NFL Weekly Wonder Vol. 8 - Week 18

By Peyton Schultze

Joe Burrow and the Bengals are on fire at the right time, with a chance to rise even higher in the standings on Sunday (via CincyJungle).

At last, the final week of the regular season has arrived. After seventeen grueling weeks of hard-fought football throughout both conferences, Week 18 will decide the fates of many fringe playoff teams looking to have a shot at a Super Bowl title. And with seeding stakes still in play for the 2022 playoffs and the 2022 NFL Draft, the last week of the season not only has a direct impact on the next two months, but potentially for years to come as the next batch of players rises through the ranks.

But with that said, what does the final week of this awesome regular season have in store for fans around the league? Will the Rams put a serious dent in the 49ers’ playoff dreams with a huge home win over their feared rivals? Will the Titans rest up and lock down the top seed in the AFC with a win over the Texans? Can the Colts dismiss any doubt and seal their playoff hopes with a win over the feeble Jaguars? Will the Steelers fight hard for Big Ben and send him riding off into the sunset with a final win over their greatest foe? And will Justin Herbert and the Chargers be able to go on the road on Sunday night in a do-or-die matchup with the rival Raiders?

With these major questions and exciting notes plastered throughout our final Weekly Wonder of the season, we present our last game-by-game looks at each matchup throughout the league in what should be a thrilling Week 18:

Game Picks

Can the Steelers find a way to sneak into the AFC playoffs in Big Ben’s last ride? (via San Diego Union-Tribune).

Sunday: Kansas City (-10.0) @ Denver, 1:30 pm PT, ESPN/ABC

Denver has been unable to put up any sort of fight on offense against Kansas City over the past few seasons, and a meaningless Week 18 game for the Broncos’ nonexistent playoff hopes could mean even more bad news in Mile High. Meanwhile, Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs are not only coming off a tough 4th quarter loss on the road to the Bengals last week, but still remain one of the league’s best teams in December and January. Kansas City still has a chance to get the AFC’s top seed in the playoffs and ultimately avoid facing some tough wild card opponents in the first round, and with Teddy Bridgewater still out and Drew Lock dealing with an injury of his own as well, this game might not be close.

Kansas City: 31 Denver: 9

Sunday: Dallas (-7.0) @ Philadelphia, 5:15 pm PT, ESPN/ABC

Jalen Hurts and the Eagles are red-hot at the right time entering postseason play, while Dallas is dealing with some real issues on offense, which could cause a mesh point of excitement on Saturday night. Both of these teams have already clinched playoff berths and may choose to play some starters off and on over the course of this Saturday night fight, but it is key to note that both of these teams are still playing for seeding in the conference and could even end up meeting in the first round of the playoffs next weekend. Seven points seems a little high for this matchup, and even though the Cowboys may come out on top in this one, look for the feisty Eagles to cover in a low-scoring affair.

Dallas: 20 Philadelphia: 17

Sunday: Green Bay (-2.5) @ Detroit, 10:00 am PT, FOX

With such a small number this early in the week, make sure to jump all over the Packers as Aaron Rodgers and the rest of the Green Bay offense looks to cap off their phenomenal regular season with a statement. Reports are saying that the Packers might rest Rodgers and some starters now that they have locked up the top seed in the NFC, but with Rodgers playing for his stake at another MVP trophy, expect Green Bay to frontload this game with a pass-heavy attack in the first two quarters. The Lions are simply outmatched against Green Bay with both sides healthy, and although there is fear of a late backdoor cover deep into the second half, the Packers are the easy play in this one.

Green Bay: 30 Detroit: 23

Sunday: Cincinnati (-3.0) @ Cleveland, 10:00 am PT, CBS

A very surprising spread considering the state of both of these teams right now, the Bengals head to Cleveland for one final game in this strange season for the Browns. While Cleveland has played very well against the Bengals in the past two seasons and Case Keenum officially takes over for Baker Mayfield on Sunday, Joe Burrow and the Bengals are looking to rise even higher in the AFC standings after capturing the AFC North title and are still playing for a chance at the conference’s top seed. That could mean big things for the MVP candidate in Burrow on Sunday, especially with how well his receivers are playing right now, and it would not be a surprise to see Cincy run away with this game early on.

Cincinnati: 34 Cleveland: 17

Sunday: Chicago @ Minnesota (-2.5), 10:00 am PT, FOX

Don’t look now, but the Bears are quietly ending this season on a fairly decent dash. Behind two different starting quarterbacks and an angry defense that has dominated passers in the past two weeks, Chicago looks like they at least have a soul on both sides of the ball as the Matt Nagy-era inevitably comes to a close. The same cannot be said for a Minnesota team falling apart at the seams, especially with real questions over who will start at quarterback on Sunday. It feels strange to take the Bears with confidence, but in this battle of teams without any hopes of the playoffs, Chicago seems like they’ll have much more motivation to make a statement and end their season on a high note.

Chicago: 23 Minnesota: 20

Sunday: Washington (-6.5) @ New York G., 10:00 am PT, FOX

The Jets may receive all of the slander in the New York media, but the Daniel Jones-less Giants may be the worst team in all of football right now. A true lack of depth has once again cost the Giants any sort of chance at putting together a solid season, and with a talented-enough Washington team that has questions of its own coming to town on Sunday, this could be a new low for Joe Judge’s G-Men. Neither team has much to play for in this game at all, but for as long as New York decides to run out Mike Glennon or Jake Fromm, we’ll take their opponent with ease.

Washington: 20 New York G.: 3

Sunday: Indianapolis (-15.0) @ Jacksonville, 10:00 am PT, CBS

The single game that could turn the AFC upside down this weekend, the heavily-favored Colts travel down to Florida for a battle with the league-worst Jacksonville Jaguars. MVP candidate Jonathan Taylor and the Indy offense should be able to throttle this defense on the ground, but the Jags were able to keep things competitive for the most part when these two teams last met. But the circumstances for this matchup certainly feel much more different than in that game, and the Colts have aspirations of being not only a playoff team this year, but a real Super Bowl contender. 15 points is a lot to swallow, but the Colts are the better team and should win with some ease.

Indianapolis: 33 Jacksonville: 13

Sunday: Pittsburgh @ Baltimore (-5.0), 10:00 am PT, CBS

One of the finest rivalries in the league concludes Ben Roethlisberger’s prolific career on Sunday, with both teams having fringe playoff hopes on the line. It would take a lot for either of these teams to sneak their way inside the messy AFC playoff picture, but the highlight of the morning slate could mean a lot if a fellow wild card contender slips up. Yet even though the Ravens expect to have Lamar Jackson back in the lineup on Sunday, this is a team that the former MVP has really struggled against so far in his young career. That’s a scary sight for a group facing off against a fierce pass rush, and even though the Steelers’ offense may not be able to do much through the air on Sunday, it may be fate for Big Ben to go out with one final win for the books in a traditional AFC North slugfest.

Pittsburgh: 18 Baltimore: 17

With a road win versus Houston, Tennessee could walk away on Sunday afternoon with the top-seed in the AFC playoff picture and home-field advantage throughout the postseason (via USA Today).

Sunday: Tennessee (-10.5) @ Houston, 10:00 am PT, CBS

The Titans are somehow the top seed in the AFC? That’s right, and a final win against the Houston Texans would lock them in with home-field advantage throughout the playoffs with Derrick Henry reinforcements soon on the way. Yet the mighty Titans have often struggled against lesser teams in the past, and few teams in the league like to live life on the edge more than Mike Vrabel’s squad. Tennessee is capable of making a Super Bowl run if they can capture that top seed in the conference, and while Davis Mills and the Texans may hang around until the 4th quarter, look for the Titans to seal the deal with a close win on the road in H-Town.

Tennessee: 23 Houston: 20

Sunday: New Orleans (-4.0) @ Atlanta, 1:25 pm PT, FOX

It feels like a miracle that the Saints have danced around the playoff picture for this long with their array of injuries and quarterback mismatches, but here they are entering the final weekend of the season. The Saints are in with a win on the road versus the Falcons and a 49ers loss to the Rams, which applies plenty of pressure on Taysom Hill and the New Orleans offense. Luckily, Matt Ryan and the Falcons’ offensive unit has looked as bad as any team in the league in the second half of the year, and a date in the backfield with a nasty Saints’ defense could be ugly. This game will be a mess and likely come down to small details such as the turnover battle and special teams play, but with their backs against the wall, look for Sean Payton’s team to come up in the clutch.

New Orleans: 13 Atlanta: 10

Sunday: New York J. @ Buffalo (-16.5), 1:25 pm PT, CBS

The Jets have been fighting hard over the past month and a half, and while talent deficiencies have ultimately cost them at the end of games, fans have to be more inspired with their play under new head coach Robert Saleh. However, that may not be the case at all on Sunday. The Bills will be playing for a chance to win their second straight AFC East title on Sunday, and while Josh Allen and the Bills’ offense has struggled at times over the course of the year, Buffalo has exploded on the scene when they absolutely need to time and time again. This game is no different, as the Bills should roll to a very easy home win on Sunday afternoon against their divisional rivals.

Buffalo: 42 New York J.: 20

Sunday: New England (-6.5) @ Miami, 1:25 pm PT, CBS

New England looked like they were coming back down to earth entering Week 17… until they smashed the Jaguars in Gillette Stadium in one of the biggest routs of the NFL season. Now, with potential hopes of still winning the AFC East and even capturing a first-round bye still on the line, the Pats enter this final matchup with the Dolphins with some real urgency. Meanwhile, while the Dolphins finally came back to life last week after their red-hot streak, they have always been a real pest for the Patriots in the Belichick-era when they meet up down in South Beach. Roll with the Patriots on Sunday due to the key playoff implications, but do not be shocked of a late Miami cover in this important AFC ballgame.

New England: 21 Miami: 13

Sunday: Carolina @ Tampa Bay (-7.5), 1:25 pm PT, FOX

It is true that Tampa Bay is severely banged up and entering the playoffs with a lot of questions, but no team in the league has folded more in the second half of the year than the Panthers. After an inspiring start to the season, Carolina has barely come to play at any point throughout December or January, which is troubling sign entering a matchup with the GOAT. Brady and the Bucs still have plenty to play for in this game as well, such as adding to a MVP campaign and rising in the NFC standings, which means that this matchup may be one of the biggest blowouts of the weekend.

Tampa Bay: 34 Carolina: 17

Sunday: San Francisco @ Los Angeles R. (-4.0), 1:25 pm PT, FOX

The hardest game of the weekend to predict, the pesky 49ers head to Los Angeles for a battle with the 2nd seeded Rams. San Francisco has been Sean McVay’s kryptonite over the past few seasons, and with the Niners in must-win territory on Sunday with the Saints right on their heels, there should be a ton of urgency in this game with a playoff-like feel. Yet Los Angeles still has hopes of staying near the top of the NFC playoff picture and has reasons of their own to play everyone on Sunday, and there is no doubt that their lingering loss earlier in the year to the 49ers still looms large. San Francisco will be heavily played by bettors on Sunday, but look for the championship-hungry Rams to get over the top and knock their division rival out of the playoffs.

Los Angeles: 28 San Francisco: 24

Sunday: Seattle @ Arizona (-7.0), 1:25 pm PT, FOX

The Seahawks played their best game of the season on offense last week against the Lions. while the slumping Cardinals revived themselves and marched into Jerry World with an impressive outing against the Cowboys to get their season back on track. So what gives in the always-unpredictable NFC West? Arizona will want to give themselves a fighting chance in the NFC still and will likely play starters, but Wilson and the Seahawks may be motivated to end their season on a high note and play spoiler in (perhaps) Wilson’s final game as a Seahawk. Arizona found their identity last weekend against Dallas, but with too many injuries on offense before the playoffs begin, do not be shocked if Seattle pulls off the upset.

Seattle: 24 Arizona: 20

Sunday: Los Angeles C. (-3.0) @ Las Vegas, 5:20 pm PT, NBC

Perhaps the game of the year that will likely decide the final playoff spot in the AFC, the Chargers head on the road for a final AFC West battle inside the Black Hole. Las Vegas figures to be extremely loud on Sunday night, but Justin Herbert and the Chargers have the advantage on offense with their big-play ability through the air. Yet the Raiders’ best chance is this game is to shorten the battle and keep the Bolts’ offense off the field, which could help play into the hands of a Las Vegas defense that is playing well right now. Despite all that, Herbert’s abilities will be the decider in this Sunday night matchup and will send the Chargers into the playoffs as the conference’s final seed.

Los Angeles C.: 27 Las Vegas: 24