Readers,
What a weekend! Week 18 is notoriously difficult to handicap with teams resting starters or playing for nothing, but our model cut through the noise. We went 3-for-3 on our meaningful ATS picks, proving that the data holds up even in the most chaotic week of the season.
Before we look ahead to the playoffs, let’s look at how we’ll be formatting these articles moving forward to make them easier to digest.
Picks to Consider
These are secondary leans and player props that the model identified as high-value, though not our "Main" plays. They will be the first picks you see in the newsletter.
WAS (+Points): A massive result here. Not only did they cover, but they won outright as an underdog. A huge win for the model's value detection.
DEN vs. LAC (1st Half -7): If you got this at -7, it was a Push. Denver went into the half up 10-3. A solid read on a fast start, even if we didn't get the "hook."
Sam Darnold (Over 0.5 INT): This was our one clear miss. Darnold played an efficient, turnover-free game in the win, so the interception didn't materialize.
The Main Event: Week 18 ATS Hits
These were our primary plays for the week and the model was locked in.
CAR (-3) – ✅ WIN
SEA (-1.5) – ✅ WIN
PIT (+3.5) – ✅ WIN
(Note: These three picks were our "Meaningful Games" for the week and all hit the mark.)
Below I have shared a Google Sheet which logs the results of our main picks.
What’s Next: NFL & CFB Playoffs
The regular season is over, but the real money is made in January.
NFL Wild Card Weekend: We are looking at a heavy slate starting Saturday. The model is currently analyzing the Packers/Bears rubber match and the 49ers/Eagles clash in Philly.
College Football Playoffs: The semifinals are just days away. We have edges identified for both the Fiesta Bowl and the Peach Bowl that we can't wait to share.
Be on the lookout for our full Playoff Slate dropping later this week.
Let’s keep the momentum rolling.
Best,
The AI Bettor