Week 18 in the NFL starts out on an upbeat note
Week 18 in the NFL starts out on an upbeat note, as Buffalo Bills player Damar Hamlin is now awake in a Cincinnati hospital, is moving his extremities and is neurologically sound, according to his doctors. For those who aren't aware, Hamlin collapsed during the first quarter of the Bills game at Cincinnati on Monday night. Hamlin was resuscitated and treated on the field, was rushed to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center and was sedated and intubated. The great news is that he is now awake and aware of his surroundings, though he almost certainly faces a long road ahead. We continue to pray for Damar and his family and hope for his speedy recovery.
The NFL postponed Monday night's game in light of the circumstances. The NFL has since announced that the game between the Bills and the Bengals, a key matchup for both teams and the playoff standings in the AFC, will be declared a no contest and will not be resumed or made up at a future date. The NFL said resuming the game would have resulted in postponing the playoffs, which would affect all playoff teams. As the game has no bearing on playoff team qualifications, only potential seeding, the NFL made the difficult decision to cancel the game outright. The NFL is considering myriad options as this game would have had numerous implications for the AFC playoff picture, including potentially the number one seed in the AFC (which comes with a bye week and home field advantage throughout the playoffs). Stay tuned as we'll report what the league decides as soon as they announce it.
There are several matchups that have their own playoff implications this weekend, ones that we'll be keeping a close eye on. One AFC playoff spot is still up for grabs, as the AFC South title (and thus the AFC South representative to the NFL playoffs) has come down to this week 18 game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Tennessee Titans. Neither team had much to play for last week, as a win or a loss for either team had no effect on their playoff chances. It all comes down to this game, as the winner moves on to the playoffs and the loser's season is done. Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars have been playing incredible ball as of late, exceeding expectations this year overall. The Titans, on the other hand, have taken as step back from being the number one seed in the AFC in 2021. Starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill is likely done for the year, so the Titans have turned to initially rookie Malik Willis and then journeyman Josh Dobbs to helm the squad. The Jaguars are currently 6.5-point favorites, according to DraftKings sportsbook, as the betting world doesn't think the Titans' offense can hang with the Jags.
Over in the NFC, there is still some uncertainty with the last wild card spot. Seattle is currently slotted in as the seventh playoff team in the NFC, with Green Bay and Detroit on the outside looking in (surprisingly, the NFC East has three teams locked into playoff spots - Philadelphia, Dallas and the New York Football Giants). Green Bay's task is simple - win and you're in. They face off against Detroit on Sunday night, in a game that could determine the final wild card spot. We say could because if Seattle wins in their game against the Los Angeles Rams earlier that day, then Detroit is eliminated before their game even begins. If that happens, and Detroit is locked out, we're still confident that Dan Campbell will have his squad fired up for their game against Green Bay, as Detroit is looking to end the season on a high note. Detroit is a +190 dog against Green Bay, and we don't expect that number to move much, even if the Lions are eliminated before Sunday night. Seattle, on the other hand, needs to win (the Seahawks are currently 6-point favorites at home against the Rams) AND they need the Lions to beat the Packers. So, while the Packers currently hold their playoff destiny in their own hands, it's a little more complicated for the other two, as the Seahawks are rooting for the Lions, but the Lions are rooting against the Seahawks.
It never gets stranger than trying to figure out NFL playoff scenarios in advance of week 18. There are several other games that can impact playoff seeding, home field advantage and even 2023 draft position (we hate to say it, but we're cheering for the Texans to beat the Colts and the Bears to lose against the Vikings, so our beloved Bears can get the number one pick in the draft!). Keep an eye on our social media pages for all the latest on NFL playoff news, as well as updates on the NBA, NHL and NCAA basketball this weekend. We may even drop a few +EV spots, as well!
