Well folks, we've made it to Week 18.
2 games last night saw Tampa edge out Carolina (although not clinching the NFC South - see below) and Seattle rolling into Santa Clara and choking the life out of the 49ers, holding them to just 3 points. Seattle thus clinch the NFC West and the No. 1 seed in the NFC.
Today's spread of fixtures has some interest in them:
6 pm: Falcons v Saints, Houston v Indy, Jags v Titans
- Falcons v Saints: A Falcons win gives Carolina the NFC South title; a Saints win gives the Bucs the crown. So a lot on the line for all 4 teams.
- Houston v Indy: Houston must win to give them any chance of overtaking the Jags at the top of the AFC South.
- Jags v Titans: Jags win, AFC South champions and no. 3 overall seed in the AFC playoffs at the least.
Prediction: Jags to win and close out the AFC South, Houston will be 5th seeds at best. The game in Atlanta is a coin flip.
9.25 pm: Rams v Cardinals, Patriots v Dolphins, Broncos v Chargers
All 3 games have playoff implications, but not much in the way of drama really. Rams will lock up a 5th seed finish with a win. Chargers sitting most of their first-choice starters including Justin Herbert, so the Broncos should win that and lock up the No.1 seed in the AFC.
Philly, Chicago and Buffalo also playing in this window, so it'll be interesting to see who starts in those games and any injuries that will occur.
1.20 am: Steelers v Ravens
The AFC North win-and-in playoff. Steelers badly missing Metcalf and the Ravens did a number in Lambeau last weekend, so the form is with Baltimore. But it's an AFC North grudge game, so anything can happen.
My predictions for what they are worth (nothing!):
AFC: 1. Broncos, 2. Patriots, 3. Jags, 4. Steelers (just), 5. Texans, 6. Chargers, 7. Bills
NFC: 1. Seahawks, 2. Bears, 3. Eagles, 4. Panthers, 5. Rams, 6. 49ers, 7. Packers
