Let the chaos of Week 18 within the NFL start.
Sunday supplied some readability — the Ravens and the 49ers clinched the highest seeds within the AFC and NFC playoffs, respectively — however there’s loads extra to resolve: 5 groups are alive for 3 playoff spots within the AFC and 6 groups are alive for 2 spots within the NFC.
No staff higher exemplifies the insanity than the Payments, who can probably win their division and transfer as much as the No. 2 seed within the AFC but additionally miss the playoffs utterly within the final of the 272 regular-games.
9 groups have double-digit victories, however solely two have 12 or extra due to a second-tier logjam.
And the Eagles and Chiefs — not too way back regarded as headed for a Tremendous Bowl rematch — are headed within the improper path because the playoffs close to.
Listed here are The Put up’s NFL energy rankings for Week 18:
1. Ravens 13-3 (1)
Message obtained, loud and clear. In a recreation between arguably the AFC’s two finest groups, the Ravens routed the Dolphins, 56-19, to clinch the AFC North and home-field benefit till the Tremendous Bowl. Lamar Jackson would possibly’ve clinched NFL MVP, too, with 321 passing yards, 5 touchdowns and an ideal 158.3 ranking. The Ravens closed with 21 straight fourth-quarter factors.
2. 49ers 12-4 (2)
Brock Purdy bounced again from his career-worst efficiency by throwing two touchdowns in a 27-10 win in opposition to the Commanders. With a bit assist elsewhere, the 49ers clinched the first-round bye — further time for Christian McCaffrey to heal from a attainable strained calf muscle that brought on him to go away within the third quarter after gaining 91 yards.
3. Dolphins 11-5 (3)
It’s not straightforward to lose 56-19 in the identical season as profitable 70-20 (in opposition to the Broncos in Week 3). A season-long explosive offense appeared pedestrian with out the injured duo of Raheem Mostert (NFL touchdowns chief) and Jaylen Waddle in opposition to the Ravens’ top-ranked scoring protection. Tua Tagovailoa threw two touchdowns and two interceptions, leaving the AFC East title unclinched.
4. Cowboys 11-5 (5)
Is there a greater quarterback-receiver mixture proper now than Dak Prescott-CeeDee Lamb? They related for 13 catches on 17 targets, leading to 227 yards and a landing in a controversial 20-19 victory in opposition to the Lions. Prescott directed a game-winning 75-yard fourth-quarter drive to finish an undefeated residence schedule (8-0) for the primary time since 1981.
5. Lions 11-5 (4)
An upset victory of the Cowboys was within the works till the officers penalized their trick two-point conversion cross to offensive lineman Taylor Decker with 23 seconds remaining. Was it a blown name? It seems that approach. No solace to the Lions after falling quick when their third strive on the go-ahead two factors ended on Jared Goff’s incompletion.
6. Payments 10-6 (7)
It wasn’t as straightforward because it ought to’ve been however vengeance was exacted for an early-season loss by beating the Patriots, 27-21. Rasul Douglas returned one in every of his two interceptions for a landing and tipped a cross that led to a 3rd takeaway. Josh Allen ran for 2 touchdowns to ship the Payments right into a winner-take-division recreation in opposition to Miami.
7. Browns 11-5 (8)
Joe Flacco hasn’t had a scorching streak like this since his four-game playoff tear for the Ravens on the best way to Tremendous Bowl MVP in 2012. Six weeks after signing to the observe squad, Flacco has 4 straight 300-yard passing video games, the most recent of which included a career-high 296 within the first half throughout a playoff-berth-clinching 37-20 stomping of the Jets.
8. Eagles 11-5 (6)
There’s something significantly improper with the Eagles, who’re 1-4 of their final 5 video games after permitting their former defensive coordinator, Jonathan Gannon, to get his first massive win as Cardinals head coach. Jalen Hurts threw three landing passes — two to Julio Jones — however the protection allowed a decisive 70-yard landing drive within the last three minutes of a 35-31 loss.
9. Chiefs 10-6 (9)
The Chiefs clinched their eighth consecutive AFC West title on the energy of Harrison Butker’s leg (6-for-6 on discipline objectives, 4 of which coated at the least 43 yards) and Isiah Pacheco’s ft (career-high 130 dashing yards) in a come-from-behind 25-17 win in opposition to the Bengals. This AFC Championship Sport rematch didn’t have Joe Burrow on one aspect or the Chiefs’ massive passing performs on different.
10. Rams 9-7 (10)
After beating the Giants, 26-25, the surging Rams’ staff airplane reportedly waited on the airport for different video games to finish so they may have a good time clinching a playoff spot. Kyren Williams ran for 3 touchdowns, and Kobie Turner and Aaron Donald mixed for 4.5 sacks. Rookie Puka Nacua’s 5 catches — one for 80 yards — put him over 100 this season.
11. Texans 9-7 (11)
12. Jaguars 9-7 (14)
13. Steelers 9-7 (15)
14. Seahawks 8-8 (12)
15. Colts 9-7 (17)
16. Bengals 8-8 (16)
17. Saints 8-8 (22)
18. Buccaneers 8-8 (13)
19. Broncos 8-8 (19)
20. Packers 8-8 (21)
21. Bears 7-9 (23)
22. Raiders 7-9 (18)
23. Falcons 7-9 (20)
24. Vikings 7-9 (24)
25. Jets 6-10 (25)
Even Jermaine Johnson’s pick-six couldn’t masks a stinker from the Jets’ much-hyped protection in opposition to their former teammate Flacco. The Browns scored 34 within the first half. Breece Corridor totaled 126 yards and a landing from scrimmage, and Garrett Wilson went over 1,000 receiving yards for the season — no straightforward job with a fourth quarterback (Trevor Siemien) now on the helm.
26. Titans 5-11 (26)
27. Giants 5-11 (27)
Mason Crosby’s 54-yard discipline purpose fell quick — and so did the Giants’ upset bid in a loss to the Rams. Tyrod Taylor handed for 319 yards — and would’ve had extra if not for penalties — however missed a straightforward throw on a would-be go-ahead two-point conversion late within the recreation. Dane Belton broke out with two interceptions and a fumble restoration.