X-Factors For Each Week 18 NFL Game

We’ve made it to the final week of the regular season, where playoff spots, seeding and bragging rights are on the line. It’s the last chance to extend the season, or head into the offseason on a brighter note. We’ll take a look at one player in each contest who might swing the result in their team’s favor.

Pittsburgh’s offense has picked things up as of late, which includes their running game that had previously been non-existent. With nothing to play for, the Ravens are expected to sit most of their starters. The Steelers will have a chance to establish their ground game at the point of attack with Harris, who rushed for 122 yards and two touchdowns last week against the Seattle Seahawks.

During the first matchup between these two teams, Texans WR Nico Collins did whatever he wanted to Indianapolis’ secondary. In a crucial game with AFC South ramifications, the Colts can’t afford to let him go off again. Moore and Indianapolis’ safeties will need to shade coverage in his direction to make someone else beat them.

Want to see more like this? Click here to follow us for more sensational sports stories!

On paper, Tampa Bay shouldn’t have too much trouble getting by Carolina on Sunday, but Bucs fans will want to see that with their own eyes. Tampa Bay laid an egg at home last week against the New Orleans Saints, as their offense could not get the ball moving until it was too late. If Mayfield wants to solidify a starting job moving forward, he can’t afford to lose this game.

This contest won’t mean much in the standings, as Cleveland has already locked up a wild card spot, while Cincinnati has been eliminated from the postseason picture. The Bengals will get a long look at some young wide receivers who might have a larger role next year. Iosivas is one of those players, who has had some nice moments this year.

These two teams played just two weeks ago in a game that turned into an injury-fest for Minnesota. Addison went down in that contest, but should be ready to roll for the rematch. His presence gives Detroit something else to worry about on the back end, and it could help the Vikings keep their faint playoff hopes alive

New York and New England played an ugly 15-10 game in the rain back in Week 3, and that script has a chance to repeat itself on Sunday. The Jets are going to be focused on stopping the Patriots’ ground game, which starts up front with the likes of Williams. If they can do that, New York stands a chance of beating New England for the first time in 16 matchups.

Due to injury and ineffectiveness, the Saints downfield passing attack has been supremely curtailed this season. Chris Olave is their only reliable threat, which Atlanta knows as well. Terrell can’t afford to let Olave beat him deep in what figures to be a closely contested game between two teams that know each other very well.

It remains to be seen whether Jacksonville starting quarterback Trevor Lawrence and wide receiver Christian Kirk are able to make it back for this game. Tennessee also boasts one of the best run defenses in the NFL, which may limit Travis Etienne’s production. This lines up for Engram to have a massive role in a must-win game for the Jaguars.

All of a sudden, Arizona has found their rhythm on offense. Seattle can’t afford to take this game lightly, and will need to control the line of scrimmage. Williams’ presence on the defensive line can help limit James Conner from having a big game, while keeping Kyler Murray contained in the pocket as well

These teams started the 2023 campaign facing off against one another, and will end it in the same fashion. Back in Week 1, Green Bay running back Aaron Jones sliced and diced the Bears on the ground and in the air. Chicago will need to pay closer attention to him this time around, and Edmunds might be the player that has the first crack at doing so.

Kansas City has elected to sit most of their starters in this game, and Los Angeles has been playing for the future for several weeks now. This tilt serves as another opportunity for Johnston to show why the Chargers drafted him in the first round. Lining up against Chiefs’ reserves should put him in an advantageous spot to do so on Sunday.

Las Vegas has played coy with injury status of Josh Jacobs, but it would be surprising to see the impending free agent suit up in a meaningless contest. White should be right back in a bellcow role for the Raiders, and there’s a chance that Las Vegas could view him as their starter of the future with another solid performance.

Philadelphia has talked about limiting the playing time of their starters in this game, which makes this contest more of a glorified exhibition. That swings the narrative over to the Giants’ side, who are hoping to make decisions about players who can be a part of their future. Robinson is viewed as part of that core, and should have a chance to finish his rookie year strong.

This is another game that will feature a bevy of reserves, but San Francisco is hoping to find out whether Mitchell or Jordan Mason can be relied upon if Christian McCaffery’s calf injury doesn’t heal fully before their first playoff game. Mitchell will have the first chance to prove his worthiness against a Rams defense that might sit Aaron Donald.

Big plays on defense powered Dallas to a victory on Thanksgiving over Washington, and that might be the narrative again in the rematch. The Commanders might shy away from testing cornerback DaRon Bland, but holding on to the ball longer means that Parsons has extra time to drop the quarterback behind the line of scrimmage.

The winner of this game takes the AFC East crown, and also avoids a precipitous seeding fall in the conference. During the first matchup of the year, Buffalo wide receiver Stefon Diggs dominated Kohou, who had trouble tackling the Bills wide receiver. Miami will likely not have Xavien Howard available on Sunday, so it’ll be interesting to see if they leave Kohou in man coverage again.