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Most Entertaining Potential Postseason Matchups Ahead of NFL Week 18


The NFL regular season concludes this weekend, but a lot is to be determined in terms of postseason seeding­—as well as two playoff spots being up for grabs. NFL Week 18 odds have these matchups playing out on Wild Card Weekend:

 

  • Broncos vs. Bills
  • Steelers vs. Ravens
  • Chargers vs. Texans
  • Packers vs. Eagles
  • Commanders vs. Buccaneers
  • Vikings vs. Rams

 

However, the following might be the best matchups to kick off the most entertaining stretch in sports.

 

Steelers-Ravens

The best rivalry in the NFL is arguably Steelers-Ravens, and there appears to be a decent chance we see them face off for a third time this season to begin the playoffs. Pittsburgh took the first matchup before Russell Wilson struggled with turnovers and took blame for the loss in the rematch—a performance where Lamar Jackson got over the hump against the division rival. Pittsburgh looks to be getting healthier, which wasn’t the case in Week 16, and should be better equipped if they head to Baltimore again.

 

Bengals-Bills

The Bengals need help to make the playoffs (losses by the Broncos and Dolphins), but it starts with a win Saturday night against the Steelers. If the Bengals do get in, they are a lock for the No. 7 seed and a showdown with the Bills in Buffalo—where they won comfortably in the snow a couple of postseasons ago. The Bengals have had the Bills’ number, also winning last regular season, and this would likely be seen as a toss-up with how hot Cincy has been. Broncos-Bills as projected can also actually be quite entertaining (and Denver won at Buffalo last season), but most people want to see Joe Burrow and the Bengals in the postseason.

 

Lions-Rams

An argument can be made that Lions-Rams will feel somewhat stale if they play again for the third time in the past year, but the first two showdowns were so close and tense that there’d be potential for another classic. For this to happen, the Rams (resting their starters) would have to lose this week while the Bucs win, setting up a No. 4 versus No. 5 matchup in the Wild Card Round if Detroit loses to Minnesota on Sunday night. Unlike the first two contests, this one would come in Los Angeles instead of Detroit—despite 14 wins for the Lions.

 

Vikings-Buccaneers

This one is less likely according to the odds, as the Bucs are expected to win the NFC South and the No. 3 seed in the NFC with a Rams loss to the Seahawks. However, it would be awesome to see 2018 draft members and former Panthers teammates—which seems like many years ago—Sam Darnold and Baker Mayfield share the field in the postseason. Neither side is afraid to throw the ball around, but an underrated aspect of this hypothetical matchup is having two of the league’s most aggressive defenses on the field. Big plays from both teams on both sides of the ball could be frequent.

 

Commanders-Eagles

Finally, the Eagles have the makings of a juggernaut that could realistically go on a Super Bowl run, while the rival Commanders are the new kids on the block that might not know any better than to compete and get a win at Lincoln Financial Field. In Week 16, quarterback Jalen Hurts left early with a concussion and safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson was ejected, but Commanders rookie Jayden Daniels tagged the Eagles with five touchdown passes (two interceptions) including the game-winner at the end of the victory. The first matchup was also tight until Saquon Barkley went off in the fourth quarter, and round three would probably be a fun one.