The Bearded Talisman's Week 18 NFL Picks

Ravens -4.5 at Steelers – Baltimore has been left for dead multiple times this year – after the 1-5 start, after the loss at home to Cincy on Thanksgiving and after the close loss on SNF a few weeks ago to New England. All the Steelers had to do to deliver the final dagger to the Ravens season was beat Cleveland last week, and they couldn’t do it. Derrick Henry, Keaton Mitchell and the Ravens running game look overpowering, and Zay Flowers and Mark Andrews are getting open, and LaMar Jackson is back in the starting lineup. While TJ Watt is back, this is the 2^nd straight week with no DK Metcalf, and the Steelers offense could not muster a touchdown last week in Cleveland. While the Ravens defense gave up a few big plays last week in Green Bay, the Steelers offense has zero Tier 1 players, and this means another year without a playoff win in Pittsburgh.

Broncos -13.5 vs Chargers – Broncos clinch the number one seed with a win, while the Chargers are resting several starters including Justin Herbert. A motivated home team vs a road team that just wants to get out of Denver injury-free. Sounds like a recipe for blowout.

Bengals -7.5 vs Browns – In the Browns 5 second half drives against Pittsburgh last week they gained a grand total of 43 yards. The last time the Browns were on the road they lost 31-3. It may be a case of too little too late for the Bengals season, but they have scored 82 points over the last two weeks, both blowout wins. The year ends with a 3^rd consecutive blowout win for a Bengals team that is left to wonder what could have been.

Cowboys -3.5 at Giants – I believe the Cowboys have exceeded expectations this year, especially given the fact they traded Micah Parsons away preseason. A win against a battered Giants defense – especially the Giants secondary - will get Dallas to 8-8-1, and 5-1 in the division. Prescott threw for 4 TDs in New York earlier this year in a win vs the Jets. Cowboys win big in New York again.

Dolphins +11.5 at Patriots – The Patriots are resting multiple starters and Mike Vrabel has enough Bill Belichick in him to know this game does not matter. When he looks up and sees Denver up 17-0 in the 2^nd quarter, he will pull his starters knowing this game does not matter.

Last week 4-1, Season 41-43-1

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