NFL Week 18 Parlay

Thomas Snodgrass

Updated: Jan 4, 2024

  • Get Bet $5 Get $250 Instantly
    CLAIM NOW
    21+ to wager. Please Gamble Responsibly. Gambling problem? Call 800-GAMBLER, 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), 800-327-5050 (MA), 800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 800-522-4700 (KS, NV), 800-BETS-OFF (IA), 800-270-7117(MI), 877-718-5543 (NC).

The NFL Playoffs are rapidly approaching, and with the fate of many teams already decided, the collection of on-field talent in Week 18 could look like a far cry from the squads we have seen in the previous 17 weeks.

The Baltimore Ravens have gone 11-5 against the spread this season, but with Lamar Jackson earning some well deserved pre-playoff rest, can Tyler Huntley quarterback the Ravens’ offense efficiently enough to cover the spread of +4 against the Pittsburgh Steelers?

In Santa Clara, it will be Sam Darnold and the San Francisco 49ers hosting Carson Wentz and the Los Angeles Rams.

The total for this NFC West clash is set at 41.5 on FanDuel, but can these two former first-round draft picks lead their respective offenses to enough scoring opportunities to hit the over?

Although the postseason is in sight, we’ll get some preseason vibes in Week 18.

For this regular season finale palay, I’ll apply the same formula as the parlays that came before – one underdog moneyline, two spreads, one over, and one under.

This parlay will be placed on Caesars.

Moneyline – Cleveland Browns (+250) vs. Cincinnati Bengals

The Cleveland Browns have been a quarterback carousel for the past 25 years, with Joe Flacco becoming the 38th man to start at quarterback for the Browns since 1999.

For reference, the Green Bay Packers have only had five different QBs not named Brett Favre or Aaron Rodgers start a game in the same time frame: Jordan Love, Brett Hundley, Matt Flynn, Scott Tolzien and Seneca Wallce.

On Sunday, Jeff Driskel will be the 39th QB to line up under center for Cleveland since 1999.

The Browns have won 11 games this season with four different starting quarterbacks picking up a win (Flacco, Deshuan Watson, Dorian Thompson-Robinson, P.J. Walker).

Driskel could be the fifth Cleveland QB to secure a win this weekend.

The Cincinnati Bengals have nothing to gain with a win. Their best path forward here may be taking a loss and trying to claim a better draft pick.

Also, Driskel was a former backup quarterback for Cincy in 2017 and 2018, so there could be a little revenge on Driskel’s mind this week.

This graph from BestOdds EDGE depicts how these offenses have performed over the last five weeks, and it appears Jake Browning and the Bengals’ offense may have peaked.

The Browns’ defense has only allowed 185.8 passing yards per game this season, and with nothing left to play for, Browning could be in for another frustrating game.

Cleveland beats the Bengals for the second time, and they’ll have five different quarterbacks with a win this season.

Pick: Cleveland Moneyline

Spread – Dallas Cowboys (-13 | -110) vs. Washington Commanders

If the Washington Commander’s lose they will receive the No. 2 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. There’s a decent incentive in taking a loss on Sunday for the Commanders.

If the Dallas Cowboys win they will be the NFC East Division Champions. There’s an element of divisional pride at stake for the Cowboys.

The recent plan for Washington was to bench quarterback Sam Howell and move forward with Jacoby Brissett down the stretch.

Well, Brissett hurt his hamstring in practice prior to Week 17, so Howell has been tossed back into the lineup as a sitting-duck QB, and things appear to be getting worse.

Howell has thrown 10 interceptions in the last six games, and this week, he’ll face a Cowboys’ defense that has the 5th-ranked passing defense in the NFL, allowing only 207.8 passing yards per game and has 15 interceptions in 16 games.

Also, Sam Howell is the NFL’s most-sacked quarterback, being dropped 61 times.

Howell probably needed a break from all the bruises he’s received, and Brissett’s wobbly hamstring threw away that opportunity.

BestOdds EDGE shows how poorly the Commanders have played in recent weeks.

Seven consecutive losses!

That’s an average losing margin of 15.3 points in those seven games.

Dallas is going to try and win the NFC East, and the Commanders will not be a speed bump on their path.

Pick: Cowboys (-13)

Spread – Kansas City Chiefs (+3.5 | -110) vs. Los Angeles Chargers

This game could come down to a matter of coaching, and getting the most out of their players on the field.

In that scenario, I’d rather back Chiefs’ coach Andy Reid and fade the Chargers’ interim coach Giff Smith.

Patrick Mahomes will be on the sidelines as Blaine Gabbert has been named the starting QB for Kansas City this Sunday, and with Easton Stick starting at QB for Los Angeles, the Chiefs could pull off the “upset” in Week 18.

The Chargers have lost seven of their last eight games, and even against an atypical Kansas City squad, I don’t like their chances.

In the very least, Andy Reid will find a way to keep it close.

The Los Angeles Chargers are done and dusted.

Pick: Chiefs (+3.5)

Over – Seattle Seahawks vs. Arizona Cardinals (o47.5 | -110)

Unlike a few other teams in a playoff bubble, the Seattle Seahawks don’t need to pull a rabbit out of a hat to make the postseason.

Seattle just needs a win against Arizona and a Chicago Bears upset over the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field, which I believe will happen.

With a playoff berth in sight, I would expect Seattle to put their foot on the gas in Week 18.

Arizona has allowed an average of 27.1 points per game this season (31st in NFL), and in their last three games, they’ve allowed an average of 34.3 points per game.

The Cardinals’ offense has been better with Kyler Murray back in the lineup, too.

Since Murray’s return, Arizona is averaging 22.7 points per game, and before Murray, they averaged only 16.7 points per game.

Seattle should be able to put up a big number here and pick up a win, even if the Cardinals pick up a score here and there.

I’ll say the final score will be 37-17, Seahawks.

Pick: Over 47.5

Under – New York Jets vs. New England Patriots (u30.5 | -110)

I’ve been confused by both of these offenses all season long, and in Week 18, nothing has changed.

The weather in Foxborough, Massachusetts won’t be kind to these offenses on Sunday either, with an expected temperature of 33 degrees and a 90% chance of precipitation.

Take the New York Jets’ 29th-ranked offense (15.7 ppg) and the New England Patriots’ 32nd-ranked offense (14.6 ppg) and put them on a field being ravaged by sleet and snow, and you’ve got a recipe for an under.

The books have set the total for this game in the low 30s, but that may be too generous.

I’ll say the final score will be 9-3, Patriots.

Pick: Under 30.5

Week 18 Parlay – CaesarsOdds
Cleveland ML vs. CIN+250
Dallas (-13) vs. WAS-110
Kansas City (+3.5) vs. LAC-110
Over 47.5 (SEA vs. ARI)-110
Under 30.5 (NYJ vs. NE)-110
Week 18 Parlay Odds+4549

A $10 wager on this Week 18 parlay would pay out $464.92

How To Bet NFL Parlays

A parlay bet is a sports wager that combines several bets on one ticket alone.

Usually, you would go with moneyline bets but can use spreads, totals, and futures.

You can include props in many cases, and bettors can choose to link together just two sides, or up to 15 or more depending on the sportsbook.

Parlays are wholly customizable meaning bettors get to choose how big they want the odds to go.

How many sides will be included, and how difficult is it to make each leg of the parlay or do the same game parlays.

The way to establish consistency is to have just two or three sides and avoid chasing astronomical odds.

It’s fine to take your shot at a massive payout as well, but be sure to only risk the money you’re prepared to lose.

If you fancy regular bets, we got the NFL Week 18 Odds analysis worth checking out.

    favorite badgePlayer favorite
    gradient-border
    9.3Our Score
    ranking starranking starranking starranking starranking star
    Welcome BonusClaim Bet $5 Get $250 Instantly
    21+ to wager. Please Gamble Responsibly. Gambling problem? Call 800-GAMBLER, 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), 800-327-5050 (MA), 800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 800-522-4700 (KS, NV), 800-BETS-OFF (IA), 800-270-7117(MI), 877-718-5543 (NC).
    favorite badgePlayer favorite
    gradient-border
    9.0Our Score
    ranking starranking starranking starranking starranking star
    Welcome BonusBet $5 Get $150 In Bonus Bets Or First Bet Safety Net $1,000
    21+ to wager. Please Gamble Responsibly. Gambling problem? Call 800-GAMBLER, 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), 800-327-5050 (MA), 800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 800-522-4700 (KS, NV), 800-BETS-OFF (IA), 800-270-7117(MI), 877-718-5543 (NC).
    favorite badgePlayer favorite
    gradient-border
    9.3Our Score
    ranking starranking starranking starranking starranking star
    Welcome BonusBet $5 Get $250 If Your Bet Wins
    21+ to wager. Please Gamble Responsibly. Gambling problem? Call 800-GAMBLER, 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), 800-327-5050 (MA), 800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 800-522-4700 (KS, NV), 800-BETS-OFF (IA), 800-270-7117(MI), 877-718-5543 (NC).
    gradient-border
    9.6Our Score
    ranking starranking starranking starranking starranking star
    Welcome BonusBet $1,000 First Bet On Caesars
    21+ to wager. Please Gamble Responsibly. Gambling problem? Call 800-GAMBLER, 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), 800-327-5050 (MA), 800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 800-522-4700 (KS, NV), 800-BETS-OFF (IA), 800-270-7117(MI), 877-718-5543 (NC).
    gradient-border
    9.4Our Score
    ranking starranking starranking starranking starranking star
    Welcome Bonus$1500 In Bonus Bets Paid Back If Your First Bet Does Not Win
    21+ to wager. Please Gamble Responsibly. Gambling problem? Call 800-GAMBLER, 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), 800-327-5050 (MA), 800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 800-522-4700 (KS, NV), 800-BETS-OFF (IA), 800-270-7117(MI), 877-718-5543 (NC).
    gradient-border
    8.8Our Score
    ranking starranking starranking starranking starranking star
    Welcome BonusGet Bet $25 Get $150 If Your First Bet Wins
    21+ to wager. Please Gamble Responsibly. Gambling problem? Call 800-GAMBLER, 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), 800-327-5050 (MA), 800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 800-522-4700 (KS, NV), 800-BETS-OFF (IA), 800-270-7117(MI), 877-718-5543 (NC).

About the author

A fan of both the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers, which is rare! Thomas provides sports betting content with the intent to educate and en...

[Read full bio]