Which Week 18 games have playoff spots on the line?
The schedule makers got it right in selecting this batch of games for the final week of the regular season. There is still plenty on the line in the Wild Card races.
Just like the NFL schedule makers had hoped, Week 18 is loaded with of huge match ups full of playoff implications. The idea to put divisional games in the final week of the season has led to some juicy encounters that will decide the playoff fates of teams that will go up against their bitter rivals with everything on the line.
There are just three playoff spots left. One in the NFC and two in the AFC. The final Wild Card spots are up for grabs in the last week of the season, and there is just one division still to decide.
Tennessee Titans vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, Saturday at 8:15 p.m. ET
It seems like for the last month we have been waiting for the Titans Jags matchup, knowing that somehow, someway, it would be what determined the AFC South. The Titans have been on a historic free fall that has seen them drop from potential one seeds to playoff hopefuls. They have lost their last seven games, and have spiraled out of the playoff picture. The Jags have been everything that the Titans have not in the last month and a half. They have won five of their last six games and rocketed up to the top of the division. It all comes down to this. A week 18 regular season game that means as much as a playoff game. It’s do or die from Jacksonville on Saturday night.
New York Jets vs. Miami Dolphins, Sunday at 1:00 p.m. ET
The Dolphins blew a golden opportunity to put one foot (or fin) in the playoffs against the New England Patriots last week, but with no Tua Tagovailoa the offense was stifled and the Pats held on for the win. Now the Dolphins are on the outside of the Wild Card picture looking in, needing a win and some help from their eternal rivals, the Buffalo Bills against the New England Patriots. New York’s wretched end to the season saw them lose five straight games and fall out of playoff contention so all they can do on Sunday is play spoiler against the Dolphins.
New England Patriots vs. Buffalo Bills, Sunday at 1:00 p.m. ET
The Bills have the AFC East title clinched, and now have set their sights on the top seed in the conference. With the outcome of Monday Night’s game still undecided, it is unclear what they will need the rest of the way, but if they want a chance at a first round bye they will have to beat the Patriots this weekend. New England kept their playoff chances alive with a massive win against Miami last week and now control their own destiny on the final week of the season. Unfortunately for Bill Belichick’s men, the Bills need this game, so it won’t be a walk in the park at Highmark Stadium.
Los Angeles Rams vs. Seattle Seahawks, Sunday at 4:25 p.m. ET
The Seahawks seemed like they were on the verge of blowing a brilliant start to a season which saw their franchise quarterback ship out to Denver. Geno Smith and the Seahawks were in prime position for a playoff spot, but a three game losing streak forced them into a must win situation last weekend. Kenneth Walked and the Seahawks defense carried Seattle past the Jets at Lumen Stadium and now Pete Carroll’s team needs a win against the Rams and needs Detriot beat the Packers on Monday night. LA has been up and down for since Baker Mayfield came to LA, but Sunday’s game won’t only serve as a chance to play spolier, but also continue their new quarterback’s growth under Sean McVay’s system.
Detriot Lions vs. Green Bay Packers, Sunday at 8:20 p.m. ET
For me, this is the game of the weekend. Apparently I’m not the only one who thinks so, because the NFL flexed this must see game to Sunday Night. Both the Packers and the Lions have been on heroic resurgences back into the playoff spotlight and now both teams will play a do or die game under the lights at Lambeau Stadium. The Lions started the season 1-6 and miraculously have a chance to make the playoffs after rattling off seven wins in their last nine. The Packers have bounced back from a 4-8 start to win four in a row and they now control their own destiny in the last game of the regular season. The Lions need a win, and have to get a favor from the Rams who go into Seattle with nothing to play for but pride.