NFL Week 18 Preview and Predictions

(13-3) Kansas City Chiefs @ Las Vegas Raiders (6-10)

The Las Vegas Raiders put in a good performance against the San Francisco 49ers, but they still came out on the losing side. As it stands, the Raiders sit third in the AFC West and if the season ended today, the Raiders would finish with the 4th worst record in the AFC. As for Kansas, they picked up a win against the Denver Broncos that puts them in pole position for a bye into the Divisional round of the playoffs. As it stands, the Chiefs sit top of the AFC West and if the season ended today, Kansas would take the number 1 seed. Overall, I am picking the Chiefs to win this game. Even though the number 1 seed might not get home-field advantage in the AFC Championship game, it does guarantee that you play one less game on the road to the Super Bowl. That is something I’m sure Kansas would be more than happy to have and I expect them to get the victory later on today.

(7-9) Tennessee Titans @ Jacksonville Jaguars (8-8)

One of the biggest games of the entire season so far takes place as the Jacksonville Jaguars host the Tennessee Titans in a winner-takes-all match. Jacksonville picked up their 4th successive victory by thrashing the Houston Texans 31-3. As it stands, the Jags sit top of the AFC South and if the season ended today, they would take the number 4 seed and host the Los Angeles Chargers in the wildcard round. As for Tennessee, they were comfortably beaten by the Dallas Cowboys and their losing run is now up to 6 games. As it stands, the Titans sit second in the AFC South and if the season ended today, they would miss out on the playoffs. Overall, I am picking Jacksonville to win the AFC South. The Jags have been superb recently whilst the Titans have been a complete mess. Also, Jacksonville would never forgive themselves if they didn’t make the playoffs.

(8-8) Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Atlanta Falcons (6-10)

The Atlanta Falcons picked up a nice 20-19 victory over the Arizona Cardinals last week but it hasn’t effected their playoff chances. As it stands, the Falcons sit bottom of the NFC South and if the season ended today, they would finish as the fourth-worst team in the NFC. As for Tampa Bay, they picked up the big win over Carolina to seal the NFC South title. As it stands, the Bucs sit top of the NFC South and if the season ended today, they would take the number 4 seed and host the Dallas Cowboys in the wildcard round. Overall, I am going to say the Buccaneers. Tampa have improved recently and if they go into the playoffs with 3 wins on the bounce, they’re in a decent position.

(8-8) New England Patriots @ Buffalo Bills (12-3)

After Damar Hamlin collapsed on the field in the massive Bills vs Bengals game, the match was called off and it won’t be resumed. As it stands, the Bills sit top of the AFC East and if the season ended today, they would take the number 2 seed and they would host the New England Patriots in the wildcard round. As for New England, they pulled out a great victory over the Miami Dolphins to insure that their playoff hopes are in their own hands. As it stands, the Patriots sit second in the AFC East and if the season ended today, New England would get into the playoffs as the number 7 seed and they would once again face the Bills at Orchard Park during wildcard weekend. Overall, I am going to say that the Bills win this game. What happened to Damar Hamlin was awful and the fact that the Bills will probably miss out on the number 1 seed as a result of it doesn’t make it any easier for any of them. However, I think this could drive the Bills to new heights and they could well go on to win the whole thing. The Pats will hope not as a win for them secures them a spot in the playoffs, but if they lose, they need both the Dolphins and the Steelers to lose their games too.

(12-4) Minnesota Vikings @ Chicago Bears (3-13)

The Chicago Bears were stuffed by the Detroit Lions last week (10-41) and they come into this game on a nine-game losing streak. As it stands, the Bears sit bottom of the NFC North and if the season ended today, the Bears would take the number 2 pick in the draft. As for Minnesota, they received a thrashing by the Green Bay Packers that’s now ended their hopes of getting the number 1 seed. As it stands, the Vikings sit top of the NFC North and if the season ended today, they would take the number 3 seed and host the New York Giants in the wildcard round. Overall, I am picking the Vikings. A loss here would be the worst possible way to go into the playoffs and to be honest, a win for the Bears wouldn’t help them much either.

(10-6) Baltimore Ravens @ Cincinnati Bengals (11-4)

After Damar Hamlin collapsed on the field in the massive Bills vs Bengals game, the match was called off and it won’t be resumed. As it stands, the Bengals sit top of the AFC North and if the season ended today, they would take the number 3 seed in the playoffs and would host the Baltimore Ravens during Wildcard weekend. As for Baltimore, they suffered a loss at home to the Pittsburgh Steelers. As it stands, the Ravens sit second in the AFC North and if the season ended today, Baltimore would take the number 6 seed and they would take on the Bengals in the wildcard round. Overall, I am picking the Bengals. I’m almost certain now that Cincinnati are going to finish as the number 3 seed so if they can go into the playoffs off of the back of 8 straight wins, they’ll be hard to stop. The Ravens can’t win the AFC North even with a victory here, but a win could still see them earn the number 5 seed.

(2-13-1) Houston Texans @ Indianapolis Colts (4-11-1)

Two of the worst teams in the 2022 NFL Season battle in Indianapolis as the Colts host the Texans. The Colts were thrashed 10-38 by the New York Giants last week and their losing run is now up to 6 games. As it stands, the Colts sit third in the AFC South and if the season ended today, they would finish with the fifth-worst record in the entire league. As for Houston, they were thrashed at home by the Jacksonville Jaguars 31-3. As it stands, the Texans sit bottom of the AFC South and if the season ended today, they would take the number 1 pick in the draft. Overall, I’m actually going to go with the Texans for the first time all season! The reason for this is I actually think they might be better than the Colts. Also, it would be typical for them to win as that could end up costing them the number 1 pick.

(7-9) New York Jets @ Miami Dolphins (8-8)

At one point in this season, both the New York Jets and the Miami Dolphins looked certain to make the playoffs. Now, there’s a chance that neither team makes the playoffs! The Miami Dolphins suffered a killer 2-point defeat in New England and their losing run is now up to 5 games. As it stands, the Dolphins sit third in the AFC East and if the season ended today, they would be pipped to a spot in the playoffs. As for New York, they were comfortably second-best in Seattle and after 5 straight defeats, their playoff hopes are over. As it stands, the Jets sit bottom of the AFC East and if the season ended today, they would finish as the 10th-best team in the AFC. Overall, I am picking the Miami Dolphins to win this game. The Dolphins have to win this game and hope the Patriots lose to the Bills if they are to make it into the playoffs and I fully expect the first thing to happen despite all of their recent struggles.

(6-10) Carolina Panthers @ New Orleans Saints (7-9)

The New Orleans Saints went to Philadelphia and picked up an impressive win but despite that, they aren’t in contention to make the playoffs. As it stands, the Saints sit second in the NFC South and if the season ended today, they would finish as the 11th-best team in the NFC. As for Carolina, they suffered a loss against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers that officially ends their playoff chances. As it stands, the Panthers sit third in the NFC South and if the season ended today, they would finish as the 12th-best team in the NFC. Overall, I am picking the Saints. The Saints come into this game on a 3-game winning streak and I expect them to go into next season on a 4-game winning streak.

(7-9) Cleveland Browns @ Pittsburgh Steelers (8-8)

The Pittsburgh Steelers picked up a crucial win in Baltimore to keep their playoff hopes alive. As it stands, the Steelers sit third in the AFC North and if the season ended today, they would just miss out on the playoffs. As for Cleveland, they picked up a good win on the road against the Washington Commanders, but it doesn’t change their playoff chances. As it stands, the Browns sit bottom of the AFC North and if the season ended today, the Browns would finish with the 12th-best record in the AFC. Overall, I am going to pick the Steelers to win this one. For Pittsburgh to make the playoffs, they have to beat the Browns and hope that both the Miami Dolphins and the New England Patriots lose. It’s unlikely, but you just never know.

(10-6) Los Angeles Chargers @ Denver Broncos (4-12)

The Denver Broncos lost again last week, but they did put up a pretty good fight against the Kansas City Chiefs. As it stands, the Broncos sit bottom of the AFC West and if the season ended today, they would finish with the second-worst record in the AFC. As for LA, they thrashed the Rams to extend their winning run to 4 games. As it stands, the Chargers sit second in the AFC West and if the season ended today, they would take the number 5 seed and play the Jacksonville Jaguars in the wildcard round. Overall, I am definitely picking the Chargers. Over recent weeks, they have looked like the force I expected them to be when I made my predictions before the start of the season and a win here would secure them the number 5 seed. As for Denver, they can’t wait for the season to be over!

(9-6-1) New York Giants @ Philadelphia Eagles (13-3)

Despite looking clear of the rest, a loss last week against the New Orleans Saints has put the Philadelphia Eagles under a lot of unnecessary pressure. As it stands, the Eagles sit top of the NFC East and if the season ended today, they would take the number 1 seed and earn an important week off. As for New York, they picked up a comfortable victory over the Indianapolis Colts (38-10) to seal the number 6 seed. As it stands, the Giants sit third in the NFC East and if the season ended today, they would take the number 6 seed and go to Minnesota to battle the Vikings in the wildcard round. Overall, I am going to pick the Eagles. If Philly win this game, they take the number 1 seed, simple as that. If they lose this game, they risk finishing as the number 2 seed. If they lose this game and Dallas win, they would finish as the number 5 seed which is ridiculous! In the end though, I think they’ll just have enough to get over the line against a Giants team that doesn’t really have anything to play for.

(4-12) Arizona Cardinals @ San Francisco 49ers (12-4)

The San Francisco 49ers were pushed all the way by the Las Vegas Raiders last week, but they ended up coming out as 37-34 winners meaning their winning run is now up to 9 games. As it stands, the 49ers sit top of the NFC West and if the season ended today, they would take the number 2 seed and host division rivals the Seattle Seahawks in the wildcard round. As for Arizona, their terrible season continued when they came out on the losing end of a 20-19 game with the Atlanta Falcons. As it stands, the Cardinals sit bottom of the NFC West and if the season ended today, they would finish as the second-worst team in the NFC. Overall, I am definitely expecting the 49ers to win this game. If San Fran lose this game, they could end up finishing as the number 3 seed. However, if they win this game and the Eagles lose, they would take a very surprising number 1 seed meaning they would get a bye through to the divisional round of the playoffs. Also, Arizona come into this game on the back of 6 straight defeats so I wouldn’t expect much from them here.

(5-11) Los Angeles Rams @ Seattle Seahawks (8-8)

The Seattle Seahawks picked up an important victory over the New York Jets to keep them in the playoff fight. As it stands, the Seahawks sit second in the NFC West and if the season ended today, they would take the number 7 seed and would go to San Francisco in the wildcard round. As for Los Angeles, they were comfortably beaten by the Los Angeles Chargers (10-31) and they only have one more game to go in their horrendous attempt at retaining the Super Bowl trophy. As it stands, the Rams sit third in the NFC West and if the season ended today, the Rams would round out the podium for the worst teams in the NFC. Overall, I am picking the Seattle Seahawks. For Seattle to make the playoffs, they need to win and hope the Green Bay Packers lose. Whatever happens in Green Bay, Seattle must win this game and they really should be winning this game. The Rams have been rubbish!

(12-4) Dallas Cowboys @ Washington Commanders (7-8-1)

Despite it looking good just three weeks ago, a loss last week at home to the Cleveland Browns ended Washington’s hopes of making the playoffs. As it stands, the Commanders sit bottom of the NFC East and if the season ended today, the Commanders would finish as the 10th-best team in the NFC. As for Dallas, they picked up a win on the road against the Tennessee Titans that leaves them still in the fight for the NFC East title and maybe even the number 1 seed. As it stands, the Cowboys sit second in the NFC East and if the season ended today, they would take the number 5 seed and go to Tampa Bay for a big wildcard matchup with the Bucs. Overall, I am picking Dallas. If Dallas win this game and the Eagles lose, the Cowboys would end up winning the NFC East. If those things happen and the San Francisco 49ers lose, the Cowboys would take an incredible number 1 seed. No matter what happens, they need to go into the playoffs of the back of some good victories. The Commanders are a perfect opposition for that.

(8-8) Detroit Lions @ Green Bay Packers (8-8)

The final game of the regular season sees the Green Bay Packers host the Detroit Lions in a game that has massive playoff implications. The Green Bay Packers stuffed the Minnesota Vikings 41-17 last week and that result extend their winning run up to 4 games. As it stands, the Packers sit third in the NFC North and if the season ended today, they would narrowly miss out on a playoff spot. As for Detroit, they thrashed the Chicago Bears 41-10 but unfortunately for them, their route to the playoffs isn’t in their hands. As it stands, the Lions sit second in the NFC North and if the season ended today, they would just finish outside of the top 7. Overall, I have to say the Packers. It’s really simple for Green Bay, win and they're into the playoffs whilst the Lions need to beat the Packers and hope that the Seattle Seahawks lose earlier on in the day. It’s going to be really tough for Detroit because the Packers have clearly shown that they are back on form.