The NFL is starting Week 18 in Baltimore, where the Ravens are expected to blow out the Browns.
In fact, the Ravens are 18-point favorites, which is the biggest point spread in the NFL this season.
The last time the NFL had an 18-point spread was in 2021, when the 7-0 Cardinals were 18-point favorites over the 1-6 Texans. (The Cardinals won 31-5.) The last time the NFL had a spread of more than 18 points was in 2020, when the 7-1 Chiefs were 20-point favorites over the 0-8 Jets. (The Chiefs won 35-9.)
Prior to this week’s Browns-Ravens game, the biggest spread in the NFL this season was also for the Ravens, in Week 15 when they were 16.5-point favorites over the Giants. (The Ravens won 35-14.)
Ideally, nationally televised games in Week 18 would be competitive matchups between playoff contenders, but often that’s not the case. This season, we could be in for some ugly blowouts in Week 18, starting with the first one.
Saturday will be for the AFC North in Week 18.
The NFL has placed the two divisional matchups between the Browns and Ravens along with the Bengals and Steelers on Saturday for the last weekend of the season.
The Browns and Ravens will lead things off on ESPN and ABC at 4:30 p.m. ET on Saturday. The Bengals and Steelers will follow at 8 p.m. ET on the same networks.
Both Baltimore and Pittsburgh have already clinched a playoff spot at 11-5 and 10-6, respectively, but the division is still up for grabs.
If the Ravens defeat the Browns, then they’ll win the AFC North. Though Baltimore lost to Cleveland earlier in the season, the Browns have struggled mightily on offense since Dorian Thompson-Robinson took over at quarterback.
The Bengals will be particularly motivated to win on Saturday night because they’re still alive to be the AFC’s No. 7 seed. But even if they win, they’ll need both the Broncos and Dolphins to lose on Sunday in order to make the postseason. If Pittsburgh wins, Cincinnati will be eliminated from postseason contention.
Denver will play at Kansas City and Miami will visit the Jets in Week 18. Kickoff for both games will be at 4:25 p.m. ET on Sunday.
The Dolphins are still alive for the AFC’s No. 7 seed.
Despite missing Tua Tagovailoa and Jaylen Waddle, Miami overwhelmed Cleveland for a 20-3 victory. That sets up a significant matchup with the Jets next weekend.
Tyler Huntley started in Tagovialoa’s stead and performed well. While the Dolphins had just a 6-3 lead over Cleveland at halftime, the Dolphins got separation in the second half with a 13-yard rushing touchdown by Tyler Huntley and a 7-yard touchdown pass from Huntley to Jonnu Smith.
Huntley finished the game 22-of-26 for 225 yards. He also rushed for 52 yards on seven carries to lead the team in the category.
Tyreek Hill also helped power the offensive performance, catching all nine of his targets for 105 yards.
Browns defensive end Myles Garrett was one of the team’s few bright spots on the day, as he picked up 2.0 sacks to make some history. He became the first player in NFL history to record at least 14 sacks in four consecutive seasons, with the sack becoming official in 1982. He also became the third player to record at least 13 sacks in five of his first eight seasons, joining Reggie White and T.J. Watt.
But aside from that, the Browns were overmatched. Dorian Thompson-Robinson finished 24-of-47 passing for 170 yards with an interception and a lost fumble. He’s now thrown six interceptions and zero touchdown passes this year. He’s also the only quarterback since 2000 to throw 10 career interceptions with one or zero touchdowns (he threw one TD last year).
Jerry Jeudy set a new career high with 12 catches, finishing with 94 yards.
The 8-8 Dolphins will be on the road to play the Jets next week. They need a victory and then the Carson Wentz-led Chiefs to beat the Broncos in order to capture the AFC’s No. 7 seed.
For the Browns, a miserable 3-13 season is about to come to an end. They will be on the road to face the Ravens in Week 18.
Myles Garrett has made a little more history in Sunday’s game against the Dolphins.
With his second sack of the day in the fourth quarter, Garrett became the first player with at least 14.0 sacks in four consecutive seasons since the sack became an official stat in 1982.
The reigning AP defensive player of the year, Garrett’s 14th sack of 2024 came with 9:16 left in the fourth quarter on second-and-7.
He had previously sacked Huntley in the third quarter, which made him one of just three players to eve record at least 13 sacks in five of his first eight seasons.
The No. 1 pick of the 2017 draft, Garrett has recorded 102.5 sacks in his eight-year career.
The Browns haven’t had much to celebrate all year but star defensive end Myles Garrett did make some history during the third quarter.
Garrett sacked Dolphins quarterback Tyler Huntley on third-and-2 from the Miami 37, giving him 13.0 sacks on the season.
That made Garrett one of just three players since the sack became an official stat to record at least 13 sacks in five of his first eight seasons.
The other two players to accomplish the feat are Reggie White and T.J. Watt.
The No. 1 overall pick of the 2017 draft, Garrett has now picked up 101.5 sacks in his eight seasons. He’s also registered double-digit sacks in each of the last seven years.
He’s a three-time All-Pro and the reigning AP defensive player of the year.
