First off, thoughts and prayers go out to Damar Hamlin and his family and friends. After seeing what happened live during the Monday Night game, I wasn’t motivated to fill out any content on Tuesday and wasn’t sure what the situation would be with Bills/Bengals game that affects the overall seed while the Chiefs hold position for now. I cared about Hamlin’s livelihood and my focus was any relevant news or updates. I took a full break from sports for a day, and now I’m pumped and re-focused going forward. Again, thoughts and prayers go out to Damar and thank God that he’s alive and well.

In the meantime, this will be my last post of this for the season. Hopefully all your favorite teams made the postseason. If they are within distance, good luck. If they didn’t make it, look forward to the offseason and the draft because there’s always next season. As for Washington, seriously, sorry for being eliminated at the worst possible time after the quarterback switch. Let’s hope you guys bounce back for 2023. Thankfully, the 49ers made it and I’m hoping for the best from them during their playoff run again. Hope you all have a great week and happy holidays!

NFC WEST

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (12-4)

San Fran survived The Golden Gamble against Vegas to win their ninth straight game since Christian McCaffrey received his full-time starting role. Out of nowhere, they went from being barely a wild card team to now holding the 2nd seed. They are within range of the overall seed if Philly falters again next week.

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (8-8)

The Seahawks dropped a bit in the standings due to five losses in the last six games. They defeated the Jets to stay alive at the last spot…for now. However, a Green Bay win eliminates Seattle. They must defeat Baker Mayfield’s Rams and pray that Detroit defeats Aaron Rodgers and company on Sunday Night.

LOS ANGELES RAMS (5-11)

ELIMINATED

Hopefully Baker Mayfield receives his second chance with Los Angeles or another team. This was indeed an aging team, but also injury-riddled too. It was their downfall and there was no way they could overcome it. How they move forward with 2023 is completely up to the coach and the front office.

ARIZONA CARDINALS (4-12)

ELIMINATED

JJ Watt retires after Week 18. Going to miss you, big guy! As for Arizona, they ruin the streak of host teams making it to the Super Bowl. However, they were questionable to begin with after the offseason drama with Kyler Murray, his contract, and whatever’s going on between him and coach Kliff Kingsbury.

NFC EAST

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (13-3)

As we go into the final week, Philadelphia should’ve closed out with the overall seed, but they’re losing ground after Jalen Hurts was out with a shoulder injury. A loss next week could downgrade them to the 5th seed. That means they would travel to Tampa for a playoff game in the second straight postseason. They face the Giants, and it would be nice to have Hurts back on the field for that matchup.

DALLAS COWBOYS (12-4)

Dallas looked good but also shaky in the last four weeks. Plenty has to do with Dak Prescott’s turnover issues since his returned. They barely won two games over Houston and Philly, lost in overtime to Jacksonville due to a pick six in overtime, and escaped an upset over Tennessee with a second half surge. There’s definitely a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde situation with Dak and it could make or break their Super Bowl chances. Luckily, they need a win and a Philly loss to clinch the improbable NFC East title and potentially the overall seed if the 49ers lose.

NEW YORK GIANTS (9-6-1)

The New York Football Giants clinched a playoff spot for the first time since 2016 and Danny “Dimes” Jones and company can celebrate. The credit goes to Giants coach Brian Daboll for getting the Giants back on track with all that young talent. What benefit them was Saquon Barkley being healthy, Daniel becoming a dynamic player, and the defense keeping this team in the majority of games for potential wins.

WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (7-8-1)

ELIMINATED

The Commanders are a shell of themselves since December and are 0-3-1 in that span. Starting Carson Wentz at the most critical time of the season was the worst move by an organization, and man they already have enough crap to deal with off the field. Washington is now eliminated after the loss to the Browns and Carson Wentz was responsible for it with his new team in his second straight season. He was out for a while but come on Washington coaching staff and organization!

NFC NORTH

MINNESOTA VIKINGS (10-3)

The Vikings will enter the playoffs with questions and skepticism. This is a solid team, but inconsistencies are the theme and backbone of this organization for three straight seasons now. They turned those last season close losses into this season’s wins. However, every one of their losses this season have been big. After losing to the Packers, they now drop to the 3rd seed and is out of the running for the overall seed. They can still claim two if they win and the 49ers lose to Arizona.

DETROIT LIONS (8-8)

The Detroit Lions’ season was summed up as a pestering problem to most teams that encountered them. After a 1-6 start, they shelled out seven wins in the last nine games with some defensive improvement. Jared Goff feels a year more comfortable with Dan Campbell’s team, and players on the roster continues to get healthier at the right time. The Lions are one win away (with a Seattle loss) from their first playoff berth since 2016.

GREEN BAY PACKERS (8-8)

The Cheese heads hang on by a thread with four straight victories. After what looked like a failed season after losing seven in their last eight games in the middle of the season, they finally right the ship and are now within reach of a playoff if they can simply defeat Detroit. Their defense found their rhythm and are playing like a whole squad again. Aaron Rodgers also could finally find some trust in his receivers. Most importantly, they’re running the damn ball with Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon like they should’ve been doing consistently.

CHICAGO BEARS (3-13)

ELIMINATED

Justin Fields is for sure the future for Chicago. As far as breaking the curse on Ohio State quarterback’s minimal longevity in the NFL, that remains to be seen. A Buckeye quarterback has yet to start long term in the NFL. Also, Justin Fields ends the season 3-0 against quarterbacks in the 2021 class alongside him (Trey Lance, Davis Mills, and Mac Jones). He could’ve been 4-0 if he and Zach Wilson weren’t hurt prior to the Bears/Jets matchup. He also had a shot at a rushing record as the quarterback, but he was unfortunately sidelined with a hip injury. There’s always next season???

NFC SOUTH

TOM BRADY’S BUCCANEERS (8-8)

Tom Brady and the Bucs can breathe and rest after clinching the division with a vital victory over Carolina. The Bucs struggled the entire season, not just a few, THE ENTIRE SEASON! They couldn’t have gotten here without Tom Brady, some help from their defense in crucial situations, Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and company when they needed A play, and Leonard Fournette and fellow rookie Raachad White to back up the G.O.A.T. It doesn’t matter if they bench everyone and lock Brady in his house for a week, but they have two weeks to prepare for an NFC East team at home, reluctantly.

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (7-9)

ELIMINATED

The Saints won a decisive game over the Jalen Hurtsless Philly team to stay alive for a playoff spot. Unfortunately, it’s too late. Tom Brady finally shut off New Orleans after the Bucs’ win over Carolina. New Orleans won three-straight after eliminating the Falcons, Browns, and put Philly in a bad spot for Week 18. But it wasn’t enough, and the offensive inconsistencies was too much of an issue. If they finally figured it out, utilize it next season.

CAROLINA PANTHERS (6-10)

ELIMINATED

Never expected Carolina to go from taking control of the division with a win to being eliminated after the loss to Tom Brady’s Bucs. What a disappointing end in one foul swoop, but what a run by coach Steve Wilks, Sam Darnold, D’Onta Foreman, Chuba Hubbard, DJ Moore, Shaq Thompson, and the rest. They held up well after Baker Mayfield, Christian McCaffrey, and Robbie Anderson went to other locations. Hopefully Carolina’s building in the right direction.

ATLANTA FALCONS (6-10)

ELIMINATED

I give Atlanta credit for riding it out all season and being competitive to the end. Unfortunately, they are a rebuilding team. We’ll see what Desmond Ridder looks like next season. Atlanta could rise at the right moment.

NFC PLAYOFF POSITION

1) EAGLES

2) 49ERS

3) VIKINGS

4) BUCCANEERS

5) COWBOYS

6) GIANTS

7) SEAHAWKS

AFC WEST

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (12-3)

The Chiefs currently hold the overall seed due to the postponement of the Bills/Bengals game. Kansas City is good as a whole, but they look shaky. Since the loss to the Bengals, three of the four teams were preying on their run. Seattle was the only team Kansas City defeated by double-digits, which the Chiefs managed to sweep the NFC West with wins by double-digits. Their last game at Vegas will be anything but a cakewalk. The Bills/Bengals game won’t be made up, so Kansas City holds the top spot for now.

LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (10-6)

The Chargers are getting healthier and stronger at the right time, and Brandon Staley isn’t over aggressively coaching. Defense is playing better despite not having Bosa nor Jackson on the field. The offense looks much dangerous with all their key receivers playing together with Justin Herbert, Austin Ekeler, and company. They could potentially be a problem in the playoffs. Watch out for the resurgence of the Super Chargers!

LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (6-10)

ELIMINATED

The Raiders picked things up around mid-to-late November, but they’re eliminated, nonetheless. They had seven opportunities to win their games but failed to close out all of them. They won six, but only four of their games were by seven points or less. They could be like the Vikings next season and turn those close losses into wins. However, they benched Derek Carr and are probably done with him too. Does Josh McDaniels rely on Jarrett Stidham since he coached him in New England, or does he turn to a new quarterback like Tom Brady or Jimmy Garoppolo?

DENVER BRONCOS (4-12)

ELIMINATED

Nathaniel Hackett was fired after 15 games as a rookie head coach. Maybe it wasn’t the right fit for him, or Russell Wilson’s performance hurt the coach’s long-term opportunity. He likely returns to Green Bay as a consulted after some time according to a couple of sources. Otherwise, Wilson might be spared for the 2023 season.

AFC EAST

BUFFALO BILLS (12-3)

The Bills equalized most of the AFC East after struggling at the beginning. Their only game left is New England. Before we get into that, the attention is on the health of Damar Hamlin. I have constantly edited this section until I got news that Damar Hamlin was conscious again. Since the matchup with Cincinnati won’t be made up, they will focus their attention on the New England game. What’s most important that Damar Hamlin’s alive and thank God and the doctors for that!

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (8-8)

New England won an important matchup against Miami to hold the seventh seed for now. They ran into a lot of turbulence since Thanksgiving and failed to recover. They now hang by a thread hoping they win out and since the Bills/Bengals game was cancelled, how does this affect them after Week 18? We shall wait and see, and hope it doesn’t botch the Patriot’s playoff opportunity.

MIAMI DOLPHINS (8-8)

Miami now lost five straight games since December and are also at risk of their first losing season in the Tua Tagovailoa era. They mishandled his concussion protocols early and lost three-straight without him. Now, it doesn’t matter since they failed five times in a row, but it’s worse when Tua’s out for the final regular season game against the Jets. Something bad might be brewing for Miami if they lose this Sunday. Something big.

NEW YORK JETS (7-9)

ELIMINATED

Robert Saleh must burn those receipts because it doesn’t matter anymore. The Jets lost seven of their last nine games and are now eliminated from the playoffs. What a great run before their mid-November collapse down the stretch. This squad has the potential to compete for the playoffs next season, but who will be their quarterback? I can’t trust Mike White as the guy. I’m sorry Jets fans, but he’s just not it…

AFC NORTH

CINCINNATI BENGALS (11-4)

Since November, Cincinnati bounced back with seven straight victories and now are within reach of an overall seed if things go according to plan. However, since the Bills/Bengals matchup won’t be made up, they stay at the three seed for now. From Cincinnati’s perspective, a three seed is fine, and it could set up for an interesting wild card matchup with either Baltimore or the Chargers. But let’s see what happens after Week 18.

BALTIMORE RAVENS (10-6)

There’s no clue where Baltimore stands since the postponement of the Bills/Bengals meeting affects them too. A Bengals loss would have literally set up an AFC North title bout between the Bengals and Ravens. For now, the Bengals won, and Baltimore’s a wild card team likely matched up against them for the next two weeks. It would be disappointing, but they probably understand the situation from the Monday Night game. It’s much bigger than football, so again we shall see.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS (8-8)

The Pittsburgh Steelers turned a 2-7 start before the bye into a 6-2 run after the bye. They flipped the script and are now playing like playoff contenders and more. Nick Bosa’s return, Minkah Fitzpatrick’s resilience through pain, the rise of the receivers, and Kenny Pickett’s improvement in the second half of the season could be what helps Pittsburgh keep Mike Tomlin’s winning record streak alive and maybe more with some help from the Patriots and Dolphins loss in Week 18.

CLEVELAND BROWNS (7-9)

ELIMINATED

The chance of holding out long enough until Deshaun Watson’s return never mattered. This team has potential to compete in the playoffs and maybe more next season but not right now. Watson’s been out of football for two years and he can’t just come back after basically two years of no football and play at a high level without getting used to some professional game speed. It doesn’t happen often.

AFC SOUTH

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (8-8)

The Jaguars won four straight games with three being the most crucial against the Titans, Cowboys, and Jets to be in position for the division title and the playoffs. Trevor Lawrence’s year two surge, Lawrence’s Clemson teammate Travis Etienne’s return, and the addition of Christian Kirk and Zay Jones was beneficial to Lawrence’s and the offense’s improvement. All that’s left is an AFC South division title bout with the Tennessee Titans.

TENNESSEE TITANS (7-9)

The Titans put the players on IR while a few others rested knowing that the results against Dallas won’t matter. What matters is the battle for the AFC South division title against Jacksonville. Josh Dobbs did enough to earn his second straight start, but can he wield the Titans to victory whether Derrick Henry’s performing well or not?

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (4-11-1)

ELIMINATED

What a complete dumpster fire. There’s plenty of reason, but I don’t have that much time to list all of them. It’s just bad all around. Where does Indianapolis go from here? Two straight seasons of wasted opportunity.

HOUSTON TEXANS (2-13-1)

ELIMINATED

They didn’t go down without a fight. For a team with so little victories, they were in plenty of close games and competed with the likes of Philly, the Giants, Dallas, Kansas City, while tying with Indianapolis, and getting victories over Jacksonville and Tennessee. They could see a future as contenders for a playoff spot with the right coaching staff and a couple of pieces for this team.

AFC PLAYOFF POSITION

1) CHIEFS

2) BILLS

3) BENGALS

4) JAGUARS

5) CHARGERS

6) RAVENS

7) PATRIOTS

*red indicates teams affected by Bills/Bengals postponed game