NFL
Big names sidelined for NFL regular season finale
The likes of Patrick Mahomes, Saquon Barkley and many more will not featured in the Week 18 action.
The final weekend of the NFL regular season is upon us and there’s still plenty to play for in the last round of games. There’s still two playoff spots up for grabs and plenty of postseason seeding to be decided across the final 16 matches.
But for some teams, the regular season work has already been done and the postseason challenge now looms large. For those who are secure in their places, the final weekend offer a change to rest some key players after a heavy festive schedule.
Excluding those who are out due to injury, here’s a look at some of the big names who will be missing for the Week 18 action...
Will Travis Kelce join Patrick Mahomes on the sidelines?
We already know that Patrick Mahomes will be rested for the Kansas City Chiefs' final regular season game, travelling to the Denver Broncos. Speaking about Mahomes, head coach Andy Reid said: “I’m not too worried about [losing rhythm]. It gives the other guys an opportunity to grow. Carson [Wentz] will be the starting quarterback. We’ll kind of work things from there about who goes and who doesn’t go.”
Reid often rotates his team for the final games of the season so don’t be surprised if there’s other big names absent from the Chiefs team this weekend. Tight end Travis Kelce may also be on the sidelines as the Chiefs look to build on the momentum of an incredible 15-1 season so far.
Who will replace Matthew Stafford for the Rams?
The Los Angeles Rams booked their place in the postseason with a victory over the Arizona Cardinals last weekend, taking them to an impressive 10-6 record in 2024. Sean McVay’s team are still in contention to finish as NFC West winners but the Rams will make a key change for the final weekend of the regular season.
Starting quarterback Matthew Stafford will drop to the bench, giving a rare opportunity to backup Jimmy Garoppolo. The 33-year-old is not short of experience having served as the understudy to Tom Brady with the New England Patriots, before enjoying success as a starter for the San Francisco 49ers. Garoppolo joined the Rams as a free agent for the 2024 season but is yet to make a start. Nevertheless his attitude has been praised by McVay in recent days.
“What I’ve seen is a guy that’s approached it like a pro,” the Rams head coach told reporters. “Been a great teammate. You can see just the respect, the reverence for Matthew, and really for each other, that they have for one another.”
Saquon Barkley denied a shot at NFL record
The Philadelphia Eagles have put together an impressive run this season, surging to a 13-3 record to top NFC East with a game to spare. Key to their success has been the form of running back Saquon Barkley, who stands on the brink of a piece of NFL history.
Having racked up 2,005 rushing yards he is just 100 short of the all-time record heading into the final game of the season. But Barkley won’t get the chance to overtake Eric Dickerson‘s 40-year-old record against former team the New York Giants; head coach Nick Siriani has decided to rest Barkley ahead of the postseason action.
Barkley said of the decision: “It was an opportunity to imprint my name in football history. Might not ever get an opportunity like that again…but at the end of the day I don’t care for putting the team at risk.”
Barkley is not the only one likely to get the weekend off for the Eagles. Wide receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith will not be risked for the regular season finale. Sirianni will be hoping that his stars return rested and ready for the all-important playoffs.
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