“Pick ‘Em or Kick ‘Em”™: FGT VS. Urban Sports Scene 2023 Week 18 NFL Picks

January 6, 2024

By the Football Garbage Time Staff

If you followed last year, you won over 60% of your picks, and we aim to do even better this year.

And if you’ve been following us, you know that we here at Football Garbage Time have gone head-to-head against Wally, Will and Ray at Urban Sports Scene on our NFL Picks for the last 6 seasons. Why? Because they’re awesome competitors, they KNOW their sports, and, heck, they’re just good guys! This year we’ll have their picks up right HERE, so keep it tuned in, to both us and them, because we’ll be picking all season all long.

Without further to do, here we go:

Week 18 Games

Ha Kung Wong’s Picks

Ha Kung’s Thoughts:

After a 64.7% record two seasons ago, I ended last season 63.3% (178-103). So that’s eight years in a row with over a 60% pick rate. I also ended up 16-4 for Locks of Week (80%) and 8-12 for Upsets of the Week (40%) which is also eight years in a row of Locks being over 70%. I was 10-6 in Week 17 making me 160-96 (62.5%) overall for the season. I hit my Lock of the Week (Bills) but missed my Upset of the Week (Chargers), meaning I’m 14-3 (82.4%) for Locks and 6-11 (35.3%) for Upsets so far.

Let’s get to that Lock (for Survivor Leagues) and Upset for Week 18…

Lock of the Week ➡ Detroit Lions (-3.0) over Minnesota Vikings

The Lions absolutely got robbed at the end of their Week 17 game against the Cowboys, so you can be that they’ll want to wipe the bad taste in their mouth by ending on a high note over the Vikings at home, even if it’s unlikely to impact their postseason chances. Momentum is definitely a thing, and the Lions would like to have it when they get into the playoffs. Lions have the 3rd most yards (395.7) and 5th most points (26.9) on offense per game this season and the Vikings just let the Packers score 33 after letting the Lions score 30. The Vikings have been on a slow downward slide after Kirk Cousins went out and there’s no turning the corner with Nick Mullens. They have essentially nothing to play for after getting destroyed by the Packers in Week 17. Don’t overthink it. Lock it in.

Upset of the Week ➡ Kansas City Chiefs (+3.0) over Los Angeles Chargers

The Chiefs are playing their backups, but the Chargers have been horrible. The Chargers allow the 4th most yards (368.9) per game this season and that won’t change even to the Chiefs backups. Plus Easton Stick will likely have to toss the ball again to no one but Gerald Everett since Keenan Allen will be out again. Call it a gut call, but I like the potential for an upset here.

Joanne Kong’s Picks

Scott King’s Picks

Scott’s Thoughts:

I can’t believe We’re at the end of the regular season, it goes so fast. Refreshing that there so much to play for this weekend with 20 teams still in play. The NFC #1 seed should still be up for grabs, but I’m not going to get into there. Hard week to pick with players sitting so be careful. These will likely change as lineups are moving a lot right now. Fantasy is a nightmare for 18-week leagues.

Wole’s Picks

Coming Soon!

Wole’s Thoughts:

Check out Wole’s thoughts on his picks in the recent Urban Sports Scene Podcast!

Ray’s Picks

Coming Soon!

Ray’s Thoughts:

Check out Ray’s thoughts on his picks in the most recent Urban Sports Scene Podcast!

Will’s Picks

Coming Soon!

Will’s Thoughts:

Check out Will’s thoughts on his picks in the most recent Urban Sports Scene Podcast!

George’s Picks

George’s Thoughts:

Let’s start with Saturday. The Ravens will be a tough out with Tyler Huntley starting but the Steelers will just sneak over the line to give themselves a chance at the title.
Indianapolis has gone to Houston and ended their season in recent history and the Colts have been a real thorn in their side. But these Texans with DeMeco Ryans and C.J. Stroud are different. Ryans completely changed the culture and I say Houston gets their 10th win and Ryans earns coach of the year.

Quickly at the top of the draft, the Commanders will take the second pick when the Patriots beat the Jets and Washington falls to Dallas (giving the Cowboys the NFC East and the 2 seed).

Tampa Bay will bounce back at Carolina to win the NFC South.

So where’s the sting in the tail? It will be in Green Bay. Chicago’s blow two double-digit leads in the 4th quarter or they would be on a 7-game losing streak and would be in a playoff spot. Justin Fields will make a major case to stay as the starter as the Bears knock the Packers out of the playoffs.

The other surprise will be Arizona upsetting the Seahawks. They just stunned the Eagles on the road and the Seahawks are in a similar state with a beatup QB. And there defense got cut up by Mason Rudolph.

And finally. With results going the Bills away and putting them in the playoffs that takes just enough urgency out of their game in Miami, that the Dolphins get a much needed win to take the AFC East