The Herd with Colin Cowherd - What’s Wright - NFL Week 18 Predictions: Ravens-Steelers, Seahawks-49ers, Panthers-Bucs, Lions-Bears | Nick Wright

Episode Date: January 2, 2026

All lines provided by Hard Rock Bet.  Nick Wright shares his predictions for Week 18 of the NFL season including the monster matchups between Aaron Rodgers' Pittsburgh Steelers and Lamar Jackson's Baltimore Ravens for the AFC North, Sam Darnold's Seattle Seahawks and Brock Purdy's San Francisco 49ers for the NFC West & NFC 1 seed, and Baker Mayfield's Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Bryce Young's Carolina Panthers for the NFC South. Later, Damonza shares his teaser and Nick gives a Touchdown Genie pick ahead of the NFL's final week of the regular season. #VolumeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is an IHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human. Hey guys, it's us. The Jonas Brothers. I'm Joe. I'm Kevin. And I'm Nick. And guess what? We created our own podcast called, Hey Jonas.

We invented a podcast? Well, we didn't invent it. We just contributed to it. We're the first people to do podcasts. We get to ask other people questions because we're sick and tired of being asked questions. Well, sick and tired is a strong way to put it. But, you know, tired and sick. Listen to Hey Jonas on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you.

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Hey, it's Edwin Castro, also known as Castro 1021. And I'm Conky, his best friend and business manager. And we've got a new show called The 1021 Podcast. I'm taking you behind the scenes on how I became one of Twitch's most popular streamers. We also love sports. And with the World Cup right around the corner, we'll be breaking down the biggest storylines ahead of the big tournament here in the USA. Listen to the 1021 podcast on the Iheart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

I'm Joey Dardano, and on my new podcast, Hope from a Hypocrite, I'll be changing lives, helping people in need with thoughtful solutions. Sike, I'm a comedian. I'm not qualified to give good advice. Join me and my comedian friends as we riff, rant, recommend some of the most legally dubious advice known to me. This is Help from a Hypocrite, the worst advice. from the dumbest people you know. Listen to help from Hippocrite Wednesdays on the IHart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Welcome in, What's Right, episode 410, our week 18.

Can't believe it's finally here. Gambling show. This episode of What's Right When Nick Ride is presented to you as always by Boost Mobile. A reminder to everyone to like, rate, subscribe, and review. And a reminder that all our lines come courtesy our friends at heart. Rock bet. DeMonse, last week,

we knew it was going to be a tough one. I got to say, we went one and four. I don't feel badly about any of them. So I hate the fact that going one and four puts us a game under 500 for the year.

To 41, 42, and two. But if we go through the picks, we can, you know, explain a way, I don't know if it's explained away, but just, so we had Dallas minus six and a half at Washington. They won by seven. That was a good one to get early.

As we said, we liked getting the favorites early, but that cut against us on Jacksonville. We had Jacksonville minus six and a half at Indy. That went down to five and a half by Friday. They ended up winning by six. So those two kind of offset each other, so to speak. Then you have the three stone losers. that Pittsburgh minus 4 at Cleveland,

my concern there was exclusively. If Baltimore loses, Pittsburgh won't care. Baltimore won. Pittsburgh was peak motivated for that game, and Rogers just played one of the worst games anyone's played at quarterback all year in a big spot. I don't, my handicap on it was that Cleveland would struggle to get to 14.

They didn't get to 14. I thought Shador would struggle against Tomlin's defense. He did. It didn't matter. That's how bad Rogers was. Buffalo minus two and a half against Philly. Again, that was, I'm on the wrong side of it. I got it because if Buffalo, if they just don't miss the first extra point, it doesn't get blocked,

the best case is they win by one. But it felt to me like Buffalo was the more trustworthy team. I guess they weren't. but that was, I don't feel like we were way off on it. The Buffalo ended up losing by one, could have won by one. Maybe the smarter line there is take the Eagles getting points, a really good team getting points. I thought Buffalo at home.

And Chicago plus three at the Niners, in a game that was tied 7, 7, 14, 14, 21, 21, 28, 28, 35, 35, and I'm getting three points. The Bears were covering literally every minute of that game until the final two minutes. They were either covering or winning. And so I'm not, we have had three and two weeks where I felt like I didn't, my process was not as good as this one and two week. But it is what it is. It's one and four.

It means to finish the regular season at 500. I have to go three and two. And to finish above 500, I have to go four in one or five and oh. It is what it is. I also did a stupid Christmas Day teaser that I should have just left the teasers to you. I lost that one. So I had Detroit to win. They didn't win.

This week, though, week 18, always tricky. Particularly at this moment early in the week, we don't have all the info. But I think I have a sound strategy. We'll bring it to you in a moment. First, I got to remind you, today's show is brought to you by our president. sponsor Hard Rock Bet, Florida's sportsbook, and the official sports book partner of your favorite Florida teams like the Jags, Bucks, Heat Magic, and Panthers. Week 18, playoff spots on the line. You think you know how it's going to play out? Build a same game parlay on Hard Rock Bet and turn

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and physically present in Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio, Tennessee, or Virginia to play. Terms and conditions apply. Concerned about gambling in Florida, call 1-833 play-wise. in Indiana, if you or someone you know is a gambling problem wants help, call 1-800-9 with it. Gambling problem. Call 1-800 gambler, Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia. All right, DeMonsei, let's get to the games this week that we are not playing. First day away is Cleveland at Cincinnati.

Cincinnati's 7.5.5-point favorites. So, yeah, neither team has anything on the line. neither team can even play spoiler for the other team. It feels like Cincinnati should win by a touchdown. I also wonder, though, in this game, do we see a little Jake Browning? What I don't, you know, the what does, how much does Burrow play? I just neither team, anything to play for even really draft positioning, not so much. So we're staying away.

Next. Leveland plus the point, should order to prove something. Tennessee at Jacksonville. Jacksonville's 12 and a half-point favorites. So problem here is this. If during the Jacksonville game, they see that there are some foot off the gas possibilities. If New England jumps out to a huge lead

and Denver jumps out to a huge lead, Jacksonville's incentives die of it. Now, they still need to win. They haven't locked up the division. So they have to win, or else Houston can steal the division from them. But I don't love the idea of laying a huge number with a team that could be, if Houston's losing New England and the Denver are winning by a lot, Jacksonville all of a sudden is playing for nothing and they're not going to pour it on.

plus Tennessee is playing a little bit better as of late. With that said, Jacksonville's way better than the Titan, so I'm not taking the Titans plus points staying away. Next. Dallas of the Giants, Giants, four-point dogs. I like Dallas in this spot. However, again, we're not going to spend a lot of the stay-away logic is similar. I don't know if DAC will play the whole game.

The Giants obviously, you know, no, they're not getting the, number one pick after the win last week. Jackson Dart doesn't want them to get the number one pick anyway. He wants to keep that job, but I'm just staying away from it. Next. Next, you got New Orleans and Atlanta. Atlanta's three-point favorites. Yeah, so, and that's obviously devastating for Tampa if Atlanta were to win this

game because then they're out no matter what. I kind of like New Orleans, the way Tyler Shuck's been playing. But Bejohn coming off, you know, he, late push maybe for offensive player of the year, scary a bit, so I'll stay away. Next. Next, you got Indy at Houston. Houston's 10-9 point favorites. What will the Colts look like with Riley Leonard?

Because Philip Rivers is done. They're going to start Riley Leonard this week. I don't know. Houston obviously very incentivized to win this game because they can win the division, but they also want to stay in the five spot. and so Houston really needs the game. I just don't think Houston's offense is good enough to lay 10 and a half points against anyone, so I'm staying away.

Next. Green Bay at Minnesota, Minnesota's six and a half point favorites. What the heck? Well, yeah, because Green Bay is locked into the seven. Yeah. Green Bay can't move. So Max Brosmer is a six and a half point favorite. it. What a weird game.

It all, I mean, it could be, who is the Packers third string quarterback? It could be Clayton Tune against Max Brasmer. I'm not wagering American dollars on that game. Staying away. Next. Next, we got Chargers at Denver. Denver's 13 point favorites. Denver obviously asked to win to be the one seat. I also, though, but I don't want to lay 13 points because I feel like

that Tray Lance might. Yeah, Herbert's obviously out. Trey Lance might feel like this is my opportunity. He looked fine in the preseason. 13's a lot. It's the Chargers, too. I know it's Denver. Well, it's just,

I think they're going to be resting a bunch of guys. But I also think it'll be a low possession game because they're going to be running the ball so much. So I'm just staying away next. Washington at Philly, Philly 7. and a half point favorites. So this is Philly, if Philly wins, they can get the two seed if Chicago loses. But that also means if they see Chicago's way ahead of Detroit, they might start resting people.

Also, I don't think Philly's offense right now is trustworthy enough to lay more than a touchdown, particularly when we don't know if they're going to be peak motivated. Next. You got Detroit at Chicago, Chicago's two and a half point favorites. Chicago needs the game, but I feel like if Dan Campbell's team isn't going to quit on Dan Campbell, and they're going to want to go out a little bit better than they looked, and they're on extra, extra rest. Chicago played, when did Chicago play?

Sunday night, Detroit played Thursday, so I'm staying away. Next. Next, you got the Jets at Buffalo, Buffalo's seven and a half point favorites. The fact that Jets are, the Buffalo's only seven-and-a-point favorites means they're worried Josh Allen might sit or might only play a half since we don't know that'll stay away. Next. Arizona at the Rams, Rams are eight-point favorites? I will bet this game on, I will bet the Rams if Seattle wins Saturday night.

If Seattle wins Saturday night, then the Rams are playing to be the five seed. If the Niners win Saturday night, then the Rams are locked into the six seed. So if they're locked into the six seed, I wouldn't bet them. If they're playing for the five, I might. Or I will. Hey, it's us, the Jonas Brothers. And guess what? We have some big news.

What's the news, new? Huge news. We created our own podcast called, Hey Jonas. We invented a podcast? Well, we didn't invent it. We just contributed to a first people to do podcasts. Pretty, yeah, pretty wide range of podcasts throughout there. But this one's extra special.

So how do we actually come up with a name, Hey Jonas, guys? I honestly don't. I don't remember. I think it was on a call about what we should call it. We were thinking I'm originally calling it one of the early names of our band before Jonas Brothers. This is how you guys remember it going down? Yes. I have a very different memory of this.

We were talking about a thing, a bit for the podcast where people could call in and say, Hey, Jonas. And then I wrote down on my little notepad, Hey Jonas, and offered it up as a potential title for the podcast. But thanks for remembering that, guys. Listen to Hey Jonas on the Iheart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Just listen. We don't care where you hear it. Keith Gianmanca seemed like a mild-mannered suburban dad. But secretly, he became someone else, a master of disguise who went on a crime spree.

At the time, did it seem like a crazy idea? It seemed very crazy. But I felt so desperate that I felt it was the quickest, easiest way out. Did you allow yourself to think about how it could go wrong and what that might look like? No. I didn't want to manifest that. I was trying to manifest success. Every family has its secrets. But what happens when you discover that your dad has been living a double life? That is not the look of an innocent man. This is going to change my life and my family dynamic forever because everything that had existed prior in my reality is now untrue.

Listen to Deep Cover the Family Man on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey, I'm Jared Adano. You might know me as that loud guy who yells out, help on the internet. Help! Somebody! Please! But there's so much more to me than me. I'm an actor.

I'm a comedian. And recently, I've become quite the helper myself. And on my new podcast, Hope from a Hippocrat, I'll be changing lives, helping people in need with my sage advice and thoughtful solutions. Sike, I'm a comedian. I'm not qualified to give good advice. Join me and my comedian friends as we riff rant and recommend some of the most legally dubious advice known to man. If I'm calling you, even if you're on your phone, let it ring twice. One ring is too scary.

Oh, cream of chicken soup. Hey, cream. Cream a chicken soup. This is Help from a Hypocrite, the worst advice from the dumbest people you know. Listen to Help from Hypocrite as part of the MyCultura Podcast Network available on the IHartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. This week on Criminless, we're joined by our first ever guest. Sorry, our first ever human guest. I don't think I could be in the same room with Shamrock the pair. I'd be too nervous.

That's right. The very funny Will Farrell joins Rory Skow. Joel and me, Josh Dean, for an episode dedicated to the many crimes committed by people also named Will Ferrell. They called to his fellow officer for the nippers. What are the nippers? Very good question. No, I was thinking, would that be a good name for like a salad dressing? Simple assault?

And it's a play on word, salt? Maybe not. I say we invest and we see. There's only one way to know. This did not amuse the cops. By the way, normally the cops are amused, but this did not abuse the cops. Will even comes clean about some of his own crimes. I didn't get caught.

You know why? If you don't want to be suspected of anything, you whistle as you walk. Listen to Crimes List on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. It's your responsibility to not just seek help, but to identify that you need help. This is Mental Health Awareness Month. Tune in to the podcast, Just Healed with Dr. Jay, and take real steps toward healing, growth, and becoming your best. When you hear the word healing, what does that mean for you? What came right back to mine are the three P's that I live by.

I'll go through the process of healing so that patience, that perseverance, and that prayer equals healing to me. From understanding your mental health to doing the work, we break down practical tools, real conversations, and the mindset shifts you need to move forward and thrive. You matter too. Your mental health is your responsibility, not your wife, not your partner, not your children, not the church, not the pastor, not the council. It's your responsibility.

It's time to stop putting your healing on hold and start doing something about it. Listen to Just Here With Dr. J on the IHeart Radio app, Apple podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. All right, DeMontese, five games I'm betting. Let's go. All the lines from hard. Riding with your boy, first game, you got Tampa Bay minus two and a half at Carolina, or versus Carolina, sorry. Baker just can't go out like this. They just can't go.

Caroline has been better. Tampa's been one of the worst teams in football for two months, but they're at home. They're laying less than a field goal. To have any chance of making the playoffs, they obviously have to win, and then they have to root for the Saints the next day. I just don't think Tampa's going to go out this sad.

I'll lay the two and a half with Tampa. next Seattle minus one at San Francisco I don't think the Niners defense and it's 32nd in the league in sacks is going to be able to impact Arnold the way the Rams have been able to get to him at times this year the way we've seen him when he has struggled he didn't play well against Carolina by the way

I think Seattle's better I think it makes more sense for Seattle to be the one seed Seattle they played early in the year, and Seattle had the ball in week one, had the ball inside the red zone with a chance to seal at the end. Darnal fumbled. I think they get back.

I think Seattle gets the one seed. I think Seattle I'll lay the point. I think they went. Next. Next, you got Vegas plus five and a half versus Kansas City. I bet against them every week. Well,

you just, You just can't, I didn't bet against them last week. I teased against them, but and they're pushing. But the chief's offense right now just can't be five and a half point favorites against anybody. And I'm not saying this is how the chiefs will operate. But what I am saying is this, the chief's ability to cost the Raiders the number one overall pick to prevent the Raiders from being able to fix their quarterback problem is legitimately valid. So it's less about the chiefs improving their draft status and more about the chiefs being able to screw the Raiders where the Raiders, with a loss, get the number one pick. And even if the, I just don't think the Chiefs right now can beat anyone by a touchdown.

They can't run the ball. They can't pass the ball. They can't move the football. And they're on the road. They're not going to have the juice of Arrowhead from last week. I'll take the Raiders plus five and a half. Next. Miami plus 12 at New England.

Heavy. It's just a lot of points. Mike McDaniel's trying to save his job. And there's usually one week 18 big favorite that needs the game, that all of a sudden it's tied in the fourth quarter. It feels like it might be this one. I know Mike McDaniel has all these awful cold weather stats, but are those Mike McDaniels stats,

or are those two of stats. I'm getting 12 points. I'll take Miami plus 12. And last, we're going to go out on our shield on this one, even though I'm so mad at Aaron Rogers. Next. Pittsburgh plus three and a half versus Baltimore. I don't really care who's playing quarterback for Baltimore in this game, to be honest.

A banged up Lamar or Huntley that we saw last week, I'm just like Pittsburgh getting the points. This game is going, someone's winning the. this game by three. I don't know who. I'm getting three and a half points. So I'll take Pittsburgh plus three and a half. We know all the Tomlin getting Tomlin getting points at home divisional games. I mean, I don't know if he's ever lost. So my five picks this week are Tampa minus two and a half against Carolina, Seattle minus one against the Niners, the Raiders, getting five and a half against Kansas City, Miami getting 12 in New England,

Pittsburgh getting three and a half at home against Baltimore. Do you ever notice how everything keeps going up, rents going up, streaming services going up, favorite burrito spots charging you extra for Salza. But with Boost Mobile, you and your phone bill don't have to play the will this go up soon game. Why? Because Boost Mobile has an unlimited talk, text, and data plan at a price that'll never go up. In fact, it's the same price you'll pay for life. So switch now for unlimited wireless at a price that'll never go up only at Boost Mobile. After 30 gigs, customers may experience slower speeds.

Customers will pay $25 per month as long as they remain active on the Boost Unlimited plan. Demoze, another week, another winner. I think you started off the year like 1 and 4. And since then, your 8 and 3 on teasers, whatever it is, Yeah, I think I started off nice and then kind of lost like three or four games in a row. Whatever it is. I think you've only lost once since Mila's been born. You've been red hot.

Talk us through last weeks. Last week's was a three-team eight-point teaser, a plus 100. We had Philly up to plus ten and a half. They won the game. We had Jacksonville up to plus one and a half. They won the game. And then we had Chicago up to plus 11. They lost, but they still covered.

and I gave it an A. It was a great teaser. Thank you, sir. And this week is a three-team eight-point teaser at you guessed it, plus 100. Carolina's up to plus 10 and a half. Pittsburgh up to plus 11 and a half. And then Buffalo basically a pick-em at plus half point. But yeah, yeah, I'm feeling.

So I love the first two legs. I'm wondering if there's a third leg I would like more. I don't the bills need to win the game against the Jets or are they they're stuck in their No I know the bills the bills here's the thing the bills need to win assuming the bills want to move up from seven to six now they can move up from seven to five if Houston and the chargers lose but here's the scenario I'd be worried about but again they're playing the Jets, so you probably don't know if you're is Houston

is rolling and so they know they can't get up to the five. Would the bills rather be the seven and play New England or be the six and play Jacksonville?

That's the only that's the only question is do you know, would they rather, they certainly want to be the five but if they know they can't be the five do they pull Josh Allen and say we're fine being the seven with a rubber match against New England? What's not a question is that the Jets are really bad. And I think even if the bills were trying to give them the game, the bills could still end up winning it.

Yeah, I think I think that's probably correct. All right, I'm going to do a touchdown genie this week, Damase. You are going who, who, AFC, NFC? Mike Evans Anytime touchdown Yeah Mike Evans plus 165 anytime touchdown

I think he just needs like a 500 yard game to continue the 1K street Oh yeah That's all he needs 500 yard game So that's going to end But I will do a Mike Evans anytime touchdown I failed you guys on the offer last week I am not doing an offer this week

And we are listen We need to go at least three and two, just clear at least so we can be at 500 or better, five of the six years, we've done this, only one actual bad year. And then in the playoffs, staring at like an 11 and 3 playoff run against the spread. That's the plan. That's the hope. Everyone, happy new year, be safe.

Even if you're sober, half the other drivers on the road are not, so be careful. Have a wonderful week 18. A reminder, if you could, to like, rate, subscribe, review to the show. And a thank you, as always, to Volume Blue Duck and our great sponsor at Hard Rock, Bet, Boost, Mobile, and Zen. We will talk to you all in 2026.

What's right? Hey, guys, it's us. The Jonas Brothers. I'm Joe. I'm Kevin. And I'm Nick. And guess what? We created our own podcast called,

Hey, Jonas. We invented a podcast. Well, we didn't invent it. We just contributed to it. We're the first people to do podcasts. We get to ask other people questions. because we're sick and tired of being asked questions. Well, sick and tired is a strong way to put it,

but, you know, tired and sick. Tired and sick. Listen to Hey Jonas on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Just listen. We don't care where you hear it. Turn someday into right now with Buddy by Jake Radio, nonstop workout music and expert tips 24-7. Hey, head over to iHeart.com.

Search Body by Jake Radio and stream it for free right now. Awesome health and wellness tips 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Stick to the fight. When your hardest hit, it's when things seem worst that you must not quit. Don't quit. Body by Jake Radio, where hope meets momentum. Search Body by Jake Radio and stream it for free. Have a great day. I heart radio.

Hey, it's Edwin Castro, also known as Castro 1021. And I'm Conky, his best friend and business manager. And we've got a new show called The 1021 Podcast. I'm taking you behind the scenes on how I became one of Twitch's most popular streamers. We also love sports. And with the World Cup right around the corner, we'll be breaking down the biggest storylines ahead of the big tournament here in the USA.

Listen to the 1021 podcast on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. This is Saigon, the story of my family and of the country that shaped us. From IHeart Podcast, Saigon. You don't think I'm serious about a free Vietnam? One city, a divided country. and the war that tore America apart. This is for Vietnam.

They're pouring patrons all over here. Freedom for Vietnam! There's a fire coming to this country and it's going to burn out everything. Listen to Saigon, on the I-Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. I'm Joey Dardano, and on my new podcast, hope from a hypocrite I'll be changing lives,

helping people in need with thoughtful solutions. Sike, I'm a comedian. I'm not qualified to give good advice. Join me and my comedian friends as we riff rant recommend some of the most legally dubious advice known to me. This is Help from a Hypocrite, the worst advice from the dumbest people you know.

Listen to Help from Hypocrite Wednesdays on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. This is an IHeart podcast. Guaranteed human.