Sport
NFL regular season finale: Win and in for Raiders and Chargers at Allegiant
The final week of the NFL regular season is here, and after 16 gruelling fixtures, one more remains.
Teams will be fighting for draft order and playoff places, while certain superstars will be chasing franchise and league records in the NFL’s first ever 18th week.
We preview some of the most important match-ups below.
Pittsburgh Steelers @ Baltimore Ravens
Is this the final game of Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger’s storied career? Perhaps, but the Steelers will require results to go their way elsewhere as well as ensuring they beat fierce rivals Baltimore on Sunday. The Ravens still mathematically have a chance, but more importantly they’re looking to salvage some pride after a positive start to the season was heavily derailed by injury.
Despite losing five on the bounce, Baltimore are comfortable home favourites at 10/23, with the Steelers priced at 39/20 to beat their AFC North foe. The handicap sits at 5.5, with a low scorer expected with an over/under of 41.5. The Steelers were markedly improved against Cleveland last time out, and will look to end the season on a high. Take Pittsburgh +5.5 at 10/11 and enjoy what could be Big Ben’s final curtain.
San Francisco 49ers @ LA Rams
San Francisco need a win to make the playoffs, unless the Falcons do them a favour, while the Rams need a win to clinch the division title. Something has to give, and it should make for a west coast thriller.
The Rams seem to have ridden out Matt Stafford’s mid-season wobbles, while the 49ers have ground out wins despite inconsistent play from the QB position and an injury-riddled backfield.
The NFC West has been one of the better divisions in the NFL this year, with the winners expected to make the Conference Championship at the very least. However, that doesn’t stop the Rams being 20/43 favourites, with the Niners 37/20. The Niners have beaten their divisional rivals in all of their last five meetings, though, so they shouldn’t be written off. The handicap sits at 4.5, but in truth the Rams look too strong at this stage of the season.
Look for superstar wide receiver Cooper Kupp to build on his record-breaking season and top over 126 receiving yards, available at 11/10.
LA Chargers @ Las Vegas Raiders
Gloriously simple. The final game of the NFL regular season will, barring an extraordinary scenario in which a tie benefits both teams, be win and in. The Chargers travel to Las Vegas knowing a win will be enough, while the Raiders have battled through significant adversity to win three on the spin to be just a game away from playoff football.
Justin Herbert continues to impress for the Chargers, who are 5/8 to win, while Derek Carr has shown poise and leadership down the stretch to put the Raiders in the best possible position. Vegas are 7/5 for a home win in what will undoubtedly be an incredible atmosphere at Allegiant Stadium.
Essentially a play-in game, expect an early taste of playoff football, which normally means close finishes. The Raiders +3 is 10/11, and a late field goal may very well be the difference here for either side.
