The time has come for NFL teams to make their closing statements on the regular season.
Much of the league’s playoff picture has been determined heading into the final weekend, but Week 18 still will serve up the chance for several franchises to join the field or improve their positioning. Others, meanwhile, can simply try to play spoiler and end the season on a high note. And while only so many of the finales have immediate relevance, there’s still room for some last-minute surprises and standout performances.
Here are USA TODAY Sports’ bold predictions for Week 18 in the NFL:
Mike Evans will score a key touchdown as he leaves another mark on the NFL record book
It’s pretty much a given that, barring a twist of fate, Tampa Bay Buccaneers star Mike Evans will tie an NFL record established by Jerry Rice by notching his 11th consecutive 1,000-yard receiving season. Evans heads into the finale against the New Orleans Saints needing 85 yards to achieve the milestone, which would also extend his NFL record for most consecutive 1,000-yard campaigns to start a career. It’s not so bold to predict that Evans will match the record that Rice set from 1986-96. At least not now, when he’s poised to set the mark despite the streak seemingly falling into jeopardy as he missed three games earlier this season due to a hamstring injury. And with New Orleans having dealt Marshon Lattimore to Washington ahead of the NFL trade deadline, this doesn’t come with the drama of Evans squaring off against his most notable personal nemesis. Evans and Lattimore engaged in some classic, and very heated, matchups over the years, which explains why Evans has averaged just 49.7 yards in 20 games against the Saints. With Lattimore gone, though, the table is better set for Evans to make his mark against the Saints. So, what’s so bold? That would be Evans achieving the milestone while making a touchdown catch – hopefully an explosive one – the help swing the outcome in a game the Bucs (9-7) need to win to clinch the NFC South crown.
NFL STATS CENTRAL: The latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats and more.
— Jarrett Bell
Drake Maye balls out against the Bills and costs New England No. 1 pick
Should they lose Sunday against the Buffalo Bills, the New England Patriots would end the season on a seven-game losing streak. The difficult first season for Jerod Mayo might even end with a pink slip, although that would be quite the about-face from owner Robert Kraft.
The Pats are currently in line to pick first come April in the 2025 draft. Another “L” would lock them into that position. A win makes it complicated. Sometimes it’s not that simple for teams slated No. 1 going into the final week, however. For example, the Texans beating the Colts in Week 18 two seasons ago and went from picking first to picking second. That netted them C.J. Stroud, the finest of consolation prizes, so it’s not like picking one or two spots later could doom the Patriots in the future, especially with quarterback Drake Maye already in the boat. But it might cost them a chance at Travis Hunter, who would be either a suitable target for Maye in the passing game – something the rookie QB does not currently have – or an ideal complement to cornerback Christian Gonzalez (or both!).
Bills head coach Sean McDermott could opt to rest some defensive players in the second half (or longer) to keep them fresh for next week’s wild-card game at home. Maye will want to end his rookie season – filled with ups and downs – on a high note.
The final stat line could look something like: 24-for-28, 289 passing yards, 2 TDs … to go with 8 rushes, 77 rushing yards and another TD on the ground.
Totally hypothetical, of course. And totally improbable, given that would be a career high in passing yards for the No. 3 overall pick. Maybe a better goal for him is not putting the ball on the ground, as he has four fumbles in his last three games.
— Chris Bumbaca
Lions ride Jahmyr Gibbs to NFC North-clinching victory
Gibbs will have the best game of his young career with the NFC North title and the conference’s No. 1 overall seed on the line.
The Lions’ second-year running back will produce a career-high 190 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns at home versus the Minnesota Vikings. Gibbs registered 116 rushing yards, 44 receiving yards and two touchdowns when the two teams met in Week 7. It’ll be wise for Detroit to feature Gibbs on Sunday night. His speed and versatility are a difficult assignment for the Vikings defense. The versatile running back will again have his way catching passes out of the backfield and slicing through Minnesota’s defense in what I believe is bound to be a high-scoring contest.
— Tyler Dragon
Steelers will stumble to fourth straight loss as Russell Wilson questions grow louder
Wilson said this week that the Steelers ‘have got to have amnesia’ about their three-game skid as they head into Saturday’s matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals. But Mike Tomlin wants to make sure his quarterback doesn’t forget one key lesson: ‘Take care of the football and stay on schedule,’ he said. Wilson has thrown two costly interceptions and fumbled twice in the last two blowout losses, and the coach made it clear he has little patience for giveaways in key stretches.
Cincinnati’s defense would seem to be a salve for those issues, as Wilson notched a season-high 414 yards and three touchdowns in the first meeting between the two teams, a 44-38 Pittsburgh victory. But defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo said this week he was confident that team could better keep a lid on explosive plays while still keeping tabs on checkdowns after Steelers running backs combined for 146 receiving yards in that game. Takeaways have been key to the turnaround, as the Bengals have nabbed 10 in the last three weeks. While Wilson likely won’t be as careless as Will Levis and Jameis Winston were against this defense – especially after Tomlin’s warning – he could find himself in trouble if he has to try to keep up with Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase.
— Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz