SPORTS | NFL UPDATE
The Fastest Two Minutes in NFL Football Week #18
Your two-minute week 18 NFL update of scores and more. All the scores, fumbles, INTs, and upsets from around the league.
By now, you probably realized there were no TNF games this week. However, two exciting Saturday games greatly impacted the playoffs despite some teams holding their stars out to protect against injuries.
The first was another surprising win by the Steelers+3.5 over the Ravens, 17–10. Despite Baltimore not starting Lamar Jackson, I would have bet they would still beat the Steelers. So glad I didn’t. But seriously, does Dalvin Cook now have a legitimate shot at a Super Bowl?
The other was the Texans-1 in a win over the home team Colts, 23–19, which propelled the Texans into the playoffs. Remember I said mid-season, the Texans and CJ Stroud would have a say in the AFC South’s division championship. With a Jaguars loss, they won the division.
Week #18
Let’s look at the “upsets” first:
The only reason any game is an upset this week is because the Las Vegas oddsmakers got it wrong. Many teams played without their stars, saving them for the playoffs or next year.
Even after last week, the Eagles were still favored. The NY Giants+5.5 had other plans and won handily, 27–10.
The Titans+5.5 and Henry knocked the Jags out of the playoffs, 28–20.
The LA Rams+3.5 nosed out the 49ers, 21–20.
The KC Chiefs+3 finally won again against the favored LA Chargers, 13–12.
The NY Jets+2 won in NE for the first time in fifteen tries. With a snow-covered field, Breece Hall ran left, right, and up the middle, 17–3. Hall ran for 178 yards and a TD but missed a 1000-yard season by six! The good news is the Patriots locked up the third pick in the draft.
In other games:
The Cowboys-13 kicked the Commanders in their own house, 48–10.
The Bills-3 beat the Dolphins to win the AFC East, 21–14.
The GB Packers-3 dropped the Bears 17–9.
The Bengals-6 found their vaunted offense while Flacco and Burrows watched, 31–14.
The Lions-3 beat the Vikings by 10, 30–20.
The NO Saints-3 found all the offense they needed to beat the Falcons, 48–17.
The Bucs-5.5 blanked the Panthers, 9–0. The Bucs won the NFC South again, and the Panthers won the 1st pick in the draft to give to the Bears. Will the Bears use it on another QB or grab Marvin Harrison Jr?
The Raiders dropped Denver 27–14.
The Seahawks-3 beat the Cards, 21–20. But a trip to the playoffs was not in the Cards after the Packers won.
Here’s Who’s in the Playoffs & Their Record:
AFC
1. Ravens 13–4 Bye 2. Bills 11–6 3. Chiefs 11–6 4. Texans 10–7 5. Browns 11–6 6. Dolphins 11–6 7. Steelers 10–7
NFC
1. 49ers 12–5 Bye 2. Cowboys 12–5 3. Lions 12–5 4. Bucs 9–8 5. Eagles 11–6 6. Rams 10–7 7. Packers 9–8
The Top Five Picks in the 2024 Draft:
1. Chicago Bears (from the Panthers) — Panthers’ record: 2–15.
2. Washington Commanders — Record: 4–13.
3. New England Patriots — Record: 4–13.
4. Arizona Cardinals — Record: 4–13.
5. LA Chargers — Record: 5–12.
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Stephen Dalton is a retired US Army First Sergeant with a degree in journalism from the University of Maryland and a Certified US English Chicago Manual of Style Editor. Also, a Top Writer in Bitcoin, Business, Investing, Nutrition, Travel, Fiction, Transportation, VR, NFL, Design, Creativity, and Short Story.
