We try to get you prepared for the Sunday night lines release every week, but at no time is it tougher than the final week of the season, when some teams may decide to rest players in advance of the playoffs. Due to a wild turn of events first in the controversial ending of Lions-Cowboys, then with the Eagles losing at home to the Cardinals, the 49ers have locked up the No. 1 seed and do not have to play any of their starters in Week 18 if they don't want to. That turns a game where they would be well over touchdown favorites at home against the Rams in Week 18 to one where they might not even be favored.

I'll do my best to account for those rest spots when projecting the Week 18 lines below, but I'll also list where my power ratings would make the line if both teams were going all out. For the 49ers, remember that they'll be playing an experienced backup QB in Sam Darnold, and that their offensive scheme should set them up for some level of success no matter who is playing. It's not like Kyle Shanahan is going to take the week off, after all.

Even though all of the Dolphins, Bills, Eagles and Cowboys all have plenty to play for in Week 18, I've adjusted all of them downward based on their level of play this week. The Bills and Cowboys managed to escape with wins but showed major flaws that put them outside of the top tier of teams, which is now just down to the 49ers and Ravens. The Eagles defense could get them knocked out in the first round of the playoffs, and the Dolphins are still struggling to beat good teams and now dealing with a plethora of key injuries.

I also made plenty of other power ratings adjustments to get an idea of where I would set the spread for each Week 18 game. You can see all of my early projected spreads below, which is designed to help you attack the Week 18 opening lines later today.  We'll run our full look at power ratings and official spread projections on Tuesday here at SportsLine.

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