The AFC has five teams already in and four games will determine which two teams will get in. The Tennessee Titans (7-9) face the Jacksonville Jaguars (8-8) on Saturday night for the AFC South division title and the trip to the playoffs. On Sunday, The New England Patriots (8-8) will travel to face the Buffalo Bills (12-3) and we all know how the Bills are as they head into this one in the wake of the Damar Hamlin incident in the game against the Cincinnati Bengals. The young man is still listed in critical condition following the heart attack he suffered on the field. His health and well being is much more important than the outcome of the game itself.
The Miami Dolphins (8-8) are in the mix and they will host the New York Jets (7-9) in an AFC East tilt with a chance to make the playoffs. Miami needs New England to lose to the Buffalo Bills and win their game to get in. They have lost five straight games and will likely be without both quarterbacks Tua Tagvailoa (concussion) and Teddy Bridgewater (finger injury) for this game. The Jets would love to play the spoiler in this game. Meanwhile, the surging Pittsburgh Steelers (8-8) have won three in a row and five of six games to get back into the playoff race. If they can beat the Cleveland Browns (7-9) in the Steel City on Sunday and both Miami and New England lose, they will make the playoffs as the seventh seed.
In the NFC, the picture is much more simple. There are currently six teams already in the playoffs and the only question is which team will get the number seven spot. The Green Bay Packers (8-8) will host the Detroit Lions (8-8) on the Sunday Night Football game and if they win, they are in. If Detroit wins, the could be in, but that would depend on how the Seattle Seahawks (8-8) do on Sunday when they host the Los Angeles Rams (5-11). The Seahawks will get in if they win and Green Bay loses.
That's it folks . . . the scenarios for the remaining playoff spots. As far as seeding goes, the Philadelphia Eagles (13-3) can clinch the top spot and the bye in the NFC with a home win against the New York Giants (9-6-1), who are locked into the sixth seed. Having QB Jalen Hurts (shoulder injury) back for this one would definitely boost the Eagles' chances. Both San Francisco (12-4) and Dallas (12-4) can steal the top spot with wins and an Eagles loss. Dallas is currently number five in the NFC chase and would need to win and see both the 49ers and Eagles fall to get the top spot. Not likely for that to happen, so the Cowboys should plan on seeing Tom Brady and the Buccaneers in Florida during the Wild Card round.
The AFC is complicated for a reason as the Bills are second right now as a result of the game in Cincinnati last Monday night being canceled. The Kansas City Chiefs (13-3) are the top team in the AFC and face the Las Vegas Raiders (6-10) on the road on Saturday. The Cincinnati Bengals are 11-4 and host the Baltimore Ravens (10-6) and have a chance to move up from their number three spot, but it's trivial as to where they wind up after what happened on Monday night against Buffalo. Whoever it is getting the bye when all is said and done remains to be seen. But one thing for certain is that none of it matters much with Damar Hamlin in recovery.
Football is a game, it isn't life.
The capsule style look at all 16 games in this final week of action follows along with the Heftyinfo picks for Week Eighteen.
Kansas City (13-3) at Las Vegas (6-10) - Take the Chiefs even though the Raiders will likely put up a tough fight in this one.
Tennessee (7-9) at Jacksonville (8-8) - The Titans have dropped six in a row and are going with a third string quarterback for this game. Meanwhile, The Jaguars are on fire and should get the win and the AFC South title.
Tampa Bay (8-8) at Atlanta (6-10) - The Buccaneers have already clinched the NFC South, but would like to avoid having a losing record entering the playoffs.
New England (8-8) at Buffalo (12-3) - No question the Bills will be playing with a lot of emotion (and possible anxiety) in this game after what happened to their teammate Damar Hamlin. Bills Mafia !
Minnesota (12-4) at Chicago (3-13) - Take the Vikings in a laugher. The Bears are a mess.
Baltimore (10-6) at Cincinnati (11-4) - Bengals should get the win here. Ravens could move up to number five seed in AFC with a win.
L.A. Chargers (10-6) at Denver (4-12) - The Broncos and Chargers always seem to play close games. This time around, the Chargers have real incentive to avoid that as they would like to stay at the number five spot in the AFC playoffs.
Houston (2-13-1) at Indianapolis (4-11-1) - Toss up here as these two teams tied each other way back in Week One.
N.Y. Jets (7-9) at Miami (8-8) - Dolphins should get the win, even with their third string QB playing. The Jets have fallen off badly down the stretch, losing five consecutive games and seven of their last nine.
Carolina (6-10) at New Orleans (7-9) - Toss up in this one. Both teams playing out the schedule.
N.Y. Giants (9-6-1) at Philadelphia (13-3) - The Eagles will look to soar once again and get the top spot in the NFC playoffs.
Cleveland (7-9) at Pittsburgh (8-8) - Steelers are on a big time roll and even if they don't make it to the playoffs, they should avoid a losing season once again in the Mike Tomlin era.
Arizona (4-12) at San Francisco (12-4) - 49ers roll !
L.A. Rams (5-11) at Seattle (8-8) - Seahawks have everything to play for and the Rams are looking to put this disastrous season behind them.
Dallas (12-4) at Washington (7-8-1) - The Cowboys should get the win in this one, but you never know with that team. The Commanders have stumbled big time and are out of the playoff picture.
Detroit (8-8) at Green Bay (8-8) - The Packers are rolling with four straight victories and should get it done on Sunday night to make the playoffs and prove QB Aaron Rodgers right. The Lions still have playoff hopes, but need help along with a win. Not likely to happen for them.
The Heftyinfo picks for Week Eighteen . . . . . . . . . . . . (Home teams are listed in bold; Lock of the Week is listed in BOLD CAPS)
Kansas City over Las Vegas
Jacksonville over Tennessee
Tampa Bay over Atlanta
Buffalo over New England
Minnesota over Chicago
Cincinnati over Baltimore
L.A. Chargers over Denver
Indianapolis over Houston
Miami over N.Y. Jets
New Orleans over Carolina
Philadelphia over N.Y. Giants
Pittsburgh over Cleveland
SAN FRANCISCO over Arizona
Seattle over L.A. Rams
Dallas over Washington
Green Bay over Detroit
Last Week's Record - 12-3
SEASON RECORD - 165-88-2
Lock of the Week Record - 15-2
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