NFL betting tips: Denver Broncos to prevail, Minnesota Vikings set for battle in Detroit

It’s the final week of the regular season. Most teams have already either secured their post-season ticket or played so woefully that a high draft pick has been pushed their way.

Fortunately, the fun is not over. For a few teams, this final week will prove pivotal.

Can they clinch a playoff in the closing hours, or can they improve their Super Bowl chance, grabbing a higher seed for the postseason?

Last week the Detroit Lions just about held out to the San Francisco 49ers, leaving it all to play for in the NFC this week.

Elsewhere, the Denver Broncos faced yet another loss. Can the struggling side make a last-ditch playoff effort? Or will the Kansas City Chiefs prove too much of a challenge?

After a fairly successful week, Sports News Blitz’s NFL tipster Sam Condy is back once again, breaking down some of the top Sky Bet tips ahead of this week's action.

Cleveland Browns at Baltimore Ravens

The Cleveland Browns have been on a stretch of bad form. Having scored a total of 16 points over the last three and failing to reach double digits once in this period, they appear to be faltering at the final hurdle.

Additionally, a loss here will secure them a top-five pick in next year's draft, hinting at a potential half-effort performance on Saturday.

On the other hand, the Ravens have picked up the pace through the closing weeks of the regular season.

The Baltimore outfit will likely look to rest many key players in the final week, so we may see a team of mostly back-up players.

However, this shouldn’t matter too much against a dishevelled Cleveland side. The spread is massive here, so taking the Ravens simply to win looks the smart play.

Suggested bet: Baltimore Ravens @ 1/20

Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots

Much like the Ravens, the Buffalo Bills have little incentive to risk their starters in Week 18. They have secured the second seed in the AFC ahead of the playoffs and have almost nothing to play for in the closing week.

Unfortunately, neither do the Patriots. Losing here will secure the first pick in the draft, providing the struggling side with a much-needed boost.

It’s unclear who will be starting for the Bills this week, nevertheless a lacklustre New England outfit should prove no real challenge for the travelling team.

Suggested bet: Buffalo Bills (-2.5) @ 8/11

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Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos

As is becoming the theme this week, we will likely see yet another second-choice team fielded, this time in Denver.

The Chiefs have already secured the number one seed in the playoffs with only one loss to their name this season. There is no point in the Kansas outfit taking any risks in Week 18.

However, it's all on the line for the Denver Broncos. A win would see them sneak into the post-season, and no doubt the Broncos will be out in full force on Sunday.

Despite a 15-1 record, the Chiefs have not scored more than 31 points in a game this season. It's highly unlikely that a second-rate lineup will get anywhere near this number.

Meanwhile, Denver’s all-or-nothing predicament means the Broncos will leave nothing on the field this weekend.

I’m picking the Chiefs' second loss of the season to come in their final game. Winner: Denver.

Suggested bet: Denver Broncos @ 1/6

Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions

Perhaps the most exciting game this week, two NFC titans are set to clash in a winner-takes-all bust-up in Detroit.

Victory for either side will clinch them the top seed in the NFC, win the NFC North, secure a first-round bye in the playoffs and a home team advantage all the way to the Super Bowl. Pretty important if you ask me.

On the flip side, the loser will take the fifth seed and be on the road during the wildcard round.

Despite not even being the Vikings’ first-choice pick at QB during the opening weeks, Sam Darnold has proven to be a destructive force from deep.

Averaging a whopping 287 passing yards through the last five, Darnold the MVP candidate will undoubtedly wreak havoc for the Lions’ defence.

Making matters worse for Detroit, their front seven is littered with injuries, leaving plenty of openings for the flying Vikings’ offence.

With a fully-fit team, this could very likely be the best game of the regular season.

However, despite being slight favourites, the Lions’ injury roster should prove pivotal. I predict the Vikings will clinch the top spot in the NFC.

Suggested bet: Minnesota Vikings @ 6/5

The accumulator odds are slightly disappointing this week - with so many team changes expected the payouts are all over the place.

The biggest risk this week lies with the pick for the Vikings, as I reckon we are in for an extremely tight game in Detroit.

Accumulator odds: 3.66/1

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