NFL Week 18 Predictions
Saturday Doubleheaders (on ESPN, ABC, ESPN+):
Kansas City Chiefs (11-5) @ Denver Broncos (7-9): (4:30 PM)
The Chiefs (although they've already clinched the division) still have a lot to play for in this game. Because after losing a nail-biter last week against the Bengals, the Chiefs fell down to the 2 spot in the AFC (Titans hold the head-to-head tiebreaker via a Week 7 win over Kansas City). While Denver got eliminated from playoff contention last week after losing to the Chargers. The Chiefs have won 12 straight games against the Broncos, and I think it continues on Saturday.
Chiefs 27 Broncos 16
Dallas Cowboys (11-5) @ Philadelphia Eagles (9-7): (8:15 PM)
Both of these NFC East teams have already clinched playoff spots, Dallas has clinched the division and at least one home playoff game, while Philly has clinched either the 6th or 7th seed in the NFC playoffs. All there's left to play for at this point is playoff seeding. With Dallas rookie superstar Micah Parsons out for this one (he was put on the COVID list on Wednesday), look for the Eagles to earn a close win at home.
Cowboys 20 Eagles 24
1 PM Games:
Cincinnati Bengals (10-6) @ Cleveland Browns (7-9): on FOX
The Bengals clinched the AFC North last week after a thrilling win over the Chiefs. And as of result, Cincy's star quarterback Joe Burrow will rest this week against the Browns, and rest up for (most likely) a home wildcard game next week. The Browns have already been eliminated from the playoffs, and are playing the final game of a very disappointing season. I say they get a nice win at home to finish it.
Bengals 17 Browns 26
Green Bay Packers (13-3) @ Detroit Lions (2-13-1): on FOX
Last week, the Packers became the first team in NFL history to win 13 games in 3 straight seasons, and in the process clinched the number one seed along with home field advantage in the NFC for the second straight season. It looks like Packers will play some, if not all of their starters for a little bit in this game, as head coach Matt Lafleur implied. "We want to keep that momentum going into the postseason," Lafleur said. I think Aaron Rodgers and the Packers get off to a fast start, and rest their starters before the Lions (who have been playing hard all year long) chip away and come up just short.
Packers 30 Lions 23
Chicago Bears (6-10) @ Minnesota Vikings (7-9)
The Bears got a nice blowout win over the Giants in what might end up being head coach Matt Nagy's last game coaching at Soldier Field. While the Vikings' playoff hopes went up in smoke at Lambeau last week against the Packers in a 37-10 loss. Both teams have essentially nothing to play for here. But I'll go with the Vikings (the more talented team) at home.
Bears 20 Vikings 24
Washington Football Team (6-10) @ New York Giants (4-12)
Similarly to the last game I just predicted, both Washington and New York are non-playoff teams trying to end the season on a high note. The last time these two met, the Football Team came out on top with a 30-29 win at home with a game-winning field goal in the waning seconds. I don't expect that many points this time around, but I think the Giants earn a split against their division rivals.
Football Team 14 Giants 20
Indianapolis Colts (9-7) @ Jacksonville Jaguars (2-14)
For the Colts, it's very simple; Win and you're in the postseason. However, this will not be as easy as it looks for Indianapolis. They've lost 6 straight times in Jacksonville to the Jags, with their last win coming in 2014. The Jaguars are also a division rival that played the Colts tough back in Week 10 (lost 23-17), and they would surely love nothing more than to knock the Colts out of the playoffs. Indy will win it, and snap their bizarre losing streak in Jacksonville. But the Jags won't go down without a fight.
Colts 30 Jaguars 20
Pittsburgh Steelers (8-7-1) @ Baltimore Ravens (8-8)
Another chapter in the amazing Steelers-Ravens rivalry will be written on Sunday. Could it be the last one featuring future Hall of Fame quarterback Ben Roethlisberger? It appears to be so. The Steelers are still alive in the playoff race, and needs a unlikely loss by the Colts along with a win in Baltimore to get in. The Ravens face the same scenario, but will need their MVP (Lamar Jackson) to come back in this one. And even if he does, he will must certainly be rusty. Big Ben goes out with a victory.
Steelers 21 Ravens 17
Tennessee Titans (11-5) @ Houston Texans (4-12)
The Titans (after beating Miami and getting help from Cincinnati) jumped the Chiefs for the number one seed in the AFC last week. Tennessee has enjoyed a great season even while losing multiple players to injuries during the season, including All-Pro running back Derrick Henry, who was cleared to return back to practice today, after breaking his foot on October 31. The Texans did score a upset win over the Titans in Week 11, winning 22-13. But with the number one seed and home field advantage on the line, The Titans win it, and secure the lone bye week in the conference.
Titans 31 Texans 14
4: 25 Games:
New York Jets (4-12) @ Buffalo Bills (10-6): on CBS
The Jets have a huge chance to play spoiler here. A win in Buffalo combined with a Patriots win over the Dolphins would give the AFC East crown to New England. The Jets played very well against the Bucs last week, and nearly won until Tom Brady threw a game-winning touchdown pass to Cyril Grayson in the final seconds (which wasn't even the main headline from that game which we'll get to in a second). But the Bills seem to be catching their stride at the right time (they've won three straight), and with a chance to win the division for the second straight season, I think they capitalize at home.
Jets 16 Bills 31
Carolina Panthers (5-11) @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (12-4): on CBS
The defending champions are currently surrounded by a big off-the-field issue, as former All-Pro receiver Antonio Brown was waived by the team after taking off his jersey and his shirt, and saluted the fans at MetLife Stadium as he went into the locker room. Who is at fault here? Is it Brown who has been mired in plenty of drama and controversy over the last 3 years, or is it head coach Bruce Arians? Regardless, the Bucs have already clinched the NFC South, and now have to try to refocus and attempt to ramp up for the postseason. They'll get a home win over Carolina to end the regular season. But combine the ongoing AB saga with all the injuries they're trying to work through, and the Bucs aren't exactly streaking into the playoffs like they were last season.
Panthers 17 Buccaneers 27
New Orleans Saints (8-8) @ Atlanta Falcons (7-9): on FOX
The Saints' season is on the line in this one. They've been struggling recently, going 3-6 after starting off 5-2, as they've dealt with numerous injuries, including to quarterback Jameis Winston, and basically their entire offensive line. But regardless, if they win, and the Rams beat the 49ers, the Saints are in the playoffs for the 5th consecutive season. The Falcons (who defeated the Saints earlier this season in Week 9, 27-25) have a chance to end New Orleans' season here, and I think they'll come close. But lead by Alvin Kamara, and their stout defence, the Saints get the W, and await the outcome of 49ers-Rams.
Saints 23 Falcons 20
San Francisco 49ers (9-7) @ Los Angeles Rams (12-4): on FOX (America's Game of the Week)
For San Francisco, the situation is simple; Beat the Rams for the 6th straight time, and they're in the playoffs. It remains to be seen if whether it will be the rookie Trey Lance or Jimmy Garropolo who will start at quarterback. But nonetheless, I expect the Niners to come out to play with their playoff spot not yet secured. For the Rams, I think they have to beat San Francisco on Sunday. Not just because a win would give the Rams the second seed, and lock up the NFC West. But also because there's a chance that their inability to beat San Francisco could start to creep up into their heads. There's also a chance that these two teams could see each other next week in the Wildcard round (with the Rams getting the 2 or 3 seed and the Niners getting the 6 or 7 seed). I think the Rams finally snap their losing streak to the 49ers, knock their division rival out of the playoffs and set up a matchup with the Saints in SoFi Stadium next week.
49ers 24 Rams 30
Seattle Seahawks (6-10) @ Arizona Cardinals (11-5): on FOX
This should be a very interesting game. It could end up being the last game of the Russell Wilson era in Seattle. The Seahawks always play in close games, so if it is indeed the end of an era, they will make it competitive against an Arizona team that needs a win and a Rams loss to win the NFC West. The Cardinals got a great road win over the Cowboys last week with Kyler Murray and their defence leading the way, and I think that continues.
Seahawks 20 Cardinals 26
New England Patriots (10-6) @ Miami Dolphins (8-8): on CBS
The last time these two met, the Dolphins won 17-16 all the way back in Week 1, and secured that win by forcing a fumble off of Patriots' running back Damien Harris in the 4th quarter. After that game, the Dolphins then lost seven straight to fall to 1-7, before reversing that, and winning seven straight. Their loss last week to the Titans ended their streak, and their playoff hopes. But props to them for managing to get back into the playoff race. Meanwhile, the Patriots snapped a two game losing streak by beating the bricks off of the Jaguars, 50-10. Bill Belichick and company almost never get swept by their division rivals (the last time Miami swept the regular season series with New England was in 2000), and I don't think it happens this year either.
Patriots 24 Dolphins 21
Sunday Night Football on NBC:
Los Angeles Chargers (9-7) @ Las Vegas Raiders (9-7): Last game of the regular season
There is actually a chance that both teams get into the playoffs if they tie. But if they don't, this is essentially a playoff game; win and you're in, lose and you're going home.
For the Chargers, this is a team that many predicted to go to the postseason. They are chock full of talent, led by their young superstar quarterback Justin Herbert, and their rookie head coach Brandon Staley, who seems to be never afraid of taking risks (L.A. is tied for fifth in 4th down attempts this season). However, after starting the season with a 4-1 record, the Chargers have become inconsistent, going just 5-6 ever since, and nobody really knows if that aforementioned talent will show up when it matters most. Meanwhile, in Vegas, the Raiders weren't really a popular preseason pick to go to the playoffs. They surprised many (including myself) by starting off the season 3-0 before their coach (Jon Gruden) resigned after it was revealed that he had written many homophobic, racist, and misogynistic emails dating back to when he was a color commentator for ESPN. The Raiders then lost two straight, won two straight to go to 5-2, and then tragedy struck as Henry Ruggs (their first round pick from 2020) was involved in a car crash that killed another driver and a dog, and he was arrested for DUI. Vegas then fell to 6-7, and it looked like their season was over. However, they never quitted, and instead they've rattled off 3 straight wins to get to this game. The Chargers may be the better team, but this Raiders team just has that "Never Say Die" attitude that I think will push them to win this game, and get them into the playoffs for the first time since 2016.
Chargers 27 Raiders 31
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