NFL Week 18 Top Picks on the Total Line

 This week's Top 5 picks for Sunday's NFL games has been reprinted by permission of ScoresandStats.com

Five OVER/UNDER Picks for NFL Week 18

This past Sunday’s NFL schedule in Week 17 of the regular season featured a full 15 games. After the smoke cleared in Sunday night’s key NFC North showdown between the Minnesota Vikings and the Green Bay Packers, the total stayed UNDER in nine of those 15 contests.

Here are my five “best bet” picks on the NFL total line for the final week of the regular season.

Sunday, Jan. 9

New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins: OVER 39.5

The Patriots still have a slim chance to win the AFC East with a win in Week 18 coupled with a Buffalo loss to the New York Jets. Miami just gave up 34 points in a loss to Tennessee. With New England still playing at full speed, the points could add up.

The total has gone OVER in eight of the Patriots’ last 12 games overall and it has gone OVER in seven of their last nine AFC games. Against a low total line, both trends should hold up this Sunday.

Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings: UNDER 45

With each of these NFC North foes eliminated from postseason play, there is little incentive to win this last final game. The total stayed well UNDER the 47.5-point total line just four weeks ago in Minnesota’s 17-9 win.

The total has stayed UNDER in 10 of Chicago’s last 15 games it has stayed UNDER in four of the Bears’ last five division matchups. The total has also stayed UNDER in 14 of the last 20 meetings between these two teams.

Seattle Seahawks at Arizona Cardinals: OVER 48

Seattle has been riding out the string for the past few weeks, so playing the role of spoiler is the only incentive in this game. Arizona is in the playoffs and it can still win the NFC West with a win and some help.

The first game this season stayed UNDER 45 points with Arizona winning 23-13. Points might be easier to come by both teams this time around. The total has gone OVER in four of Seattle’s last five games. The Seahawks have scored at least 30 points in three of their last five games.

San Francisco 49ers at Los Angeles Rams: UNDER 44

The 49ers need to win this game to guarantee a spot in the playoffs. The Rams need to win late Sunday afternoon to clinch the NFC West division title. With so much on the line for each of these teams, they will both need to bring their A Game.

San Francisco beat Los Angeles 31-10 on Nov. 15 with the total staying UNDER 50 points. The total has stayed UNDER in five of the 49er’s last seven games on the road. It has also stayed UNDER in 12 of the Rams’ last 15 home games.

Los Angeles Chargers at Las Vegas Raiders: OVER 48.5

The NFL saved the biggest game of Week 18 for last in what amounts to a playoff showdown in this AFC West clash. The winner clinches a wild card spot and the loser is eliminated from postseason play.

The Chargers drew first blood this season with a 28-14 win against the Raiders that stayed UNDER 55 points. Against a more manageable total line this time around, the trends favor the OVER in this game. The total has gone OVER in 13 of LA’s last 19 road games.