We have entered unfamiliar territory in the NFL.
Normally, Week 17 would mean the end of the season. But with the addition of a 17th game, there is one more week to go, and there is a lot to be decided.
We all know the Packers are the NFC North champions and have locked up the NFC’s top seed. The NFC South (Buccaneers), AFC South (Titans), AFC West (Chiefs), NFC East (Cowboys), and AFC North (Bengals (wait, what?)) have been decided.
But we still don’t know who will win the AFC East and the NFC West. There are wild card spots up for grabs. And the AFC’s top spot is still to be determined.
Buckle up for the first ever Week 18 power rankings. And for who is each team’s MVP.
Key:
e - Eliminated from playoff contention
w - Clinched wild card spot
x - Clinched playoff berth
y - Clinched division title
z - Clinched homefield advantage & 1st round bye
#32: e - Jacksonville Jaguars
Week 17 @ NE: L, 10-50 | Record: 2-14
Previous Rank: #32
The Jaguars are a terrible football team. Every passing week, it’s becoming fairer and fairer to question if the terrible is starting to run off on Trevor Lawrence. His rookie season has gone terribly, and there were moments during the blowout loss to the Patriots where the lasting effects of this season could affect him. He completed 17 of 27 passes, getting intercepted three times. His only highlight came on a garbage time screen pass touchdown that ended a streak of 184 pass attempts without a touchdown. He didn’t sugarcoat things while speaking to reporters after the game. “Obviously, it wasn’t a good day,” said Lawrence. “Didn’t play well, all phases of the game. It sucks. You prepare for the game and to go out there and not perform, it’s disappointing. Got to flip the page. ... It’s definitely frustrating.” The problem is that it was hardly the first bad day. His touchdown pass was just his second since Week 8. His interception total is now at 17. If they lose in Week 18, they will once again have the 1st overall pick in 2022. There will be a new head coach next season, but they have to make better use of those resources next season than they did this season. Otherwise, Lawrence is going to continue to get wasted.
Team MVP: (the other) Josh Allen
Week 18 Projected Starters
QB: Trevor Lawrence
RB: Dare Ogunbowale
WR: Marvin Jones Jr., Laquon Treadwell, Laviska Shenault Jr.
TE: Luke Farrell
OL: Cam Robinson (LT), Andrew Norwell (LG), Brandon Linder (C), Ben Bartch (RG), Jawaan Taylor (RT)
DL: Malcom Brown (LDE), DaVon Hamilton (NT), Dawuane Smoot (RDE)
EDGE: Josh Allen (WLB), Jihad Ward (SLB)
ILB: Damien Wilson (LILB), Myles Jack (RILB)
CB: Tyson Campbell (LCB), Shaquill Griffin (RCB)
S: Andre Cisco (SS), Andrew Wingard (FS)
ST: Matthew Wright (K), Joseph Charlton (P), Ross Matiscik (LS)
RS: Jaydon Mickens
#31: e - New York Giants
Week 17 @ CHI: L, 3-29 | Record: 4-12
Previous Rank: #31
The Giants are an absolute dumpster fire. Against the Eagles, they set a season-low with 192 passing yards. Against the Bears, it was even worse: Mike Glennon threw for just 24 passing yards and the Giants totaled 151 yards as a team. If that’s not bad enough, they finished with -6 net passing yards, and at one point it was at -10. The quarterback position has been a revolving door of revolting. Saquon Barkley finally had his first 100-yard outing of a season... in Week 17. Kenny Golladay, who the Giants signed to a four-year, $72 million contract, has yet to score a touchdown for Big Blue and didn’t have a catch against the Bears. And once again, they will have another lost season as the worst team in the NFC. They have been non-competitive in recent weeks, but Joe Judge accepted responsibility for his team’s pathetic performance. “Everything comes under my umbrella, so I am not going to deflect something or say I’m not responsible for something,” said Judge. “I am responsible for everything. Let’s make that clear.” This sounds more like someone who knows that in a week or so, he’s going to be gone. It didn’t do him favors of his 11-minute monologue of being rebelliously optimistic: “This ain’t a team that’s having fistfights on the sidelines. This ain’t some clown show organization or something else, OK? You talk about the foundation built, you talk about the things that—the toughest thing to change in a team, the toughest thing to change in a club, is the way people think.” Does the ownership really see progress in the last two years?
Big Blue is regressing, and it’s not helping that ex-Giant Scott Simonson is publicly calling out the team, calling Dave Gettleman an “atrocious GM.” Another ex-Giant, Shane Smith, came in full support of Simonson, saying there is something wrong if multiple coaches and players go there and no success is made. What Simonson, and, by extension, Smith, said tracks what others have said about Gettleman. Jason Pierre-Paul said he was shocked with how Gettleman handled his trade to the Buccaneers. Landon Collins said that Gettleman never communicated with him before making no effort to extend him, and went on to say he does not trust him, with Josh Norman adding that he is still angry at his former GM. Former Panthers linebacker Jon Beason said that after he was traded to the Giants by Gettleman, the GM said that Beason was faking a knee injury while recovering from microfracture surgery. Another former Panther, running back DeAngelo Williams, had a warning for Giants fans, calling Gettleman a snake back in 2017.
If there is good news for the Giants, a report surfaced from Ian Rapoport of NFL.com that Gettleman, who will turn 71, could retire after this season. That doesn’t change the fact that serious changes have to be made after this season.
Team MVP: Xavier McKinney
Week 18 Projected Starters
QB: Jake Fromm
RB: Saquon Barkley
WR: Kenny Golladay, Darius Slayton
TE: Evan Engram, Kyle Rudolph
OL: Andrew Thomas (LT), Matt Skura (LG), Billy Price (C), Will Hernandez (RG), Nate Solder (RT)
DL: Dexter Lawrence (LDE), Austin Johnson (NT), Leonard Williams (RDE)
EDGE: Lorenzo Carter (WLB), Azeez Ojulari (SLB)
ILB: Tae Crowder (LILB), Reggie Ragland (RILB)
CB: James Bradberry (LCB), Adoree’ Jackson (RCB)
S: Xavier McKinney (SS), Logan Ryan (FS)
ST: Graham Gano (K), Riley Dixon (P), Casey Kreiter (LS)
RS: Alex Bachman
#30: e - Carolina Panthers
Week 17 @ NO: L, 10-18 | Record: 5-11
Previous Rank: #29
Ever since starting 3-0 against a trio of bottom-feeders minus the Jameis Winston-led Saints, the Panthers have won just twice in 13 games. If they were hoping that Sam Darnold’s return to the lineup would spark optimism, they are foolish in thinking that. He was under constant pressure from the Saints up front to the tune of seven sacks. That Saints defense had no problem passing through the turnstile people call the Panthers’ O-line. Darnold started off with nine consecutive completions, but faded with the rest of the Panthers’ attack, with an ugly game-sealing pick in the final minute. As the losses have piled up, so has the criticism of Matt Rhule. One NFL scout said that the defense is as tough as a house cat. “[Rhule] can say toughness in his mind, but they’re not oozing toughness on the field,” the scout said. “They’re soft. They’re a really soft football team. I don’t see the defense stopping anybody where it’s a 14-13 score. That’s tough football.” Yikes. Joseph Person of The Athletic says that owner David Tepper doesn’t plan to fire Rhule despite the collapse. But there is little to indicate whether from Rhule or Darnold that the team will take a big step forward. They need a total rebuild of the O-line before making any final word on the QB playing behind them. The Panthers are a BAD team. From how things are going, that’s likely how it’s going to be.
Team MVP: Brian Burns
Week 18 Projected Starters
QB: Sam Darnold
RB: Chuba Hubbard
WR: DJ Moore, Robby Anderson, Brandon Zylstra
TE: Tommy Tremble
OL: Dennis Daley (LT), Michael Jordan (LG), Pat Elflein (C), John Miller (RG), Taylor Moton (RT)
DE: Brian Burns (LDE), Morgan Fox (RDE)
DT: Derrick Brown (LDT), DaQuan Jones (RDT)
LB: Shaq Thompson (WLB), Jermaine Carter Jr. (MLB), Haason Reddick (SLB)
CB: CJ Henderson (LCB), Rashaan Melvin (RCB)
S: Juston Burris (SS), Jeremy Chinn (FS)
ST: Lirim Hajrullahu (K), Lachlan Edwards (P), JJ Jansen (LS)
RS: Ameer Abdullah (KR), Alex Erickson (PR)
#29: e - Houston Texans
Week 17 @ SF: L, 7-23 | Record: 4-12
Previous Rank: #27
The Texans came into Week 17 riding high after their biggest win of the season—a 41-29 win over the Chargers. They would be denied a 5th win in San Francisco. They were thoroughly outclassed by 3rd overall pick Trey Lance and the 49ers. Offensively, the run game that helped the Texans knock out the Chargers totaled just 86 yards. Defensively, they had no answer for the Niners’ ground game, giving up 4.7 yards per carry and 175 rushing yards in total. But we need to give credit where credit is due: David Culley kept one of the least talented teams in the league in as many games as he has. Brandin Cooks is also the league’s most underrated playmaker. He had the lone Texans touchdown and quietly put together yet another productive season in his career. He now has six 1,000-yard seasons in his eight years in the NFL. What makes this mind-blowing is that he has played for four different teams throughout his career. The focus, however, is on the future. If the season ended today, they would have the 3rd pick of the Draft, and if the legal situation surrounding Deshaun Watson is solved soon and they find a trade partner for him, they would find themselves with a lot of draft capital. That’s good, because they have a lot of holes on their roster, especially on the O-line and the skill positions.
Team MVP: Jonathan Greenard
Week 18 Projected Starters
QB: Davis Mills
RB: Rex Burkhead
WR: Brandin Cooks, Nico Collins, Chris Conley
TE: Pharaoh Brown
OL: Tytus Howard (LT), Lane Taylor (LG), Justin Britt (C), Max Scharping (RG), Charlie Heck (RT)
DE: Jonathan Greenard (LDE), Jacob Martin (RDE)
DT: Maliek Collins (LDT), DeMarcus Walker (RDT)
LB: Eric Wilson (WLB), Kamu Grugier-Hill (MLB), Christian Kirksey (SLB)
CB: Desmond King II (LCB), Terrance Mitchell (RCB)
S: Eric Murray (SS), Terrence Brooks (FS)
ST: Ka’imi Fairbairn (K), Cameron Johnston (P), Jon Weeks (LS)
RS: Tremon Smith (KR), Desmond King II (PR)
#28: e - Detroit Lions
Week 17 @ SEA: L, 29-51 | Record: 2-13-1
Previous Rank: #28
Wins have been scarce for the Lions this season, but they have fought hard throughout the season. Unfortunately, they fell again. Frankly, the offense found success with Tim Boyle under center. That’s an achievement. This game featured yet another standout performance from rookie wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown, who had 134 total yards and scored two touchdowns (one receiving, one rushing), and tied Calvin Johnson for the longest streak of games with at least eight receptions in franchise history (five). But the defense had no answer for Russell Wilson and the Seahawks offense, giving up 51 points and almost 500 total yards. That little streak of being in games came to an end, but there’s a lot to like about this season for this team. However, regardless of whether they finish 2-14-1 or 3-13-1, there will be a lot of work to do this offseason and questions to answer when the offseason begins, including if they view Jared Goff as their long-term answer under center.
Team MVP: D'Andre Swift
Week 18 Projected Starters
QB: Tim Boyle
RB: D’Andre Swift, Jamaal Williams
WR: Amon-Ra St. Brown, Josh Reynolds, Kalif Raymond
TE: Brock Wright
OL: Taylor Decker (LT), Jonah Jenkins (LG), Evan Brown (C), Halapoulivaati Vaitai (RG), Penei Sewell (RT)
DL: Michael Brockers (LDE), Alim McNeill (NT), Nick Williams (RDE)
EDGE: Julian Okwara (WLB), Charles Harris (SLB)
ILB: Anthony Pittman (LILB), Jalen Reeves-Maybin (RILB)
CB: Ifeatu Melifonwu (LCB), Will Harris (RCB)
S: Dean Marlowe (SS), Tracy Walker III (FS)
ST: Riley Patterson (K), Jack Fox (P), Scott Daly (LS)
RS: Godwin Igwebuike (KR), Kalif Raymond (PR)
#27: e - New York Jets
Week 17 vs. TB: L, 24-28 | Record: 4-12
Previous Rank: #30
For a time, it looked like the Jets were on the verge of pulling off one of the biggest upsets of the 2021 season. With just two minutes left, the Jets had a four-point lead over the defending Super Bowl champions, who took over from their own 7 with no timeouts. But Tom Brady drove the length of the field with little resistance to snatch the win. The drive came after a miscommunication on a 4th down play that led to a turnover on downs. When speaking to reporters after the game, Robert Saleh accepted responsibility for the gaffe. “It’s unfortunate that we’re going to be talking about the last sequence of events there, but I thought our guys were outstanding today. They deserved better,” said Saleh. And yes, it was a rough ending, but Saleh and the Jets and look at the bright spots of this game when they gave the Bucs all they can handle. The undermanned team hung in there, and Zach Wilson showed real progress. His game was shown with eye-catching passes that showed his improved rhythm and confidence. It’s a bright spot in a season full of growing pains, along with scoring at least 24 points in each of their last three games. They may have allowed the most points and yards in the league, but they are showing signs of improvement offensively.
Team MVP: Quinnen Williams
Week 18 Projected Starters
QB: Zach Wilson
RB: Michael Carter
WR: Keelan Cole, Jeff Smith, Jamison Crowder
TE: Tyler Kroft
OL: Conor McDermott (LT), Alijah Vera-Tucker (LG), Dan Feeney (C), Laurent Duvernay-Tardif (RG), Morgan Moses (RT)
DE: John Franklin-Myers (LDE), Ronald Blair (RDE)
DT: Sheldon Rankins (LDT), Quinnen Williams (RDT)
LB: Del’Shawn Phillips (WLB), CJ Mosley (MLB), Quincy Williams (SLB)
CB: Brandin Echols (LCB), Bryce Hall (RCB)
S: Ashtyn Davis (SS), Elijah Riley (FS)
ST: Eddy Piñeiro (K), Braden Mann (P), Thomas Hennessy (LS)
RS: Keelan Cole (KR), Michael Carter (PR)
#26: e - Washington Football Team
Week 17 vs. PHI: L, 16-20 | Record: 6-10
Previous Rank: #26
It’s been a rough season in the nation’s capital. Injuries have battered Washington on both sides of the ball. Their Week 17 loss to the Eagles was their 10th of the season and their 4th consecutive. The offense sputtered. The defense was really disappointing. The Ryan Fitzpatrick era was over before it even started. Taylor Heinicke is okay, but he’s not a franchise QB. Speaking of Heinicke, he had the chance to put the dagger in the heart of Eagles fans, but instead threw an interception that sealed the L. He has provided Washington clarity with his up-and-down play: He’s a high-end backup, but not a difference-maker, something they haven’t had since Robert Griffin III’s rookie season. If they were to go anywhere, they need to get better at QB and they need to fix up the defense this offseason. And that is easier said than done. It will be interesting to see what they will do with their top-10 pick in the Draft.
Team MVP: Terry McLaurin
Week 18 Projected Starters
QB: Taylor Heinicke
RB: Antonio Gibson
WR: Terry McLaurin, Cam Sims, Adam Humphries
TE: John Bates
OL: Charles Leno Jr. (LT), Ereck Flowers (LG), Keith Ismael (C), Brandon Scherff (RG), Sam Cosmi (RT)
DE: James Smith-Williams (LDE), Casey Toohill (RDE)
DT: Da’Ron Payne (LDT), Jonathan Allen (RDT)
LB: Cole Holcomb (WLB), Jamin Davis (MLB), David Mayo (SLB)
CB: Kendall Fuller (LCB), Danny Johnson (RCB)
S: Jeremy Reaves (SS), Kamren Curl (FS)
ST: Joey Slye (K), Tress Way (P), Camaron Cheeseman (LS)
RS: DeAndre Carter
#25: e - Denver Broncos
Week 17 @ LAC: L, 13-34 | Record: 7-9
Previous Rank: #23
In Week 14, the Broncos were 7-6 and had a chance at a wild card spot. Fast forward to now, and after being blown out by the Chargers, they are officially out of playoff contention and are ensured a losing record for a 5th straight season. To be fair, they were not set up well co compete. They were missing five defensive starters, as well as Teddy Bridgewater and Jerry Jeudy. Brandon McManus, the lone remaining player from the team that won Super Bowl 50, admitted that losing seasons are frustrating. “Obviously, it’s disappointing,” said McManus. “It’s what, six years now of missing the playoffs? When you lose a lot of division games, it doesn’t help. That’s what we’ve done the last few years. We gave ourselves a chance. We sat at 7-6. Obviously we didn’t do enough to win enough games down the stretch here.” Given the playoff drought, it’s likely big changes are going to be made this offseason. Vic Fangio’s future as the Broncos’ head coach is uncertain, and the QB play has not given any confidence on the long-term future at the position. In their losing streak, they did not score more than 13 points. Yes, they rely on the ground game, but their QBs don’t threaten the opposition enough.
Team MVP: Justin Simmons
Week 18 Projected Starters
QB: Drew Lock
RB: Melvin Gordon III
WR: Jerry Jeudy, Courtland Sutton, Tim Patrick
TE: Noah Fant
OL: Garett Bolles (LT), Netane Muti (LG), Lloyd Cushenberry III (C), Quinn Meinerz (RG), Cam Fleming (RT)
DL: Shelby Harris (LDL), Dre’Mont Jones (RDL)
EDGE: Bradley Chubb (WLB), Stephen Weatherly (SLB)
ILB: Micah Kiser (LILB), Jonas Griffith (RILB)
CB: Kyle Fuller (LCB), Michael Ojemudia (RCB), Bryce Callahan (NB)
S: PJ Locke (SS), Justin Simmons (FS)
ST: Brandon McManus (K), Sam Martin (P), Jacob Bobenmoyer (LS)
RS: Kendall Hinton
#24: e - Atlanta Falcons
Week 17 @ BUF: L, 15-29 | Record: 7-9
Previous Rank: #22
Whatever playoff hopes the Falcons had left were gone after they lost to the Bills. It could have turned out much differently this game if they executed better. They forced three turnovers—all Josh Allen interceptions—but stalled on the Buffalo side of the field too many times. Now the focus is on the future—to address the shortcomings that caused the Falcons to miss the playoffs in their last four seasons. It’s not a short list, either. They need to decide what to do with Matt Ryan, who, at 36, is closer to the end of his career. He’s not an MVP candidate anymore, but he is still a veteran QB who can carry a huge dead cap hit if the Falcons move on. The likely plan is to improve around Ryan, but that’s not going to be easy. The team needs O-linemen, edge rushers, defensive backs, and wide receivers. That’s not going to be easy for them, and combine that with them having the 9th-least cap space, they don’t have a ton of resources to get a rebuild going. At least Kyle Pitts became the second rookie tight end in NFL history to reach 1,000 receiving yards, so... yay?
Team MVP: Cordarrelle Patterson
Week 18 Projected Starters
QB: Matt Ryan
RB: Cordarrelle Patterson
WR: Russell Gage, Olamide Zaccheaus, Olamide Zaccheaus
TE: Kyle Pitts
OL: Jake Matthews (LT), Jalen Mayfield (LG), Matt Hennessy (C), Chris Lindstrom (RG), Kaleb McGary (RT)
DL: Mike Pennel (LDE), Ta’Quon Graham (NT), Grady Jarrett (RDT)
EDGE: Steven Means (WLB), Dante Fowler Jr. (SLB)
ILB: Deion Jones (LILB), Foyesade Oluokun (RILB)
CB: AJ Terrell (LCB), Fabian Moreau (RCB)
S: Duron Harmon (SS), Jaylinn Hawkins (FS)
ST: Younghoe Koo (K), Thomas Morstead (P), Josh Harris (LS)
RS: Avery Williams
#23: e - Seattle Seahawks
Week 17 vs. DET: W, 51-29 | Record: 6-10
Previous Rank: #25
It was a wildly disappointing season for Russell Wilson and the Seahawks, especially on offense. But at least the offense got rolling in Week 17. Facing the Lions, the Seahawks topped 50 points and had 500 yards of offense. You’d wonder where this offense has been the past two months as Russell Wilson had his best game since his finger surgery, throwing four touchdown passes, three of them to DK Metcalf. Rashaad Penny’s revival continued with 170 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 25 carries. Leading up to the game, Wilson said that he hoped this wasn’t his final game in Seattle. It’s a welcome sight for Seahawks fans, who are not used to the struggles they faced this season. But one game doesn’t change the future. There is still uncertainty around Wilson and Pete Carroll. Both are at a crossroads.
Team MVP: Tyler Lockett
Week 18 Projected Starters
QB: Russell Wilson
RB: Rashaad Penny
WR: Tyler Lockett, DK Metcalf, Freddie Swain
TE: Gerald Everett
OL: Duane Brown (LT), Kyle Fuller (LG), Ethan Pocic (C), Gabe Jackson (RG), Jake Curhan (RT)
DE: Rasheem Green (LDE), Kerry Hyder Jr. (RDE)
DT: Poona Ford (LDT), Bryan Mone (RDT)
LB: Jordyn Brooks (WLB), Cody Barton (MLB), Benson Mayowa (SLB)
CB: DJ Reed (LCB), Sidney Jones IV (RCB)
S: Ugo Amadi (SS), Quandre Diggs (FS)
ST: Jason Myers (K), Michael Dickson (P), Tyler Ott (LS)
RS: DeeJay Dallas (KR), Freddie Swain (PR)
#22: e - Chicago Bears
Week 17 vs. NYG: W, 29-3 | Record: 6-10
Previous Rank: #24
It has been a miserable season in Chicago. A meaningless win over a terrible Giants team is not going to change that. It’s not going to save Matt Nagy’s job either, who is expected to be fired after the season finale against the Vikings. But still, this win is the Bears’ second in a row, and it was the defense balling out. The star, once again, was Robert Quinn. With his 18th sack, he broke the franchise record for most sacks in a season, set by Richard Dent (17.5) in 1984. Ironically, he was previously the Rams’ franchise record holder for most sacks in a season, and both times when he set the record, the QB he sacked was Mike Glennon. The Bears also joined the Packers as the only NFL teams with 800 victories all-time, including postseason. These records are rare bright spots in a dark season. But said dark season will be over soon once Nagy and Ryan Pace leave. Then will come the hard part: Finding a new head coach who can properly develop Justin Fields and fill the holes on the roster without a 1st round pick in the upcoming Draft.
Team MVP: Roquan Smith
Week 18 Projected Starters
QB: Andy Dalton
RB: David Montgomery
WR: Darnell Mooney, Allen Robinson II, Damiere Byrd
TE: Cole Kmet
OL: Jason Peters (LT), Cody Whitehair (LG), Sam Mustipher (C), James Daniels (RG), Germain Ifedi (RT)
DL: Angelo Blackson (LDE), Eddie Goldman (NT), Bilal Nichols (RDE)
EDGE: Bruce Irvin (WLB), Robert Quinn (SLB)
ILB: Roquan Smith (LILB), Alec Ogletree (RILB)
CB: Jaylon Johnson (LCB), Duke Shelley (RCB)
S: Tashaun Gipson (SS), Eddie Jackson FS)
ST: Cairo Santos (K), Pat O’Donnell (P), Patrick Scales (LS)
RS: Khalil Herbert (KR), Damiere Byrd (PR)
#21: e - Minnesota Vikings
Week 17 @ GB: L, 10-37 | Record: 7-9
Previous Rank: #21
The Vikings are officially done. Yes, they were on the edges of the playoffs for most of the season, but they made losing games in heartbreaking fashion a work of art this season. When the defense played well, the offense sputtered. When the offense was firing on all cylinders, the defense couldn’t stop anything. Patrick Peterson admitted to this season being frustrating when talking to reporters after the game. “Offense can be on one game and the defense’s not playing well, defense can play well one game and the offense is not playing well,” said Peterson. “We can’t have that back and forth throughout the season. We have to be able to play complementary football. We did that at times and we didn’t do that at times. When we didn’t do it, it hurt us.” And then there are games like these when neither side played well. This one against, guess who? The Packers, of course! They had no problem securing the top seed in a game where Kirk Cousins was watching from home after landing on the COVID list at the worst possible time. This game was basically the Vikings in a nutshell. When mediocrity is the ceiling and the floor is god-awful, serious changes need to be made. Both GM Rick Spielman and head coach Mike Zimmer have to go. The mediocrity doesn’t fall entirely on Cousins, as his time in Minnesota has been defined by good individual production met with average team results. This should have the ownership question the franchise’s direction. They’re stuck in the hamster wheel and it’s not certain when they will get out of it.
Team MVP: Justin Jefferson
Week 18 Projected Starters
QB: Kirk Cousins
RB: Dalvin Cook
WR: Justin Jefferson, KJ Osborn, Dede Westbrook
TE: Tyler Conklin
OL: Christian Darrisaw (LT), Ezra Cleveland (LG), Garrett Bradbury (C), Oli Udoh (RG), Brian O’Neill (RT)
DE: Kenny Willekes (LDE), DJ Wonnum (RDE)
DT: Armon Watts (LDT), Dalvin Tomlinson (RDT)
LB: Nick Vigil (WLB), Troy Dye (MLB), Anthony Barr (SLB)
CB: Patrick Peterson (LCB), Cameron Dantzler (RCB)
S: Harrison Smith (SS), Xavier Woods (FS)
ST: Greg Joseph (K), Jordan Berry (P), Andrew DePaola (LS)
RS: Kene Nwangwu (KR), KJ Osborn (PR)
#20: e - Cleveland Browns
Week 17 @ PIT: L, 14-26 | Record: 7-9
Previous Rank: #19
For the second time in three seasons, all the hype surrounded the Browns entering the regular season. Once again, the hype paved the way to a losing season and the team missing the playoffs. They weren’t thrilled about being the Steelers’ guests at Big Ben’s final home game. The defense held Ben to 2.7 yards per attempt on 46 passes, but the Browns’ offense was inept as well. Baker Mayfield took nine sacks and threw two picks, while Kevin Stefanski should get criticism for a game plan that had Nick Chubb run the ball just 12 times. Yes, Mayfield’s struggles can be attributed to the injuries he suffered and a lack of passing game talent around him, but Odell Beckham Jr. is getting back to rhythm in Los Angeles. Mayfield has one of the league’s best O-lines and arguably the best one-two punch in the backfield in Chubb and Kareem Hunt. But his bad decision-making is holding the team back, which is cause for questions about the long-term answer under center. If they extend him after this season, it’s either going to be at a steep discount or it’s the case of the Browns out-Browning themselves. If you want to talk about the most disappointing teams of this season, they should be in the discussion. Because whenever you think they will get out of the hump, more Browning happens.
Team MVP: Myles Garrett
Week 18 Projected Starters
QB: Case Keenum
RB: Nick Chubb
WR: Jarvis Landry, Donovan Peoples-Jones, Rashard Higgins
TE: Austin Hooper
OL: Jedrick Wills Jr. (LT), Joel Bitonio (LG), JC Tretter (C), Wyatt Teller (RG), James Hudson III (RT)
DE: Myles Garrett (LDE), Jadeveon Clowney (RDE)
DT: Malik McDowell (LDT), Jordan Elliott (RDT)
LB: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (WLB), Anthony Walker Jr. (MLB), Elijah Lee (SLB)
CB: Troy Hill (LCB), Greg Newsome II (RCB)
S: Ronnie Harrison Jr. (SS), John Johnson III (FS)
ST: Chase McLaughlin (K), Dustin Colquitt (P), Charley Hughlett (LS)
RS: Anthony Schwartz (KR), Donovan Peoples-Jones (PR)
#19: Baltimore Ravens
Week 17 vs. LAR: L, 19-20 | Record: 8-8
Previous Rank: #17
Eleven games into the 2021 season, the Ravens were 8-3 and the AFC’s top seed. They have lost five straight games since. And now they are in danger of missing the playoffs for the first time since 2017. They saw those chances fall apart against a Rams team that didn’t get its first lead until the final minute of the game. Tyler Huntley, who once again filled in for Lamar Jackson, couldn’t turn red zone trips into touchdowns—they went without an offensive touchdown for the first time in three seasons. It’s not hard to show the reasons for this skid. They have been decimated by injuries. Jackson has not played since hurting his ankle in Week 14. The secondary and running back positions have been ravaged by extensive injuries. The first half of their season was defined by narrow wins, while the second half was defined by narrow losses. They’re not out of it yet. But in addition of needing to beat the Steelers, they need the Raiders to beat the Chargers, the Patriots to beat the Dolphins, and the Jaguars to beat the Colts. The last one is the least likely to happen. Most likely, they will be watching the playoffs from the couch while lamenting a lost season where injuries were the story of the season.
Team MVP: Lamar Jackson
Week 18 Projected Starters
QB: Tyler Huntley
RB: Devonta Freeman
WR: Marquise Brown, Rashod Bateman, Sammy Watkins
TE: Mark Andrews
OL: Alejandro Villanueva (LT), Ben Cleveland (LG), Trystan Colon-Castillo (C), Kevin Zeitler (RG), Patrick Mekari (RT)
DL: Justin Madubuike (LDE), Brandon Williams (NT), Calais Campbell (RDE)
EDGE: Tyus Bowser (WLB), Justin Houston (SLB)
ILB: Josh Bynes (LILB), Patrick Queen (RILB)
CB: Jimmy Smith (LCB), Tavon Young (RCB)
S: Chuck Clark (SS), Brandon Stephens (FS)
ST: Justin Tucker (K), Sam Koch (P), Nick Moore (LS)
RS: Devin Duvernay
#18: Pittsburgh Steelers
Week 17 vs. CLE: W, 26-14 | Record: 8-7-1
Previous Rank: #18
If this game was truly Ben Roethlisberger’s final game at Heinz Field, he went out a winner. He was the story of the game, but it wasn’t an especially impressive performance, not as impressive at TJ Watt’s four-sack night that gave him a legitimate chance at breaking the sack record next week. He and Najee Harris were the stars of the game who kept the Steelers’ slim playoff hopes alive, with Harris rushing for 188 yards and the game-sealing score. That marks a season sweep of the Browns, the very same team that ended the Steelers’ 2020 season in the playoffs last season. However, with the slim playoff hopes the Steelers have, they need a win over the Ravens, the Jaguars to upset the Colts, and for Chargers vs. Raiders to not end in a tie. But after 18 seasons and a pair of Super Bowls, he got to leave Heinz Field as a winner. This also brings the question on who their next QB will be, whether they draft in the first round, trade up in the Draft, or sign a QB in free agency. This offseason is going to be very interesting for the Steel City.
Team MVP: TJ Watt
Week 18 Projected Starters
QB: Ben Roethlisberger
RB: Najee Harris
WR: Diontae Johnson, Chase Claypool, Ray-Ray McCloud
TE: Pat Freiermuth
OL: Joe Haeg (LT), John Leglue (LG), JC Hassenauer (C), Trai Turner (RG), Chukwuma Okorafor (RT)
DL: Carlos Davis (LDL), Cameron Heyward (RDL)
EDGE: TJ Watt (WLB), Alex Highsmith (SLB)
ILB: Devin Bush Jr. (LILB), Joe Schobert (RILB)
CB: Joe Haden (LCB), Cam Sutton (RCB), Arthur Maulet (NB)
S: Terrell Edmunds (SS), Minkah Fitzpatrick (FS)
ST: Chris Boswell (K), Pressley Harvin III (P), Christian Kuntz (LS)
RS: Ray-Ray McCloud
#17: e - Miami Dolphins
Week 17 @ TEN: L, 3-34 | Record: 8-8
Previous Rank: #10
The Dolphins entered Week 17 as one of the hottest teams in the NFL. They left Week 17 wiping off the footprints the Titans did stomping on them and with their playoff hopes gone thanks to the Chargers’ win. That they lost is understandable. The winning streak was bound to come to an end, and the Titans are two-time defending AFC South champions. But the Fins didn’t just lose. They had the chance to show their seven-game winning streak wasn’t just a product of a soft schedule, then delivered a flat performance that validated the naysayers. The Fins were dominated in every facet of the game. The offense was nonexistent. Tua had two turnovers while completing just 18 of 38 passes. The defense got ran over by D’Onta Foreman. It was an overall flat effort that only adds fuel for those who doubt Tua’s long-term viability. But even if they have flaws. Trading the future for Deshaun Watson or any other QB isn’t going to fix those problems. The smart move for them is to use their draft capital and cap space to fix the O-line, to find a decent running back, and add help on defense. They can compete with Tua and some improvements, but if they trade for a QB, the problems that have existed this season will remain.
Team MVP: Jaylen Waddle
Week 18 Projected Starters
QB: Tua Tagovailoa
RB: Duke Johnson
WR: Jaylen Waddle, DeVante Parker, Albert Wilson
TE: Mike Gesicki
OL: Liam Eichenberg (LT), Austin Jackson (LG), Michael Deiter (C), Robert Hunt (RG), Jesse Davis (RT)
DL: Emmanuel Ogbah (LDE), Raekwon Davis (NT), Christian Wilkins (RDE)
EDGE: Andrew Van Ginkel (WLB), Jaelan Phillips (SLB)
ILB: Elandon Roberts (LILB), Jerome Baker (RILB)
CB: Xavien Howard (LCB), Byron Jones (RCB)
S: Eric Rowe (SS), Jevon Holland (FS)
ST: Jason Sanders (K), Michael Palardy (P), Blake Ferguson (LS)
RS: Jaylen Waddle
#16: New Orleans Saints
Week 17 vs. CAR: W, 18-10 | Record: 8-8
Previous Rank: #20
The Saints won’t die. They’re somehow still alive in the NFC playoff race thanks to an ugly win over the Panthers. They managed just 73 yards on the ground and averaged just 2.6 yards per carry. In their last three games, they averaged 10 points per game. But they fought through, which is a testament to the great coaching and the fight of a decimated team that constantly fought through adversity, drawing praise from Sean Payton. “When we hear people say must-win games, today was a must-win game,” said Payton, crediting his players’ sense of urgency. “These guys understood it.” Once again, the defense played the starring role, piling seven sacks on Sam Darnold in the 18-10 win. Cam Jordan is on a heater: He had 3.5 sacks in this game and has at least two sacks in three straight games. But they still face an uphill battle for the playoffs. In addition to beating the Falcons, they need the Rams to beat the 49ers. Neither scenario is unlikely. They’re not going to make noise in the playoffs, but they can make the playoffs after starting four quarterbacks this season (Jameis Winston, Trevor Siemian, Taysom Hill, and Ian Book). This might as well be the best coaching job of Payton’s career. And given that they swept the Buccaneers, the last thing the Bucs want to face in the playoffs is the Saints in the wild card round.
Team MVP: Alvin Kamara
Week 18 Projected Starters
QB: Taysom Hill
RB: Alvin Kamara
WR: Marquez Callaway, Tre’Quan Smith, Deonte Harris
TE: Adam Trautman
OL: James Hurst (LT), Calvin Throckmorton (LG), Cesar Ruiz (C), James Carpenter (RG), Ryan Ramczyk (RT)
DE: Cameron Jordan (LDE), Marcus Davenport (RDE)
DT: David Onyemata (LDT), Shy Tuttle (RDT)
LB: Kwon Alexander (LILB), Demario Davis (RILB)
CB: Paulson Adebo (LCB), Marshon Lattimore (RCB), CJ Gardner-Johnson (NB)
S: Malcolm Jenkins (SS), Marcus Williams (FS)
ST: Brett Maher (K), Blake Gillikin (P), Zach Wood (LS)
RS: Deonte Harris
#15: Las Vegas Raiders
Week 17 @ IND: W, 23-20 | Record: 9-7
Previous Rank: #16
To say that it has been a chaotic season for the Raiders is an understatement. There was the firing of Jon Gruden. The fatal crash that led to the release of Henry Ruggs III. The disturbing social media post leading to the release of Damon Arnette. Most recently, the DUI on Nate Hobbs. Never mind the injuries and COVID-related absences on both sides of the ball. Through it all, the Raiders threw the late-season collapse narrative out the window and have kept their train on the tracks. After downing the Colts in Indianapolis, they have a real chance of making the playoffs. All they have to do is beat the Chargers and complete one of the most unlikely turnarounds in franchise history. The stakes are high for everyone, including interim head coach Rich Bisaccia. He is one win away from getting a strong case to remove the interim label from his title. The Chargers are vulnerable against the run, and Josh Jacobs can take advantage of that vulnerability. The question is if the defense can hold up after the two-touchdown loss in Week 4. Bisaccia deserves a lot of credit after he led the Raiders. They may have a minus-68 point differential and have turned the ball over seven times since Week 15, but have went undefeated in that stretch. This is a team to be taken seriously, stifling opponents with their defense, giving up 20 points or fewer in that span. FUN FACT: 32 games won this season came on a final play. Five of them were from the Raiders, the most in NFL history for a team in a single season.
Team MVP: Derek Carr
Week 18 Projected Starters
QB: Derek Carr
RB: Josh Jacobs
WR: Hunter Renfrow, Bryan Edwards, Zay Jones
TE: Foster Moreau
OL: Kolton Miller (LT), John Simpson (LG), Andre James (C), Alex Leatherwood (RG), Brandon Parker (RT)
DE: Maxx Crosby (LDE), Yannick Ngakoue (RDE)
DT: Johnathan Hankins (LDT), Quinton Jefferson (RDT)
LB: Denzel Perryman (LILB), KJ Wright (RILB)
CB: Brandon Facyson (LCB), Casey Hayward Jr. (RCB), Nate Hobbs (NB)
S: Dallin Leavitt (SS), Tre’von Moehrig (FS)
ST: Daniel Carlson (K), AJ Cole III (P), Trent Sieg (LS)
RS: Peyton Barber (KR), Hunter Renfrow (PR)
#14: xw - Philadelphia Eagles
Week 17 @ WSH: W, 20-16 | Record: 9-7
Previous Rank: #14
The Eagles are back in the playoffs. Their win in DC followed the same script they have used to turn the season around. They ran the ball 34 times in Week 17, and while they averaged just 3.5 yards per carry, they controlled the pace of the game and won the time of possession battle. Jalen Hurts told reporters that the success has been committing to the smashmouth gameplan. “We just bought in to who we are, bought in to what we could be and trusted in the grind in and approaching every day the way we do,” said Hurts. “I couldn’t be more proud of this team.” Four straight wins have led to their way to the playoffs, but it’s fair to wonder if they are the NFC’s version of the Dolphins—another team feasting on the league’s have-nots. The win streak came on wins over the Jets, Giants, and Washington (twice). They don’t have a win against a team that currently has a winning record. But with a playoff berth clinched, they can breathe easier about their visit from the Cowboys. It’s possible that the team sits Hurts to heal his injured ankle. But knocking off the Cowboys go a long way towards showing they can have success in the playoffs. Them beating bottom-feeders doesn’t take away their dominant performances. They have won three of their last four games by at least 10 points. When Hurts doesn’t turn the ball over, they control games with their top-ranked ground attack, which has been the focal point of the team with their rise in the standings. Nick Sirianni has leaned on arguably the best offensive front in the league, helping the Eagles turn into a winning team. They are a dangerous team in the playoffs even if they lack the talent compared to other teams.
Team MVP: Jalen Hurts
Week 18 Projected Starters
QB: Gardner Minshew II
RB: Kenneth Gainwell
WR: DeVonta Smith, Quez Watkins, Jalen Reagor
TE: Tyree Jackson
OL: Andre Dillard (LT), Landon Dickerson (LG), Jason Kelce (C), Jack Anderson (RG), Jordan Mailata (RT)
DE: Ryan Kerrigan (LDE), Tarron Jackson (RDE)
DT: Hassan Ridgeway (LDT), Milton Williams (RDT)
LB: JaCoby Stevens (WLB), TJ Edwards (MLB), Shaun Bradley (SLB)
CB: Zech McPhearson (LCB), Josiah Scott (RCB)
S: K’Von Wallace (SS), Jared Mayden (FS)
ST: Jake Elliott (K), Arryn Siposs (P), Rick Lovato (FS)
RS: Jason Huntley (KR), Jalen Reagor (PR)
#13: San Francisco 49ers
Week 17 vs. HOU: W, 23-7 | Record: 9-7
Previous Rank: #13
The Niners were in danger of falling out of the playoff consideration in the NFC. They were also shorthanded Jimmy Garoppolo, who was nursing a hand injury. Thanks to the return of Elijah Mitchell and with Trey Lance doing solid filling in at QB, the Niners got the win they needed to control their own destiny. This puts the Niners in the playoff consideration once again. Now this is when things are getting interesting: Lance’s upside makes him an X-factor, but Kyle Shanahan told reporters that Garoppolo will get the start against the Rams in Week 18, if he is healthy. Shanahan, though, told reporters after the game that they took it as if the playoffs have started. “It’s pretty simple for us,” said Shanahan. “I think our playoffs, I kind of thought going into this game that they started today because I had a feeling that was going to go like that and it did. I’m just glad we took care of business. So we got our second playoff game next week.” The Niners have a bigger test to travel down to LA to face the NFC West-leading Rams. If they lose, they have to hope the Saints don’t beat the Falcons to get in the playoffs. With the QB situation, this is essentially a rolling of the dice.
Team MVP: Deebo Samuel
Week 18 Projected Starters
QB: Jimmy Garoppolo
RB: Elijah Mitchell (RB), Kyle Juszczyk (FB)
WR: Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk
TE: George Kittle
OL: Trent Williams (LT), Laken Tomlinson (LG), Alex Mack (C), Daniel Brunskill (RG), Tom Compton (RT)
DE: Arik Armstead (LDE), Nick Bosa (RDE)
DT: Kentavius Street (LDT), DJ Jones (RDT)
LB: Azeez Al-Shaair (WLB), Fred Warner (MLB), Dre Greenlaw (SLB)
CB: Ambry Thomas (LCB), Josh Norman (RCB)
S: Jaquiski Tartt (SS), Jarrod Wilson (FS)
ST: Robbie Gould (K), Mitch Wishnowsky (P), Taybor Pepper (LS)
RS: Ambry Thomas (KR), Brandon Aiyuk (PR)
#12: Los Angeles Chargers
Week 17 vs. DEN: W, 34-13 | Record: 9-7
Previous Rank: #15
After taking down the Broncos, the Chargers are 9-7 and control their destiny. They took care of business against the undermanned team. After losing a stunner to the Texans, Brandon Staley told reporters that the Chargers are back on track. “Each week has a life of its own in the NFL,” said Staley. “It’s having a life of its own since the beginning, and that’s the way we need to treat things around here. And the more, the longer that we’re here, the more people will realize that every week is going to feel like this coming week.” This game featured some Chargers history for Justin Herbert, who became the fastest player to reach 800 career completions (31 games), and the second-youngest player in NFL history to get 65 touchdown passes (23 years, 298 days). He even set a new Chargers single-season record with 35 touchdown passes. Now it’s win and in. Beat the Raiders, and they will be back in the playoffs for the first time since 2018. Bolts fans feel like a primetime showcase is going to set up for more heartbreak. It’s understandable given their history, but they should head into this game as the deeper team, and, more importantly, the superior QB.
Team MVP: Justin Herbert
Week 18 Projected Starters
QB: Justin Herbert
RB: Austin Ekeler
WR: Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, Jalen Guyton
TE: Jared Cook
OL: Rashawn Slater (LT), Matt Feiler (LG), Corey Linsley (C), Michael Schofield III (RG), Storm Norton (RT)
DL: Jerry Tillery (LDL), Justin Jones (RDL)
EDGE: Joey Bosa (WLB), Uchenna Nwosu (SLB)
ILB: Drue Tranquill (LILB), Kyzir White (RILB)
CB: Chris Harris Jr. (LCB), Michael Davis (RCB), Asante Samuel Jr. (NB)
S: Derwin James Jr. (SS), Nasir Adderley (FS)
ST: Dustin Hopkins (K), Ty Long (P), Matt Overton (LS)
RS: Andre Roberts (KR), Jalen Guyton (PR)
#11: Indianapolis Colts
Week 17 vs. LV: L, 20-23 | Record: 9-7
Previous Rank: #6
Heading into Week 17, there wasn’t a hotter team than the Colts. They won seven of their last eight to get back to the playoffs. Jonathan Taylor was getting MVP consideration. The defense made big play after big play. Everything was coming together... until they faced the Raiders. Now it’s doom for them after losing to them. Yes, a change in COVID protocols allowed Carson Wentz to play, but he wasn’t much of help in a disappointing last-second loss. Wentz was uneven once again, sparking more questions on how much Indy can trust him in the playoffs. Frank Reich admitted that he was taken aback by his team’s lackluster effort in a game where the Colts could clinch a playoff spot. “We’re like anyone else. If you don’t come and just lose a bit of an edge, if you just let your guard down just a little bit, you can get beat in this league,” said Reich. “So I don’t think that was going to happen today. I thought we’d come out and have the edge that was needed to finish it out this week and to go in with a ton of momentum next week, but we’ll have to prepare this week. No givens next week.” If they beat the Jaguars in Week 18, they clinch a playoff spot, but for those who think this is an easy game, the Colts have not won in Jacksonville since 2014. Yes, they lost five straight games in Duval. I am not making this up.
Team MVP: Jonathan Taylor
Week 18 Projected Starters
QB: Carson Wentz
RB: Jonathan Taylor
WR: Michael Pittman Jr., TY Hilton, Parris Campbell
TE: Jack Doyle
OL: Eric Fisher (LT), Quenton Nelson (LG), Ryan Kelly (C), Mark Glowinski (RG), Braden Smith (RT)
DE: Kwity Paye (LDE), Al-Quadin Muhammad (RDE)
DT: DeForest Buckner (LDT), Grover Stewart (RDT)
LB: Darius Leonard (WLB), Bobby Okereke (MLB), Zaire Franklin (SLB)
CB: Rock Ya-Sin (LCB), Kenny Moore II (RCB)
S: Khari Willis (SS), George Odum (FS)
ST: Michael Badgley (K), Rigoberto Sanchez (P), Luke Rhodes (LS)
RS: Isaiah Rodgers (KR), Nyheim Hines (PR)
#10: x - Arizona Cardinals
Week 17 @ DAL: W, 25-22 | Record: 11-5
Previous Rank: #11
After losing three straight to fall out of first place in the NFC West, the Cardinals needed a bounce-back game. Badly. A game to show they still remain a threat in the NFC. They got it. After struggling a bit as of late, Kyler Murray had his best game in weeks: 263 passing yards and two touchdowns without an interception, adding 44 more on the ground, improving to 9-0 lifetime in games played at AT&T Stadium dating back to his high school days. The defense did its job, holding a Cowboys offense that put up 56 points on Washington a week before to a total of 301 yards. The Cardinals are now 8-1 on the road—good news for a team that could make noise in the playoffs. Kliff Kingsbury praised his team in overcoming recent struggles to take down a possible Super Bowl contender. “They’ve been resilient this entire time, no matter what’s been said, or thought, outside of our building,” said Kingsbury. “Those guys have worked their tails off and understand what we can be, and we’ve just got to keep fighting.” They can’t get the 1 seed, but if the Rams fall to the Niners and the Cardinals beat the Seahawks, the Cardinals will win their first NFC West title since 2015.
Team MVP: Kyler Murray
Week 18 Projected Starters
QB: Kyler Murray
RB: James Conner
WR: AJ Green, Christian Kirk, Antoine Wesley
TE: Zach Ertz
OL: DJ Humphries (LT), Justin Pugh (LG), Rodney Hudson (C), Max Garcia (RG), Kelvin Beachum (RT)
DL: Michael Dogbe (LDE), Corey Peters (NT), Zach Allen (RDE)
EDGE: Chandler Jones (WLB), Markus Golden (SLB)
ILB: Jordan Hicks (LILB), Isaiah Simmons (RILB)
CB: Byron Murphy Jr. (LCB), Antonio Hamilton (RCB)
S: Jalen Thompson (SS), Budda Baker (FS)
ST: Matt Prater (K), Andy Lee (P), Aaron Brewer (LS)
RS: Eno Benjamin (KR), Christian Kirk (PR)
#9: x - New England Patriots
Week 17 vs. JAX: W, 50-10 | Record: 10-6
Previous Rank: #8
he Patriots don’t rebuild. They reload. After missing the playoffs, the post-Brady Patriots are back in the postseason after delivering a blasting of the Jaguars, albeit likely as a wild card. This win also gave Bill Belichick his 20th 10-win season, tying Don Shula for the all-time lead in that category. The Pats dominated in every facet, whether it be putting up 181 yards on the ground, or holding the Jaguars to 253 total yards, or even with Mac Jones throwing three touchdown passes. But there is something to be said about the Pats to continue the playoff pushes even with Tom Brady playing his home games in TOMpa Bay. As Jones told reporters after the game, the Pats are well aware that their big goal this season lies ahead of them. “We’re trying to play as long as we can and get as deep as we can in the playoffs,” said Jones. “I realize what we’re playing for. … All the stuff that happens in the future, we’ll deal with that when the time comes.” The Pats may not be good enough to knock off the Chiefs in Kansas City or the Bills in Buffalo in the playoffs. Not with a rookie QB. But they run the ball and play hard on defense, and they can be a team to watch out for in the playoffs. Anyone in for a third game of Pats vs. Bills?
Team MVP: Matt Judon
Week 18 Projected Starters
QB: Mac Jones
RB: Damien Harris
WR: Jakobi Meyers, Nelson Agholor, Kendrick Bourne
TE: Hunter Henry
OL: Isaiah Wynn (LT), Ted Karras (LG), David Andrews (C), Shaq Mason (RG), Trent Brown (RT)
DE: Christian Barmore (LDE), Davon Godchaux (NT), Lawrence Guy (RDE)
EDGE: Matt Judon (WLB), Kyle Van Noy (SLB)
ILB: Ja’Whaun Bentley (LILB), Jamie Collins Sr. (RILB)
CB: JC Jackson (LCB), Jalen Mills (RCB)
S: Adrian Phillips (SS), Devin McCourty (FS)
ST: Nick Folk (K), Jake Bailey (P), Joe Cardona (LS)
RS: Gunner Olszewski
#8: xy - Dallas Cowboys
Week 17 vs. ARZ: L, 22-25 | Record: 11-5
Previous Rank: #3
Something continues to be off for the Cowboys. They had the chance to send a message to the rest of the NFC: To say that they are a frontrunner to represent the conference in Super Bowl LVI. They came up short in that. Their blowout of Washington was history by the second half of a 25-22 loss to the Cardinals where the offense struggled to find its footing. Dak Prescott had five passes batted at the line of scrimmage and struggled with accuracy, while Michael Gallup was lost for the season when he tore his ACL on a touchdown catch in the 2nd quarter. Granted, there’s no shame in losing a close game to a highly talented Cardinals team. But this shows that the Cowboys are not a team without issues. A defense that made big plays in drives couldn’t do that against the Cardinals. The offense was over 100 yards under its season average. It will be interesting to see what they will do against an Eagles team that similarly clinched a playoff spot. The Cowboys, as of now, would have a rematch against the Cardinals, but depending on what the Buccaneers and Rams do, Dem Boys could move to as high as the 2nd seed.
Team MVP: Mical Parsons
Week 18 Projected Starters
QB: Dak Prescott
RB: Ezekiel Elliott
WR: CeeDee Lamb, Amari Cooper, Cedrick Wilson
TE: Dalton Schultz
OL: Terence Steele (LT), Connor Williams (LG), Tyler Biadasz (C), Zack Martin (RG), La’el Collins (RT)
DE: DeMarcus Lawrence (LDE), Randy Gregory (RDE)
DT: Neville Gallimore (LDT), Carlos Watkins (RDT)
LB: Luke Gifford (WLB), Leighton Vander Esch (MLB), Keanu Neal (SLB)
CB: Jourdan Lewis (LCB), Kelvin Joseph (RCB)
S: Donovan Wilson (SS), Damontae Kazee (FS)
ST: Greg Zuerlein (K), Bryan Anger (P), Jake McQuaide (LS)
RS: Cedrick Wilson
#7: x - Buffalo Bills
Week 17 vs. ATL: W, 29-15 | Record: 10-6
Previous Rank: #7
The Bills are in the playoffs once again. With a win over the Jets, they can get the AFC East title for the second consecutive year. Yes, that would be cause for celebration. The way they beat the Falcons? Not really. They did get the ground game going—Devin Singletary piled up 110 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 23 carries, with Josh Allen adding another 81 yards and two of his own, making up 191 of the team’s 233 yards on the ground. But Allen’s day passing was one to forget—11 completions on 26 attempts for 120 yards and three interceptions, with all three picks coming on consecutive drives. Stefon Diggs even had a dropped touchdown pass. Even Allen admitted himself that after the win, his teammates picked up the slack. “Not every game you win is going to be pretty, and that was the case today,” said Allen. “I’m just fortunate to have teammates that step up in big situations like this.” Against a mediocre Falcons team, the mistakes the Bills made didn’t cost them, and it might not against the Jets. But they have to stop the mistakes before the playoffs because if they continue making mistakes, the playoff trip will not be long. This game however, is a good sign for a Brian Daboll offense that could use balance.
Team MVP: Josh Allen
Week 18 Projected Starters
QB: Josh Allen
RB: Devin Singletary
WR: Stefon Diggs, Gabriel Davis, Cole Beasley
TE: Dawson Knox
OL: Dion Dawkins (LT), Ryan Bates (LG), Mitch Morse (C), Daryl Williams (RG), Spencer Brown (RT)
DE: Gregory Rousseau (LDE), Jerry Hughes (RDE)
DT: Star Lotulelei (LDT), Ed Oliver (RDT)
LB: Matt Milano (WLB), Tremaine Edmunds (MLB), AJ Klein (SLB)
CB: Taron Johnson (LCB), Levi Wallace (RCB)
S: Jordan Poyer (SS), Micah Hyde (FS)
ST: Tyler Bass (K), Matt Haack (P), Reid Ferguson (LS)
RS: Isaiah McKenzie
#6: xy - Cincinnati Bengals
Week 17 vs. KC: W, 34-31 | Record: 10-6
Previous Rank: #9
The Bengals are HERE. This has been their best season since 2015. Their most recent game against the Chiefs was their biggest test of the season, given the Chiefs are the two-time defending AFC champions. This was a litmus test—an opportunity for the Bengals to show they can not only make the playoffs but make some serious noise when they get there. They passed that test thanks to yet another big game from Joe Burrow and an Offensive Rookie of the Year-solidifying outing from Ja’Marr Chase. Burrow completed 30 of 39 passes for 446 yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions and a passer rating of 148. As amazing as those numbers were, Chase’s numbers were even more: 11 receptions for 266 yards and three touchdowns. His performance was the most receiving yards in an NFL game in history by a rookie. With the win, the Bengals went from AFC North afterthought to division champion and arguably a legit Super Bowl contender. Given what they did this game, they are a legitimate threat to make serious noise in the playoffs. Burrow has been unstoppable in the past two weeks, throwing for 971 yards, eight touchdowns, and zero interceptions. “I said it in the preseason,” Burrow said after beating the Chiefs. “We were talking about playoffs, and I said that if we were going to go to the playoffs, the easiest way to do that was to win the division. Everyone kind of laughed at us a little bit, but we knew what kind of team we had.” This is a team that believes. The rest of the league has been put on notice.
Team MVP: Ja'Marr Chase
Week 18 Projected Starters
QB: Brandon Allen
RB: Samaje Perine
WR: Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, Tyler Boyd
TE: CJ Uzomah
OL: Jonah Williams (LT), Keaton Sutherland (LG), Trey Hill (C), Hakeem Adeniji (RG), Isaiah Prince (RT)
DE: Sam Hubbard (LDE), Khalid Kareem (RDE)
DT: Josh Tupou (LDT), Tyler Shelvin (RDT)
LB: Logan Wilson (LILB), Markus Bialey (RILB)
CB: Eli Apple (LCB), Chidobe Awuzie (RCB), Mike Hilton (NB)
S: Ricardo Allen (SS), Jessie Bates III (FS)
ST: Evan McPherson (K), Kevin Huber (P), Clark Harris (LS)
RS: Stanley Morgan (KR), Tyler Boyd (PR)
#5: xy - Tennessee Titans
Week 17 vs. MIA: W, 34-3 | Record: 11-5
Previous Rank: #12
The Titans made a statement. With the Chiefs falling to the Bengals, the top seed in the AFC is back in play. To take it back, they’d have to beat a Dolphins team that pulled off seven straight wins. That was no biggie for them. They didn’t just beat the Dolphins. They flat out crushed them, pushing through for almost 200 yards on the ground and holding the Fins to just 258 yards on offense. This is a Titans team that lost Derrick Henry in Week 8. A Titans team that was without AJ Brown and Julio Jones for large parts of the season. A Titans team that used more players (88) than any team in a non-strike season in league history. In addition to winning the AFC South, they are now the top seed in the AFC. It’s crazy considering the roller coaster of a season it has been, but they can lock up the top seed with a win over the four-win Texans. Even if Ryan Tannehill hasn’t been at his best, the Titans still find ways to win. Yes, they lost to the Texans and Jets earlier this season. But they beat the Fins. They pulled through against the 49ers. They downed the Rams. They beat the Bills and Chiefs in back-to-back weeks. Many people thought that their season was over the moment Henry went down. Not so fast. The combination of D’Onta Foreman, Jeremy McNichols, Dontrell Hilliard, and, for a brief time, Adrian Peterson, ran for slightly more yards in eight games than Henry did during the first half of the regular season. Henry’s return in the playoffs should boost a ground game that amazingly held up really well ever since he went down. This is a team to take seriously.
Team MVP: Derrick Henry
Week 18 Projected Starters
QB: Ryan Tannehill
RB: D’Onta Foreman
WR: AJ Brown, Julio Jones, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine
TE: Geoff Swaim
OL: Taylor Lewan (LT), Rodger Saffold III (LG), Ben Jones (C), Nate Davis (RG), David Quessenberry (RT)
DL: Jeffery Simmons (LDL), Denico Autry (RDL)
EDGE: Harold Landry (WLB), Bud Dupree (SLB)
ILB: David Long Jr. (LILB), Zach Cunningham (RILB)
CB: Janoris Jenkins (LCB), Kristian Fulton (RCB), Buster Skrine (NB)
S: Amani Hooker (SS), Kevin Byard (FS)
ST: Randy Bullock (K), Brett Kern (P), Morgan Cox (LS)
RS: Dontrell Hilliard (KR), Chester Rogers (PR)
#4: xy - Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Week 17 @ NYJ: W, 28-24 | Record: 12-4
Previous Rank: #5
The good news for the Buccaneers is that, thanks to some more of that Tom Brady 4th quarter magic, they made a late comeback against the hapless Jets. The bad news is that they needed a late comeback to get past a bad Jets team to begin with. They have endured multiple injuries, yet have preserved with six wins in their last seven games. They aren’t as smooth as they were last season, but this team knows how to win. The many ways they can beat an opponent makes them dangerous in their quest to repeat as Super Bowl champions. But while they got the win, most of the talk of the game wasn’t about the 4th quarter magic. Or the Jets’ gaffe on 4th down. It was about a particular wide receiver who had his fair share of drama in the past five years.
Yes, Patrick. There has been another Antonio Brown thing. AB literally left the team in the 3rd quarter. Straight up left. He took off his jersey and pads, took off his undershirt, threw the undershirt to the stands, waved to fans in the end zone, and walked to the tunnel. Yes, him saying that he was playing through an ankle injury and that the Bucs gave him painkillers was valid. But his temper tantrum on the sideline was never about the injury. It was about him not getting the ball thrown his way. That didn’t sit well with Bruce Arians. “He is no longer a Buc,” said Arians. “That’s the end of the story. Let’s talk about the guys that went out there and won the game.” The fact that he complained about not getting the ball is a very bad look on him. This is the same antics that got him out of Pittsburgh. Combine that with putting Tom Brady on blast, in addition to questioning why he is on a veteran’s minimum contract when he agreed to said contract last season shows exactly who he is: a self-centered narcissist.
With him out of the picture, it spells less drama for the Bucs. But combine that with Chris Godwin out for the season, they need Mike Evans healthy pronto. The depth is being tested like never before in Brady’s time with the Bucs.
Team MVP: Tom Brady
Week 18 Projected Starters
QB: Tom Brady
RB: Ke’Shawn Vaughn
WR: Mike Evans, Tyler Johnson, Cyril Grayson
TE: Rob Gronkowski
OL: Donovan Smith (LT), Ali Marpet (LG), Ryan Jensen (C), Alex Cappa (RG), Tristan Wirfs (RT)
DL: Ndamukong Suh (LDE), Vita Vea (NT), William Gholston (RDE)
EDGE: Anthony Nelson (WLB), Joe Tryon-Shoyinka (SLB)
ILB: Devin White (LILB), Kevin Minter (RILB)
CB: Carlton Davis (LCB), Sean Murphy-Bunting (RCB)
S: Antoine Winfield Jr. (SS), Jordan Whitehead (FS)
ST: Ryan Succop (K), Bradley Pinion (P), Zach Triner (LS)
RS: Jaelon Darden
#3: xy - Kansas City Chiefs
Week 17 @ CIN: L, 31-34 | Record: 11-5
Previous Rank: #1
For most of the last two months, the Chiefs looked like the best team in the league. The last time they lost was against the Titans in Week 7. Since that week, the defense has been the team’s constant this season: The unit held the team together when the offense was inconsistent. Recently, the attack reemerged, but it was the defense that didn’t hold up in the loss to the Bengals that may have cost them the top seed in the AFC. A Chiefs team that looked unbeatable suddenly looked vulnerable. The defense was carved up by Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase and the Bengals, who piled up 475 yards of offense, with Chase setting a rookie record for receiving yards in a game, with 266. They took advantage of Steve Spagnuolo’s overaggressive approach, as the Bengals put up five plays of at least 30 yards. It’s not time to panic, as they still are one of the favorites in the AFC because of Patrick Mahomes. But by blowing a 14-point lead, the Chiefs’ defense looked more like the unit that struggled during the 3-4 start. Keep in mind they lost to the Titans, Bengals, Bills, and Chargers in the playoff field.
Team MVP: Tyreek Hill
Week 18 Projected Starters
QB: Patrick Mahomes II
RB: Darrel Williams
WR: Tyreek Hill, Mecole Hardman, Byron Pringle
TE: Travis Kelce
OL: Orlando Brown Jr. (LT), Joe Thuney (LG), Creed Humphrey (C), Trey Smith (RG), Lucas Niang (RT)
DE: Chris Jones (LDE), Frank Clark (RDE)
DT: Jarran Reed (LDT), Derrick Nnadi (RDT)
LB: Nick Bolton (WLB), Anthony Hitchens (MLB), Willie Gay (SLB)
CB: Charvarius Ward (LCB), L’Jarius Sneed (RCB)
S: Tyrann Mathieu (SS), Juan Thornhill (FS)
ST: Harrison Butker (K), Tommy Townsend (P), James Winchester (LS)
RS: Byron Pringle (KR), Mike Hughes (PR)
#2: x - Los Angeles Rams
Week 17 @ BAL: W, 20-19 | Record: 12-4
Previous Rank: #4
Matt Stafford was both the cause of and solution to all the Rams’ problems in Week 17. It was his turnovers that put the Rams in a hole against the Ravens, losing a fumble and throwing two interceptions, one returned for a touchdown. But he also generated a comeback win, finding Odell Beckham Jr. from seven yards out with just under a minute left to give the Rams the lead. The defense did the rest, with Von Miller making his biggest play as a Ram, with a sack on Tyler Huntley that all but ended the Ravens’ playoff hopes. Championship teams know how to close out games, and that’s what the Rams did. Sean McVay applauded his QB’s grit in overcoming his earlier mistakes to win. “I thought he was at his best when his best was required,” said McVay. “He’s a mentally tough guy, and that’s what you want from your quarterback. When we had to have it, he made big throw after big throw in a clutch situation. That’s what great players do.” They host the Niners next at SoFi Stadium, and with a win, the NFC West will be theirs.
Team MVP: Cooper Kupp
Week 18 Projected Starters
QB: Matt Stafford
RB: Sony Michel
WR: Cooper Kupp, Odell Beckham Jr., Van Jefferson
TE: Tyler Higbee
OL: Andrew Whitworth (LT), David Edwards (LG), Brian Allen (C), Austin Corbett (RG), Rob Havenstein (RT)
DL: A’Shawn Robinson (LDE), Greg Gaines (NT), Aaron Donald (RDE)
EDGE: Leonard Floyd (WLB), Von Miller (SLB)
ILB: Christian Rozeboom (LILB), Troy Reeder (RILB)
CB: Darious Williams (LCB), Jalen Ramsey (RCB)
S: Jordan Fuller (SS), Taylor Rapp (FS)
ST: Matt Gay (K), Johnny Hekker (P), Matt Orzech (LS)
RS: Brandon Powell
#1: xyz - Green Bay Packers
Week 17 vs. MIN: W, 37-10 | Record: 13-3
Previous Rank: #2
The road to Los Angeles goes through Wisconsin. After stomping a shorthanded Vikings team, the Packers have locked up the 1 seed in the NFC playoffs and a 1st round bye. Matt LaFleur has been their head coach for three seasons, and in each of those three seasons, the Packers have won 13 games, never losing consecutive games. He is long overdue for Coach of the Year honors. It’s likely that most of the starters will take Week 18 off. Maybe Rodgers could spend more time getting a suit for the NFL Awards. He is the frontrunner for MVP, after all. The whole feel of this game was different. That Green Bay weather hits different. The NFL hasn’t had a game like this in a while temperature-wise. If it’s in the teens and windy in the Divisional Round or in the NFC Championship Game, this will be a big edge towards the Packers’ favor. Add in a QB who hardly makes mistakes, and they are a very clear favorite for the NFC. Maybe third time’s the charm in the NFC Championship Game for LaFleur.
Team MVP: Aaron Rodgers
Week 18 Projected Starters
QB: Aaron Rodgers
RB: Aaron Jones
WR: Davante Adams, Allen Lazard, Marquez Valdes-Scantling
TE: Josiah Deguara
OL: David Bakhtiari (LT), Jon Runyan (LG), Lucas Patrick (C), Royce Newman (RG), Dennis Kelly (RT)
DL: Dean Lowry (LDE), Kenny Clark (NT), Tyler Lancaster (RDE)
EDGE: Preston Smith (WLB), Rashan Gary (SLB)
ILB: De’Vondre Campbell (LILB), Krys Barnes (RILB)
CB: Eric Stokes (LCB), Rasul Douglas (RCB)
S: Adrian Amos (SS), Darnell Savage Jr. (FS)
ST: Mason Crosby (K), Corey Bojorquez (P), Steven Wirtel (LS)
RS: Amari Rodgers
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