Monday Night Football: Detroit at San Francisco
While this isn’t a Week 18 game, it does have a motivation angle. A win here means Detroit only needs a tie in Week 18 to secure the No. 1 seed. That’s mostly meaningless, giving Detroit next to nothing to play for on Monday. However, having prepared to play their starters all week, I expect we’ll see them today, albeit on shorter leashes than usual.
Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons
The Panthers have been eliminated from playoff contention.
The Falcons can win the NFC South with a win and a Tampa Bay loss.
Washington Commanders at Dallas Cowboys
The Commanders have clinched a playoff berth. A win or a Green Bay loss gives them the No. 6 seed instead of the No. 7.
The Cowboys have been eliminated from playoff contention.
Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos
The Chiefs have clinched the No. 1 seed in the AFC. They were in this position last year and rested all of their starters. I fully expect them to do the same this week.
The Broncos make the playoffs with a win. They can also make it with a loss and losses from the Bengals and Dolphins.
Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions
The winner of this game gets the No. 1 seed. The loser gets the No. 5 seed.
Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers
The Bears have been eliminated from playoff contention.
The Packers are stuck with either the No. 6 or No. 7 seed. A win and a Washington loss moves them up one spot.
Houston Texans at Tennessee Titans
The Texans have clinched the No. 4 seed. They can’t move any higher or lower. I expect to see their backups in Week 18.
The Titans have been eliminated from playoff contention.
Jacksonville Jaguars at Indianapolis Colts
The Jaguars and Colts have been eliminated from playoff contention.
Los Angeles Chargers at Las Vegas Raiders
The Chargers have clinched a Wild Card bid. They could move up to the No. 5 seed with a win and a Pittsburgh loss. That would pit them against the Texans as opposed to the Ravens. I expect we’ll see their starters for this reason.
The Raiders have been eliminated from playoff contention.
Seattle Seahawks at Los Angeles Rams
The Seahawks have been eliminated from playoff contention.
The Rams have clinched the NFC East crown. A loss and a Tampa Bay win would move LA from the No. 3 to the No. 4 seed. The latter seed faces the loser of Detroit vs. Minnesota. That could be enough for Sean McVay to give it a go.
Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots
The Bills are guaranteed the No. 2 seed and cannot move any higher. I expect to see their backups in Week 18.
The Patriots have been eliminated from playoff contention.
Miami Dolphins at New York Jets
The Dolphins can clinch a playoff spot with a win and a Denver loss.
The Jets have been eliminated from playoff contention.
New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles
The Giants have been eliminated from playoff contention.
The Eagles have clinched the No. 2 seed. They can’t move any higher or lower and I expect we’ll see their backups in Week 18.
San Francisco 49ers at Arizona Cardinals
Both teams have been eliminated from playoff contention.
Cincinnati Bengals at Pittsburgh Steelers
The Bengals need a win and losses from the Broncos and Dolphins to make the playoffs.
The Steelers have clinched a playoff berth. They can win the AFC North crown and it’s No. 3 seed with a win and a Baltimore loss. Even with a Baltimore win, Pittsburgh can hold off the Chargers for the No. 5 seed with a victory. I expect to see their starters in Week 18.
New Orleans Saints at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Saints have been eliminated from playoff contention.
The Bucs can clinch a playoff berth with a win or an Atlanta loss.
