Best NFL underdog picks and predictions for Week 18

Jess Root | Staff Writer

In Week 17, only 4 teams won their games outright as underdogs. However, 8 underdogs covered the spread in their games. Now, we enter the final weekend of the regular season, and with some teams playing backups, some teams competing for the playoffs, and with some teams already checked out of the season, it can make for an unpredictable weekend.

Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's NFL odds and lines, and tab the best NFL Week 18 underdog bets to cash in on among SportbookWire's NFL expert picks and predictions.

Last week, with the Las Vegas Raiders rallying from down 20 points to cover the 3.5-point spread against the Indianapolis Colts and the Green Bay Packers beating the Minnesota Vikings, my underdog picks went 2-1. My other pick, the Carolina Panthers covering the 6.5-point spread against the Jacksonville Jaguars, was no good.

My picks on the season are 26-24-1.

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NFL underdog predictions: Week 18

Odds provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access Paste BN Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 8:05 a.m. ET. All games Sunday and ET unless noted.

Texans at COLTS (+100) – Saturday, 8:15 p.m. (ESPN/ABC)

The winner of this game makes the playoffs and could win the AFC South. The Colts beat the Texans 31-20 in Houston earlier this season.

The Colts have won 6 of their last 8 games.

The Texans are 6-3 in their last 9 games. They are 2-2 in their last 4, and those 2 wins were both against the 5-11 Tennessee Titans.

BEARS (+135) at Packers – 4:25 p.m. (CBS)

The Packers have beaten the Bears in 9 straight meetings, but the Bears enter the final week of the season having won 4 of their last 5 games.

They have scored 27 or more in 3 of their last 4, and they have allowed an average of only 15.2 points per game over their last 5 contests.

The Packers scored 33 points in each of their last 2 games but also have allowed 30 or more points in 2 of their last 3.

The Bears would love to spoil the Packers' playoff chances. A Packers loss coupled with a Seattle win would eliminate Green Bay from playoff contention.

Eagles at GIANTS +4.5 (-105) – 4:25 p.m. (CBS)

The Giants are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games. They covered as 14-point underdogs in a 33-25 loss at the Eagles on Christmas Day.

The Eagles are 0-5-1 ATS in their last 6 games and just allowed 221 rushing yards in a 35-31 loss to Arizona. The Philly defense allowed 4 touchdowns in 4 second-half possessions and did not force a punt the entire game.

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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

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