Saturday Week 18: What's at Stake in Tonight's Games?
- Fletch
- Jan 4
- 3 min read
The final week of the regular season usually gives us a plethora of 'meaningless' games where teams are already aware of their fate and have little to play for other than a llittle pride and a draft position. However, it means more than that to some. Some players have incentives they'd like to hit, records they'd like to obtain or put out some positive tape for the off-season to save their roster spot.
With that being said, there's always still a playoff spot or two to play for, a playoff seeding opportunity to play for, or even (in some cases) a division title to play for. This year is no different. Headed into week 18, we still have 3 division titles still to play for and the 7th seed in the AFC isn't officially wrapped up yet. The NFC North has a heavyweight clash on Sunday Night Football between the Lions and Vikings; winner takes the NFC North and the #1 seed. The NFC South is all but wrapped up with the Bucs in pole position but not crowned yet.
The other division with plenty still to play for is the AFC North. The division is still being contested between 2 teams, and there's a third team hoping to sneak into the final playoff spot in the AFC. Given the fact that both games have something in them, the scheduling gods worked their magic and Saturday is AFC North Day.
Game 1: Cleveland Browns @ Baltimore Ravens | 9:30pm
The division could be wrapped up before the first snap has been played in the other game. The Ravens are 11-5 with a 1 win lead over the Steelers. Should the Ravens win, they'll advance to 12-5 and even with a win in the late game, the Steelers can't catch-up.
The Browns could be looking to play the villain tonight and try to ruin the Ravens' day, but with the Browns contending for a potential 1st overall pick, starting DTR and the Ravens hoping to play a few of their starters like Lamar & Derrick for a bit, the villain arc isn't one to hold your breath for.
The Ravens are currently -20 point favourites headed into the game (I believe Oli said on the review show that it's the largest spread in the NFL this season) and all signs point to a comfortable win in Baltimore.
Game 2: Cincinnati Bengals @ Pittsburgh Steelers | 1am
As mentioned above, the division COULD be wrapped up before the game starts. It's up to Mike Tomlin & the Steelers as to whether they pay ANY attention to the Browns/Ravens game and understand their assignment before the first snap. If - just after a pig flies and hell freezes over - the Browns do beat the Ravens, a win would see the Steelers take the division based on divisional record. A win may not clinch them the division, but a loss definitely won't. A loss COULD even see them fall down the seedings, but that doesn't become important until Sunday and other results going against them.
In the most likely scenario, the Ravens have beat the Browns, the Steelers can't win the division and barely have anything to play for other than clinching the 5th seed. That doesn't, however, render this game meaningless. The Bengals will still be aiming to keep their playoff hopes alive and only a win can do that. They'll still need both the Broncos AND the Dolphins to lose on Sunday, but Burrow, Chase et al will all be licking their lips at the possibility of getting into the dance given the form they're currently on.
It's Not So Grim Up North After All
The AFC North hasn't disappointed this year. Prior to the start of the season, we all thought that the division held 4 legitimate contenders. The first half of the season left a lot to be desired, the Steelers were in pole position, the Ravens were a little disappointing, the Bengals had been a major disappointment and the Browns? Well, the less said about them right now the better. In week 18, they already have 2 teams in the dance and with the threat of a third, none of these teams can be truly overlooked when it comes down to it at the end of the day and with the fact that 3 teams still have something to play for - it's a credit to the strength of the division once again.
Written by Fletch. Follow me on all of my socials.
Brought to you by the AAW Network. By UK fans, for ALL fans.
Join our Discord to come and talk all things ball with us...
Comments