Week 18 Preview + Playoff Picture
The first “Week 18” is upon us and it’s the final week of the regular season is upon us with three seeds left to clinch in the 2022 playoffs.
In the AFC the final two seeds remain up for grabs with the Colts, Chargers, Raiders, Steelers, and Ravens in play. Meanwhile, the NFC has only one spot left with the 49ers and Saints itching to clinch on Sunday.
NOTE: Week 18 games that WILL NOT impact the playoff picture/seeding include:
Packers @ Lions, Bears @ Vikings, Washington Football Team @ Giants
Chiefs @ Broncos - Jan. 8, 4:30 p.m. ET Game
Kansas City is playing for seeding in this matchup as the Broncos have been eliminated from playoff contention. The reigning AFC champs can come out of the matchup with the best-case scenario being the No. 1 seed in the conference and the worst-case scenario being the No. 4 seed. Based on this week’s matchups, the Chiefs should take care of business against the Broncos, which will assure them a top-2 seed in the playoff picture.
Prediction: Chiefs will clinch the No. 2 seed in the AFC
Cowboys @ Eagles - Jan. 8, 8:15 p.m. ET Game
In the late-window Saturday game, we could get a stout NFC East matchup as the Eagles have allowed fewer than 20 points in five straight games as the Cowboys have also have allowed 20 points or fewer but in five straight road games. But the reality of this matchup is that Dallas is playing to win to go a perfect 6-0 vs the NFC East this season and keep Philadelphia winless against teams above with a record above .500.
Prediction: Cowboys will clinch the No. 4 seed as the Eagles will clinch the No. 7 seed in the NFC.
Jan. 9, 1:00 p.m. ET Games
Colts @ Jaguars
Although the Colts have lost 6 straight road games in Jacksonville since 2015, this team knows a playoff spot is on the line as the Jaguars have a shot at securing the No. 1 pick in the 2022 draft. It’s sort of a perfect lopsided matchup that should leave a smile on both teams’ faces after 60 minutes of play…
Prediction: Colts will clinch the No. 6 seed in the AFC as the Jaguars will secure the No. 1 pick in the 2022 NFL Draft
Titans @ Texans
The other AFC South matchup that will have us on the edge of our seats is the Titans and the Texans. Although Houston pulled off an upset against Tennesse earlier this season, it’s tough to see them complete the season sweep. The Texans have scored fewer than 10 points in seven games this season which shows that there is the possibility that this team could crash and burn in the season finale. Ultimately, it’s tough to bet against Tennesee with the No. 1 seed on the line for Mike Vrabel’s squad.
Prediction: Titans will clinch the No. 1 seed in AFC including the lone playoff bye.
Steelers @ Ravens
In what looks to be Ben Roethlisberger’s final game as a Pittsburgh Steeler, he takes on his AFC North foes in the Baltimore Ravens with a potential shot at clinching a spot in the postseason. All of that starts with a win on Sunday against a Ravens team that has lost five straight games. Lamar Jackson remains sidelined which makes it all the easier for T.J. Watt not only to snap Michael Strahan’s single-season sack record but power Pittsburgh to a win.
Prediction: With a Colts loss to the Jaguars looking unlikely, the Steelers and Ravens should be eliminated from playoff contention despite the outcome of this game.
Bengals @ Browns
This prediction feels like a shot in the dark but the AFC playoff picture could slightly shakeup due to this game. It’s not only the Battle of Ohio but the battle of the backups. Both Joe Burrow and Baker Mayfield will be inactive for Sunday’s tilt, but Cincinnati looks comfortable and satisfied to lose this game as they will only drop down one seed in the AFC playoff picture.
Prediction: Bengals clinch the No. 4 seed in the AFC.
Jan. 9, 4:25 p.m. ET Games
Jets @ Bills
It’s a lopsided matchup in favor of the Buffalo, who also happen to control their own fate in the AFC East. Not only will the Bills clinch a playoff berth and clinch the division, but with the possibility of a Bengals loss, the Bills should move up a spot.
Prediction: Bills clinch the No. 3 seed in the AFC.
Patriots @ Dolphins
Although the Dolphins are out of playoff contention and the Patriots have a shot to move up as high as the number three seed, this should make for a good game. Ultimately the Patriots should come out on top, but due to a likely Bills win, New England will be on the road in the postseason.
Prediction: Patriots clinch the No. 5 seed in the AFC.
49ers @ Rams
Arguably one of the best matchups of the week, if not the year, sees the Rams playing host to their kryptonite in the 49ers. Although Los Angeles has won five straight, they have lost five straight against San Francisco and QB Matthew Stafford has a 1-4 career record against them. On top of that, the 49ers have a stout defense that could stump Sean McVay’s offense more times than not which could be the difference-maker when Stafford has 13 turnovers in the last eight contests. Expect San Franciso to stun LA on the road and shake up the NFC playoff picture.
Prediction: 49ers clinch the No. 6 seed as the Rams clinch the No. 5 seed in the NFC.
Panthers @ Buccaneers
The Buccaneers may have played a close contest against the Jets last week but a win is a win. Tom Brady and the reigning champs are ready to roll into the playoffs and with a Rams loss, Tampa Bay could jump up a spot in seeding from the No. 3 to the No. 2 seed. Regardless Tampa Bay will finish as a top-3 seed heading into the postseason.
Prediction: Buccaneers clinch the No. 2 seed in the NFC.
Seahawks @ Cardinals
Although Arizona has lost three straight home games, it’s tough to bet against this team in a favorable matchup with the division on the line. The Rams have a far tougher matchup against the 49ers and the Cardinals need to take advantage of this Seahawks’ contest to potentially clinch the NFC West and host a playoff game next week. A win on Sunday + a Rams loss would set up a wild card game against the 49ers, a division rival the Cardinals managed to season-sweep this year. If that scenario doesn’t happen then Arizona is likely locked into the No. 5 seed set up for a week 17 rematch against the Cowboys in the wild card.
Prediction: Cardinals clinch the No. 3 seed in the NFC.
Saints @ Falcons
New Orleans is fighting for a playoff spot but the Falcons have a shot to play upset and send San Francisco into the postseason. Ultimately I’d expect Sean Payton’s group to come out on top but with my prediction of the 49ers win, New Orleans would miss the postseason. However, a 49ers loss + Saints win would set New Orleans up with the No. 7 seed and a trip to the Rams house in the wild card round.
Prediction: Saints win but fail to clinch playoff berth
Chargers @ Raiders - Sunday Night Football
In the final game of the regular season, we head to Las Vegas for a primetime tilt that will send the winner into the postseason and the loser home. Both the Chargers and Raiders are beyond capable of winning this matchup, but ultimately, Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles offense have more playmakers on offense that could make things tough on a Raiders’ secondary. Meanwhile, Derek Carr should have his way for the most part as well, but the addition of Darren Waller may or may not play a factor as WR Hunter Renfrow has turned into a safety blanket, especially in the red zone.
It’s worth noting that the Chargers are 5-1 vs Raiders when they have faced each other in the final week of the season since 1990, and they have already beat them once in primetime. They may just do that again…
Prediction: Chargers clinch the No. 7 seed in the AFC and eliminate Raiders from playoff contention
NOTE: If the Raiders win, they will clinch the No. 6 seed due to their tiebreaker over the Colts who would drop to the No. 7 seed.
