Lower Bucks Source examines how the NFL playoffs are shaping up in advance of week 18, according to information gleaned from the NFL.
In Monday night’s game the Detroit Lions beat the San Francisco 49ers 40-34. It almost looked like an upset in the making but the Lions came from behind late in the game and poured it on, took the lead and un the end won the game. The Lions improved to a 14-2 record and are looking ahead to week 18 against the Vikings. As a result of this win and the Vikings’ 27-25 win over the Packers on Sunday, the Vikings now face the Lions in a winner-take-all game in week 18. The Lions/Vikings matchup will determine who takes the divisional title and the No. 1 seed. The winner will also get a bye for the first week and the loser will have to travel as a wildcard. A fun fact: The Lions have never held the #1 seed in playoffs and are also one of four teams never to have played in a Super Bowl. Could this the Lions’ year?
Clinching playoff spots after week 17 in the AFC are the Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills, Baltimore Ravens, Houston Texans, Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers. In the NFC, the Minnesota Vikings, Philadelphia Eagles, Los Angeles Rams, Detroit Lions, Washington Commanders and the Green Bay Packers.
Still in the hunt are the Denver Broncos and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, ,while three teams are “on the bubble” and another 15 teams have been eliminated,
After winning 45-33 over the Colts in week 17, the Giants lost their #1 draft pick. It seemed that Giant fans were happy about the win as they knocked the Colts out of the playoffs even though they don’t have the #1 draft pick.
As a result of the Eagles’ 36-33 defeat to the Commanders in Week 16, the Dallas Cowboys were eliminated from the playoffs. Despite beating the Bucs 26-24 in week 16, Dallas was destroyed 41-7 in week 17 by the Eagles. Thanks to their win over the Cowboys, who won the division title last season, the Eagles clinched this year’s divisional title.
In week 17, Eagles RB Saquon Barkley surpassed 2,000 yards, drawing closer to Eric Dickerson’s 2,105 yard mark. Barkley’s accomplishment may be a landmark moment in his career, but Dickerson’s record of 2,105 yards was achieved in 16 games. Your thoughts on if Barkley’s name should be asterisk-sanctioned if he surpasses Dickerson’s record this season?
The Cincinnati Bengals are on the bubble for the playoffs. The Bengals won this week in a wild OT against the Broncos 30-24 but they need help to get in the playoffs. The Bengals must beat the Steelers in Week 18, the Dolphins must lose to the Jets and the Broncos must lose to the Chiefs. KC has the top spot in the AFC, so they may rest their starters in week 18.
Miami is inching closer to the playoffs after defeating the Cleveland Browns 20-3 this week. Their path to the playoffs is more straightforward than the Bengals; The Broncos must lose, and the Dolphins have to beat the Jets to reach the postseason.
The Buccaneers’ 48-14 demolition of the Carolina Panthers keeps their hopes of winning the NFC South alive going into Week 18. The Bucs record is 9-7 and the Falcons’ record is 8-8. The Bucs must finish a game ahead of the Falcons to win the NFC South, as a record tie would allow the Falcons to hold the divisional title.
Buffalo locked up the AFC’s No. 2 seed. On Sunday, they beat the Jets 40-14. Is this the last of Aaron Rodgers as a Jet? After Sunday, do you think it may be hard to justify his return?
The Chargers blew out the New England Patriots 40-7 on Saturday and clinched a playoff berth on Saturday. This Jim Harbaugh’s first year as the Chargers’ HC. He led the 49ers to the playoffs three times during his four-year tenure with the team and advanced to the Super Bowl in 2012.
The Commanders defeating the Falcons in OT by a score of 30-24 clinched a wild-card spot for the Commanders. What a difference a year makes when they were 4-13 in 2023.
The Rams beat the Arizona Cardinals 13-9 on Saturday night with a game ending interception to seal the deal. They clinched the NFC West and with wins by the Bills, Vikings and Commanders on Sunday gave the Rams the edge over the Seattle Seahawks.
Jacksonville Jaguars defeated the Tennessee Titans 20-13. Jags’ rookie WR Brian Thomas Jr. is a rising star. This year he has 10 TDs and 1179 yards with one game to go. On Sunday, he caught seven passes for 91 yards and a touchdown.
Las Vegas Raiders beat the New Orleans Saints 25-10. NFL Research reported that the Raiders have won back-to-back games for the first time this season. Their two straight wins follow a 10-game losing streak, tied for the second-longest losing streak in franchise history.
In Thursday night’s game, the Seattle Seahawks beat the Chicago Bears 6-3. According to PFF, the teams combined for 13 punts in the Seahawks‘ uninspiring 6-3 win on Thursday Night Football as their playoff hopes hang by a thread. The Bears dropped their 10th straight game after starting the season 4-2.
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