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Just like that, the 2024 Regular Season comes to a close. Playoff berths and seeding went down to the wire, some records were broken while others still stand, and once again, the Chiefs were the top team in the NFL record-wise. With a loaded postseason in tow, let's see if this year's playoffs can deliver as strongly as the regular season did.
Wild Card Power Rankings
Team to Note
Cincinnati Bengals (Rose 1 spot)
I wanted to give the Bengals their flowers here. If not for an embarrassing Week 1 loss to the Patriots, they'd be in the playoffs. If the Broncos lost to the Chiefs in Week 18, they'd be in the playoffs. They were competitive in all but one game against the Eagles in Week 8, while the rest of their losses were determined by 7 points or less. Cincy capped off their year by winning each of their final five games, which was highly impressive considering they were 4-8 heading into that stretch and had just dropped three games straight. It's a shame that incredible seasons from Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase, and Trey Hendrickson are seemingly going to waste, but they went down swinging and put up a strong fight to the end.
Week 18 Awards
Awards | AFC | NFC |
Offensive MVP | Derrick Henry | Jahmyr Gibbs |
Defensive MVP | Derek Barnett | Micah Parsons |
Special Teams MVP | Rigoberto Sanchez | Cairo Santos |
Trench Tyrant | Quinn Meinerz | Matthew Bergeron |
Relentless Rookie | Nate Wiggins | Michael Penix Jr |
Winners to Note
Derek Barnett (DL - HOU)
We got a big man TD! Derek was great on Sunday, as he recorded 4 pressures on 20 pass rushes, 2 stops + TFLs, and a scoop and score where he ran through multiple players - including one of his own. This gave him a 90.1 defensive grade, which was the 8th highest in the entire NFL last week.
Michael Penix Jr (QB - ATL)
Penix wasn't perfect, but he absolutely dealt and gave the Falcons a fighting chance to clinch the playoffs. He had a major difference in his completion rate and adjusted completion rate, posting 55.3% and 76.5% in both areas respectively, and he had an absurdly high 7 big time throws and 0 turnover worthy plays. This came out to a 94.5 passing grade, to the tune of 312 yards and 2 TDs.
Jahmyr Gibbs (RB - DET)
To clinch the first ever top seed in Detroit's history, Gibby put the team on his back. His 28 touches for 170 yards and 4 TDs put the icing on the cake that is the Lions season, and made all the difference in their victory Sunday night. With that, he had 4 runs of 10+ yards, forced 5 missed tackles, and generated 69 yards after contact. He embodies everything the Lions stand for, and was a major reason they have a bye week in the Wild Card.
Photo: Jake May/MLIVE
Fantasy Football
Week 18 Recap
Points | QB | RB | WR | TE | Flex |
Player | Geno Smith | Michael Carter | Brandin Cooks | Chig Okonkwo | Jordan Whittington |
Projected | 16.0 | 12.8 | 10.1 | 9.6 | 9.2 |
Actual | 26.32 | 15.9 | 4.0 | 0.0 | 12.8 |
Difference | 10.32 | 3.1 | -6.1 | -9.6 | 3.6 |
Result | Boom | Boom | Bust | Bust | Boom |
Season Totals: 28 Booms / 29 Pushes / 32 Busts / 1 Inactive
I will be dropping a Fantasy Football Recap later this month, so be on the lookout for that to view the top performers, biggest letdowns, and a review of my predictions.
Wild Card Game Predictions
For each playoff game throughout the postseason, I'll be listing where each team is favored and how that benefits or hurts them. The further we get into the postseason, the further breakdowns we'll have.
Chargers vs Texans (Saturday 4:30 PM)
The Chargers have been gritty this entire season, where the Texans have struggled to find their footing. This is going to be a low scoring contest, as LA will look to control the clock and run it down the Texans' throat. Houston's run defense is just about average statistically and based on advanced analytics, and that's where the winner will be determined. It goes without saying that CJ Stroud's struggles may very well spill over into this game, adding more fuel to the fire that the Texans will burn themselves on.
Steelers vs Ravens (Saturday 8 PM)
The Ravens walloped the Steelers a few weeks back on their home turf, and should do more of the same. Pittsburgh's offense has completely sputtered out over the last five games, as they've averaged 260.4 yards and 16.8 points per game over that span - which would rank dead last and the third worst in the league respectively. Conversely, Baltimore's defense has been one of the best since Week 8, and this offense has been one of the best in NFL history; this should be a blowout in the Purple and Black's favor.
Broncos vs Bills (Sunday 1 PM)
My only concern with the Bills in this game is their run defense, but with Buffalo pretty much fully rested and the Broncos avoiding a three game skid thanks to the Chiefs resting their starters, I think they will put this game away by the start of the 4th quarter. On the other hand, the Broncos defense has been one of the best this year, and Bo Nix has this offense firing on all cylinders. If they can sneak in a few big play TDs and get 2+ turnovers on defense, this game will turn into a dogfight.
Packers vs Eagles (Sunday 4:30 PM)
The first of two Week 1 rematches takes place between two vastly different teams, but this one should be a no-brainer. With the Packers banged up and the Eagles rested, I expect Philly to run the ball all over the field. Whether it's Barkley, Hurts, or Gainwell doing damage, the Cheeseheads will have a tough time preventing points from lighting up the scoreboard. They may be able to keep up on the other side of the ball, but this defense has been playing some amazing football, and I don't see Jordan Love or Josh Jacobs doing enough to stump them.
Commanders vs Buccaneers (Sunday 8 PM)
Déjà vu! The Commanders and Bucs meet again, both of which have been on fire offensively over the past few weeks. Both have produced over 4,000 yards and 310 points combined over the past five games, with the Bucs totaling over 2,200 yards and 160 points in that span. Defensively, the Commanders have been a bit better - but not by much. Tampa has been stronger against the run, with an average EPA per play of -0.16, where Washington has been stout against the pass, with a 0.01 mark in that category, per NFELO. Both teams are evenly matched, and I think Tampa claims victory on a game-winning field goal.
Vikings vs Rams (Monday 8 PM)
The Rams, much like the Lions, are readily equipped to take on this Vikings team. LA has a strong receiving core, and volume-based rushing attack, and a young defense that has gotten better each week. The Vikings were exposed twice against the Lions, and by - you guessed it, the Rams throughout the season. McVay will have answers for Brian Flores' complicated scheme, and this defense will just need to play sticky man coverage and keep the hits coming on Sam Darnold.
Record from Week 18: 9-7
Season Record: 164-108
Photo: Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle
Final Notes
Throughout the postseason, I'll be dropping two blogs a week - one of which being the usual Recap/Prediction write-up. Here are the other articles I plan to post in that time:
Wild Card Round: Cardinals Season Recap
Divisional Round: The 2024 House Awards
Championship Round: Fantasy Football Recap
Pro Bowl Week: Under-The-Radar Players From 2024
Super Bowl Week: The Case for MVP
Week Following Super Bowl: Season Recap
After we get through this slate of two blogs a week, I will be taking about two weeks or so off, but then it's full throttle into the Coaching Carousel, Free Agency and Draft Coverage. Here's to one final month of top-notch football (and hopefully a few upsets)!
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