Surviving Week 18

Surviving Week 18

This article is part of our Survivor series.

Last week, the Raiders and Bengals took down a handful of people, but that was about it. 

Let's take a look at Week 18:

TeamOpponent%Taken*Vegas ML**Vegas OddsExpected Loss
TitansTEXANS32.6%487.582.985.55
TeamGIANTS18.5%27573.334.93
ColtsJAGUARS7.0%110091.670.58
ChiefsBRONCOS7.0%45081.821.27
BILLSJets6.7%125092.590.50
CARDINALSSeahawks4.5%26072.221.25
RAVENSSteelers4.5%212.568.001.44
SaintsFALCONS3.9%19566.101.32
BUCCANEERSPanthers3.7%33076.740.86
VIKINGSBears3.5%13056.521.52
BengalsBROWNS1.7%12555.560.76
RAIDERSChargers0.8%6740.120.48
PatriotsDOLPHINS0.8%27573.330.21
CowboysEAGLES0.7%28574.030.18

Home teams in CAPS
* According to "polling" data on Officefootballpools.com 
** Average of the two moneylines

As always, the available teams in your individual pools are more relevant than this global polling data at this stage in the year, so plan accordingly. 

My Picks:

1. Buffalo Bills

The Bills need to win to lock of the division, and they get the Jets at home. I give them a 90 percent chance to win this game. 

2. Indianapolis Colts

The Colts need to win to secure a playoff spot against a terrible Jaguars team, but the Jaguars stop the run and played the Colts tough in the second half in their first matchup. I give the Colts an 88 percent chance to win this game. 

3. Tennessee Titans

The Titans lost to the

Last week, the Raiders and Bengals took down a handful of people, but that was about it. 

Let's take a look at Week 18:

TeamOpponent%Taken*Vegas ML**Vegas OddsExpected Loss
TitansTEXANS32.6%487.582.985.55
TeamGIANTS18.5%27573.334.93
ColtsJAGUARS7.0%110091.670.58
ChiefsBRONCOS7.0%45081.821.27
BILLSJets6.7%125092.590.50
CARDINALSSeahawks4.5%26072.221.25
RAVENSSteelers4.5%212.568.001.44
SaintsFALCONS3.9%19566.101.32
BUCCANEERSPanthers3.7%33076.740.86
VIKINGSBears3.5%13056.521.52
BengalsBROWNS1.7%12555.560.76
RAIDERSChargers0.8%6740.120.48
PatriotsDOLPHINS0.8%27573.330.21
CowboysEAGLES0.7%28574.030.18

Home teams in CAPS
* According to "polling" data on Officefootballpools.com 
** Average of the two moneylines

As always, the available teams in your individual pools are more relevant than this global polling data at this stage in the year, so plan accordingly. 

My Picks:

1. Buffalo Bills

The Bills need to win to lock of the division, and they get the Jets at home. I give them a 90 percent chance to win this game. 

2. Indianapolis Colts

The Colts need to win to secure a playoff spot against a terrible Jaguars team, but the Jaguars stop the run and played the Colts tough in the second half in their first matchup. I give the Colts an 88 percent chance to win this game. 

3. Tennessee Titans

The Titans lost to the Texans the first time around, and now they're playing in Houston. But they have A.J. Brown (and possibly Derrick Henry) back, and the Titans are playing well of late. I give the Titans a 78 percent chance to win this game. 

4. Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs can still get the No. 1 seed if the Titans lose, but this is a tough road venue against a non-doormat. I give the Chiefs a 75 percent chance to win this game. 

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Bucs have little to play for, but a win does give them a chance at the No. 2 seed and a home game in the second round, should the Rams lose to the 49ers. I give them a 70 percent chance to win this game. 

6. Washington Team

The Team is bad, but they're facing an even worse Giants squad. I give them a 68 percent chance to win this game. 

7. Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys might want to try, despite little for which to play, in order to go into the playoffs on a positive note, but it's unclear whether they or the Eagles will rest their starters and for how long. I give the Cowboys a 64 percent chance to win this game. 

8. New England Patriots

The Patriots need to win to have a chance at the AFC East title, but I expect the Dolphins to play them tough. I give the Patriots a 62 percent chance to win this game. 

9. Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals could get a home game in the playoffs if they win and the Rams lose but the Seahawks are starting to look more like themselves offensively of late. I give the Cardinals a 61 percent chance to win this game. 

10. New Orleans Saints

The Saints can win and get into the playoffs if the favored Rams beat the 49ers, but the Falcons have played hard all year and are at home. I give the Saints a 60 percent chance to win this game. 

Notable Omissions

Baltimore Ravens -- I see the Ravens and Steelers as roughly equal teams in a fierce rivalry game. 

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Chris Liss
Chris Liss was RotoWire's Managing Editor and Host of RotoWire Fantasy Sports Today on Sirius XM radio from 2001-2022.
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