CINCINNATI, OHIO – NOVEMBER 05: Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills reacts after his team’s 24-18 loss against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium on November 05, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
Buffalo Bills:
The Bills have now beaten the Lions and the Chiefs. In watching them, it’s hard to see how they ever lose a game. With two out of their last three games against the Patriots, they look like a lock to be the number 2 seed in the AFC.
Philadelphia Eagles:
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – JANUARY 29: Jalen Hurts #1 of the Philadelphia Eagles takes the field against the San Francisco 49ers during the first quarter in the NFC Championship Game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 29, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
The Eagles, Vikings, and Lions all have two losses. I feel the Eagles are the best of the three at this point.
Detroit Lions:
DETROIT, MI – JANUARY 21: Jared Goff #16 of the Detroit Lions drops back to pass during an NFL divisional round playoff football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Ford Field on January 21, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)
Week 18 is going to be a great matchup against the Vikings at home. They are really banged up on defense and it could end up being their downfall.
Kansas City Chiefs:
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – NOVEMBER 10: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs hands the football to Kareem Hunt #29 of the Kansas City Chiefs during the third quarter against the Denver Broncos at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on November 10, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)
They have a great win-loss record but they really haven’t been overly impressive for most of the year. The defense is typically good, but it wasn’t on Saturday against the Texans, and the offense has been a big letdown most of the season, but it was actually quite good against Houston. They seem to just turn it on when the playoffs begin anyway, but either way, this team just finds ways to win.
Minnesota Vikings:
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – OCTOBER 20: Aaron Jones #33 of the Minnesota Vikings runs for a touchdown in the first quarter of a game against the Detroit Lions at U.S. Bank Stadium on October 20, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
Week 18 is going to be a great matchup against the Lions in Detroit. They have a chance to win it and be division champions.
Green Bay Packers:
LAS VEGAS, NV – OCTOBER 09: Jordan Love #10 of the Green Bay Packers gives assignments during an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on October 9, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
At 10-4, the Packers would be in first place in four divisions in the league. Instead, they are looking at the 6th seed in all likelihood.
Baltimore Ravens:
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – NOVEMBER 25: Quarterback Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens rushes for a touchdown in the third quarter against the Oakland Raiders at M&T Bank Stadium on November 25, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
The game was close early against the Steelers, but the Ravens proved to be the much better team in this game. Their defense made big plays, and Lamar, Henry, Flowers, and Andrews all showed up in a big way for them. They are going to be a tough team to beat in the AFC playoffs, and they are clearly better than the Steelers.
Los Angeles Rams:
ARLINGTON, TX – OCTOBER 29: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams drops back to pass during an NFL game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on October 29, 2023 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
They have withstood key injuries but are getting healthy at the right time. They have won seven out of their last nine games and are in first place in the mediocre NFC West. That win against the Bills a couple weeks ago really opened up some eyes.
Pittsburgh Steelers:
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – AUGUST 9: Russell Wilson #3 of the Pittsburgh Steelers warms up before the preseason game against the Houston Texans at Acrisure Stadium on August 9, 2024 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
Been thinking they are overrated for a while now. The last 2 weeks have definitely proved that. They couldn’t contend with two of the elite teams from around the league (Eagles and Ravens). They could end up as a wild card team now, and the only team they could possibly beat in that scenario would be the Texans.
Tampa Bay Bucs
TAMPA, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 31: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers throws a pass during the fourth quarter against the New Orleans Saints at Raymond James Stadium on December 31, 2023 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
They put up over 35 points against one of the top defenses in the league. Bucky Irving was healthy, Mike Evans is fully healthy and Baker Mayfield is playing elite football. They are in control of the NFC South and control their own destiny.
