Popular Bob's Week 18 NFL Forecast: Much is still up in the air as season wraps

Each year forecasting the final week of the NFL season is tougher than any other. 

It's not enough to check weather reports, deep-dive into stats and scour injury updates. It's important to know which teams seem more interested in draft position than winning, and which playoff-bound teams plan to rest their starters.

Now for a look at the games and hopefully some "popular" picks:

SATURDAY

---> Carolina Panthers (8-8) at Tampa Bay Bucs (7-9), 2:30 p.m.

Bucs -3 (43.5 O/U)

Forecast: Panthers 31, Bucs 17

Had Atlanta not upset the Rams on Monday night, the winner here would be the NFC South champion. But it's suddenly gotten more complicated. With the possibility of a three-way tie atop the division — Atlanta, Carolina and Tam Bay — applicable tiebreakers have changed. The Panthers weren't affected; if they win Saturday it's their title. But if the Bucs triumph, they now would need Atlanta to fall to New Orleans on Sunday. Regardless, the Bucs look defeated, having lost their last four games despite being at least a 3-point favorite in each. Plus, quarterback Baker Mayfield has been wrestling with shoulder injuries.

---> Seattle Seahawks (13-3) at San Francisco 49ers (12-4), 6 p.m.

Seahawks -2.5 (47.5 O/U)

Forecast: Seahawks 24, 49ers 20

The winner earns the NFC's No. 1 seed. In their Week 1 meeting, the 49ers prevailed 17-13 and held Seattle to 230 yards, its second lowest total of the season. But last year's sack leader for San Francisco, Nick Bosa, has since gone on IR along with LB Fred Warner, the leading tackler. And WR Ricky Pearsall, TE George Kittle and OLT Trent Williams are listed as questionable. Yikes! And since San Francisco has by far the fewest sacks in the league, Seattle's turnover-prone QB, Sam Darnold, should be in a greater comfort zone Saturday. Oh, expect rain.

SUNDAY

---> Green Bay Packers (9-6-1) at Minnesota Vikings (8-8), 11 a.m.

Vikings -9.5 (36.5 O/U)

Forecast: Vikings 27, Packers 7

With Green Bay guaranteed the NFC's seventh seed, third-string QB Clayton Tune will make his second career start. In his debut in 2023 for Arizona, the Cardinals were shut out by Cleveland and generated only 58 yards, the lowest total by any team that past four seasons. Meanwhile, Minnesota QB J.J. McCarthy will be back after sitting out last week (hand).

---> Tennessee Titans (3-13) at Jacksonville Jaguars (12-4), 11 a.m.

Jaguars -13.5 (47.5 O/U)

Forecast: Jaguars 31, Titans 13

Assuming Houston wins Sunday, the Jaguars will need a victory to clinch the AFC South. There won't be players resting here.

---> Indianapolis Colts (8-8) at Houston Texans (11-5), 11 a.m.

Texans -10.5 (39 O/U)

Forecast: Texans 17, Colts 10

Colts rookie QB Riley Leonard will be making his first start and facing the league's top defense.

---> New Orleans Saints (6-10) at Atlanta Falcons (7-9), 11 a.m.

Falcons -3.5 (44 O/U)

Forecast: Falcons 30, Saints 16

The Saints will miss the league's No. 6 receiver, Chris Olave. He has 100 catches but also a blood clot in a lung.

---> Cleveland Browns (4-12) at Cincinnati Bengals (6-10), 11 a.m.

Bengals -7.5 (44.5 O/U)

Forecast: Bengals 28, Browns 13

Cleveland had its Super Bowl last week vs. Pittsburgh.

---> Dallas Cowboys (7-8-1) at NY Giants (3-13), 11 a.m.

Cowboys -3.5 (49.5 O/U)

Forecast: Cowboys 34, Giants 21

Maybe NYG should start its third-string QB, too. Russell Wilson had 450 passing yards when the teams met in Week 2, a 40-37 Dallas victory.

---> NY Jets (3-13) at Buffalo Bills (11-5), 2:25 p.m.

Bills -8 (37.5 O/U)

Forecast: Bills 23, Jets 20

NYJ is coming off a 42-10 loss to New England. Teams are 8-2 ATS in games this season following a 30-plus-point defeat.

---> Detroit Lions (8-8) at Chicago Bears (11-5), 2:25 p.m.

Bears -3 (50.5 O/U)

Forecast: Bears 34, Lions 27

The Bears hold the No. 2 seed, but if they lose and Philadelphia downs Washington, Chicago dips to No. 3. Detroit, which committed six turnovers last week, now faces the team with the most takeaways.

---> LA Chargers (11-5) at Denver Broncos (13-3), 2:25 p.m.

Broncos -13 (37.5 O/U)

Forecast: Broncos 24, Chargers 17

LA will rest battered QB Justin Herbert among others. But backup QB Trey Lance could give the Broncos problems.

---> Kansas City Chiefs (6-10) at Las Vegas Raiders (2-14), 2;25 p.m.

Chiefs -5.5 (36 O/U)

Forecast: Chiefs 10, Raiders 9

Maybe the over/under should be in the 20s.

---> Arizona Cardinals (3-13) at LA Rams (11-5), 2:25 p.m.

Rams -7.5 (46 O/U)

Forecast: Rams 27, Cardinals 24

Rams coach Sean McVay emphasized his starters will play despite the fact they no longer have hopes of earning the top NFC seed. And if San Francisco wins Saturday, LA would remain locked in at No. 6. If that occurs, some starters might get rest after all.

---> Miami Dolphins (7-9) at New England Patriots (13-3), 2:25 p.m.

Patriots -11.5 (45.5 O/U)

Forecast: Patriots 31, Dolphins 10

A wind chill of about 11 degrees and possibly snow will greet the Dolphins.

---> Washington Commanders (4-12) at Philadelphia Eagles (11-5), 2;25 p.m.

Eagles -3.5 (39 O/U)

Forecast: Eagles 20, Commanders 14

For the second straight season Philadelphia will rest key personnel in Week 18. Backup QB Tanner McKee will again get the start like he did last year when the Eagles beat NYG Giants 20-13 despite playing without its entire starting offensive line.

---> Baltimore Ravens (8-8) at Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7), 6:20 p.m.

Ravens -4 (40.5 O/U)

Forecast: Ravens 23, Steelers 17

Ravens QB Lamar Jackson (back) vows to play in the game to determine the AFC North winner. He'll team with RB Derrick Henry, who had 216 rushing yards against Green Bay last week. For Pittsburgh, the absence of suspended WR DK Metcalf will hurt.

RECORDS

Last week's forecasts: 9-7 ATS; 10-6 straight up

Season total: 119-126-8 ATS; 149-84-1 SU