Chris Vasile breaks down his favorite NFL picks against the spread for Week 18, including the Carolina Panthers and Baltimore Ravens.

Our NFL Week 18 early picks against the spread start with Saturday's NFC South clash between the Panthers and Buccaneers.

Week 18 action kicks off with a Saturday doubleheader, however, which features the Carolina Panthers at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at 4:30 p.m. ET on ESPN/ABC, and the Seattle Seahawks at the San Francisco 49ers at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN/ABC.

It seems unfair that a team could go from a chance at the No. 1 seed in Week 18 to falling all the way to No. 5 or 6 with a loss, but the NFL insists on giving division champs the top four seeds regardless of record.

The Carolina Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers will meet for the NFC South title. If the Panthers lose, they still have hope via an Atlanta Falcons win. Here's what will happen on Saturday in Tampa Bay.