 points per game under Watson and would have a lot more losses to their name but for the strength of their defence, which has allowed the second-fewest points in the league over the last three weeks.

The under has landed in seven of Pittsburgh’s last eight games with a total of 41 and with so much on the line in this divisional clash, points could be in short supply.

Los Angeles Rams at Seattle Seahawks

Seattle’s unlikely playoff push has been one of the stories of the season, but it may not have a happy ending when they host NFC West adversaries the Rams in a must-win game.

The Seahawks disposed of the New York Jets last time out to leave them needing a win, coupled with a loss for the Green Bay Packers, to sneak into the postseason.

Seattle aren’t the same team that enjoyed a strong second quarter to their season though and an injury-hit defence could get overrun by a Rams rushing attack that’s clicked into gear.

Several key offensive and defensive metrics suggest there isn’t a great deal between these teams, so getting nearly a touchdown with a Rams side still playing hard against a Seattle team who are 1-6 against the spread in the last seven weeks is hard to turn down.

A playoff spot isn’t the only thing on the line in Seattle with Rams tight end Tyler Higbee in line for a bumper pay day if he can accumulate 13 receiving yards.

Higbee is one of several players across the league close to activating a performance-based bonus, adding a little spice to the player prop markets on the final weekend of the regular season.

In Higbee’s case, he’ll push his bonus to $500,000 if he can hit the 600-yard receiving mark and looks a solid chance to secure that six figure sum against a Seattle defence who have given up the second-most receiving yards to tight ends this season.

Rams quarterback Baker Mayfield has looked to Higbee regularly since taking charge of LA’s offence but may bump his targets up even further to make sure the tight-end, who is averaging over 36 yards per game this year, gets paid.

Baltimore Ravens at Cincinnati Bengals

Another tight end looking for a big performance and pay day is the Cincinnati Bengals’ Hayden Hurst, who needs 100 receiving yards and two receptions in the regular season finale to earn a $500,000 bonus.

Hurst has been battling a calf injury but returned in Monday’s postponed game against the Buffalo Bills and looked back to full fitness when hauling in a catch on the opening drive.

With so many mouths to feed on a stacked Bengals’ offence, taking Hurst to have four receptions in a crunch game for Cincinnati may seem a little risky.

The number is slightly inflated but is still worth a punt keeping in mind Hurst had six catches the last time he faced the Ravens and has had at least four receptions in seven of the Bengals’ 12 games this season.

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