The regular season concluded with Detroit as the NFC No. 1 seed for the first time in its history, Jordan Love injuring his elbow, and other stories as playoff teams strive to make it to the Super Bowl, while eliminated teams look forward to next season.
It was an important weekend for several games. Next weekend, January 11-13, will mark the start of the playoffs. Let’s take a look at what happened this past weekend.
The story includes information from NFL.com and links to YouTube videos detailing each game from the NFL’s week 18.
The game on Sunday night featured two 14-2 teams that had everything on the line. Lions blow out Vikings 31-9 despite paper and history suggesting a close game. Detroit clinched their first ever No. 1 seed into the playoffs and will rest next weekend. As the Los Angeles Rams rested their starters, they lost to the Seattle Seahawks, 30-25. The Rams will face the Vikings next Monday, January 13.
For the Cleveland Browns, Saturday’s final regular season game marked the end of a long and disappointing season when the Ravens beat them 35-10. This marks the Ravens’ second consecutive AFC North title, as well as the No. 3 seed in the playoffs. The Browns were eliminated in a loss to the playoff-bound Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 14.
On Saturday night, the Pittsburgh Steelers lost to the Cincinnati Bengals by two points, with the final score of 19-17. There is a four-game losing streak for the Steelers entering the playoffs. While fans are shaken by the late-season losses, the Steelers face the Ravens on Saturday in the first round of the playoffs. The Bengals’ playoff hopes were ended by the Denver Broncos’ 38-0 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs with most KC starters resting.
New England Patriots defeated Buffalo Bills 23-16. For the Bills, who lead the AFC East, most starters rested, including quarterback Josh Allen. He took one snap before sitting as he extended his streak to 115 starts. While the Patriots celebrate this win, they lost the number one draft pick in the process. In contrast to the Chiefs, who will sit out this week and play in the divisional playoffs the following week, the Bills will host the Broncos.
An important game was won by the Washington Commanders 23-10 over the Dallas Cowboys. Washington could have tied the game and sent it into overtime with a field goal, but instead, it went all out for a win. In the final seconds of the game, Commanders QB Marcus Mariota passed to Terry McLaurin, who caught the game-winning pass. Next week, the Commanders travel to Tampa Bay. Dallas was eliminated by Washington’s victory over the Eagles in week 16.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers beat New Orleans Saints 27-19 to qualify for the playoffs. A must-have fourth down was made possible by a clutch catch by Jalen McMillan in place of the injured Chris Godwin in the fourth quarter. In less than an hour, the Buccaneers secured their playoff berth with a touchdown. The Saints will be on vacation until next season, while the Bucs host the Commanders on Sunday.
It was a 44-38 overtime victory for the eliminated Carolina Panthers over the Atlanta Falcons. Despite their best efforts, the Falcons failed to make the playoffs. They would not have made the playoffs even if they had won because the Bucs clinched the division. The fact that they lost in overtime for the second consecutive week just added salt to the wound.
The Green Bay Packers lost 24-22 to the eliminated Chicago Bears after Cairo Santos’ 51-yard field goal at the end of the game. Both Jordan Love and Christian Watson sustained injuries during the game. Love was warming up on the sidelines, so his availability for the playoffs appears to be less of a concern. The Green Bay Packers will face the Philadelphia Eagles, who without starters,defeated the already eliminated New York Giants 20-13. Third-string quarterback Tanner McKee threw for 269 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions against the Giants.
It was a 23-14 victory for the Houston Texans over the eliminated Tennessee Titans. In next week’s game, the Texans will host the Los Angeles Chargers, who beat the already eliminated Las Vegas Raiders 34-20 on Sunday.
It was a game of pride between two already eliminated teams, and it was the Indianapolis Colts who prevailed 26-23 in overtime over the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The Arizona Cardinals won 47-24 against the San Francisco 49ers in another game featuring two eliminated teams. It was a battle of pride and errors hurt the 49ers, who were outscored offensively by Arizona.
The Miami Dolphins missed the playoffs when they lost to the Jets and the Broncos defeated the Chiefs. Miami’s Tyreek Hill hinted at a possible change of teams and Aaron Rodgers may have scored four touchdowns in his final game with the Jets. In the end, the New York Jets won 32-20 over the Miami Dolphins.
The following matchups will be played next weekend. Chargers at Texans and Steelers at Baltimore on Saturday, January 11. Broncos at Buffalo, Packers at Eagles, and Washington at Tampa Bay on Sunday, January 12. The Vikings and Rams will play on Monday, January 13.
In other news, Black Monday came and with it some coaches were fired. Jaguars – HC Doug Pederson; Patriots – HC Jerod Mayo (Sunday); Colts – DC Gus Bradley; Seahawks – OC Ryan Grubb; Bengals – DC Lou Anarumo, They continued cleaning house by also parting ways with Offensive Line Coach/Run Game Coordinator- Frank Pollack, Defensive Line Coach – Marion Hobby and LineBacker Coach James Bettcher, according to the websites of individual teams.