As teams head to the stadium this weekend, a sense of desperation will grip contenders looking to extend their season. Players and coaching staff will keep updated on playoff scenarios, and fans will be scoreboard-watching and praying their team stays alive. Week 18 is one of the most unpredictable weeks of football because some teams are resting players because they have clinched, while others want to leave the cold for a trip to Cancun or Cabo San Luca. However, there will be a few players looking to earn more bonus money and spoil the season of a rival team. Yes, buckle for a wild finish at the finish line. Before we begin, my first prediction is that the Dallas Cowboys will win the NFC East because they will defeat the Washington Commanders on the road to continue the streak of 19 straight seasons of non-repeat NFC East champions. In this article, we predict the five teams that will grab the final five spots in the NFL Playoffs.
1. Houston Texans (9-7) at Indianapolis Colts (9-7)-Saturday 8:15 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN
This game is essentially a head-to-head contest for a wild card playoff spot and possibly the division if the Jaguars lose to the Titans. The Texans were back in the win column last week after the team welcomed back C.J. Stroud into the lineup from injury. Stroud picked up where he left off by being inefficient in distributing the ball by completing 24 of 32 passes for 213 yards and one touchdown. Gardner Minshew has proven to be a rollercoaster at the backup quarterback position, and I sense that he will crack under the pressure of the playoff pursuit, and Demeco Ryan’s defense will force a few turnovers.
Texans 24- Colts 20
2. Jacksonville Jaguars (9-7) at Tennessee Titans (5-11) -Sunday 1 p.m. ET, CBS
I think the Texans’ win will mean a wildcard spot because the Jaguars will beat the Titans to grab the AFC South division crown in back-to-back seasons. Last week, the Jaguars dominated the Carolina Panthers and pitched a 26-0 shutout. The win can be attributed to their defense holding the Panthers to 1 of 13 for on third down and the running game gaining 153 yards. Trevor Lawrence is poised to return in a gritty performance, and I think the Titans will play a close game until the Jaguars finish them off in the 4th quarter.
Jaguars 23-Titans 15
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-8) at Carolina Panthers (2-14)-Sunday 1 p.m. ET, Fox
The Bucs squandered the opportunity to clinch last week in a disappointing loss to the Saints pushing the battle for the division into week 18. Luckily, they will be playing the Panthers, the worst team in the NFL, and have no hope for the foreseeable future having traded their first-round pick this year to the Chicago Bears. Baker Mayfield will relish revenge in winning this game in Charlotte and a franchise that released him in 2022 while still starving for success following Cam Newton’s run to the Super Bowl in 2015-16. I think the Bucs will win this again in a blowout.
Buccaneers 27-Panthers 13
4. Seattle Seahawks (8-8) at Arizona Cardinals (4-12)-Sunday 4:25 p.m. ET, Fox
Last season, the Seahawks snuck into the playoffs by beating the Los Angeles Rams 19-16 in overtime while depending on the Green Bay Packers to lose on Sunday Night Football to the Detroit Lions to cement their spot. I think there will be a case of deja vu for the second straight season. I have Justin Fields taking the Chicago Bears into Lambeau Field and beating the Packers. The Cardinals did surprise the Eagles last week in a stunning last-gasp victory, but the Seahawks will be the more desperate team. It will be a high-scoring and close game, but Geno Smith and the run game will run out the clock late with a methodical drive.
Seahawks 30-Arizona 24
5. Buffalo Bills (10-6) at Dolphins (11-5) -Sunday 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC
This will be the game of the week and will close the regular season. The Bills destroyed Miami earlier this 48-20 in an impressive 4-touchdown performance at home by Josh Allen. Last week, the Dolphins were pummeled by the Ravens 56-19 and lost Bradley Chubb to an ACL tear. Miami is banged up with game-time decisions to be made on Raheem Mostert, Jaylen Waddle, and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. I think Josh Allen will dominate this matchup, and the Bills will win their fourth straight AFC East title.
Bills 27-Dolphins 22