RADIO
We investigate the NFL playoff contenders as we head into Week 18 of the NFL season. Which teams improved their position and who fell following Week 17? What are the final week's clinching scenarios?
NFC Contender #1: Detroit Lions
The Lions enter Week 18 with a 14-2 record yet still risk losing the division thanks to a wild NFC North. They’ll now do battle with Minnesota, who is also 14-2, in the first regular season game between teams with 28 combined wins.
Get ready for a wild playoff preview here! A loss would cede home-field advantage and allow the rival Vikes to enter the playoffs on a 10-game win streak heater. Can Detroit’s battered defense hold enough for the overpowering offense to tilt the scoreboard?
NFC Contender #2: Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles were already without Jalen Hurts (concussion) only to lose Kenny Pickett to a rib injury after 15 pass attempts. Luckily, they didn’t need much firepower throughout the contest thanks to an early pick-six and 31 carries for 167 yards out of Saquon Barkley.
Backup QB Tanner McKee still threw a pair of TDs on just 3-of-4 passing and may be in line for the Week 18 start with the Eagles set for the No. 2 seed. Some will want Barkley to push for Eric Dickerson’s rushing record but don’t forget the ultimate prize is a Super Bowl title.
NFC Contender #3: Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota nearly let Green Bay back into Week 17’s game but ultimately notched their ninth win in a row en route to the NFC North’s Super Bowl this week. Both Minny and Detroit are 14-2 so this is for the division title, the No. 1 seed, and home-field advantage throughout the conference playoffs.
This swarming defense and the elevated play of Sam Darnold under Kevin O’Connell’s system is quite the constellation of success, but snagging the one seed from a banged-up Lions team would be sweet for “Skol.”
NFC Contender #4: Los Angeles Rams
The Rams avoided Week 18 being a do-or-die decider for the NFC West thanks to a win over Arizona and enough strength-of-victory tiebreakers banked to put Seattle in the rear-view mirror. Perhaps the Rams will rest some starters, but they should still be motivated to defeat the Seahawks to settle into the No. 3 seed.
Whoever sits in the No. 4 seed will face the loser of Week 18’s battle between Detroit and Minnesota, which should prove more difficult than facing either Washington or Green Bay. How will the Rams approach the week? And can the defense stay hot going up against playoff-caliber squads?
NFC Contender #5: Washington Commanders
Washington once again showcased late-game heroics in an overtime victory over Atlanta that saw them win the coin toss and march down for the W. Jayden Daniels rushed for over 100 yards while Olamide Zaccheaus enjoyed a revenge game against the Falcons. The win clinched a postseason berth for the now 11-5 Commanders, who have now edged out Green Bay for control of the No. 6 seed even if both teams win next week.
Whoever slides into that No. 7 seed must travel to Philadelphia for Wild Card weekend. Even though Washington recently pulled off that 36-33 comeback, they’d likely rather not run that back if given the opportunity. Let’s see how far Dan Quinn’s young team can press the action.
NFC Contender #6: Green Bay Packers
Green Bay waited until the final quarter to make a push against Minnesota, rallying from being down 27-10 to 27-25. But their comeback bid would fall short and now they’re out of control in the battle for the No. 6 seed following Washington’s win over Atlanta on Sunday night.
If both teams win in Week 18 then Green Bay’s weaker 12-5 record lands them at No. 7 for a presumed road date with the Eagles. If the Packers win but the Commanders lose then they can jump up and face either the Rams or Bucs/Falcons instead. But can this team play a full 60 minutes against a contender?
NFC Contender #7: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
One week after ceding control of the NFC South to Atlanta, Tampa Bay leapfrogged their rival with a crushing 48-14 victory over the Panthers while the Falcons dropped a heartbreaker to Washington on Sunday night. The Bucs never took their foot off the gas pedal as Baker Mayfield threw five touchdowns and a strapped defense rounded into form after some early shakes.
They sit a game up on Atlanta going into a Week 18 date with a Saints team that would love to ruin Tampa Bay’s party. It remains to be seen whether the likes of Derek Carr, Alvin Kamara, and Chris Olave will suit up for the affair.
If they win then they’re in as at least the No. 4 seed, with a shot at No. 3 possible if the Rams lose. If they lose but Atlanta also loses to Carolina then the Bucs still squeak in. Don’t forget this Bucs team beat Detroit and can hang with the best of them!
NFC Contender #8: Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta fought valiantly on Sunday night but couldn’t finish off Jayden Daniels and the Commanders in an overtime loss. Michael Penix Jr. looked strong in the pocket and Bijan Robinson continues to be a game-changing force, but now Atlanta will need help from New Orleans to make the playoffs.
The Saints must beat the Bucs while Atlanta has to win against Carolina to slip past Tampa Bay to claim the NFC South. If the Falcons make the playoffs then they are guaranteed the No. 4 seed and will face either Detroit or Minnesota and must have their best prepared for a home showdown.
AFC Contender #1: Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs earned the No. 1 seed with their sixth straight win (their third in 11 days) as they made easy work of Pittsburgh on Christmas. Early reports say they’ll rest their starters, which could leave them with nearly a month off of football.
They played so early in Week 17 and will cruise through the bye, leaving a potential gap of December 25-January 18 for Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce. You can be unimpressed with KC’s strength of victory but they’re still 15-1 with loads of postseason experience.
AFC Contender #2: Buffalo Bills
The Bills crushed the Jets in Week 17 to lock themselves into the No. 2 seed ahead of the final week. Buffalo blanked Gang Green when Aaron Rodgers and the starters were in, with the backups surrendering two garbage-time scores to Tyrod Taylor.
Josh Allen continues to build an MVP case as the offense has an AFC-leading 509 points, which makes this defensive stand all the more important as a well-rounded Bills squad can contend with anyone. They may rest key starters against the Patriots before hosting the No. 7 seed on Wild Card weekend.
AFC Contender #3: Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens ruined Houston’s Christmas celebration with a 31-2 beatdown that saw Baltimore’s starters leave by the final drive. While Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry continue to carry the team, this makes three straight games where the defense has played exceptionally well.
Justin Tucker also hit a 52-yard field goal and has appeared “fixed” after early stumbles. A win over Cleveland this week will clinch the AFC North and the No. 3 seed, which should lead to a home game on Wild Card weekend against the Steelers or Chargers.
AFC Contender #4: Houston Texans
Houston got dominated by Baltimore on Christmas as they limp into the playoff weeks. The 31-2 loss featured zero offensive points and just 211 total yards as C.J. Stroud continues to regress following a strong rookie campaign. They’ve now lost three of their last five games and yet have had the AFC South locked up since before Week 16.
A final tune-up opportunity comes in Tennessee against the Titans, though Houston may rest key starters with no seeding to be gained. Is rest the answer to getting back on track?
AFC Contender #5: Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh lost 29-10 to the Chiefs on Christmas to go winless over the three-game stretch in 11 days. Not only that, but they lost each of those games by multiple scores. Some will point to this as being particularly unfair, especially since they faced stellar teams in Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Kansas City.
But it won’t get any easier in Week 18 against Cincinnati or in the playoffs, where all of those teams could come around again. Joe Burrow is coming to town in peak form with playoff hopes still in play, while Pittsburgh will either be the No. 3, 5, or 6 seed. A win over Cincy with an unlikely loss by Baltimore to Cleveland can still earn the AFC North title.
Otherwise, a win seals the No. 5 seed and a date with downward-trending Houston. A fourth straight loss (and a Chargers win) would create a road date with Baltimore to open the postseason. One can see why a win is strongly preferred!
AFC Contender #6: Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers followed up a crucial win over Denver with a 40-7 thrashing of New England to lock up a playoff berth. They’ve played far better with the postseason approaching after a midseason lull and will be either the No. 5 or 6 seed. T
hat means they’ll either travel to Baltimore/Pittsburgh (whichever wins the AFC North) or head to Houston with a Week 18 win and a Pittsburgh loss. The return of J.K. Dobbins helped stabilize the ground game while Ladd McConkey’s standout rookie year marched on. A stout offensive line and smashmouth defense must hold to make a deep run.
AFC Contender #7: Denver Broncos
Denver went toe-to-toe with Cincinnati, forcing overtime on a dime to Marvin Mims Jr., but they couldn’t pull it out in the end. This means they’ve once again faltered with a playoff berth on the line and must sweat out Week 18. The easiest path remains a simple win against the Chiefs, who will likely rest their big names with the No. 1 seed locked up.
If Denver loses then they can still coast into the final playoff spot if Cincinnati loses to Pittsburgh and the Dolphins can’t beat the Jets. The Broncos surely would prefer to reach the playoffs on a high note considering they’re guaranteed to face the Bills in Buffalo should they make it.
AFC Contender #8: Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins rallied around backup quarterback Tyler Huntley as Tua Tagovailoa was inactive due to a hip injury that he’d pushed through in Week 16. Miami’s defense held it down against an underperforming Cleveland offense in a 20-3 victory.
They’re now 8-8 with another playoff hurdle out of the way thanks to Indianapolis’ loss to the Giants. Combine that with Denver’s loss and the dream is alive. Now the Dolphins will hope for a Kansas City team potentially playing its backups to pull out a win over Denver, which means Miami is in with a win over the spiraling Jets. Will it be Tua or Snoop under center against the Jets in a do-or-die Week 18?
AFC Contender #9: Cincinnati Bengals
Joe Burrow once again put the team on his back, throwing for over 400 yards and three scores in an overtime win over the Broncos. All three TDs went to Tee Higgins as the offense scored 20 points in the final two periods after three quarters yielded a quiet 10-10 tie.
The four-game win streak has them on the postseason’s periphery, but they must get a Denver loss to KC and Miami falling to the Jets on top of their beating the Steelers. Simple, right? Those are some long odds, but remember that this team was 4-8 a month ago with no hope on the horizon.
