You didn’t think week 18 of the NFL would have anything but pointless football games, did you? Well, that was a strong possibility heading into the games last week.
Yet, here we are, in the last week of the season, the NFL got exactly what they wanted, and that is three games that will determine a division winner and also has major seeding on the line.
The NFL needed this, and they got it. Let’s take a look at the three games that have the most on the line this week; the playoffs for the NFL and viewing purposes start a week early. Everyone wins.
NFC SOUTH
Remember when everyone said Baker Mayfield should be the MVP? Well the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are 1-7 in their last eight games and should have closed the door on this division weeks ago.
Yet here we are, the Carolina Panthers, with a win next week against the will win the NFC South for the first time since Cam Newton did in 2015.
These two teams are the only pair that, if they make the playoffs in the NFC, who I don’t think have a chance to win the conference. Every other team that will make the playoffs from the NFC, I think, has the firepower.
It will be a fun story for the Panthers if they can win the division this weekend though.
AFC NORTH
All the Steelers had to do Sunday was beat the Browns and they locked up the AFC North title in the first year with Aaron Rodgers, yet in typical drama NFL fashion, the Browns won 13-6.
Doing so set up Sunday Night Football, the Ravens against the Steelers for the AFC North title.
Lamar Jackson has been out with an injury, so that is something to keep an eye on, but the Steelers have also been without T.J. Watt, who has been dealing with surgery on a collapsed lung.
This is a game that the league wanted on the slate as the last game of the year to have meaning to it so bad, and they are getting it.
https://twitter.com/NFL/status/2005500618195280173?s=20
Again, all I will say is I would have picked the Steelers to beat the Browns 9 times out of 10 on Sunday.
1 SEED ON THE LINE
The game of the year took place Sunday night with the 49ers and the Bears and boy did it have a lot riding on it as well.
With the 49ers win, it sets up Saturday night perfect for the league as well.
The 49ers are against the Seattle Seahawks for the overall seed in the NFC. The Super Bowl is already in Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, so the 49ers might not have to leave their homes the entire playoffs!
Whoever wins this game on Saturday night has the inside track to win the conference, and honestly, the NFC is wide open.
As a fan, I like this as well, but the NFL got exactly what they wanted with these three games.
There was a chance that none of these would have meant anything if teams had just handled the job in week 17, but here we go.
Enjoy.
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You forgot to mention the Atlanta Falcons in here. Thy have a legitimate shot at the. NFC South title.