While the final week of the NFL regular season has a lot of excellent storylines with playoff implications throughout the card, some teams whose postseason seeds are solidified are electing to rest their starting quarterbacks and other regulars to avoid injury going into the playoffs. These decisions have clear impact on the NFL Week 18 odds posted at sportsbooks.
The Ravens, Browns, Chiefs, Rams and 49ers are among the teams resting their regular starting QBs, and the Week 18 betting lines are adjusting based on this information. When pricing their point spreads, totals and moneylines, oddsmakers have already reacted to the news of which teams are sitting their starters and changed their markets accordingly.
The Broncos, meanwhile, boldly moved to their backup, Jarrett Stidham, a week ago, essentially ending the Russell Wilson era in Denver. Other teams are also using Week 18 to get in-game looks at younger players to help them make personal decisions in the weeks to come.
How teams resting QBs is impacting NFL Week 18 betting lines
Here are teams that are playing their backup quarterback in Week 18, with spreads and totals from BetMGM Sportsbook as of Friday. For live NFL odds, scroll down to the specific games below.
| Team | Usual starting QB | Week 18 starting QB | opponent | spread | total |
| Ravens | Lamar Jackson | Tyler Huntley | vs PIT | +3 | 35 |
| Browns | Joe Flacco | Jake Driskell | vs CIN | +7 | 37.5 |
| Chiefs | Patrick Mahomes | Blaine Gabbert | vs LAC | +3.5 | 35 |
| Rams | Matt Stafford | Carson Wentz | at SF | +4 | 41 |
| 49ers | Brock Purdy | Sam Darnold | vs LAR | -4 | 41 |
| Broncos | Russell Wilson | Jarrett Stidham | at LV | +2.5 | 37 |
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Steelers vs. Ravens odds: Pitt favored in Baltimore
The Steelers need a win and some help on Sunday to secure a playoff spot, and they are getting a break as Baltimore is resting Lamar Jackson and other starters in Week 18. Tyler Huntley is one of the most capable backups in the league and even made the Pro Bowl last season, so it won't be an easy victory for the Steelers.
Dive deeper: Steelers vs. Ravens odds, props, predictions | TD scorer props for Saturday's NFL slate
Browns vs. Bengals odds: Cincinnati favored as Cleveland rests Flacco
A few weeks ago, Joe Flacco was not even on a team, and now he is resting because the Browns want to protect him going into the playoffs. That means the Browns will start yet another quarterback -- Jake Driskell. That has pushed the spread in favor of the Bengals, but has pushed the point total lower from the release of the betting markets at the start of the week.
From Vegas: NFL Week 18 Sharp Money Report
Chiefs vs. Chargers odds: Backup quarterback battle nudges OVER/UNDER total down
A backup quarterback battle will take place on Sunday for the Kansas City game at Los Angeles. The Chiefs are sitting Patrick Mahomes and trying to keep him healthy for the playoffs. In contrast, the Chargers have rolled with Easton Stick since Justin Herbert went down with a season-ending injury a few weeks ago. Similar to other games, that has pushed the OVER/UNDER lower with the news of Blaine Gabbert starting for Kansas City.
Rams vs. 49ers odds: San Francisco favored with each team starting backup quarterback
Carson Wentz and Sam Darnold were high draft picks and once thought of as potential franchise quarterbacks. Now, each is the backup on his respective team, but could use a game like this as an audition for next season. Even with both quarterbacks motivated to play well, the point total for this matchup has trended down.
Broncos vs. Raiders odds: Raiders favored against Broncos without Russell Wilson
This has nothing to do with playoff positioning, but the Broncos benching Russell Wilson all but ends his time in Denver. It also makes this meaningless game against Las Vegas another Week 18 matchup of two backup quarterbacks. It is also a chance for both Jarrett Stidham and Aidan O'Connell to make their cases as to why they deserve a chance at starting jobs beyond this season.
Vikings vs. Lions odds: Goff still starting despite Detroit's playoff positioning
The Lions are the likely No. 3 seed and can improve to No. 2 with a win and a loss by both the Cowboys and Eagles. Regardless of the low probability of the latter scenario, Dan Campbell has decided to start Jaren Goff, and the Lions are the favorite against the Vikings. It seems more likely Detroit wants to keep Goff in rhythm and ready to lead the team next week to its first playoff win in over 30 years.
More on final week: Playoff scenario parlay odds | Jags vs. Titans odds, props, predictions | Bills vs. Dolphins odds, props, predictions | Falcons vs. Saints odds, props, predictions | Cowboys vs. Commanders odds, props, predictions
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