The New England Patriots will face the Miami Dolphins in their last regular season game on Sunday at 4:25 p.m. ET. Although both teams have confirmed playoff fates, the match will be pivotal for AFC seeding. The Patriots have secured a playoff spot, while the Dolphins have been eliminated.
Key Matchups to Watch in NFL Week 18
Week 18 presents several key contests that could influence the Patriots’ playoff positioning. Here’s a look at games to monitor:
- Indianapolis Colts (8-8) vs. Houston Texans (11-5): Support the Texans! A Texans win could streamline the Patriots’ playoff journey.
- Tennessee Titans (3-13) vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (12-4): Root for the Titans! If the Patriots lose, this outcome will help maintain second seed for them.
- New Orleans Saints (6-10) vs. Atlanta Falcons (7-9): It’s a toss-up! This matchup holds little significance for New England.
- Cleveland Browns (4-12) vs. Cincinnati Bengals (6-10): Cheer for the Bengals! A Browns loss may weaken the Jets’ draft position.
- Green Bay Packers (9-6-1) vs. Minnesota Vikings (8-8): Another inconsequential game for the Patriots.
- Dallas Cowboys (7-8-1) vs. New York Giants (3-13): Go Cowboys! Their win would hurt the Jets’ chances.
- Los Angeles Chargers (11-5) vs. Denver Broncos (13-3): Support the Chargers! A Chargers victory ensures the AFC playoffs will go through New England.
- New York Jets (3-13) vs. Buffalo Bills (11-5): Go Jets—unless! If the Chargers win, a Jets victory would hurt their draft position.
- Detroit Lions (8-8) vs. Chicago Bears (11-5): Irrelevant for New England’s playoff picture.
- Arizona Cardinals (3-13) vs. Los Angeles Rams (11-5): Cheer for the Rams! This helps limit the Jets’ high draft slot chances.
- Kansas City Chiefs (6-10) vs. Las Vegas Raiders (2-14): Go Raiders! A poor Chiefs record benefits the Patriots’ draft pick from an earlier trade.
- Washington Commanders (4-12) vs. Philadelphia Eagles (11-5): Root for the Eagles! We want to prevent the Jets from a top-three pick.
- Baltimore Ravens (8-8) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7): Go Steelers! They offer a more favorable playoff matchup for New England.
Earlier Week 18 Results
| Matchup | Score |
|---|---|
| Carolina Panthers vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers | CAR 14, TB 16 |
| Seattle Seahawks vs. San Francisco 49ers | SEA 13, SF 3 |
Fans can share their thoughts and predictions in the comments section as these crucial games unfold.
