As the NFL regular season hits its decisive Week 18, the stakes couldn't be higher, not just for teams, but also for individual players. Various player incentives are on the line this week, turning each game into a potential payday for these athletes. Each milestone carries significant financial implications, as veteran contracts are often heavily incentive laden to ensure teams' secure proper value. Let's delve into the most intriguing incentive based bets for Week 18!
Best Week 18 Player Incentive Bets
Based on player incentive bonuses, these are the best players (and teams) to target with your Week 18 NFL wagers.
Chris Jones Sack Attack
Jones has been his usual dominant self as the star of the Kansas City Chiefs defensive line. He held out of the first week of the season, but has been phenomenal since racking up 12 tackles for loss, 25 quarterback hits, and 9.5 sacks.
Chris Jones swipes the blocker’s hands away, swims to clear & pressures Browning! #PassRush #ChiefsKingdom pic.twitter.com/VMXE5JgK0p
— DLineVids (@dlinevids1) January 1, 2024
He'll need just a half-sack to reach 10 on the season and hit his $1.25 million bonus. Jones sit fifth in pass-rush win rate among defensive tackles at 17% on the year. Jones is an excellent bet to record a sack against a Los Angeles Chargers team that has allowed eight sacks over the past three weeks.
Jordan Love's Playoff Bonus
This incentive is super simple. A win over the rival Chicago Bears on Sunday ensures the Green Bay will make the playoffs, and quarterback Jordan Love will earn a $500,000 bonus for guiding his team to the postseason.
Jordan Love. 3rd & 10.
— Nate Tice (@Nate_Tice) December 28, 2023
*Howard Dean scream* pic.twitter.com/wEPEWkQ8k6
The Packers will field a full staple of playmakers for the first time this season, as receivers Christian Watson, Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks are all expected to play. Per Pro Football Focus, Love is the highest graded passer in the NFL since Week 12, with a 90.4 grade. Green Bay has won two straight contests and are -166 moneyline favorites to defeat the Bears on Sunday. Matt Lafleur's team smashed Chicago 38-20 all the way back in Week 1 and are a great bet to do so again in Week 18.
Likewise, Love has thrown multiple touchdown passes in three straight weeks. He's also thrown for at least 250 passing yards in six of his last eight games. The first-year starter is in a terrific spot to go OVER his 1.5 passing touchdowns (-166) and 248.5 (-115) prop marks.
DeAndre Hopkins' Targets
DeAndre Hopkins has been the Tennessee Titans go-to receiver all year. Nuke has seen 127 targets this season and needs just 49 receiving yards for a $1 million dollar bonus. He also needs just seven catches for an additional $250,000.
26) It is possible for DeAndre Hopkins to earn up to $750,000 if he finishes the game with at least seven receptions, 49 receiving yards, and two touchdowns.
— Moody (@EricNMoody) January 4, 2024
In terms of fantasy points allowed to wide receivers, the Jaguars defense ranks 11th.
pic.twitter.com/oPl8L7mmay
Hopkins has seven receptions in two of his last four games. Plus, he'll have a favorable matchup against a Jacksonville Jaguars defense allowing the 10th-most receiving yards per game over the last five weeks. Bet DeAndre Hopkins overs in Week 18.
Josh Reynolds Receiving Yards
While he doesn't have the brand power of other names on this list, Lions receiver Josh Reynolds is an excellent player to target for your prop bets on Sunday. The Texas A&M product needs just 36 receiving yards against the Minnesota Vikings to hit 600 for the season and collect a $250,000 bonus.
HELL OF A CATCH BY JOSH REYNOLDS pic.twitter.com/NsIN57d2US
— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) September 29, 2023
Reynolds is a favorite of quarterback Jared Goffs' since their days a teammates with the Los Angeles Rams. Expect Goff to target his friend early and often with the Lions more of less locked into the number three seed in the NFC. Bet Josh Reynolds' receptions and receiving yards overs in Week 18.
Jadeveon Clowney's Sack Hunt
Clowney has revitalized his career this season as a member of the Baltimore Ravens vaunted defense.
Vintage Jadeveon Clowney
— betway (@betwayusa) November 27, 2023
The Ravens defense force their FOURTH turnover of the night! 😤pic.twitter.com/bxW4EKhqbZ
With 8.5 sacks so far, the former number one overall selection needs just a half-sack to collect a $750,000 bonus. Clowney is a great bet to so against a Pittsburgh Steelers offensive line that ranks 31st in pass-blocking grade.
Dalton Schultz's Catch Count
Schultz has emerged as a reliable target for rookie quarterback CJ Stroud. With the Texans chasing a playoff spot in their Week 18 showdown against the Indianapolis Colts, Schultz is likely to have an expanded role in the passing game.
16) Dalton Schultz will earn an additional $250,000 if he finishes with at least 107 receiving yards.
— Moody (@EricNMoody) January 4, 2024
The Colts defense has given up the eighth most receptions per game to tight ends this season. pic.twitter.com/NpwIOQV2ol
The sixth-year tight end needs four catches for a $250,000 bonus, and six for an additional $250,000. Schultz's overs a great bet against a Colts team that has struggled to shut down the position this season, allowing over 5 catches for nearly 60 receiving yards to tight ends on the year.
