Best Bets of the Weekend for All Sports | January 6-7

The NFL’s Week 18 gives us multiple match-ups of teams playing for pride, and teams playing for the playoffs. It can make for a crazy weekend of events in what the NFL is calling its season finale. We’ve got your best picks on three games with huge impacts on the playoffs, including a battle for the NFC South and the Bills needing to win in Miami.

Saints -3 (-110) at FanDuel

All season long, we’ve been saying someone has to win the NFC South and it comes down to this. Neither the Saints, or Falcons or Panthers have distinguished themselves this season and all three will likely be underdogs in the Wild Card Round, whoever makes it.

The Bucs have the easiest path, beat the Panthers and they’re division champs, but lose and it’s a toss-up. The Saints can also earn a wild card spot if a few things go their way.

Atlanta took down the Saints 24-15 in Week back in Week 12 running for 228 yards, but things will be different this time. The Saints defense, led by Demario Davis has played real well the last four weeks. The Saints are just playing better right now, while the Falcons still haven’t found a quarterback.

Commanders +13 (-110) at BetMGM

This is the game all of Michigan will be watching, since a Dallas loss could open the door to the 2 seed for the Lions. It probably won’t happen, but still the points are a lot.

Expect sometime this weekend there to be a report that Commanders coach Ron Rivera and the franchise are “parting ways” code for we’re firing him, but being nice. Rivera never did get Washington to a winning record in four seasons.

Washington will start Sam Howell at quarterback. Howell has had a pretty good season statistically, but it’s mostly empty yards. Washington is still a year away from competing.

Still, I think Washington will play with a lot of pride for Rivera and Dallas is the type of team that plays up and down to the level of competition. Plus the weather may be a factor. Dallas wins, but it’s not a blowout.

Bills -3 (-110) at DraftKings

This is the final game of the NFL regular season and there’s a lot at stake. If Miami wins, they win the AFC North, if they lose, they’re the sixth seed which means three road games to get to the Super Bowl most likely.

Buffalo has the biggest range of any team entering Week 18. They could win and wind up the division champs and the two seed, or if things break a certain way, they could be out all together.

By the time they kickoff, the Bills will know what they need to do.

Buffalo dominated the Dolphins in Week 4 and have won 10 of their last 11 games against Miami. It’s just a bad match-up for Miami, who is also really banged up – they can also rest some players knowing they’re in. Take the Bills minus the points. They’re the team with something to prove.