With the football season nearly over, plenty of teams have nothing to play for either by virtue of being eliminated from the playoff hunt or because their postseason bid has already been punched. I will update this article throughout the week with quotes from coaches and reporters.
Cleveland @ Cincinnati
The Browns are locked into the No. 5 seed. Kevin Stefanski has already announced that Joe Flacco and other starters will rest. Don’t expect to see David Njoku, Amari Cooper, Jerome Ford, and many other Cleveland players this week.
The Bengals have been eliminated from playoff contention. Banged-up players like Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase may get the day off.
Minnesota @ Detroit
The Lions can get the No. 2 seed with a win and losses by the Eagles and Cowboys. Those teams play the Giants and Commanders meaning the Lions are practically stuck at the No. 3 seed. Still, Dan Campbell has already said he plans to play his starters.
The Vikings can still make the playoffs with a win and a lot of help. I won’t dive into all possible outcomes, but the good news is that the NFL scheduled this game in the early window, so Minnesota won’t know if they have gotten the help they need yet when their game starts.
Week 18. It's time for the #NFLSeasonFinale. pic.twitter.com/KOV6OaZIKy
— NFL (@NFL) January 1, 2024
Chicago @ Green Bay
The Bears were eliminated from the playoff hunt when Green Bay and Minnesota didn’t tie on Sunday night.
The Packers control their own destiny. A win and they’re in the playoffs.
The AFC East is on the line as the Dolphins host the Bills to wrap up the NFL regular season, Sunday at 7 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock! Click here to watch
Jacksonville @ Tennessee
The Jags win the AFC South crown with a victory. They can get in with a loss and some help but will be giving it everything they have to avoid that scenario and get a home game for the opening round of the playoffs.
The Titans have been eliminated from playoff contention. Ryan Tannehill is starting in place of a banged-up Will Levis.
Houston @ Indianapolis
Both teams make the playoffs with a win and are eliminated via a loss. If the Jaguars lose, the winner of the game gets the AFC South crown. If they win, the winner of this game gets a wild card nod.
Denver @ Las Vegas
Both teams have been eliminated. Both teams have also benched their expensive quarterback for an unheralded backup at least in part for financial reasons.
Buffalo @ Miami
This game is the de facto AFC East championship game. Miami will still make the playoffs as a wild card team with a loss. The Bills can survive a loss with some help.
New York Jets @ New England
Both teams have been eliminated.
Atlanta @ New Orleans
Both teams need a win and a Tampa Bay loss to win the NFC South title. The Saints can also make the postseason as a wild card team with a win and help outside of the Bucs losing.
Philadelphia @ New York Giants
The Eagles can get the No. 2 seed with a win and a loss by the Cowboys. The Eagles have not made mention of any starters getting the week off. DeVonta Smith is out but he is dealing with an ankle injury. The Eagles will likely be scoreboard-watching and more willing to pull their starters than usual, but Jalen Hurts and company are getting the first snap.
The Giants have been eliminated.
Seattle @ Arizona
The Seahawks need a win and some help, specifically in the form of a Bears win over Green Bay. Both games kick off at the same time.
The Cardinals have been eliminated.
Kansas City @ Los Angeles Chargers
The Chiefs are locked into the No. 3 seed. Andy Reid has already announced that Patrick Mahomes and other starters will rest. Rashee Rice has been ruled out while Isiah Pacheco is questionable. I don’t expect him to play. Travis Kelce will play, but the veteran tight end needs 16 yards for his eighth straight 1000-yard season. He will likely reach that milestone and then take the day off.
The Chargers have been eliminated.
Los Angeles Rams @ San Francisco
The 49ers are guaranteed to be the No. 1 seed in the NFC. We shouldn’t see much, if any, of their starters. Christian McCaffrey has already been ruled out with a calf injury. Kyle Shanahan also announced Sam Darnold will start and Brock Purdy will get the week off. He did not rule out any other starters, though it’s unlikely any of San Francisco’s remaining star skill position players get a full four quarters.
The Rams have locked up a playoff spot. They could move between the No. 6 and No. 7 seeds but don’t have much else to play for. The difference between those two seeds isn’t drastic. Sean McVay announced Carson Wentz will start while Matthew Stafford gets the week off. Kyren Williams, Cooper Kupp, and Aaron Donald have all been announced as out for rest purposes. Tyler Higbee is out with an injury.
Puka Nacua is 4 catches and 29 yards shy of breaking the NFL rookie record for receptions and receiving yards#Rams coach Sean McVay on Puka’s expected workload in a Week 18 game where key starters are being rested:
— The Coachspeak Index (@CoachspeakIndex) January 4, 2024
“I think you'd like to be able to see him get an opportunity… pic.twitter.com/gqEMJp2yNE
Puka Nacua will play. He needs four catches and 29 yards to set the rookie record in both categories. Sean McVay indicated Nacua will try to set those records before getting the rest of the day off.
I did find it interesting McVay has mentioned twice now they are playing their starting OL with Carson. Kind of a, “here’s the opportunity” subtext
— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) January 5, 2024
Another wrinkle to note with the Rams is that they are playing their starting offensive line. As The Athletic’s Jourdan Rodrigue points out, McVay appears to be giving him a prove-it game.
Dallas @ Washington
Dallas can secure the NFC East title with a win or a Philly loss. They will give their starters the nod but could be eager to pull them with a big lead.
The Commanders have been eliminated. They could be in line to sit some veterans, but we have no official word from the team yet. Keep on eye on Terry McLaurin, Logan Thomas, and Curtis Samuel.
I get the vibe a lot of Commanders veterans wont play this weekend
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) January 4, 2024
The team has not ruled any of their veterans out, but there’s a risk we don’t get full games from them.
Tampa Bay @ Carolina
The Bucs win the NFC South with a win over Carolina and are eliminated via a loss.
The Panthers have been eliminated.
Pittsburgh @ Baltimore
The Steelers need a win and some help to get in. Only one of the Jags and Bills needs to lose if they win and they will make the postseason. They can also survive a loss but their odds still plummet in that scenario.
The Ravens have locked up the No. 1 seed in the AFC and are unlikely to play their starters much or at all. John Harbaugh told reporters Tyler Huntley will get the start and Lamar Jackson will rest. Odell Beckham was given the week off as well while Zay Flowers has no shot at playing through a doubtful tag. Expect little to no work for the top running backs, Gus Edwards and Justice Hill, as well.
