As is usually standard practice in the NFL, Week 18 will feature games with massive playoff implications. There remains one postseason spot up for grabs in each conference, but the more intriguing scenario comes via the AFC.
NFL Playoff Races Heat Up, Final Spot In AFC Up For Grabs
It all started with the Bengals vs Broncos game on Saturday night. Had Denver won the road overtime contest, they would have locked up the 7th and final spot in the conference. But thanks to some late-game heroics from Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow, the last spot became up for grabs. Entering Sunday’s action, four teams were still alive: Broncos, Bengals, Dolphins, and Colts.
Heading into the final week of the season, we are down to three. In one of the bigger upsets of the weekend, Indianapolis was beaten by the 2-13 New York Giants, who were surely going to lose out and secure the #1 overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. But Big Blue had its best offensive day of the season in Week 17, and their win officially eliminated the Colts from contention.
Dolphins and Bengals fans are relying on this guy to save their playoff hopes next week pic.twitter.com/IoYw7MwO9k
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) December 30, 2024
The Dolphins had their back up against the wall as well, but fought through injury adversity to keep their season alive. Behind Tyler Huntley at quarterback, Miami defeated the Cleveland Browns to stave off elimination with a 20-3 victory on the road. It keeps the hopes afloat for a team that was 2-6 after the first 8 games, one that can secure their 5th straight winning season with a victory over the Jets in Week 18.
But a win in New York isn’t the only thing that the Dolphins would need to happen to lock down a playoff berth. Instead they’ll have to put their hopes in a backup quarterback to pick up the rest of the slack.
The Broncos would secure the final playoff spot if they were able to beat the Kansas City Chiefs, which would normally be a tall task. But since Andy Reid’s team has the #1 spot in the AFC secured, they’ll be resting essentially all of their starters, including Patrick Mahomes. Starting in his place will be veteran Carson Wentz, who has the fate of multiple teams now resting on his shoulders.
The FULL Week 18 schedule:
Saturday:
– 4:30 ET: Browns-Ravens
– 8:00 ET: Bengals-SteelersSunday, 1:00 ET:
– Giants-Eagles
– Bills-Patriots
– Texans-Titans
– Panthers-Falcons
– Commanders-Cowboys
– Bears-Packers
– Jaguars-Colts
– Saints-BucsSunday, 4:25 ET:
– Chiefs-Broncos…— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) December 30, 2024
The win-and-you’re-in scenario for Denver is the most straight forward. Miami would need a win plus Broncos loss, and Cincinnati would need a win on top of both a Miami and Denver loss to sneak their way into the 7th seed.
The Bengals will get the first chance to make their mark, as they will be playing their game against the Steelers on Saturday. The NFL has scheduled both the Dolphins vs Jets and Broncos vs Chiefs contests to kick off at the same time, which will come in the late window of Sunday’s afternoon games.
As of early Monday morning, the Dolphins are listed as 2.5 point favorites, while the oddsmakers have the Broncos winning by 9.5 points. The Bengals are -3 against the Steelers.
