It’s lastly Week 18 of the 2022 NFL season, and we’re maintaining you up to date on all of the motion and largest storylines all through the day. This week’s slate has some implausible matchups and storylines, and we’re right here that can assist you watch it unfold. Check again usually to search out out every little thing it’s essential to know.
Week 18 schedule
Saturday
Chiefs 31, Raiders 13 (Takeaways)
Jaguars 20, Titans 16 (Takeaways)
Sunday
Ravens at Bengals, 1 p.m. ET (Gametracker)
Patriots at Bills, 1 p.m. ET (Gametracker)
Jets at Dolphins, 1 p.m. ET (Gametracker)
Panthers at Saints, 1 p.m. ET (Gametracker)
Browns at Steelers, 1 p.m. ET (Gametracker)
Vikings at Bears, 1 p.m. ET (Gametracker)
Texans at Colts, 1 p.m. ET (Gametracker)
Buccaneers at Falcons, 1 p.m. ET (Gametracker)
Cardinals at 49ers, 4:25 p.m. ET (Preview)
Cowboys at Commanders, 4:25 p.m. ET (Preview)
Chargers at Broncos, 4:25 p.m. ET (Preview)
Rams at Seahawks, 4:25 p.m. ET (Preview)
Giants at Eagles, 4:25 p.m. ET (Preview)
Lions at Packers, 8:20 p.m. ET (Preview)
Bills, Pats battling
Every time the Bills have thrown a punch, the Patriots have punched again. Case and level: After Dawson Knox’s landing put Buffalo again on high, Davante Parker scored on the following possession to tie issues up at 14.
Bears (largely) doing their job
The Bears understood the project: lose to the Vikings and lock up no worse than the No. 2 seed within the 2023 NFL Draft. Not solely is Justin Fields not enjoying, however Chicago benched Nathan Peterman for Tim Boyle after three failed drives. And on his second move, Boyle threw the ball proper to the Vikings’ Patrick Peterson, whose interception arrange a discipline aim that put Minnesota forward 16-0.
I added “largely” to the subhead as a result of as I used to be penning this blurb, Bears rookie Velus Jones Jr. took the reverse pitch and in some way stayed in bounds as he hugged the best sideline all the way in which for the 42-yard landing. Fortunately for Chicago, its two-point conversion failed.
Pick-six!
I’m sorry Texans followers, however your crew is enjoying some good soccer. Sam Ehlinger clumsily determined to throw the ball as he was being sacked, and defensive finish Jonathan Greenard took full benefit by tipping the ball to himself and rumbling 39 yards for the rating.
Bengals throughout Ravens
With the Bengals and Ravens probably enjoying one another within the wild-card spherical subsequent week, Baltimore is resting most of its starters and beginning Anthony Brown at quarterback. It’s confirmed, as Brown has thrown two interceptions and the protection has allowed 17 factors in simply over 1 / 4 of motion.
Pats reply
The Patriots are within the playoffs with a win over the Bills, which did not get off to a terrific begin with Buffalo’s kickoff return TD to open the sport. But New England instantly responded, as Mac Jones and Co. drove 74 yards in 9 performs and tied the sport on a two-yard move from Jones to Jakobi Meyers.
Rookie WR goes over 1,000 yards
Chris Olave, the No. 11 choose in April’s draft, joined former Ohio State teammate Garrett Wilson as the one rookie wideouts to go over 1,000 yards within the 2022 season. The accomplishment got here in dramatic style as Olave caught the quick move, stopped on a dime — leaving his defender within the mud — after which sprinted the remainder of the way in which for a 25-yard landing to place the Saints forward.
Bad begin for the Texans
The Texans jumped out to a right away 10-0 lead, which normally could be nice … besides on this state of affairs. Currently holding the No. 1 choose within the 2023 NFL Draft, Houston will clinch the highest spot with a loss. But if it finally ends up beating the Colts and the Vikings defeat the Bears, then Chicago will choose first, probably robbing Houston of the possibility to take its No. 1 QB prospect.
Credit to Davis Mills and Brandin Cooks for connecting on an 11-yard landing, however that is not one thing Texans followers need to see once more at the moment.
UNBELIEVABLE!
You simply cannot make these items up. On the Bills’ first play since Damar Hamlin’s on-field collapse, and with Hamlin watching from the hospital, Nyheim Hines took the opening kickoff for a 96-yard landing! It was the proper manner for Buffalo to begin primarily based on how its final recreation ended, and Hamlin having the ability to watch simply made it much more unimaginable.
QB revolution has arrived in AFC; NFC veterans hanging on
Consider the ages of the beginning quarterbacks of the AFC’s six playoff groups getting into Week 18 (from youngest to oldest): Trevor Lawrence (23), Justin Herbert (24), Lamar Jackson (26), Joe Burrow (26), Josh Allen (26) and Patrick Mahomes (27).
Average age: 25.3 years outdated
Now let’s do the NFC: Brock Purdy (23), Jalen Hurts (24), Daniel Jones (25), Dak Prescott (29), Kirk Cousins (34), Tom Brady (45)
Average age: 30.0 years outdated
Yes, Brady closely skews the NFC a lot older, however regardless, the age hole is barely going to develop after Sunday’s video games. There are three groups every combating for the No. 7 seeds of their respective conferences. In the AFC, it is the Steelers with Kenny Pickett, the Patriots with Mac Jones and the Dolphins with Tua Tagovailoa (we all know he is out for Sunday, however he is the unquestioned starter). All three quarterbacks are simply 24 years outdated.
In the NFC, it is the Lions with Jared Goff (28), the Seahawks with Geno Smith (32) and the Packers with Aaron Rodgers (39).
The closest the hole may very well be between the conferences is 4.6 years; the farthest is greater than six years!
So, because the highway to the Super Bowl begins subsequent week, cherish each convention’s playoff races for various causes. In the AFC, there are quarterbacks both earlier than or of their prime, which ought to present some epic showdowns in every spherical. In the NFC, there are veterans seeking to both add to or cement their legacy earlier than the youthful signal-callers find yourself taking their highlight, too. Either manner, count on theatrics on the way in which to Super Bowl LVII.
