The disaster scenario is becoming clearer for the Denver Broncos and their quarterback Bo Nix. Colorado players have a third and final match point against the Kansas City Chiefs. Behind, Dolphins and Bengals are hoping for a misstep from the Broncos to steal the last playoff spot in the AFC.
In the NFC, the northern throne will be played between the Lions and the Vikings. The winner will thereby win the conference, for a match whose appeal is difficult to overestimate. Falcons and Buccaneers will fight at a distance for the South and the last ticket for the elimination phase. Otherwise, for them as for half of the teams in the league, it will already be time to say goodbye.
The match of the week: a new reason to stay up late…
Kick-off Monday at 2:20 a.m.
Detroit Lions (14-2) – Minnesota Vikings (14-2)
Let's not shy away from our pleasure, the 272nd and final match of the regular season should be fireworks, with first place in the NFC at stake. Who would have thought that the Vikings would be here, in Week 18, fighting for the all-important first place in the conference, with the bye week and the opportunity to play at home that it offers? Opposite, the Lions, if they were more expected, had an extraordinary regular season despite an impressive setback in terms of injuries.
On the ground, the meeting promises to be explosive. Detroit has the second-ranked passing attack in the league, Minnesota the 5th. And, if they are less efficient on the ground, the Vikings will be able to press on the opposing weakness: the Michigan franchise has the 24th aerial defense in the league with 7.4 yards conceded per opposing attempt. They are also 24th in number of sacks (35), severely handicapped by the injury to Aidan Hutchinson (DE). The defense of Brian Flores (DC, Vikings) accumulated 47, with 22 interceptions as a bonus (compared to 16 for Detroit). The first meeting was decided on a victorious field goal by the Lions with 15 seconds remaining. The regular season risks ending in apotheosis.
Player of the week: Bo Nix, the master stallion?
Kick-off Sunday at 10:25 p.m.
Denver Broncos (9-7) – Kansas City Chiefs (15-1)
In the category of surprises, make no mistake about the Broncos. Even though Denver has already missed two chances to qualify for the playoffs, few saw them struggling to reach them at the start of the season with Bo Nix at their head. Yes, but here it is, in Colorado, the surprise quickly gave way to expectations, and therefore potentially to disappointment… In the event of a defeat against the Chiefs, the Broncos would leave their fate in the hands of the Bengals and the Dolphins (see below) .
Despite the metrics, statistics and analysis, qualifying your team for the playoffs is the number 1 job of the franchise quarterback. So it's time for the former Oregonian to mark the occasion and achieve a major success in his first year with the Bronco. Denver has been waiting for the playoffs since its title in 2015. Facing the Chiefs and Steve Spagnuolo's defense, it's a major challenge. Even if Kansas City should rest its stars including Patrick Mahomes, probably replaced by Carson Wentz at quarterback, beating them despite the pressure will not be an easy thing. It's up to Bo Nix to show that he can hold the reins.
The stat of the week: 22.3 vs. 4, do surprises have limits?
Kick-off Saturday at 10:30 p.m.
Baltimore Ravens (11-5) – Cleveland Browns (3-13)
22.3 points is the average margin of the Ravens' last three victories. With the Steelers and the Texans in the mix all the same. John Harbaugh's players are completely unstoppable right now. If they had been surprised by the Browns during their first confrontation, it is difficult to see the miracle happening again. Especially since Dorian Thompson-Robinson (QB) has an average of 4 yards per pass attempt over the five games he started this year… The second worst mark for a thrower with more than 100 attempts since 1950. The Ravens would ensure the 3rd seed in AFC with a victory, and it's hard to believe anything else.
The duel of the week: Zac Taylor / Mike McDaniel, two dreams with no destiny?
Kick-off Sunday at 2 a.m.
Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6) – Cincinnati Bengals (8-8)
Kick-off Sunday at 10:25 p.m.
New York Jets (4-12) – Miami Dolphins (8-8)
Who will save their year? Zac Taylor (coach, Bengals), Mike McDaniel (coach, Miami) or… neither? If Bo Nix and the Broncos get the job done, there won't be any more spots in the AFC. Otherwise, the Dolphins would qualify if successful, while Cincinnati must hope that the Broncos and Floridians lose to prolong the fun. And we should have already triumphed over the Steelers.
Neither franchise has its destiny in hand, but a miracle is possible. For two teams that have been condemned for weeks, that's not bad. For their young coaches, this would turn a very disappointing season into a stroke of genius… the consequences for their job security, in either case, will be significant.
The division of the week: Mayfield, 2/2?
Kick-off Sunday at 7 p.m.
Atlanta Falcons (8-8) – Carolina Panthers (4-12)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-7) – New Orleans Saints (5-11)
The 7 p.m. slot will have a little southern accent. The two NFC South clashes will crown the division champion. Tampa Bay has the hand, but Atlanta would qualify in the event of a victory coupled with a defeat for the partners of Baker Mayfield (QB). The Buccaneers have seemed more solid this season and obliterated New Orleans in October (51-27). However, they were also twice favorites against the Falcons… With a victory, Mayfield would go to the playoffs for the second time in two years in Florida.
For his third career start, Michael Penix Jr (QB, Falcons) will have pressure. But against the Panthers who are still porous on the ground, Bijan Robinson (RB) will also have a leading role. It remains to be seen whether Carolina will play like two weeks ago against the Cardinals (36-30) or like last week against the Buccaneers (14-48).
The other matches of week 18
Kick-off Sunday at 7 p.m.
Indianapolis Colts (7-9) – Jacksonville Jaguars (4-12)
Dallas Cowboys (7-9) – Washington Commanders (11-5)
Green Bay Packers (11-5) – Chicago Bears (4-12)
New England Patriots (3-13) – Buffalo Bills (13-3)
Philadelphia Eagles (13-3) – New York Giants (3-13)
Tennessee Titans (3-13) – Houston Texans (9-7)
Kick-off Sunday at 10:25 p.m.
Las Vegas Raiders (4-12) – Los Angeles Chargers (10-6)
Arizona Cardinals (7-9) – San Francisco 49ers (6-10)
Los Angeles Rams (10-6) – Seattle Seahawks (9-7)
Week 18 requires, all teams face a divisional opponent. If the format is supposed to promote breathtaking finals, it is clear that many matches will be without stakes, which does not mean without spectacle.
In the NFC West, the Rams are officially crowned and should send replacements against the frustrated Seahawks. In the East, the Eagles are assured of 2nd place in the NFC, and Saquon Barkley (RB) will not be able to try to surpass the record for the number of rushing yards. The Texans will remain 4th in the AFC South and their starters should not stay on the field very long. The Chargers will know before playing if the Steelers won – in which case they wouldn't be able to take 5th place in the AFC and would have to rest some forces. The Bills, who are sure to be 2nd, will also make some changes. To see if Josh Allen (QB), in the race for the MVP, will be concerned.
For the Commanders and the Packers, 6th place in the NFC is at stake, and it could help avoid an ultra-difficult wild card trip. The Commanders have the hand and will win in the event of a victory against Dallas.
For the others, namely the Colts, Jaguars, Cowboys, Bears, Patriots, Giants, Titans, Raiders, Cardinals, 49ers and Seahawks, this will already be the last appearance this season. Several coaches, we think in particular of Doug Pederson (Jaguars), Brian Daboll (Giants) or Jerod Mayo (Patriots), could lead their last game. So, you might as well leave with panache!
Week 18 matches
Kick-off Saturday at 10:30 p.m.
Baltimore Ravens (11-5) – Cleveland Browns (3-13)
Kick-off Sunday at 2 a.m.
Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6) – Cincinnati Bengals (8-8)
Kick-off Sunday at 7 p.m.
Atlanta Falcons (8-8) – Carolina Panthers (4-12)
Dallas Cowboys (7-9) – Washington Commanders (11-5)
Green Bay Packers (11-5) – Chicago Bears (4-12)
Indianapolis Colts (7-9) – Jacksonville Jaguars (4-12)
New England Patriots (3-13) – Buffalo Bills (13-3)
Philadelphia Eagles (13-3) – New York Giants (3-13)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-7) – New Orleans Saints (5-11)
Tennessee Titans (3-13) – Houston Texans (9-7)
Kick-off Sunday at 10:25 p.m.
Arizona Cardinals (7-9) – San Francisco 49ers (6-10)
Denver Broncos (9-7) – Kansas City Chiefs (15-1)
Los Angeles Rams (10-6) – Seattle Seahawks (9-7)
Las Vegas Raiders (4-12) – Los Angeles Chargers (10-6)
New York Jets (4-12) – Miami Dolphins (8-8)
Kick-off Monday at 2:20 a.m.
Detroit Lions (14-2) – Minnesota Vikings (14-2)
