Betting in Week 18 is often a minefield, because playoff teams locked into position are resting key players (which explains the Denver Broncos being double-digit favorites over the Kansas City Chiefs ). The only games you should consider investing in are where a team is fighting to get into the playoffs or improve their position.

A teaser is a type of parlay where you can manipulate the betting odds. In return, the sportsbooks lower the payout considerably. However, over 25% of all NFL games are decided with a margin of victory range of 1-7 or 2-8 points. There’s a basic strategy you can use to take advantage of teasing through key numbers. What is a Basic Strategy Teaser?

Denver isn’t locked into a playoff spot yet, which is why they’re laying 10.5 points at home against a Chiefs team led by Carson Wentz with the top overall seed already secured. Even under those circumstances, it’s tempting to take the points knowing KC can block a division rival from the postseason.

The NFL playoff picture is about to be completed, with the final berths and seedings to be determined this weekend. Here are our NFL Week 18 picks.

Chiefs lock up top spot: Kansas City secured the top seed in the AFC with one week to spare after they beat the Pittsburgh Steelers on Christmas Day. Patrick Mahomes’ three touchdowns improved his record to 11 touchdowns and 0 interceptions over the last 6 weeks.

Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions (-2½) Sunday, 8:20 p.m. \| NBC. Pick: Lions -2½. This is a winner-take-all matchup for the NFC’s top see

The winner of the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings matchup in NFL Week 18 will determine both the division and NFC's top playoff seed.

Josh Allen’s MVP resume is complete and the Bills are locked into the No. 2 seed so coach Sean McDermott plans to rest some starters. Allen will start his 115th consecutive game

Chris Simms and Mike Florio make their picks for Week 18's titanic Sunday Night Football matchup, as the Lions host the Vikings with the No. 1 seed and NFC North title on the line.

There are 11 games that have some sort of playoff implications entering Week 18. Let's rank them in order of importance, a viewing guide of what to watch this week in terms of pla