It was a better Week 18 than we could have expected. Well, up until what was supposed to be the game of the week, which instead was a one-sided dud. But the playoff field is finally set, and I think we should have a pretty entertaining postseason coming up.
Browns at Ravens: This game was exactly as expected. Bailey Zappe actually made some good throws, but they were mixed in with a brutal Pick Six and then a late interception to a 355-pound tackle who he somehow failed to see. For the Ravens, the big performances by Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry were somewhat overshadowed by Zay Flowers suffering a knee injury that's going to cost him at least Baltimore's opening playoff game. And perhaps more.
Bengals at Steelers: The Bengals are funny. The first half of the season they lost a handful of tight games they really should have won. The second half they won a number of games they easily could/should have lost. I know they're the team who no one wanted to get into the postseason and all, but at the end of the day, 9-8 is about right for this team that didn't play much defense and occasionally made bad decisions on the sidelines in close games. As for Pittsburgh, I think limping into the playoffs was conceived with this team in mind. Dropped passes, curious quarterback choices, sideline arguments and an eyesore of a George Pickens game...it was all there. I know this team beat the Ravens somehow in Week 11, but it will be stunning if they don't get totally shut down in next week's game.
Panthers at Falcons: Entertaining game, which for a while looked like it might be sending the Falcons to the playoffs as NFC South champs. But the Bucs were able to come back, and I suspect that factored into Atlanta checking out at the end/overtime. Big game for Drake London, and also for Michael Penix. Falcons fans have to be pleased with that duo going forward, despite disappointment overall. Huge rushing numbers for Bijan Robinson and Atlanta, as anticipated. Panthers gonna need to get that cleaned up. Nice game (and last six weeks or so) for Bryce Young, too; lots of good throws in this game.
Commanders at Cowboys: Also an entertaining game, with Dallas starting Trey Lance over Cooper Rush (made sense for more than just financial reasons) and nearly winning. But Marcus Mariota threw a last-second touchdown to Terry McLaurin, sparing us all from seeing overtime. Good game from Rico Dowdle, Zach Ertz scored again, Washington will be the No. 6 seed and avoid going to Philadelphia in the first round. Decent game for Jalen Tolbert too.
Bears at Packers: So Christian Watson left with a knee injury that seemed serious, and Jordan Love left with an elbow injury. His absence might have been precautionary, with Green Bay only playing for a shot at a higher seed (potentially avoiding a trip to Philadelphia, which seemed valuable, but so was keeping everyone healthy). Packers went ahead in the final minute on a long field goal by Brandon McMoney, but Chicago stumbled its way into field goal range, giving Cairo Santos a chance to make up for having one blocked earlier in the year in the same situation. So I was kind of psyched for the guy to sneak in the game-winner on the final play of the game. Packers have some unfortunate injury situations and are headed to Philly next week as the 7th seed.
Jaguars at Colts: Pretty good game by both offenses in this who cares game, with Jonathan Taylor having a big game (remind me next year when I assume franchise bags might get early seats in meaningless games) and Flacco and company also putting up good numbers (less surprising). Brian Thomas went over 100 yards, again, Tank Bigsby scored, and we even got overtime.
Bills at Patriots: Jerod Mayo being fired about half an hour after the game was over was...interesting. Some unhappiness about a win that was entirely meaningless aside from, you know, costing the Patriots the No. 1 overall pick in next year's draft, perhaps? Somebody knows, I guess we'll hear about it if so. In any case, foolish win by the Patriots, who should have been trying a little harder to not win. In my opinion. James Cook scored a touchdown to tie O.J. Simpson for the team record, that's cool. Big game for Kayshon Boutte, which will get him some interest in dynasty leagues this offseason, the Patriots seem to have an opening for a No. 1 wideout and stuff.
Giants at Eagles: The Giants, having shocked the world with their upset over the Colts last weekend, returned to form with a season-ending dud, at least ensuring they wouldn't drop out of the top 5 (I think but don't quote me) in next year's draft. The Eagles got a big game from Jahan Dotson (former first-round pick after all, I guess that's why they traded for him) and a good one from Dallas Goedert, fresh off IR, and will rest up to host Green Bay next week. Good game for Malik Nabers, setting the Giants' receptions record (not just the rookie record, but all Giants receivers over the year, so that's noteworthy). Wan'Dale Robinson caught 10 passes for 43 yards, that's an Alvin Kamara-like stat.
Saints at Bucs: Lots of fun moments in this game. First, it was all Saints early, with Spencer Rattler marching them up and down the field and being a little unlucky to settle for field goals a couple of times (good throws to Marquez Valdes-Scantling where he didn't get both feet in at the side of the end zone). Then the urgency of the situation dawned on the Bucs, and Baker Mayfield started marching them up and down, running some, hitting big throws to Jalen McMillan in particular, putting the Bucs on top. Final minute, after a defensive stop with an 8-point lead, and with Mike Evans 5 yards away from his 11th straight 1,000-yard season and a big financial incentive, they eschewed victory formation to complete the necessary pass to Evans, with the team celebrating like it won the Super Bowl. Kind of fun. Bucs NFC South champs, which I believe will make for a better playoff game than Atlanta would have.
Texans at Titans: Texans came out cooking, with C.J. Stroud leading a touchdown drive, throwing one to Nico Collins. And...that was it for the starters, with Davis Mills and Dameon Pierce (huge game) taking over after that. Titans had Will Levis and Mason Rudolph alternate series, that was different. They'll also now be picking No. 1 overall next year, we'll see if they see a quarterback worthy of that pick. Sadly, Tony Pollard did not reach his contract incentives, they tried (22 carries, but just 62 yards and no touchdown).
49ers at Cardinals: Michael Carter and Patrick Taylor had good games in a matchup few watched much of. Isaac Guerendo hurt, killing that starting choice. Feels weird to have a postseason without the 49ers involved, but they've got some hard choices to make in the offseason, it seems. Cardinals were better than expected, in contrast. Probably a wide-open NFC West again next year.
Kansas City at Denver: So when one team holds out a bunch of starters, sits on the tarmac for 4 hours before their flight due to snow/ice, and then faces a pretty sound team that needs to win for a playoff spot, this is sometimes the kind of game you get. I understand that no one cares about my dynasty team but I need to mention again that I came so close to cutting Marvin Mims for about half the season until Sean Payton finally figured out how to use the guy; next to Bo Nix, arguably the key to Denver's run to the playoffs. I'm a little disappointed that they're facing the Bills in the first round, because to me both teams look capable of winning 2-3 playoff games with the right schedule. But one of them will be one and done. Also apparently the game is on Paramount Plus which I believe is the one streaming service I don't have.
Seahawks-Rams, Chargers-Raiders, Dolphins-Jets: Quickly on these three games: the Rams rested starters and will be the 4th seed facing a 14-3 wildcard team rather than a 12-5 Commanders team. Based on the way the Vikings got handled by the Lions, maybe Sean Payton is crazy like a fox; is facing Sam Darnold maybe better than facing Jayden Daniels next week? Also, couldn't Seattle have got DK Metcalf 8 more yards? Chargers put up good numbers (especially the passing game) to earn a trip to Houston rather than Baltimore next week; smart. Maybe Houston surprises but there's no doubt LA made the right choice. As for Dolphins-Jets, which became meaningless somewhere in the first half due to KC's no-show at Denver, I won some money betting on Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams, thanks guys. Should be interesting to see where the offseason takes them. I think we're mostly glad the Dolphins aren't in the playoffs. Big news is that Tyreek Hill wants out. Not sure I blame him honestly.
Vikings at Lions: Ah yes, great to pull up a corner of the couch to watch this huge game to decide so much in the NFC. So much for that. Key takeaway here is when I said something in last week's off the cuff playoff preview about the Vikings having a team of destiny look to them, please scratch out "Vikings" and write in "Lions." Dan Campbell has made his share of crazy choices this year and always, but his moves to play everyone at San Francisco and then unleash Jahmyrr Gibbs last night -- it's all working. Lions get to rest and then have a home game probably against a team they dominated in the regular season, maybe an NFC North opponent, maybe not. But defensive injuries and all, it will be surprising if this team doesn't have a deep playoff run this year. (Hopefully not wearing those USFL/XFL-like unis though, ugh.)
And that's a wrap, but it's not actually goodbye. Lots of playoff content, playoff previews and playoff wrapups yet to come. Hope you all had great fantasy seasons. Thanks for reading.