Two moneyline picks and an alt-spread on an underdog make up my NFL Week 18 parlay picks.
The pregame narrative: The Cincinnati Bengals are smoking hot and I am backing them to defeat the Pittsburgh Steelers in a must-win game. After that, I like the Los Angeles Chargers to win and the New York Jets to keep things close in Aaron Rodgers’ potential final NFL game.
Check out my NFL Week 18 parlay picks below.
NFL Week 18 parlay picks
Go to full NFL Week 18 betting markets.
Parlay: Bengals moneyline + Chargers moneyline + Jets +3.5 (+295)
Bengals moneyline (-134): Winners of four straight, the Bengals need a win to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Keep in mind, the Steelers will likely be eliminated from the AFC-North title race before kick-off, as the Baltimore Ravens are 20-point favourites in the early game.
It would be out of character for Mike Tomlin and his squad to back down from a fight. However, the competitive edge definitely goes to the Bengals here.
Quarterback Joe Burrow is playing at an MVP level with career-highs in passing yards (4,641) and passing touchdowns (42).
Pittsburgh has faced tougher competition in its three-game losing skid, but the glaring issues with its offensive line cannot be ignored.
Russell Wilson was sacked 10 times in his last three games, which is a problem going up against the Bengals pass rush led by Trey Hendrickson, who leads the NFL with 14 sacks.
Cincinnati is a different team from its 44-38 loss to Pittsburgh several weeks ago. I expect it to get revenge.
Other parlay picks
Chargers moneyline (-209): A Bengals victory would motivate the Chargers to grab a win here, with playoff seedings yet to be determined.
The connection between Justin Herbert and rookie receiver Ladd McConkey is clicking, while the running attack got a much-needed boost with J.K. Dobbins’ return from injury.
Meanwhile, the bottom-feeding Las Vegas Raiders are playing for nothing but pride.
The running back room, which was poor to begin the season, is down to their third string. Defensively, the Raiders’ front seven no longer poses a threat without Pro Bowler Maxx Crosby.
Against the Chargers’ offensive line, which ranks first in quarterback hurries (1.4 per game), Herbert should have time in the pocket to deal.
Jets +3.5 (-188): This matchup has no shortage of storylines.
The Jets will look to wash the sour taste of their 32-26 overtime loss to the Dolphins on Dec. 8, where it led for most of the game.
Likely at quarterback for the Dolphins is Tyler Huntley. He lacks the throwing strength and accuracy to exploit a mediocre secondary.
In four games this season, Huntley has thrown for just two passing touchdowns along with a mediocre 36.7 quarterback rating.
One of the fewest bright spots for the Jets is Breece Hall, who should have success running the ball against the Dolphins, who ranks 21st in run defence DVOA.
In what could be his final NFL game, Rodgers will be highly motivated to put on a great performance.
NFL picks made at 4:30 p.m. on 1/03/25.
