Florio and Simms Square Off With Week 18 NFL Predictions
As the final week of the 2025 NFL regular season arrives, longtime ProFootballTalk analysts Mike Florio and Chris Simms have released their head‑to‑head Week 18 picks, continuing their annual tradition of forecasting outcomes for all matchups on the slate.
Florio managed to chip away at Simms’s overall lead in their season‑long picking battle, but both analysts are still squarely in competition with each other as the regular season winds down.
In Week 17, Florio finished with a 9‑7 straight‑up record, while Simms went 8‑8, keeping the gap tight as they enter the final games before the postseason begins. Simms continues to hold the edge in the overall standings, but Florio is still within striking distance.
Beyond straight wins and losses, Florio maintains an advantage in picks against the spread, a separate measure that shows how each analyst fares when factoring point expectations into their predictions.
The Week 18 slate includes crucial matchups that will shape playoff seeding, draft positions, and divisional titles, giving extra weight to each selection in their final competition.
Key Games and How They Picked Them
The analysts disagree on a number of games, setting up an intriguing finish to their weekly rivalry.
In a matchup between the Panthers and Buccaneers, both Florio and Simms believe Tampa Bay will come out on top, though Simms predicts a slightly higher scoring outcome.
When it comes to the NFC West battle between the Seahawks and 49ers, Florio sides with San Francisco to win and secure the top seed, while Simms favors Seattle completing the upset on the road.
The Saints‑Falcons game, which may carry little postseason weight, also draws differing views. Florio gives the edge to New Orleans, while Simms leans toward an Atlanta victory.
In another split decision, Florio sees the Bengals dominating the Browns, whereas Simms believes Cincinnati’s divisional rival will pull off a surprise.
Games with more agreement also highlight where both analysts see clear advantages. For example, both pick the Texans to beat the Colts and the Jaguars to handle the Titans.
In the NFC North clash between the Packers and Vikings, Florio expects Minnesota to prevail, while Simms gives Green Bay the narrow nod.
The Cowboys and Giants game also sees consensus on the favorite, but with Simms forecasting a closer contest than Florio.
Both agree on the Bills defeating the Jets, and they are aligned on the Bears overtaking the Lions, further demonstrating where their evaluations match.
In other contests like Chargers vs. Broncos and Cardinals vs. Rams, both Florio and Simms pick the home favorites to win, keeping some unity in their projections.
One of the more contested predictions of the weekend is the Week 18 Sunday night showdown between the Ravens and Steelers. Florio leans toward Pittsburgh securing the victory, while Simms predicts Baltimore’s offense will carry them to a win.
Season Stakes and Broader NFL Context
Week 18 carries implications not just for individual bragging rights between the two analysts, but also for NFL postseason positioning and draft order.
Several teams are still battling for division titles, wild‑card seeding, or improved playoff paths — factors that make each prediction more than just a casual pick.
For franchises like the Las Vegas Raiders and New York Giants, the final week also presents scenarios that could impact their position in the 2026 NFL draft. A loss or win in certain combinations could determine who lands the top overall selection next spring.
Fans and bettors alike use expert picks like these — both from seasoned analysts and advanced projection models — as one of many tools to gauge potential outcomes in games with high stakes.
Across the league, other outlets and algorithms are also forecasting winners and spreads, offering their own perspectives on everything from playoff pushes to teams playing for pride or draft positioning.
The Final Push Before Playoffs
As the regular season concludes, many eyes are on teams jockeying for playoff spots and positioning that could dramatically influence the postseason bracket.
Both Florio and Simms — through their predictions — attempt to capture not only who will win, but also how the storylines of the season will continue into the playoffs.
Some picks reflect confidence in veteran leadership and recent performance, while others suggest riskier outcomes that hinge on momentum or matchups that favor underdogs.
The analysts’ records across the season show a tight competition that parallels the competitive balance seen in multiple NFL divisions this year, with relatively few teams running away with dominance.
Whether you follow Florio’s straight predictions, Simms’s picks against the spread, or you mix in computer and expert forecasts, Week 18 promises a compelling finish to a dramatic 2025 season.
As playoff races crystallize and draft implications come into focus, fan engagement around predictions tends to peak, adding another layer of excitement to the final Sunday slate.
