NFL Week 18 playoff picture: 13 zany and crazy things to know with postseason berths on line in final games

With 17 weeks in the books, the NFL playoff field still has some open spots available. All the witching hours, crazy finishes, referee controversies and historic performances have gotten us tuned up for a very promising final week of the regular season. 

I love the final week for the potential chaos like:

Beyond the upsets and spoilers, there’s going to be some crazy performances with teams resting starters. You’ll probably see a strange QB matchup (like the possibility of Wentz vs. Sam Darnold in San Francisco on Sunday) and things might not be over until the stroke of midnight on Sunday when the Dolphins play host to the Bills for the AFC East title. 

Before we get too weird, here’s the nuts and bolts you need to know. There are 20 teams still in Super Bowl contention. Five open playoff spots and six teams have win-and-in scenarios: Bills, Texans, Colts, Jaguars, Packers and Buccaneers. 

Alright, enough of that. Here’s 13 (bizarre, obscure, head-scratching, really cool) things you should know about these playoff races heading into Week 18.

1. Circle the wagons

The Bills could be the two seed or be eliminated this week, only the ninth time that’s happened since 1990 (h/t Pro Football researcher Ivan Urena). They clinch the two seed with a win in Miami but could be eliminated with a loss and wins by the Jaguars AND Steelers (as long as the Texans-Colts game doesn’t end in a tie, which you know, could happen).

2. Buffalo’s comeback

The Bills can be the fourth team in NFL history to win a division when they were three games back with five games to play (1973 Bengals, 2008 Chargers, 2022 Jaguars). Poor Dolphins fans. 

3. Steelers can lose and get in?

YES. A team currently on the outside looking in can make the playoffs with a loss. Sound logic. Hat tip to the CBS Sports social and research teams for their breakdown here. The Steelers are currently the nine seed but could actually make the…

Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/nfl-week-18-playoff-picture-13-zany-and-crazy-things-to-know-with-postseason-berths-on-line-in-final-games/

Author : Douglas Clawson

Publish date : 2024-01-03 14:41:42

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