Throughout the 2024 season, NFL Network analysts will provide one bold prediction heading into each week's slate of games (see the full Week 18 NFL schedule).
The Chiefs are resting their starters with the No. 1 seed in the AFC already locked up. Carson Wentz, who'll get the start in place of Patrick Mahomes, channels his 2017 MVP-caliber form and duplicates the performance from his lone career start vs. the Broncos (Week 9 of 2017, when he was with the Eagles). Wentz throws for four touchdowns to "upset" the Broncos and end Denver's pursuit of making the playoffs. It's the last piece of the puzzle for a red-hot Cincinnati team to earn a postseason berth.
No one doubts Detroit's ability to put points on the board, but can the injury-riddled defense prevent Minnesota from doing the same? That's the biggest question heading into Sunday night's clash of the NFC North titans. Missing starters on all three levels of his unit, Lions DC Aaron Glenn still has one elite factor at his disposal: the best safety tandem in the NFL today. Kerby Joseph leads the league with nine interceptions, while Brian Branch has an undeniable knack for playmaking that has manifested in the form of five takeaways (four picks and a forced fumble). In a thrilling shootout where defensive stops are rare, Joseph and Branch each create a key turnover, ultimately tilting the game in the home team’s favor.
The Jackson 5 will again grace your television screens this week. And no, it won’t have anything to do with a quintet of musical brothers. In pursuit of an MVP award and, more importantly, a division title, Lamar Jackson will carve up a Browns defense with little to play for. The Ravens quarterback will lead with his arm and throw five touchdown passes for the third time this season and seventh time in his career.
It's been more than six years since an NFL game featured more than 100 combined points, but I can't think of a better way to end the 2024 regular season. The Vikings defense is strong, but not strong enough to stop the juggernaut Lions offense, and Detroit's defense is far too banged up to stop Sam Darnold, Justin Jefferson and Co. In the battle for the NFC's No. 1 seed, both squads keep the pedal to the metal until the century mark is broken.
The Minnesota Vikings have forced at least one turnover in every game this season. That trend continues Sunday night with a pick-six of Detroit quarterback Jared Goff, prompting from the Vikings defense. This time, it's Cam Bynum and Josh Metellus doing a rendition of Ross and Monica Geller's .
The Cincinnati Bengals have won four straight and face a steep uphill climb in the final weekend of the regular season to make the playoffs. Joe Burrow goes back to work Saturday against a Steelers team playing for its own seeding in the AFC and heaves four touchdown passes -- three to Ja'Marr Chase -- to give the Bengals a chance at the tournament. Then, on Sunday, Aaron Rodgers and the Jets topple Miami, and the Broncos are edged by the Chiefs' backups, setting up a Bengals-Bills clash in the Wild Card Round. Juicy!
