New Year's Revolution (Week 18)

We made it, folks! A New Year is here, and in a few days, we say goodbye to the 2024 NFL season. I'm not gonna lie; I was afraid that there would be nothing to talk about in this final week. It looked like we were on our way to the most boring final week since 2017. Remember that season? Week 18 took place on New Year's Eve, and there were so few relevant storylines that the week did not even have a season ending Sunday Night game. Thankfully, certain circumstances gave us something for the final week of the this season.

Now, in comparison to last year, Week 18 isn't as fruitful. Last year, 11 out of the 16 games had some playoff relevancy (four from the AFC, seven from the NFC). This year, it's only seven games that have some playoff relevancy, but as I said before, it could have been a lot less. With that being said, here's a look at the playoff picture and the scenarios:

In the AFC, the Kansas City Chiefs are locked in as the #1 seed. The Buffalo Bills are #2, and the Houston Texans are sealed at #4. The Los Angeles Chargers joined the playoff party and will be #6 at worst. Only one spot remain, and there's still one division to be decided in the final week.

Let's talk about that, shall we?

For weeks, the Pittsburgh Steelers had full control of the AFC North, but that slipped on Christmas Day. The Steelers were blasted by the Chiefs, and after that, the Ravens dismantled the Houston Texans. So with that, Baltimore took the lead in the North, and they are now in the driver's seat. Both teams are hosting an Ohio franchise, but the Ravens are facing the one with nothing to play for. All Baltimore has to do is win or tie and they'll clinch the North and the #3 seed that comes with it. If the Ravens lose, then the Steelers can take the North with a win over the Bengals. While the North winner will be #3 in the conference, the Ravens will be locked in at #5 if they fall short, while the Steelers can fall down to the #6 spot if they lose and the Chargers win.

Both AFC North games will take place on Saturday, with the Ravens playing first, meaning that Steelers fans will have to cross their fingers and hope Cleveland manages to beat the Ravens again this season.

As for the one playoff spot remaining, it's now down to three competing for that spot. The Denver Broncos had another win-and-in chance, but the Cincinnati Bengals got them in OT. The Miami Dolphins won in Cleveland to keep their hopes alive as well. I mentioned the Bengals already because they'll be in Pittsburgh, and it's a very sweet spot for Cincy. A win would kill Pittsburgh's division hopes, and will put them in if the Broncos lose and the Dolphins lose or tie. The Broncos are still win-and-in, but if Cincy does win on Saturday, the Broncos will be eliminated with a loss. If the Broncos lose and the Dolphins win, then Miami is back into the playoffs for the third straight season.

The Dolphins will be at MetLife against a dead Jets team, while the Broncos will host a Chiefs team that will start Carson Wentz at QB. Miami and Denver's games will take place on Sunday's late window. Whoever gets in between the three teams will be locked in as the #7 seed and will head to Orchard Park on Wild Card Weekend.

Now the NFC is just a tad more clear. We do not know who's #1, but we know the Eagles are #2. The Rams are in as West champions, but their seeding is up for grabs, and even the NFC South winner can move up to #3. All three Wild Card positions are filled, but seeding is still up for grabs. The NFC North runner-up will be #5, and the Green Bay Packers and the Washington Commanders are competing for the #6 seed.

Now, let's talk about those holes, shall we?

If only Raheem Morris called that timeout. The Atlanta Falcons had control of the division back in their grasp, and in one fell swoop, it was gone again. So entering the final week of the season, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have the lead in the NFC South, and can win the division for the fourth straight year. A win or tie gets it done, or a Falcons loss or tie will take care of it. If the Bucs lose, the Falcons can take the division with a win. The Falcons are at home against the Panthers, while the Buccaneers host the Saints. Both games will take place during Sunday's early window.

If the Bucs win, they can move into the #3 seed if the Rams lose. Otherwise, they'll be #4. If the Falcons win the South, they'll be locked in at #4 and host whoever loses this:

The 14-2 Detroit Lions are hosting the 14-2 Minnesota Vikings in Game #272 of the season on Sunday Night Football, and it's for the NFC North and the conference's #1 seed. How many times do we see games like this between teams with that many wins?! We usually see this in college football, and always in the championship, but almost never in the NFL. Entering this game, Detroit actually holds the #1 position via tiebreaker, as they defeated the Vikings in Minnesota earlier in the season. Because of this, while the winner does end up with the division and the #1 seed, it's the Lions who will end up #1 if the game ends tied. Whoever loses this game will be #5 in the NFC and head to either SoFi Stadium or the site of the NFC South winner.

Crazy, isn't it? The NFC could see a 14 or 14.5 win team, and possibly two 12 win teams go on the road on Wild Card Weekend. That's football, baby! Week 18 will be crazy as hell, and as a Packers fan, I'm glad that this time, our only concern is seeding. This will definitely be anohter unforgettable final week!