Week 18 NFL Picks: Broncos Clinch Playoff Spot, Vikings-Lions to Battle on Sunday Night
Week 18 of the NFL regular season concludes this weekend with several playoff implications on the line. The Denver Broncos and the Minnesota Vikings are among the teams vying for a spot in the postseason, while the Detroit Lions and the Green Bay Packers will face off in a game with major playoff implications for both teams.
Broncos Clinch Playoff Berth with Win Over Chargers
The Denver Broncos clinched a playoff berth with a 31-28 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday. The win improved the Broncos to 9-8 on the season and secured the team’s first playoff appearance since 2015. Quarterback Russell Wilson threw for 352 yards and two touchdowns in the win, while running back Latavius Murray rushed for 116 yards and a touchdown.
The Broncos will face the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Divisional Round next weekend. The Chiefs are the No. 1 seed in the AFC and have won 14 consecutive games.
Vikings-Lions Battle for NFC North Title on Sunday Night
The Minnesota Vikings and the Detroit Lions will face off on Sunday Night Football in a game that will decide the NFC North division title. The Vikings are currently 12-4 on the season and hold a one-game lead over the Lions. A win by the Vikings would clinch the division title and a first-round bye in the playoffs.
The Lions are 8-8 on the season and need a win to keep their playoff hopes alive. The Lions would clinch a wild-card berth with a win and a loss by the Seattle Seahawks. Quarterback Jared Goff has thrown for over 4,000 yards and 30 touchdowns this season, while running back Jamaal Williams has rushed for over 1,000 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Packers Need Win to Keep Playoff Hopes Alive
The Green Bay Packers need a win over the Detroit Lions on Sunday to keep their playoff hopes alive. The Packers are currently 8-8 on the season and are tied with the Lions for the final wild-card spot in the NFC.
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers has thrown for over 4,000 yards and 35 touchdowns this season, but the Packers have struggled defensively. The Packers have allowed over 400 yards per game this season, which is the worst mark in the NFL.
Other Notable Matchups in Week 18
In other notable matchups in Week 18, the Buffalo Bills will face the Cincinnati Bengals in a rematch of last year’s AFC Divisional Round game. The Bills are the No. 2 seed in the AFC, while the Bengals are the No. 3 seed. Quarterback Josh Allen will lead the Bills, while quarterback Joe Burrow will lead the Bengals.
The Philadelphia Eagles will face the New York Giants in a game that will decide the NFC East division title. The Eagles are currently 13-3 on the season and have already clinched a playoff berth. The Giants are 9-7 on the season and need a win to clinch a wild-card berth.
The Kansas City Chiefs will face the Las Vegas Raiders in a game that will decide the AFC West division title. The Chiefs are the No. 1 seed in the AFC, while the Raiders are the No. 4 seed. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes will lead the Chiefs, while quarterback Derek Carr will lead the Raiders.