Tag: Week 18

Broncos could select as high as 7th overall in 2022 NFL draft

If the Broncos lose to the Chiefs this week, Denver could select as high as 7th overall in the 2022 NFL draft.

The final week of the 2021 NFL (regular) season is quickly approaching, and we already know the Denver Broncos’ opponents for the 2022 season. By Sunday evening, we’ll also know Denver’s pick order for April’s draft.

Going into Week 18, the Broncos are currently sitting 11th overall in the draft order, according to Tankathon.com. Here’s a look at the projected standings before the final week of games.

1. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-14)
2. Detroit Lions (2-13-1)
3. Houston Texans (4-12)
4. New York Jets (4-12)
5. New York Giants (4-12)
6. Carolina Panthers (5-11)
7. New York Jets (via Seattle Seahawks, 6-10)
8. New York Giants (via Chicago Bears, 6-10)
9. Washington Football Team (6-10)
10. Atlanta Falcons (7-9)
11. Denver Broncos (7-9)
12. Minnesota Vikings (7-9)
13. Cleveland Browns (7-9)
14. Philadelphia Eagles (via Miami Dolphins, 8-8)

If the Broncos lose on Saturday, they could climb to as high as seventh overall in the draft order. If Denver wins, it appears that the team could drop to as low as 14th overall, depending on the results of other games.

Denver currently has 11 picks to use in the 2022 NFL draft, including five selections in the first three rounds. Broncos Wire recently published a list of the 30 best draft prospects at Denver’s biggest positions of need.

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Broncos’ QB future called into question in latest NFL power rankings

“Time to look to the future … and wonder how much longer QBs Teddy Bridgewater and Drew Lock will be part of it,” Nate Davis wrote of the Broncos in his latest NFL power rankings.

After falling to the Los Angeles Chargers 34-13 on Sunday, the Denver Broncos are ranked No. 22 in Nate Davis’ latest NFL power rankings for USA TODAY Sports. That’s the same ranking Davis gave Denver last week.

“Time to look to the future … and wonder how much longer QBs Teddy Bridgewater and Drew Lock will be part of it,” Davis wrote alongside the Broncos’ ranking.

Elsewhere in the AFC West, the Kansas City Chiefs are ranked No. 2, the Los Angeles Chargers are ranked No. 12 and the Las Vegas Raiders are ranked No. 13. The Broncos will host the Chiefs in their season finale on Saturday.

Denver has already been eliminated from playoff contention and will be playing for pride against Kansas City, a team fighting for the No. 1 seed in the AFC.

The Green Bay Packers remain ranked No. 1 this week and the Jacksonville Jaguars are ranked No. 32. To view the complete NFL power rankings entering Week 18, visit USATODAY.com.

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Broncos QB Teddy Bridgewater still in concussion protocol, not expected to play in Week 18

With Broncos QB Teddy Bridgewater still recovering from a concussion, Drew Lock is poised to start in the team’s season finale.

Denver Broncos quarterback Teddy Bridgewater is still in the NFL’s concussion protocol, coach Vic Fangio confirmed Monday.

“Well, right now Teddy is still in the concussion protocols, so we don’t really have any new information there,” Fangio said. “It will be Drew [Lock] going forward.”

Lock is recovering from a shoulder injury himself, but he was able to play through that injury last week.

“If we had to practice today [then] obviously he wouldn’t practice, but we’re hopeful that he’ll be able to improve as the week goes and end up being the quarterback,” Fangio said of Lock’s injury status.

Bridgewater is “not expected to clear the concussion protocol” in time for Saturday’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs, according to a report from KUSA-TV’s Mike Klis.

Elsewhere on the injury front for Denver, guard Dalton Risner (elbow) miss miss the team’s season finale.

“He has an elbow injury that won’t allow him to play this week,” Fangio said. “He would miss a couple of weeks.”

Risner suffered a “partial UCL tear,” according to a report from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. The offensive lineman will not need surgery and he should be “fully recovered” in 3-4 weeks, per Rapoport.

Netane Muti is the top candidate to start in Risner’s place at guard.

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Week 18 NFL power rankings have little confidence in the Saints

The Saints are close to reaching the playoffs but most Week 18 NFL power rankings don’t expect them to do well – if they even make the cut:

The New Orleans Saints are so close to reaching the postseason, but most Week 18 NFL power rankings don’t expect them to do well in the playoffs — if they even make the cut, needing a win and some help from the Los Angeles Rams to get there.

After seeing the Saints dismantle the Carolina Panthers behind a strong defensive effort, most prognosticators are more curious about what the Saints may do once their season is over rather than whether New Orleans could make some noise in the playoffs (to say nothing of a lack of interest in their regular season finale with the Atlanta Falcons, their heated rivals):

Monday recap: Kyle Pitts has hamstring injury, Saints game flexed

In today’s recap, we look at the updated NFL draft order, Arthur Smith comments on Kyle Pitts’ injury and Des Kitchings leaves for Virginia.

The Atlanta Falcons were eliminated from playoff contention after losing to the Buffalo Bills in Week 17, but they still have one game remaining against the Saints with an opportunity to spoil New Orleans’ postseason hopes.

In our Monday recap, we look at the updated NFL draft order, Arthur Smith gives an update on Kyle Pitts’ injury, and Falcons running backs coach Des Kitchings departs for a college offensive coordinator gig.

Lions lose starting OTs Taylor Decker, Penei Sewell to reserve/COVID-19

The Lions lose starting OTs Taylor Decker, Penei Sewell to reserve/COVID-19 list

There is only one game left on the 2021 season schedule for the Detroit Lions. Given all the injuries and COVID-19 situations that have ravaged the Lions, it might be difficult for the team to field a full roster.

Detroit could be without both starting offensive tackles, Taylor Decker and Penei Sewell, for Sunday’s season finale against the Green Bay Packers. Lions head coach Dan Campbell indicated the team was placing both Decker and Sewell on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Monday.

“I think you’ve got to prepare like you’re not going to have them,” Campbell told reporters. OLB Austin Bryant is also being placed on th reserve list, Campbell indicated.

Will Holden and Matt Nelson would start in place of the stricken tackles. However, Campbell correctly noted that the regular starters can return in time to play if they clear protocols. Both Decker and Sewell indicated previously they are vaccinated.

The Jaguars, Chargers, Raiders chaos parlay is Week 18’s best storyline

If the Jaguars defeat the Colts, Week 18 is going to get really weird

Eleven NFL teams have clinched a postseason berth. Another 14 clubs have already been eliminated. Miraculously, the Las Vegas Raiders fail to appear on either list.

Derek Carr & Co. are somehow still alive in their quest for the playoffs and simply need to defeat the Los Angeles Chargers in the season finale to lock up a spot. The same goes for the Chargers. But there’s an even more fun scenario still out there. A scenario fans of NFL chaos should be fully rooting for—if not betting on.

Here are the possible clinching situations heading into Week 18:

  • The Indianapolis Colts beat the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 18 and the Raiders and Chargers play each other in a de facto playoff game with the winner clinching a postseason berth.
  • The Indianapolis Colts clinch with losses by the Ravens, Chargers and Steelers. If the Steelers lose on Monday night to the Cleveland Browns, Indy would also get in with a Chargers loss, a Dolphins win and another Pittsburgh loss in Week 18.
  • The Jaguars beat the Colts in Week 18, the Raiders and Chargers tie and both make the playoffs.

There is no question that last scenario would create one of the most surreal games in NFL history, as Pro Football Network’s Adam Beasley elegantly explained:

The Colts play at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday. The Chargers and Raiders don’t kickoff until 7:20 p.m., meaning if the Jags win there’s no reason L.A. and Vegas to do anything but play Duck, Duck, Goose at midfield for four quarters in primetime. Maybe the teams play for bragging rights in the AFC West, but at the risk of missing out on additional paychecks in playoffs? You can’t pay bills with pride.

For this to even become a more serious conversation, Jacksonville needs to pull off the upset. The Jags are +15.5 underdogs at home (+750 on the moneyline) at Tipico Sportsbook and just gave up 50 points to the New England Patriots. They are most likely not up to task against a Colts team fighting for its life.  But if you were already planning to bet on Jacksonville bouncing back in the season finale, there’s no reason not to sprinkle a little extra on a Jags ML + Chargers-Raiders Tie parlay (+12000 at Tipico).

In a season full of chaos across the league, it almost feels wrong to bet against even more. This Sunday, root for a tie.

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Packers stars Aaron Rodgers, Davante Adams expecting to play in Week 18

A week off in Week 18? Not so fast. Packers QB Aaron Rodgers and WR Davante Adams are expecting to play against the Lions in the season finale.

The No. 1 seed in the NFC is officially clinched, but neither Aaron Rodgers nor Davante Adams is looking to take a week off and relax in Week 18. In fact, both the Packers stars want to play in Detroit against the Lions.

Rodgers. who threw a pair of touchdown passes in the Packers’ 37-10 win over the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, went as far as to say he’s expecting to play in the season finale.

“I’m going to play next week. I expect Davante to play, and our guys to play. We look forward to finishing off the season on a high note, and then getting the bye,” Rodgers said Sunday night.

Rodgers, the MVP favorite, said his fractured left pinky toe is “feeling good” and he thinks the injury could be 100 percent healed by the time the Packers host the divisional round later this month. He also believes he’ll practice again this coming week, potentially on both Thursday and Friday.

Adams isn’t dealing with an injury, but he also wants to play, especially with a week off coming during the first round of the postseason.

“Having two weeks off is, to each his own, but I wouldn’t want to do it. I want to play next week, at least some,” Adams said. “We’ll see the plan we come up with, but I’m definitely preparing to go out there and play. I want to get out there and run around, for sure.”

Adams joked he wanted to play in part to break Jordy Nelson’s single-season team record for receiving yards. He needs 22 yards to set the new mark.

Ultimately, the decision will be Matt LaFleur’s.

The Packers coach will talk with Rodgers, Adams, the rest of the players and the staff before deciding, but he’s leaning towards everyone playing in Detroit.

“That does seem like a long time off. We’ll play it by ear. We’ll have conversations tomorrow with our staff, we’ll definitely have talks with our players. We’ll make the best decision for us. But if you asked me right now, I’d say my gut is these guys are going to play at least a little bit next week.”

There will be risks to playing Rodgers and Adams and other key players. An injury during an inconsequential game could hurt the Packers’ chances in the postseason. But there arfe also risks in sitting players for too long and coming out flat when the games matter again in the postseason.

“You kind of have to weigh everything, and then make the best decision for your football team,” LaFleur said.

The Packers and Lions will kickoff from Ford Field at noon on Sunday. Later this month, Green Bay will host the lowest remaining seed in the NFC in the divisional round.

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The Dolphins’ Week 18 matchup vs. Patriots has been flexed

The game will no longer kick off at 1 p.m.

The Miami Dolphins are scheduled to play the New England Patriots on Sunday in Week 18 at Hard Rock Stadium. While the game was originally scheduled to be played at 1 p.m., the league has moved the game to a 4 p.m. matchup.

This regular season finale for both teams will have very different meanings. The Patriots have a chance to win the division if they win and the Buffalo Bills lose to the New York Jets. For Miami, they were eliminated from postseason contention already, so they are in evaluation and upset mode.

Brian Flores and company have an opportunity to get a final look at Tua Tagovailoa in 2021 and decide whether or not he’s the quarterback they want to continue building around. They’ll also have the added benefit of possibly moving the Patriots from the fifth seed to the seventh if a couple of games break the right way.

Even if the game means nothing for the Dolphins in terms of this season, it will still be one to watch.

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NFL announces Week 18 schedule, opts not to move Rams-49ers game

The NFL revealed its Week 18 schedule, opting to keep Rams-49ers in its original time slot instead of moving it to Saturday or Sunday night.

When the NFL announced the regular-season schedule this offseason, it slotted every Week 18 game either at 1 p.m. ET or 4:25 p.m. ET on Sunday, Jan. 9. But it also left three other time slots open for games to be flexed into, depending on their playoff implications.

Not only will there be a game on Sunday night, but the NFL has also scheduled games at 4:30 and 8:15 p.m. ET on Saturday. Rams-49ers and Cardinals-Seahawks looked like two games that might warrant the Saturday time slots, but the league went in a different direction.

The NFL announced the full Week 18 schedule after flexing three games. Chiefs-Broncos will be on Saturday afternoon, Cowboys-Eagles is scheduled for Saturday night, and Chargers-Raiders will cap off the regular season on Sunday night – a game where the winner will make the playoffs and the loser misses out.

Rams-49ers will remain at 4:25 p.m. ET, along with Seahawks-Cardinals.

Below is the complete Week 18 schedule, with all times ET.

The likeliest reason for the NFL to keep Rams-49ers in the 4:25 p.m. ET slot instead of moving it to Sunday night or Saturday is the need to keep it at the same time as the Cardinals-Seahawks game.

If the Rams were moved to Sunday night, they could potentially rest their players if the Cardinals, Buccaneers and Cowboys all lost earlier in the day, thus locking the Rams into the No. 2 seed. Now with both NFC West games at the same time, neither the Rams nor the Cardinals can rest their players based on the outcome of the other matchup.

As long as the Rams win, they’ll earn the No. 2 seed and potentially knock the 49ers out of the playoffs if the Saints also win. So there’s a lot riding on this final game.

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