NFL - Week Eighteen Recap

The Buffalo Bills (13-3) rode two kickoff returns for touchdowns by Nyheim Hines (pictured left) who went 96 yards and also 101 yards to get a 35-23 win over the New England Patriots (8-9) and clinch the number-two spot in the AFC playoffs. The Patriots were eliminated from playoff contention with the loss and Miami's win over the New York Jets. Bills QB Josh Allen had three TD passes to offset Patriots QB Mac Jones' three scoring passes. 

The Jacksonville Jaguars (9-8) won 20-16 at home on Saturday night against the Tennessee Titans (7-10) as linebacker Josh Allen scooped up a fumble and went 37 yards for the game winning touchdown with 2:51 remaining in the game. It's the first playoff berth since the 2017 season for Jacksonville as they won the AFC South division. The Titans lost their final seven games this season and they limited the Jags offense to 222 yards in offense in the game, but it wasn't enough.

In Cincinnati, the Bengals (12-4) clinched the AFC North title with a resounding 27-16 victory against the Baltimore Ravens (10-7) with QB Joe Burrow throwing for a score, running back Joe Mixon running for another and the defense getting a fumble recovery for another touchdown to lead the way to their eighth consecutive win. The Ravens committed four turnovers in the loss, but still are in the playoffs as the number six seed in the AFC.

Philadelphia won at home, 22-16 over the New York Giants (9-7-1) to clinch the NFC East division and the top spot in the NFC playoffs as they built a 19-0 lead in the third quarter before the Giants made things interesting late with two fourth quarter touchdowns. The Eagles finished the season 14-3 as RB Boston Scott scored on an eight-yard run and Jake Elliott kicked five field goals to help get it done.

On Saturday, the Kansas City Chiefs (14-3) routed the host Las Vegas Raiders, 31-13 to get the top seed in the AFC playoffs. Three rushing touchdowns by three different backs and a TD pass by QB Patrick Mahomes was more than enough for the Chiefs as they rolled up 168 rushing yards in a balanced offensive attack.

The Miami Dolphins (9-8) clinched the seventh seed in the AFC playoffs with a 11-6 home win over the New York Jets (7-10) that was decided by kicker Jason Sanders making a 50-yard field goal with 18 seconds left to play. It's the first playoff appearance for the Dolphins since the 2016 season.

Seattle (9-8) beat the Los Angeles Rams, 19-16 in OT as kicker Jason Myers drilled a 32-yard field goal to win it and keep their playoff hopes alive for the time being, pending the Sunday night game result in Green Bay. And when Detroit knocked off the Packers, the Seahawks playoff ticket was punched. The Rams (5-12) held a 16-13 lead inn the fourth quarter, but Myers made a 22-yard field goal with 2:19 left in the fourth quarter to tie it up. Myers would also miss a 46-yarder as time expired to force the overtime.

The San Francisco 49ers (13-4) rolled past visiting Arizona, 38-13 for a tenth consecutive win and they clinched the second seed in the NFC playoffs with the defense forcing four turnovers (fumble and three INT) and RB Elijah Mitchell scoring twice on the ground and QB Brock Purdy tossing three scoring passes, including two to tight end George Kittle. The Cardinals (4-13) fired Head Coach Kliff Kingsbury after the season ending loss, which was the final game for J.J. Watt, who had two sacks in the game.

The Minnesota Vikings rolled past the host Chicago Bears, 29-13 to finish 13-4 and a number three playoff spot in the NFC. The Bears (3-14) dropped their tenth straight game and will get the top draft pick in the NFL Draft. Minnesota RB Alexander Mattison scored two rushing touchdowns and the Vikings defense intercepted two passes in the rout.

Houston (3-13-1) stunned the host Indianapolis Colts, 32-31 on a 28-yard TD pass on 4th down-and-20 with 50 seconds remaining by QB Davis Mills to tight end Jordan Akins and then they converted the two-point conversion pass to win it. However, Texans Head Coach Lovie Smith was fired following the game. The Colts (4-12-1) came back twice from ten-point deficits to get a 28-24 lead early in the fourth quarter when TE Mo Alie-Cox hauled in a four-yard scoring pass from QB Sam Ehlinger, but couldn't finish the job.

Denver beat the Los Angeles Chargers, 31-28 in a meaningless game as QB Russell Wilson had three TD passes to help the Broncos finish a miserable 5-12 season, which included firing Head Coach Nathaniel Hackett two weeks ago. The Chargers (10-7) were already locked into the fifth playoff spot in the AFC and QB Justin Herbert tossed two scoring passes in the regular season finale. The Chargers will be on the road and face the Jacksonville Jaguars next Saturday night in the wild card round.

Atlanta (7-10) topped Tampa Bay, 30-17 as three rookies led the way with RB Tyler Allgeier rushing for 135 yards, QB Desmond Ridder throwing two TD passes and WR Drake London (six catches for 120 yards) doing enough to knock off the playoff bound Buccaneers (8-9).

The Carolina Panthers won a yawner in New Orleans, 10-7 when kicker Eddy Pineiro made a 42-yard field goal as time expired. Both teams finished the season at 7-10 (along with Atlanta) in the NFC South division. 

The Pittsburgh Steelers (9-8) won at home to finish their season at .500 or better and kept intact Head Coach Mike Tomlin's streak of never having a losing season since taking over in 2007 as they beat the Cleveland Browns, 28-14 in the Steel City. Steelers running back  Najee Harris rushed for a touchdown and rookie QB Kenny Pickett had a TD pass as well. The Browns (7-10) got two TD passes from QB Deshaun Watson in the losing effort.

The Washington Commanders ambushed the visiting Dallas Cowboys, 26-6 to finish 8-8-1 and ensure the Cowboys (12-5) would be the fifth seed in the NFC playoffs. The Washington defense limited Dallas' offense to ten first downs and a paltry 182 yards in total offense while also taking an interception back 29 yards for a touchdown by Kendall Fuller. Commanders QB Sam Howell had both a scoring pass and run in the rout.

And finally in the Sunday night game in Green Bay, all that was left to decide the final spot in the NFC playoffs was whether the Packers would win and get in or the Detroit Lions (9-8) would spoil the party with a win at Lambeau Field, which would allow the Seattle Seahawks to get in. 

The result was a win for the Detroit Lions, 20-16 and both teams are out of the playoff mix. Lions RB Jamaal Williams scored two rushing touchdowns and Michael Badgley made two field goals to provide the difference. The Packers (8-9) held a 9-6 halftime lead as both teams exchanged field goals. After Detroit went ahead 13-9, Packers QB Aaron Rodgers threw a 13-yard TD pass to WR Allen Lazard for a 16-13 lead with 3:17 left in the third quarter. But Detroit took the lead back with 5:55 remaining in the game on Williams' one-yard rushing score and the defense did the rest, intercepting Rodgers deep pass and then the offense ran out the clock.

 

WEEK EIGHTEEN RESULTS 

Kansas City 31, Las Vegas 13 

Jacksonville 20, Tennessee 16

Buffalo 35, New England 23 

Minnesota 29, Chicago 13 

Houston 32, Indianapolis 31

Miami 11, N.Y. Jets 6 

Cincinnati 27, Baltimore 16

Pittsburgh 28, Cleveland 14 

Atlanta 30, Tampa Bay 17 

Carolina 10, New Orleans 7 

Denver 31, L.A. Chargers 28

San Francisco 38, Arizona 13 

Philadelphia 22, N.Y. Giants 16

Washington 26, Dallas 6

Seattle 19, L.A. Rams 16 (OT)

Detroit 20, Green Bay 16