The AFC East and South divisions and the NFC East and South divisions are yet to be decided, but the Dallas Cowboys (11-5) have a win and it is theirs situation as well as the Miami Dolphins (11-5) and Buffalo Bills (10-6), who will be playing each other in the Sunday night game in Miami. Buffalo trashed the 'Fins in Buffalo, 48-20 back in October. The Jacksonville Jaguars (9-7) need to win on the road against Tennessee (5-11) to clinch the AFC South while the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have the same scenario to win the NFC South.
The Buccaneers (8-8) play at Carolina while the New Orleans Saints (8-8) will host the Atlanta Falcons (7-9) and anything can still happen in that wild NFC South race. The same holds true in the AFC South where the Jags control their destiny, but the Indianapolis Colts and Houston Texans (both 9-7) face off in Indy on Saturday evening and one (the losing team) will be out of the playoff picture, unless there is a tie game.
Back to the NFC East as the badly slumping Philadelphia Eagles (11-5) will face the New York Giants (5-11) on the road while Dallas takes on the Washington Commanders (4-12), losers of seven consecutive games, in D.C. The odds are with Dallas to get a win and clinch the East, leaving the Eagles as the wild card team (5th seed) while the Cowboys would be the number two seed in the NFC.
All of the NFL action for Week 18 is featured in the capsule style previews and the final Heftyinfo picks for this 2023 regular season follows up.
SATURDAY GAMES
Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7) at Baltimore Ravens (13-3) - The Ravens will be resting numerous starters, including quarterback Lamar Jackson, but they will not just roll over for their heated rivals from Pittsburgh. Meanwhile, the Steelers MUST WIN and then get some help to get into the playoffs.
Houston Texans (9-7) at Indianapolis Colts (9-7) - It's win and in for the Colts or lose and they are out. The Texans still will need some help even if they win to take the division, but they would be a wild card team. If they lose this game, they're out.
SUNDAY GAMES
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-8) at Carolina Panthers (2-14) - The Buccaneers should win this one and clinch the NFC South division for a third straight year.
Jacksonville Jaguars (9-7) at Tennessee Titans (5-11) - The Titans can give the Jaguars fits in this one, but the Jags snapped a four-game losing streak last week and know they can wrap up the AFC South with a win.
Cleveland Browns (11-5) at Cincinnati Bengals (8-8) - The Bengals will likely get the win in this game as the Browns have already secured a playoff spot and will be resting many starters, including QB "Super" Joe Flacco.
Atlanta Falcons (7-9) at New Orleans Saints (8-8) - Both teams need to win and get help from the lowly Carolina Panthers (a win against the Tampa Bay Bucs) to win the NFC South division. Take the Saints at home in this one.
Minnesota Vikings (7-9) at Detroit Lions (11-5) - The Lions are still reeling over being cheated out of a win in Dallas last Saturday night, due to very poor officiating call. Look for the Lions to get the win here against an injury depleted Vikings team.
New York Jets (6-10) at New England Patriots (4-12) - Will this be Bill Belichick's final game as head coach of the Patriots? The Jets will be in for a long day if the Pats come out and play hard for the old man in this one.
Denver Broncos (8-8) at Las Vegas Raiders (7-9) - Viva Las Vegas !
Chicago Bears (7-9) at Green Bay Packers (8-8) - A rejuvenated Bears team could play spoiler and knock the Green Bay Packers out of the NFC playoff picture. But don't count on the Packers letting it happen if they play their game.
Seattle Seahawks (8-8) at Arizona Cardinals (4-12) - The Seahawks are another one of those teams that MUST WIN and then get a lot of help to make the playoffs. The Cardinals are flying high after knocking off the Eagles on the road last weekend. Toss up in this one.
Kansas City Chiefs (10-6) at Los Angeles Chargers (5-11) - Can the Chargers get a win against the Chiefs substitute players?
Los Angeles Rams (9-7) at San Francisco 49ers (12-4) - The 49ers have already clinched the top NFC playoff spot and first round bye, so don't be surprised if the playoff bound Rams get a win here.
Dallas Cowboys (11-5) at Washington Commanders (4-12) - The Cowboys have not been a good road team this season, but the Commanders are horrible. If Dallas doesn't win this one, they don't deserve to win the division.
Philadelphia Eagles (11-5) at New York Giants (5-11) - The Giants would love to be a thorn in the Eagles' side and keep them from possibly winning the division title. Eagles are smarting after losing at home to lowly Arizona and have dropped four of their last five games. Toss up.
Buffalo Bills (10-6) at Miami Dolphins (11-5) - The Sunday night "prime time" game for all the marbles in the AFC East division. The Bills really need this game or they could be out of the AFC playoffs if things play out just right . . . Win or lose, the Dolphins are already in the playoffs. Toss up in this one.
The Heftyinfo picks for Week Eighteen . . . . . . . (Home teams are listed in bold; Lock of the Week is listed in BOLD CAPS)
Pittsburgh over Baltimore
Indianapolis over Houston
Tampa Bay over Carolina
Jacksonville over Tennessee
Cincinnati over Cleveland
New Orleans over Atlanta
DETROIT over Minnesota
New England over N.Y. Jets
Las Vegas over Denver
Green Bay over Chicago
Seattle over Arizona
Kansas City over L.A. Chargers
L.A. Rams over San Francisco
Dallas over Washington
Philadelphia over N.Y. Giants
Buffalo over Miami
Last Week's Record - 12-4
SEASON RECORD - 166-90
Lock of the Week Record - 13-4
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