The Green Bay Packers made the playoffs with a win in Week 18 of the NFL. Also there are the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who won the NFC South for the third time in a row. Meanwhile, the bankruptcy of the Jacksonville Jaguars left the Pittsburgh Steelers and Buffalo Bills rejoicing on the sofa.
NFL: Game reports week 18
sport.de accompanies selected NFL games on Sunday evening in the live ticker from 7 p.m.!
Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7) @ 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
- With a win over their rivals from Detroit, the Minnesota Vikings would still have had a small chance of making the playoffs. However, nothing came of it. Also because, despite securing the division title, the Detroit Lions took the game seriously and didn’t spare any stars. However, that also took its toll, as superstar rookie Sam LaPorta injured his knee and was driven into the catacombs. Before that, however, the Lions had some reason to be happy, because after a strong opening quarter they led by two scores early on. The Vikings defended themselves as best they could, Justin Jefferson in particular had an outstanding game (12 catches, 192 yards, 1 TD), but in the end it wasn’t enough because Amon-Ra St. Brown also played big, including a 70-yarder -Touchdown contributed. With the win, the Detroit Lions still have a chance of becoming the No. 2 seed in the NFC if the Eagles and Cowboys lose.
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
- The New York Jets started the offseason with their first win against the Patriots since 2015. In a real snow battle in cold New England, Robert Saleh’s team ultimately prevailed 17:3. Both offensive lines largely refrained from passing passes in what were sometimes adverse weather conditions and tried to find their way to the end zone via the ground. In particular, Jets running back Breece Hall (190 total yards, one TD) showed that the snowfall didn’t bother him. However, his touchdown shortly before the end and the subsequent two-point conversion were the only trips into the end zone. There were also nine points from Jets kicker Greg Zuerlein (3/4) and a field goal from Patrios kicker Chad Ryland (1/1). For the team from New England, the worst season under the direction of iconic coach Bill Belichick came to an end.
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.
Chicago Bears (7-10) @ Green Bay Packers (9-8)
Result: 9:17 (3:0, 3:7, 0:7, 3:3) BOXSCORE
- The Green Bay Packers did their job and secured the NFC’s final wild card with a home win. In a closely contested game, quarterback Jordan Love put his team in front with a ten-yard touchdown pass in the middle of the second quarter and secured the preliminary decision with a twelve-yard TD pass after the break. Dontayvion Wicks was the pass receiver both times.
- However, Love also lost a fumble that kept the door open for Chicago. The Bears then reached the red zone, but settled for a 35-yard field goal, to which the Packers responded with another successful kick.
- In the final phase, Fields had to go out for a short time after a hard hit after a slide – there was no flag against Green Bay – because his head hit the ground. However, he returned to the game but ultimately couldn’t find a way to bring his team back.