The NFL regular season ends in Week 18. And it is in the nature of things that one or two playoff decisions were made at the last minute. While the Tampa Bay Buccaneers made their way into the postseason with little glory by beating the Panthers, the Jacksonville Jaguars were staring down the barrel.
NFL: Game reports week 18
sport.de accompanies selected NFL games on Sunday evening in the live ticker from 7 p.m.!
Pittsburgh Steelers (9-8) @ Baltimore Ravens (13-4)
Result: 17:10 (7:0, 0:7, 0:0, 10:3) BOXSCORE
You can find the detailed match report here!
Houston Texans (10-7) @ Indianapolis Colts (9-8)
Result: 23:19 (7:3, 7:3, 3:8, 6:5) BOXSCORE
You can find the detailed match report here!
Cleveland Browns (11-6) @ Cincinnati Bengals (9-8)
Result: 14:31 (0:14, 0:10, 0:7, 14:0) BOXSCORE
The Cleveland Browns suffered a significant defeat at the hands of the Cincinnati Bengals with many reserves. The Browns, who had already won the division before the last day of the game, lost the prestigious “Battle of Ohio” 14:31 with backup quarterback Jeff Driskel (167 yards, 2 TD, 2 interceptions).
For the Bengals, for whom nothing was at stake on Sunday evening, Jake Browning was able to recommend his continued employment in Cincinnati with three touchdowns. The game was already decided after three quarters. Even a strong final quarter from the Browns couldn’t make up for the 31-0 deficit.
Quite interesting: With the Bengals’ victory, for the first time in NFL history, all four teams in a division have more wins than losses at the end of the regular season.
Minnesota Vikings (7-10) @ Detroit Lions (12-5)
Result: 20:30 (0:13, 6:0, 7:7, 7:10) BOXSCORE
Jacksonville Jaguars (9-8) @ Tennessee Titans (6-11)
Result: 20:28 (3:7, 10:14, 0:7, 7:0) BOXSCORE
The Jacksonville Jaguars really messed up their participation in the NFL playoffs on the last day of the game. Against the Tennessee Titans, where running back Derrick Henry (153 rushing yards, 1 TD) once again excelled, the team from Florida suffered a bitter 20:28 defeat.
After his injury break, Trevor Lawrence (280 yards, two TD, two interceptions) was ready to play again in Tennessee. The 24-year-old should lead his team into the playoffs with a win against the struggling Titans. But the quarterback seemed unsettled and made two interceptions in the first half, which resulted in an eight-point halftime deficit.
But even a temporary gap of 15 points didn’t upset the Jaguars. In the thrilling and tight final phase, the Jacksonville offense failed twice on a fourth attempt, and after an interception by Ryan Tannehill (168 yards, 1 TD, 1 interception), they were only one yard short of the end zone.
There was joy in Buffalo about the Jags’ bankruptcy. With the Jaguars’ defeat, the Bills are already safely qualified for the playoffs before the showdown against the Dolphins on Monday night.
New York Jets (7-10) @ New England Patriots (4-13)
Result: 17:3 (3:0, 3:3, 0:0, 11:0) BOXSCORE
Atlanta Falcons (7-10) @ New Orleans Saints (9-8)
Result: 17:48 (14:7, 3:10, 0:14, 0:17) BOXSCORE
The Atlanta Falcons and the New Orleans Saints would have decided the winner of the NFC South if the Bucs lost. First of all: The Bucs won, so at least for the Falcons the game no longer had any meaning.
Especially in the first half, you could see that there was a lot at stake. The Falcons started the game strongly, especially Desmond Ridder, who returned for the injured Taylor Heinicke, was impressive in the first drive. The Saints countered, but then had to watch as rookie Robinson carried the ball 71 yards into the end zone.
However, that was more or less it from Atlanta’s point of view, who always looked bad, especially against deep passes from Derek Carr, and also threw away their chances with an interception and a turnover on downs and ended up badly under the wheels.
Meanwhile, the Saints knew how to secure a win and can therefore still hope for the playoffs. To do this, the men from Louisiana have to hope for mistakes from the Packers and Seahawks.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-8) @ Carolina Panthers (2-15)
Result: 9:0 (0:0, 6:0, 0:0, 3:0) BOXSCORE
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers made their way into the playoffs in a hard-fought game against the Carolina Panthers. With a score of 9-0, the team led by quarterback Baker Mayfield ultimately had the upper hand in the division duel and were crowned winners of the NFC South. However, the team from Florida had to survive several shocking moments against the unfortunate Panthers.
With the score 0-0, DJ Chark lost the ball just before the end zone. The referees conceded the initially given touchdown after a review by the video referee. Two field goals and solid defense put the Buccanneers ahead at halftime after Mayfield was sidelined with an injury.
But the former Browns quarterback quickly returned and brought his offense into field goal range once again in the second period. The fact that the victory wasn’t really in danger despite the poor offense was due to the desolate Panthers, who first missed a field goal after halftime and then fumbled again in a promising position.