Analysis And Game Picks For Week 18’s ‘Sunday Slate’

As we get ready for week 18, we get ready for some wild games, with big playoff implementations. On Saturday, the Chiefs defeated the Raiders to get the 1 seed and the Jaguars beat the Titans to win the AFC South. For Sunday’s early game we have Buccaneers-Falcons, Vikings-Bears, Patriots-Bills, Ravens-Bengals, Texans-Colts, Jets-Dolphins, Panthers-Saints and Browns-Steelers. For the late slate of games we have Chargers-Broncos, Giants-Eagles, Cardinals-49ers, Rams-Seahawks and Cowboys-Commanders. So now, let me share my analysis and who I think will win each and every matchup.

Buccaneers (8-8) @Falcons (6-10) -3.5 ATL SUN 1:00 PM

Buccaneers:

The Tampa Bay buccaneers come off of a game where they have officially clinched the NFC South. They were able to outlast the Carolina Panthers 30-24. Mike Evans was able to get his 7th consecutive season with over 1,000 receiving yards in total with a monster game against the Panthers. The Buccaneers have said that they will play their starters and hope to keep them ready for a game next week against either the Cowboys or the Eagles.

Falcons:

The Falcons come off of a 20-19 victory over the Arizona Cardinals. Rookie quarterback, Desmond Ridder, went 19/26 for 169 passing yards, 0 touchdown passes, but didn’t throw an interception. Rookie running back, Tyler Allgeier, racked up 83 yards on the ground on 20 carries and punched in a 5 yard touchdown run. They have nothing to play for, as they look to find out what they have in those two rookies, and get some pride going into next season.

Game Pick:

TB 23 ATL 27

Vikings (12-4) @Bears (3-13) -7.0 MIN SUN 1:00 PM ET

Vikings:

The Minnesota Vikings come off of a very disappointing loss to the Green Bay Packers. Superstar wide receiver, Justin Jefferson, was shut down in that game by the Packers secondary, only having one catch for 15 yards. If the Vikings win this game, they can improve to the number two seed in the playoff picture if the 49ers lose to the Cardinals. If they lose however, they are automatically the three seed no matter what happens in the Niners game.

Bears:

The Bears come off of a terrible performance where they got obliterated by the Lions. Star quarterback, Justin Fields, sustained a hip injury in that game, and will be out with nothing to play for this week. The Bears can get the number one overall pick in the draft, with a loss here at home and the Texans win over the Colts in Indianapolis. We will see who they will draft regardless of if they get the number one pick, or the 2nd overall selection.

Game Pick:

MIN 34 CHI 29

Patriots (8-8) @Bills (12-3) -7.5 BUF SUN 1:00 PM ET 

Patriots:

The New England Patriots path of the playoffs it’s very simple, get a win over the Buffalo Bills at Orchard Park in week 18. When these two teams met in Foxborough on a Thursday night, the Bills defense propelled them to a 24-10 victory over the Patriots squad. If the Patriots can win it they will be the 7 seed in the playoffs, and we’ll meet these Buffalo Bills again for wildcard weekend. We will see if that will happen, and if they can get a victory.

Bills:

The Buffalo Bills come off of a no contest against the Bengals due to Damar Hamlin collapsing on the field. My thoughts and prayers are with Hamlin, as I hope he has a speedy recovery. The Bills cannot earn the one seed, but, with a win in this game against the Patriots, if the Bills and Chiefs meet in the AFC championship game, it will be played in an indoor stadium at a neutral site. We will see if they will play all of their starters, and if they can win this game.

Game Pick:

NE 17 BUF 34

Ravens (10-6) @Bengals (11-4) -9.0 CIN SUN 1:00 PM ET

Ravens:

The Baltimore Ravens are coming to this game after a loss on ‘Sunday Night Football’ to the Pittsburgh Steelers. They will be without Lamar Jackson for another game,  as we will see if they will be able to play him for the playoffs. Even though they are a wildcard team, they can still host the game in the wildcard round if they win here against the Bengals, have the chargers win in their game and win a coin toss to decide home-field advantage for their game.

Bengals:

The Cincinnati Bengals come off of a game that was called off due to Damar Hamlin’s injury. They have clinched the AFC North, but will need to win to ensure that they host their playoff game. Joe Burrow has been playing really well, not including the cold off game, the Bengals were riding on a seven game win streak. We will see if they can keep that going against Tyler Huntley and the injured Ravens squad. If they do, they will be the three seed in the playoffs.

Game Pick:

BAL 27 CIN 24

Texans (2-13-1) @Colts (4-11-1) -2.5 IND SUN 1:00 PM ET

Texans:

The Houston Texans come to this game after getting blown out by the Jacksonville Jaguars 31-3. Their eyes are set on the number one draft pick, as they can clinch that with a loss here to the Colts in Indianapolis, or a Bears victory over the Vikings at Soldier Field. Back in week one, these two squads tied 20-20 when they played each other back then. The Texans will look to see what they have in some players, as they look ahead to free agency in the draft.

Colts:

The Indianapolis Colts come off of a game where the Giants beat them in dominant fashion. Kayvon Thibodeaux sacked Colts quarterback Matt Ryan during a play. Thibodeaux then started to celebrate, unaware of the fact that Matt Ryan was still down on the ground. This week, Sam Ehlinger will make the start, with Matt Ryan as his backup. They will see if they have some talent out of Ehlinger, and try to get some pride going in the next season.

Game Pick:

HOU 16 IND 29

Jets (7-9) @Dolphins (8-8) -3.5 MIA SUN 1:00 PM ET

Jets:

The New York Jets come off of another loss, and have officially been eliminated from playoff competition. Mike White has officially had 5 fractured ribs and Will not play this week against the Miami Dolphins. Joe Flacco will get the start, with Zach Wilson backing them up. Wilson’s career with the Jets looks to be over, as he has not been able to lead them to one winning season ever since joining the team.

Dolphins:

The Dolphins will be playing this game with the third string quarterback, as Tua Tagovailoa will be out with a concussion, Teddy Bridgewater is inactive with a finger injury, so 6th round draft pick, Skyler Thompson, will get the start. The Dolphins can clinch a playoff spot with a victory here over the Jets in Miami, and a Patriots loss to the Buffalo Bills in Orchard Park. We will see if they can get that done and punch their ticket to the dance.

Game Pick:

NYJ 27 MIA 22

Panthers (6-10) @Saints (7-9) -3.5 NO SUN 1:00 PM ET

Panthers:

Panthers come off of a disappointing 30-24 loss that eliminated them from the playoffs. Sam Darnold has played well ever since taking the starting role, as the Panthers will evaluate him for this game for the rest of the season to see if he will stick around for multiple years going forward. We will see running back, Chubba Hubbard, and Darnold can lead them to a victory, and have some confidence going into next year.

Saints:

The New Orleans Saints come into this match after being eliminated from playoff competition, despite a 20-10 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles. The Packers were able to defeat the Vikings, as that is how the Saints got eliminated from the playoffs. The Saints look to evaluate some new stores, and see what they have in veterans like Taysom Hill, Andy Dalton and Alvin Kamara. We will see if they can make some good moves in free agency and the draft.

Game Pick:

CAR 19 NO 37

Browns (7-9) @Steelers (8-8) -2.5 PIT SUN 1:00 PM ET

Browns:

The Cleveland Browns come to this matchup at 7-9. They were able to get a victory over the Washington Commanders 24-10 last week, ending the Commanders playoff hopes. The Browns front office will have a big decision to make, which is deciding whether they want to keep Deshaun Watson. I think that a lot will be riding on this game on whether Watson stays in, or Jacoby Brisset takes over the reins.

Steelers:

The Pittsburgh Steelers now suddenly have a clear shot to the playoffs. They need a New England Patriots loss to the Buffalo Bills in Buffalo, a Miami Dolphins loss to the New York Jets, and finally they need a victory over the Cleveland Browns here in Pittsburgh. Kenny Pickett has been playing pretty well as of late, and if he can do the same, I see the Steelers potentially making it to the dance. We will see how it all plays out and if they end up making it.

Game Pick:

CLE 27 PIT 19

Chargers (10-6) @Broncos (4-12) -3.0 DEN SUN 4:25 PM ET

Chargers:

The Los Angeles Chargers come off of a victory that sealed their spot in the playoffs. However, they will not rest their starters for this game in Denver because they look to get the number five seed with a win here over the Broncos. If they were to get the five seed, they would take on the Jacksonville Jaguars Duvall, because of a victory the Jaguars had over the Tennessee Titans. We will see if they can get this win, and what will happen in the playoffs.

Broncos:

The Broncos come off of yet another loss to the Chiefs, as they look to rebuild their entire squad. The New Orleans Saints have given the Denver Broncos permission to interview Head Coach, Sean Payton, after he was suspended for a year due to unnecessary injuries on the field. The Broncos will have a lot of off-season choices to make, with the main one being if they keep Russell Wilson despite all the issues that he has had this season.

Game Pick:

LAC 34 DEN 13

Giants (9-6-1) @Eagles (13-3) -16.0 PHI SUN 4:25 PM ET

Giants:

The New York Giants come off of a dominating victory over the Indianapolis Colts, when they beat them 38-10 last week. No matter what happens in this game, The New York Giants will be the six seed in the AFC Playoff Picture, as they will take on either the San Francisco 49ers or the Minnesota Vikings. Newly signed quarterback, Davis Webb, will make the start due to the Giants having clinched a playoff spot, and resting their starters.

Eagles:

The Philadelphia Eagles have announced that star quarterback, Jalen Hurts, will make his first start in the last three weeks due to a separated shoulder he sustained in a match up in the Windy City, against the Chicago Bears. We will see if they can lock up the NFC East, and the one seed with a victory here today. I think if Hurts  runs the ball for over 50 yards, passes for over 250 yards, and throws for at least two touchdowns I think they will win this game.

Game Pick:

NYG 17 PHI 37

Cardinals (4-12) @49ers (12-4) -14.0 SF SUN 4:25 PM ET 

Cardinals:

The Arizona Cardinals come into this match up after a loss to the Atlanta Falcons we’re Younghoe Koo kicked a game-winning field goal. David Blough Will get another start this week, with Kyler Murray and Colt McCoy both out with injuries. DeAndre Hopkins will also be out with an injury, as the Cardinals look to upset their rivals, and have some help going into the off-season. The Cardinals need a lot of help on defense, and I expect them to address that in free agency. 

49ers:

The San Francisco 49ers come off of yet another victory, and they look to secure the two seed with a victory here today. They can also get the one seed if the Eagles slip up and lose to the Giants, and these 49ers get a victory here at Levi Stadium. Brock Purdy is looking like a really good quarterback right now, and I see the 49ers making a deep run in the playoffs behind an amazing defense, and a stellar offense.

Game Pick:

ARI 27 SF 31

Rams (5-11) @Seahawks (8-8) -6.0 SEA 4:25 PM ET

Rams:

The Los Angeles Rams coming to this game off of a 31-10 loss to their LA counterpart, the Los Angels Chargers. Baker Mayfield might have a future with the team, as he has played well in some games. If he were to stay with the team, it would likely be behind Matthew Stafford, who is currently out with back spasms for the rest of the year. We will see if they can get a win and have some hope going into the off-season.

Seahawks:

The Seattle Seahawks look to get a victory here at home, and then hope that the Detroit Lions can beat the Green Bay Packers on ‘Sunday Night Football’. They would then be the seven seed in the playoffs and then, they would take on either the San Francisco 49ers, or the Minnesota Vikings depending on what happens with those two teams. We will see if they can get that done, and if the Lions can also get themselves a win.

Game Pick:

LAR 27 SEA 21

Cowboys (12-4) @Commanders (7-8-1) -7.0 DAL SUN 4:25 PM ET

Cowboys:

The Dallas Cowboys look to get the one seed in the NFC with a win and some help. They will need a victory here over the Washington Commanders, a Philadelphia Eagles loss to the New York Giants, and a San Francisco 49ers loss to the Arizona Cardinals. If the Eagles end up winning their game, the Cowboys Will have the five see you in the playoffs, and will take on Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Commanders:

Washington Commanders come off of a 24-10 loss to the Cleveland Browns and Deshaun Watson. They were later eliminated in the day by a Green Bay Packers dominating victory over the Minnesota Vikings, securing the fact that Washington will not be in the playoffs. Rookie quarterback, Sam Howell, will make his first career start as the Commanders of nothing to play for. We’ll see if they can upset arrivals and get a victory today.

Game Pick:

DAL 37 WSH 13