Welcome to Week 18. Much of the focus this week has rightfully been on Damar Hamlin, as it surely still will be even when new games kick off Saturday and Sunday.
All 32 teams will be back in action, with playoff berths, division titles and improved seeds on the line. To start the weekend, our writers and editors believe unanimously that the Chiefs will beat the Raiders and the Jaguars will clinch the AFC South with a win over the Titans.
If you parse the various combinations of games below, three of our pickers have the Packers winning on Sunday Night Football to claim the NFC’s final wild card. Conor Orr has the Rams upsetting the Seahawks, creating an opportunity for the Lions to win and get in. Gary Gramling also has the Seahawks winning, but then the Lions (with nothing to play for but pride) playing spoiler to knock the Packers out and hand the spot to Seattle. Over in the AFC, our panel unanimously has the Bills beating the Patriots, opening the door for the Dolphins (two pickers) or Steelers (two pickers) to slide into the postseason, while Gary still has New England getting in through the back door.
Our last order of business, Albert Breer and Mitch Goldich are tied for the best record among our pickers through 17 weeks, with the entire season coming down to the Dolphins-Jets game.
Here’s who is picking games straight-up for the MMQB this year:
Albert Breer, senior NFL reporter
Mitch Goldich, editor
Gary Gramling, senior editor
Conor Orr, senior writer
John Pluym, managing editor
BOLD denotes an upset pick.
