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Free NFL Betting Picks - Week 18 Best Bets, Expert Predictions, Odds (1/9/22)

Steve Janik's top NFL betting picks and best bets for Week 19 NFL games on 1/9/22. His free picks targeting unders and team totals

Well, 2022 didn't start off a great track in the life front, so a big thanks to my man Dan Palyo for covering me yet again in Week 17. It's been a rough year on the picks as well, as I can't get out of this rut I'm in. Bad for me, and good for all of you who know what to fade for the week! In all seriousness, this is going to be a tough week in terms of handicapping because a lot of playoff teams will be putting their stars on pitch counts, and of course we're still dealing with guys missing due to COVID protocols. Nonetheless, we're putting in a good effort to try and go into the playoffs on a strong foot.

  • 2021 Season: 12-24-1 (32%, -12.5u)
    • Spread: 6-5, +.3u
    • Total/Team Total:  4-12-1, -8.3u
    • Moneyline: 0-5, -4.3u
    • Props: 2-2, -.2u

I will always keep the disclaimer of **I'm not a professional** but I love researching stats and finding value. My goal is to provide you with information that can help you make informed bets, whether you agree or disagree with me. PLEASE be sure to odds shop. As sports betting becomes "legal" in more states, there's so many different books trying to get your business. Also, just an FYI, I "bet to lose" one unit on almost every play but will definitely label it if I do differently.

I'm glad to say that I am back and ready to bring you my favorite bets for Week 18 of the 2021 NFL season. I'll be here at RotoBaller all season long and you can find me on Twitter @stevejanik6 where I will occasionally add plays to my season record. I am always down to chat and spend most of my days and nights browsing for information or news. You can also follow me on the Action app (@sgjanik6) where I'll post every pick I have for a day and week. With that, I hope you enjoy, best of luck, and please bet responsibly!

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NFL Betting Picks - Under

Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens (-5)

Sunday 1/9, 1 PM EST | O/U: 41.5

Likely Ben Roethlisberger’s last go at it, he’ll likely be without his stud receiver Diontae Johnson (COVID-19), unless he can get two negative tests before Sunday. Ben’s passing stats were pretty wild in Week 17, going 24 of 46 for 123 yards with a touchdown and interception each. Najee Harris popped off for a big game with 188 yards and a score, though that touchdown was a gift at the end of the game when he easily could have walked out of bounds with the game in hand. On defense, TJ Watt is nearing a legendary season, as he only needs one sack to tie, and two to break the NFL record for a season. This unit has been getting gashed on the ground and through the air, but Watt is a constant.

The Ravens need a miracle to make the playoffs, following five straight losses. Lamar Jackson (ankle) hasn’t played since Week 14 and hasn’t practiced this week, leaving his status as pretty doubtful. Tyler Huntley has been decent enough in his place, throwing for over 500 yards with three touchdowns, an interception, while rushing for two more scores. Even still with his rushing ability, they’ve only averaged 115 rushing yards per game over the L3, which won’t cut it for this team. Defensively, Baltimore has been getting gashed with the likes of the Steelers. However, with Diontae Johnson likely out and Roethlisberger's noodle arm, the leaky Ravens secondary will not have nearly as much to worry about.

An absolute must win for both teams but especially the Steelers, I think this game is going to go back to the old days of a ground and pound with one defense getting a big key turnover and the rivalry will be well. Give me the under.

UPDATE 1/7/22: Diontae Johnson (COVID-19) was somehow activated off the COVID Reserve list just one day after being placed on it. Not sure how that happened, but it certainly has a factor in this game now. While he is a big boost to the offense, his presence isn't quite enough to scare me away from the under. As we saw in Week 17, when Johnson scored, the Steelers still struggled to move the ball consistently.

Pick: Under 41.5 (-110, Fanduel) 1 Unit

 

NFL Betting Picks - Team Total

Indianapolis Colts (-15.5) at Jacksonville Jaguars

Sunday, 1/9, 1 PM EST | O/U: 44

The Colts took a bad home loss to the Raiders in Week 17 and now put themselves in a must win situation to close out the season, with hopes of making the playoffs. Luckily for them, they take on the Jacksonville Jaguars who are the losers of eight straight and have scored 20 or more points just once since Week 6.

Despite the loss to the Raiders, things have been solid for the Colts of late. In their L3, they've averaged 23 points per game, 294 yards per game, and 158 rushing yards per game, thanks to Jonathan Taylor. The Wisconsin product should have no issue having an absolute field day against Jacksonville who has allowed and insane 176 rushing ypg over their L3. Carson Wentz and the passing game haven't exactly needed to put up big numbers because of the rushing production, but the Jaguars present plenty of chances for a big day through the air as well.

Tell me that the Colts aren't capable of putting up 30-plus points against this Jaguars team and I'll say you're flat out wrong. Indianapolis has had a roller coaster season and they're ready to go into the playoffs in strong form, which is why I don't worry that they'll get ahead and put the brakes on.

Pick: Indianapolis Team Total Over 30.5 (-110, BetMGM) 1 Unit



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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Lamar Jackson

Will Officially Return in Week 18
Tobias Harris

Won't Suit Up Against Miami
Lauri Markkanen

on the Injury Report for Thursday Night
Keyonte George

Battling an Illness, Might Miss Thursday's Game
Jusuf Nurkić

Jusuf Nurkic Won't Play on Thursday Evening
Houston Astros

Astros Sign Tatsuya Imai to Three-Year Deal
Jordan Love

Clears Concussion Protocol, Won't Start in Week 18
George Kittle

"Absolutely" Expects to Play in Week 18
Clayton Tune

to Start for Packers in Week 18
Chris Olave

Ruled Out for Week 18
Tom Wilson

Wraps Up 2025 With Gordie Howe Hat Trick
Valeri Nichushkin

Nets Second Career Hat Trick
Frank Vatrano

to Miss Six Weeks With Shoulder Injury
Conor Sheary

Noah Laba Exit With Injuries Wednesday
Brayden McNabb

Suffers Upper-Body Injury Wednesday
Miles Wood

Exits Early Wednesday
Gavin Brindley

Sustains Upper-Body Injury
Michael Porter Jr.

Battling Illness, Questionable Thursday
Joel Embiid

Likely to Play Thursday
Anthony Davis

Available Thursday
Coby White

to Miss at Least One Week
Josh Giddey

to Be Re-Evaluated in Two Weeks
Jonas Valančiūnas

Jonas Valanciunas in Walking Boot After Suffering Calf Injury
Victor Wembanyama

Expects to Play Next Game After Suffering Minor Knee Injury
Davante Adams

Not Expected to Play in Week 18
Stephon Castle

Active on Wednesday
Tyler Kolek

Elevated to Available on Wednesday
Tari Eason

Questionable Versus Brooklyn
Tobias Harris

Not Expected to Suit Up on Thursday
Ariel Hukporti

Available For Wednesday
Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Questionable Versus Brooklyn
Mason Plumlee

Undergoes Groin Surgery
Zach Collins

Out at Least 10 More Days
Jerami Grant

Unavailable Again on Wednesday
Geno Smith

Won't Play in Week 18
Aaron Rodgers

Considering Playing Beyond 2025?
Sean Monahan

Sits Out Wednesday's Game
Zach Werenski

Misses Fourth Straight Game Wednesday
Dougie Hamilton

Questionable Wednesday
Radko Gudas

Expected to Remain Out Wednesday
Stefon Diggs

Expected to Play in Week 18
Ilya Lyubushkin

Back From One-Game Absence Wednesday
Alex Lyon

to Miss "Bit of Time"
Erik Cernak

Rejoins Lightning Lineup Wednesday
Christian McCaffrey

Trending to Play in Week 18
Kon Knueppel

To Make Return For Charlotte On Wednesday, In Starting Lineup
Jalen Hurts

Eagles Expected to Rest Jalen Hurts, Most Starters in Week 18
George Kittle

49ers Will be "Very Surprised" if George Kittle Doesn't Play on Saturday
Marvin Harrison Jr.

Ruled Out for Regular-Season Finale
CFB

Lane Kiffin Interested in Sam Leavitt, Brendan Sorsby at LSU
Shakir Mukhamadullin

Questionable Wednesday
Adam Gaudette

Unavailable Wednesday
Darcy Kuemper

Activated From Injured Reserve
Alex Lyon

Nursing Lower-Body Injury
William Karlsson

to Miss Olympics
Jack Eichel

a Game-Time Decision Wednesday
Jason Dickinson

Hurt Versus Islanders
CFB

Deuce Knight Officially Entering Transfer Portal
CFB

Kewan Lacy Expected to Be Full-Go Against Georgia
Stefon Diggs

Facing Strangulation, Assault Charges
CFB

Chip Kelly Named Northwestern Offensive Coordinator
Riley Leonard

Will Start Against the Texans
Bijan Robinson

Explodes for 229 Total Yards, Two Touchdowns on Monday Night
Davante Adams

Officially Out on Monday Night
Drake London

Active Against Rams
Justin Herbert

Won't Face Broncos in Week 18
Marcus Mariota

Considered "a Stretch" to Play in Week 18
Geno Smith

Dealing With Significant Ankle Injury
CFB

Penn State Working to Hire D'Anton Lynn as Next Defensive Coordinator
CFB

Omar Cooper Expected to be Full-Go for Rose Bowl
CFB

Marcus Freeman Staying with Notre Dame for 2026 Season
CFB

Star Wideout Cam Coleman Entering Transfer Portal
CFB

Jay Hill Expected to be Next Michigan Defensive Coordinator

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