We’ve made it! Week 18 of the NFL season is right here and shortly the playoffs will begin. However, we do have a number of unfastened ends to tie up earlier than we get to all that. We’ve the majority of the groups destined for the playoffs already identified, however there are a number of stragglers and naturally the dreaded jockeying for playoffs seeding. Guessing what NFL coaches will do isn’t one thing you wish to make a residing off of. However, we should always have the ability to slender this down sufficient to have a good suggestion as to who must win, who desires to win, and who doesn’t care in the event that they win.
Bookmark this submit, as we’ll proceed to replace as information is available in.
Groups who will play all out
Carolina Panthers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Saturday, 4:30 PM ET)
The Falcons gave the Buccaneers some late Christmas coal of their stocking by beating the Rams in Week 17. If the Falcons win this week over the Saints, the Buccaneers are eradicated from the playoffs even when they beat the Panthers on Saturday. The excellent news for us enjoying fantasy is that the NFL made that state of affairs moot with the Saturday recreation. Each groups will play for the win. If the Panthers win, they win the division and the playoff spot. If the Bucs win, they’ve to attend for the winner of the Falcons-Saints to determine the NFC South champion between the Panthers and Bucs.
Seattle Seahawks at San Francisco 49ers (Saturday, 8:00 PM ET)
This recreation isn’t as determined as win and in, however whoever wins will get the No. 1 seed within the NFC and whoever loses will fall to the No. 5 seed. This one is fairly minimize and dry and each groups will play their starters in hopes for a win.
Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers (Sunday, 8:20 PM ET)
The Steelers blew an opportunity to wrap up the AFC North as they laid an egg in opposition to the Browns in Week 17. The Ravens received their recreation in opposition to the Packers, making this matchup for all of the marbles. Whoever wins, wins the North, the No. 4 seed, and the one playoff spot left within the AFC.
Denver Broncos vs Los Angeles Chargers (Sunday, 4:25 PM ET)
The Chargers have already introduced they’re resting Justin Herbert. The Broncos then again want a win to get the No. 1 seed, which comes with a bye and residential subject benefit all through the playoffs. They’ll nonetheless get that No. 1 seed in the event that they lose and the Jaguars and Patriots each lose, however they received’t go away that one up for likelihood. They need to play their starters till the sport is in hand.
New England Patriots vs Miami Dolphins (Sunday, 4:25 PM ET)
The Dolphins don’t have anything to play for, however the Patriots might end with the 1, 2, or 3 seed within the AFC. To get the No. 1 seed they might want to win and for the Broncos to lose to the Chargers who’re resting Herbert. If the Broncos win, the Patriots simply must beat the Dolphins to get the No. 2 seed. They may additionally lose and so long as the Jaguars lose, they’d nonetheless get the No. 2 seed. In the event that they lose and each the Jaguars and Broncos win, then they find yourself with the No. 3 seed.
The Patriots ought to need that No. 2 seed sufficient to play all out.
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Tennessee Titans (Sunday, 1 PM ET)
The Titans have been eradicated from playoff rivalry for some time now and a loss can solely assist their draft place. The Jaguars then again have come on like gangbusters and even have an out of doors shot on the No. 1 seed with a win. Sadly, the Chargers going with Trey Lance over Justin Herbert and the Patriots getting a comparatively simple matchup with the Dolphins probably throws a wrench in these plans, as they’d want each groups to lose to get that coveted 1 seed.
The Jaguars do must beat the Titans in the event that they wish to safe the AFC South title over the Texans, and the No. 3 seed although. And, a win in fact provides them a shot on the No. 1 and a couple of seeds if the Broncos or Patriots had been to falter. They theoretically might fall all the best way to the No. 7 seed with a loss. So that they’re enjoying to win.
Houston Texans vs Indianapolis Colts (Sunday, 1 PM ET)
The Colts have been eradicated and can give rookie quarterback Riley Leonard the beginning over Phillip Rivers. The Texans have all kinds of seedings attainable between the No. 3 seed and the No. 7 seed. A win and a Jaguars loss to the Titans would give them the AFC South title and the No. 3 seed. A win secures them the No. 5 seed if the Jaguars win, whereas a loss might knock them right down to the No. 6 or 7 seeds. These situations must be sufficient for them to do the whole lot they’ll to win this week.
Chicago Bears vs Detroit Lions (Sunday, 4:25 PM ET)
If the Bears win, they get the No. 2 seed. In the event that they lose and the Eagles win, they get the No. 3 seed. Head coach Ben Johnson appeared adamant that they’d play to win after their loss to the 49ers. A win and so they face the Packers within the first spherical of the playoffs. In the event that they lose, they’ll get the No. 3 seed and both face the 49ers or Rams at house. I’d count on them to play to win, but when information adjustments, we’ll replace this submit.
Will they or received’t they?
Philadelphia Eagles vs Washington Commanders (Sunday, 4:25 PM ET)
UPDATE 1/2 — Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni mentioned he shall be resting a few of his starters within the season finale to get them rested for the primary spherical of the playoffs. Gamers already dominated out on the harm report embody tight finish Dallas Goedert, deal with Lane Johnson, defensive deal with Jalen Carter, outdoors linebacker Jaelan Phillips, linebacker Nakobe Dean, and security Marcus Epps. Quarterback Jalen Hurts can also be anticipated to take a seat with Tanner McKee more likely to begin at quarterback.
The Eagles and Bears are tied collectively this week as they each hope to seize the No. 2 seed within the NFC. The Bears have the within observe, as a win provides them the No. 2 seed, whereas the Eagles want a win and for the Bears to lose. When requested, head coach Nick Sirianni was non-committal as to if anybody would relaxation. The Eagles are assured the No. 3 seed in the event that they lose and/or the Bears win, however the No. 2 seed is price enjoying for if they need.
Buffalo Payments vs New York Jets (Sunday, 4:25 PM ET)
UPDATE 1/2 — Josh Allen practiced in restricted vogue on Friday and head coach Sean McDermott mentioned he’s “good to go” for Sunday’s recreation, per Mike Rose. Notably, Rose tweeted that McDermott “[d]id not give a sign of how lengthy [Allen would] go on Sunday. The Payments have quite a few attainable situations to safe the No. 5, No. 6, or No. 7 seed. The perfect guess is that Allen performs some however not all of Sunday’s recreation.
The Jets have been out of rivalry for some time now and wish a loss to maintain or higher their present No. 3 decide. The Payments at the moment have the ultimate playoff seed at No. 7, however might transfer as much as No. 5 or 6 with a win. To maneuver as much as the No. 5 seed they’ll must win and for the Texans and Chargers to lose. To get the No. 6 seed they’ll must win and have one of many Texans or Chargers lose.
At this level we’re ready on head coach Sean McDermott to present us extra intel on if he’ll play starters, however we do know all world QB Josh Allen isn’t 100% proper now and beating the Jets isn’t precisely that powerful. If I had been them, I’d relaxation Allen. And at this level I wouldn’t wish to belief Payments starters in fantasy video games.
Los Angeles Rams vs Arizona Cardinals (Sunday, 4:25 PM ET)
Head coach Sean McVay says his starters will play this week, however there isn’t a complete lot to play for. In the event that they win and the 49ers lose, they’d get the No. 5 seed. All different situations finish them with the No. 6 seed. I might see McVay giving his starters a half after which shutting issues down. I’d relatively not depend on Rams gamers this week if I may also help it.
New Orleans Saints at Atlanta Falcons (Sunday, 1 PM ET)
UPDATE 1/1 — Chris Olave is not going to play on Sunday. Nick Underhill is reporting a blood clot was detected in his lung. He shall be high-quality, however isn’t going to play the season finale.
The Saints and Falcons are each eradicated from playoff rivalry, however Saturday afternoon might open the door this recreation to imply one thing. If the Bucs beat the Panthers on Saturday, a Falcons win over the Saints would clinch the NFC South for the Panthers. Even when the Panthers win on Saturday and clinch the division, Saints-Falcons is without doubt one of the extra entertaining rivalries from the followers’ perspective. Whether or not it impacts the beginning choices for every crew is unclear.
Groups who will relaxation their starters
Los Angeles Chargers at Denver Broncos (Sunday, 4:25 PM ET)
Jim Harbaugh introduced that Trey Lance would get the beginning in Week 18 in opposition to the Broncos, which probably means different starters ought to see relaxation or restricted work as nicely. However, even when all the opposite starters had been a go, Lance goes to have a hell of a time in opposition to the Broncos protection in Denver.
Inexperienced Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings (Sunday, 1 PM ET)
UPDATE 1/1 — Jordan Love has handed concussion protocol, however with the Packers unable to maneuver out of the No. 7 seed, Clayton Tune will get the beginning, per Jason B. Hirschhorn.
The Packers are locked into the No. 7 seed, so they may relaxation key starters.
Las Vegas Raiders vs. Kansas Metropolis Chiefs (Sunday, 4:25 PM ET)
The Raiders and Chiefs haven’t any playoff hopes left, however the Raiders at the moment have the No. 1 decide within the 2026 drat and so they’d prefer to preserve it. They’ve sat their finest defensive participant Maxx Crosby and now they’re going to take a seat Geno Smith for a mix of Kenny Pickett and Aidan O’Connell, per Vinny Bonsignore.
