Sunday's tips include three teams battling to lock up playoff berths and a points play in a clash of the top two AFC title contenders.
Sunday’s NFL four-fold includes three teams battling to lock up playoff berths and a points play in a clash of the top two AFC title contenders.
Prospect of points aplenty in clash of AFC’s top two
The stakes have been raised in Maryland this Sunday where the Baltimore Ravens can clinch the No.1 seed in the AFC and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
The Dolphins will be out to stop them, although they will still need results to go their way in Week 18 if they are to grab a first-round playoff bye for themselves.
Miami answered their critics by finally beating a team with a winning record in last Sunday’s 22-20 victory over the Dallas Cowboys.
Tua Tagovailoa continues to shine and with Tyreek Hill back alongside Jaylen Waddle to stretch the Ravens’ secondary, he should be able to make enough plays to give the Fins a chance.
Lamar Jackson is playing to an MVP-level standard again after fighting injuries the past couple of years.
And his impressive display in dismantling the vaunted San Francisco 49ers defence last week suggests he will have all the answers, turning Sunday’s contest into a classic shootout.
Bucs can ride Mayfield’s hot streak to the top
The NFC’s closest division race could be decided when the New Orleans Saints and Tampa Bay Buccaneers go at it at Raymond James Stadium.
New Orleans endured a tough 30-22 loss to the Los Angeles Rams in Week 16, but they should at least be well-rested after a 10-day break.
Tampa Bay, meanwhile, have timed their burst to perfection as they come into the clash riding a four-game winning streak and led by rejuvenated QB Baker Mayfield.
The NFL’s 49th-highest-paid passer has played lights out the past two weeks, throwing for 664 yards and six touchdowns with no interceptions.
The Bucs’ defence held dangerous Jacksonville Jaguars duo Trevor Lawrence and Travis Etienne in check last week and can play their part in securing Tampa a vital win atop the NFC South.
With Stidham in the saddle, Broncos can avoid shock from Bolts
The Broncos are benching Russell Wilson in favour of backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham the rest of the way and, for some, this decision could have been made sooner.
At 7-8, Denver are hanging on to extremely slim playoff hopes as they take on already-eliminated division rivals who are trying to figure out what to do in 2024.
The Chargers haven’t won in Mile High since 2018 and were easily handled by the Broncos in this season’s first meeting, so there is scope for Denver to do it again.
Cincy star Hendrickson can disrupt Chiefs’ plans
A huge matchup between the teams that have contested the AFC Championship Game the past two seasons takes place at Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday evening.
Both the Cincinnati Bengals and Kansas City Chiefs are coming off embarrassing losses to division rivals and, while the Chiefs should get back to winning ways, the spread could be too much for them to cover.
Andy Reid’s men have a 4-4 record at Arrowhead this year as one of their great strengths – the offence – has regressed.
Patrick Mahomes’ high standards have slipped as he has already thrown a career-high number of picks amid too many wide receiver drops and blown protections.
One man who could add to Mahomes’ and the Chiefs’ headaches this weekend is Bengals pass rusher Trey Hendrickson, who has 16 sacks, 16 tackles for loss and 22 quarterback hits this season.
He can disrupt the Chiefs enough to keep this game close enough for the Bengals to cover the Spread.
Sunday’s NFL four-fold (pays 12.75/1)
Miami Dolphins @ Baltimore Ravens – Over 46.5 Total Points @ 5/6
Tampa Bay Buccaneers -2.5 @ 20/23
Denver Broncos -3.5 @ 10/11
Cincinnati Bengals + 7 @ 10/11
