NFL Week 18 grades from across the league

Whereas Herbert’s surge certainly had NFL execs grinning maniacally, because the league’s first Week 18 since 1994 ended with the sport of the yr, the Chargers’ foundational cracks undermined their famous person QB. Herbert’s closing two drives had been pure mastery, terrifying Raiders and Steelers followers alike. However the Bolts’ points defending him, stopping the run, and, maybe centrally, with situational soccer will hold a scary crew out of the playoffs. Brandon Staley‘s Madden-on-tilt fourth-down name inside his personal 20 and scrutinized OT timeout completed off an odd yr for the younger chief, and the Bolts’ season-long apathy towards run protection proved pricey. This is among the AFC’s seven most gifted groups; the Chargers (9-8) once more failed to maximise mentioned expertise.

CHARGERS GRADE: C-plus

For all of the Jon Gruden-Mike Mayock regime’s draft misses, the duo made some influence Day 3 selections. Chief amongst them: Maxx Crosby, who made Chargers proper sort out Storm Norton a turnstile. Crosby harassed Herbert continuously, posting two sacks and three batted passes. Ex-Charger Darius Philon stopping Staley’s fourth-down magnum opus additionally helped the Raiders (10-7) end off their unbelievable climb. Las Vegas went 4-0 in extra time and rallied again from 6-7 to succeed in the playoffs for the primary time in 5 years. The Bolts have extra pure expertise, however the Raiders deserved to topple them. Sunday’s Steelers-terrifying ending ought to double because the defining Raiders-in-Vegas sequence for some time. 

RAIDERS GRADE: B-plus | NEXT: at Bengals (Sat.)

Deebo Samuel reworked the 49ers’ season-saving drive, ending off a marketing campaign wherein he’s a lock for the All-Professional crew’s flex place. However the 49ers (10-7) noticed Jauan Jennings ship his largest recreation in a monumental spot. A Spherical 7 choose in 2020, Jennings didn’t play as a rookie and topped out at 46 yards in a recreation going into Week 18. San Francisco’s WR3 offered Jimmy Garoppolo unlikely safety, changing three third downs — together with an OT chunk play to arrange the 49ers’ game-winner — throughout his 94-yard, two-TD day. The 49ers beat the Rams for a sixth straight time, doing so with out Trent Williams, and signify the NFC’s hardest wild-card draw.

49ERS GRADE: A | NEXT: at Cowboys (Solar.)

Matthew Stafford led the Rams to a 17-0 lead, and Cooper Kupp’s triple crown-cementing day concerned a go-ahead fourth-quarter TD. With the 49ers inside their very own 15 with no timeouts, that ought to have been sufficient. However the Rams’ Aaron Donald-, Jalen Ramsey– and Von Miller-fronted protection seemed dangerous on each the 49ers’ game-tying drive and their go-ahead OT march. Jennings streaking huge open for the tying rating is unacceptable for a wholesome Rams protection given the investments right here. Like a number of groups on this playoff subject, the Rams (12-5) current a Tremendous Bowl ceiling. It additionally wouldn’t shock to see this gifted however unreliable squad bounced in Spherical 1.

RAMS GRADE: C | NEXT: vs. Cardinals (Mon.)

It took till Monday morning Japanese Time for Pittsburghers to calm down, however this flawed squad superior as a result of the Raiders eschewed a tie to keep away from the Steelers taking one of many worst dangerous beats in sports activities historical past. Watt tied Michael Strahan‘s report of twenty-two.5 sacks and can win his coveted Defensive Participant of the 12 months award. The Steelers (9-7-1) got here dangerously near a two-tie season, however their move protection continues to be bankable. Pittsburgh’s two INTs on Tyler Huntley dragged this mucky recreation to OT, and it’ll lengthen Ben Roethlisberger’s profession. Whereas a Dan Marino-in-Jacksonville-type ending is in play, the Steelers protection ought to be higher ready for Patrick Mahomes this time.

STEELERS GRADE: B-minus | NEXT: at Chiefs (Solar.)

Barring Bengals involvement, John Harbaugh‘s injury-plagued crew may typically be counted on to point out struggle. It did so once more Sunday, taking the Steelers to extra time and almost additional muddying the AFC playoff image by handing their rivals a second tie. Cam Sutton’s finish zone INT helped doom the Ravens (8-9), who misplaced their closing six. A key season on Baltimore’s timeline combusted, due to accidents throughout the lineup. Calais Campbell is predicted to think about retirement, and interior-line staples Kevin Zeitler and Brandon Williams are into their 30s. Most significantly, the Ravens’ future method is poised to incorporate a monster Lamar Jackson contract. That can check the crew in a brand new method.

RAVENS GRADE: C-plus 

Spoiler efforts start yearly, however this may reside on the highest tier of final-week letdowns. The Colts (8-9) not solely prolonged their weird Jacksonville dropping streak to seven; they had been outplayed in all phases. The Jags surprisingly bettered the Colts’ Professional Bowler-laden O-line, with the Josh Allen-Eric Fisher matchup going poorly for the guests, and Indianapolis’ protection couldn’t cease an offense that has been dreadful all season. Carson Wentz will take deserved blame right here. The unvaccinated QB’s COVID-19 case offered a transparent demarcation line for the Colts, whose offense hit a wall in Week 17. Wentz wants extra weapons, however this end defines his season.

COLTS GRADE: F 

The Jaguars performed their finest recreation since at the least September 2018 and hold the No. 1 total choose regardless of the Lions going towards the Packers. Allen got here by means of for 2 sacks, and Roy Robertson-Harris logged seven pressures. The Jags (3-14) stopped Jonathan Taylor on a fourth-and-goal and restricted the speeding champ to 77 yards, angering sure maniacs whose fantasy seasons lengthen to Week 18. Jacksonville’s protection threw the AFC playoffs into chaos. Two of the convention’s high seven groups are out, and the Jags — 14-point underdogs — are leaving a depressing season with momentum and one other No. 1 choose. A banner day for a franchise that submitted the worst 2021 season.

JAGUARS GRADE: A-plus 

In a sequence that reminded of the Week 17 wherein Kevin Harlan called two games and the Chiefs secured an unlikely bye, the Texans almost erased a 21-0 Titans lead. Ryan Tannehill stopped the underdog’s onslaught by escaping a Jacob Martin sack and finding Nick Westbrook-Ikhine for a 37-yard third-down strike. That stalled a Houston rally that might have undone Tennessee’s plans. Tannehill’s four-TD day made positive the Titans remained the No. 1 seed and the Chiefs stayed at 2. However the Titans (12-5) will look completely different quickly, with Derrick Henry again. Tannehill maintaining this leaky ship going with out playmakers made this actuality potential. This is among the most unusual No. 1 seeds in NFL historical past.

TITANS GRADE: B | NEXT: bye

If that is Amendola’s experience into the sundown, he made it rely. The NFL’s oldest huge receiver bought previous Titans defenders twice for touchdowns, being the unlikely menace that almost ruined Tennessee’s hopes at its first No. 1 seed in 13 years. Amendola, 36, totaled seven catches for 113 yards. The ex-Patriot-turned-journeyman signed with the Texans days earlier than Week 1 however endured two accidents that restricted him to eight video games this season. If nobody picks Amendola up at 37, it is a good bow on a productive wideout’s profession. He performed an element in Davis Mills‘ late-season improvement, simply crucial a part of Houston’s 4-13 season.

TEXANS GRADE: B 

Bill Belichick cuffing Jones within the Patriots’ first Payments outing inserted extra doubt about his standing, and Buffalo besting him within the rematch led to Ja’Marr Chase zooming again into his Offensive Rookie of the 12 months rear-view. Chase overtook Jones, who struggled in Miami. The Pats have now misplaced seven of their previous 9 video games in Miami, and Jones’ pick-six and ensuing fumbled snap value the guests in what turned out to be a significant recreation. Las Vegas’ win dropped New England (10-7) to the No. 6 seed, which represents a worse draw. Apart from a Jaguars rout, Jones has not dazzled since earlier than that three-pass Buffalo recreation. This rubber match will outline Jones’ rookie season.

PATRIOTS GRADE: C-minus | NEXT: at Payments (Sat.)

Brian Flores‘ replacement-level Dolphins crew stored the 2019 Patriots from a playoff bye, and his subsequent two groups mixed to go 3-1 towards his ex-mentor. Flores improved to 4-2 towards Belichick on Sunday. His reward? A pink slip. Gorgeous fallout for a rising coach. The Dolphins (9-8) did wind up with Tua Tagovailoa and never Joe Burrow due to Flores’ sudden late-season success in 2019, however that isn’t precisely on the coach. The defensive-minded chief additionally helmed an undermanned crew on the playoff precipice final yr earlier than profitable seven straight this season. The GM that drafted Tua ( Chris Grier) is staying. Out of the blue, the oft-discussed Dolphins rebuild is off-axis. And a Deshaun Watson path may be narrowing.

DOLPHINS GRADE: A-minus

A 2020 Jets crew that began 0-14 and sported a minus-214 level differential featured a greater protection than what Saleh oversaw this yr. After the Payments pulled away within the second half, the Jets’ protection wrapped a season wherein it completed final in each factors and yards allowed. Accidents occurred, sure, primarily Carl Lawson‘s summer time Achilles tear. However a defensive coach coming in and ending a season on this place is a nasty signal for the franchise with the league’s longest playoff drought. The Jets (4-13), who largely ignored their cornerback want final yr, should purchase reinforcements on all three ranges.

JETS GRADE: D 

Zach Wilson took some pointless sacks, however the Payments hounded him all through the sport’s closing three quarters. Buffalo collected all 9 of its sacks after the primary interval, dropping the rookie QB on protection sacks, blitzes, and one-on-one wreckage. Former first-round D-tackle Ed Oliver performed an element within the latter selection, dropping Wilson for 1.5 sacks and posting 5 pressures on simply 18 pass-rush snaps. Security Jordan Poyer and veteran D-end Mario Addison added two sacks apiece. The Payments (11-6) lack an influence move rusher however do have a number of choices right here. That depth will likely be wanted because the crew navigates a playoff subject sans Tre’Davious White for the primary time.

BILLS GRADE: B-plus | NEXT: vs. Patriots

Extra headlines centering round Russell Wilson’s prospects of exiting Seattle will floor, however the crew placing collectively two explosive offensive outings to shut its season ought to matter a bit within the grand scheme. Wilson seemed like his Professional Bowl-level self Sunday, scampering for a landing and throwing three extra. The Seattle icon completed his down season with seven TD passes over his closing two video games. The Seahawks (7-10) usually are not in nice form, missing a first-round choose and seeing their offense underperform below new OC Shane Waldron. However Wilson each reminded of his significance to the crew and upped his commerce worth in Week 18.

SEAHAWKS GRADE: A 

Along with powering many fantasy GMs to championships, Penny injected extra doubt concerning the Cardinals’ prospects of profitable a playoff recreation. The injury-prone Seahawks again exploded for a career-high 190 speeding yards, maintaining the Playing cards from capitalizing on the 49ers’ upset and forcing a Los Angeles journey. Giving up 38 factors and a season-most 431 yards to the Seahawks serves as one other reminder this isn’t the identical Playing cards crew that bullied the Rams in October. Its upset win in Dallas however, Kliff Kingsbury’s crew has regressed since its 9-1 begin. J.J. Watt‘s potential return would assist, however many Cardinal detractors will reveal themselves this week.

CARDINALS GRADE: D-plus | NEXT: at Rams (Mon.)

The Urban Meyer catastrophe overshadowed Rhule’s troubles, however this was a tricky yr for the coaches attempting the college-to-pro leap. Rhule’s mismanagement of the Panthers’ quarterback submit and his news-dump firing of offensive coordinator Joe Brady — he of a number of head-coaching interviews final yr — pushes the ex-Temple and Baylor rebuilder to the brink. The Panthers (5-12) at the moment are 10-23 below Rhule, with each groups sinking after stunning begins. Rhule being a Jay Gruden or Invoice O’Brien OC rent away from dropping his job says quite a bit concerning the state of the Panthers, who will go all-out for a QB quickly.

PANTHERS GRADE: D-minus 

Antonio Brown‘s newest bridge-napalming effort featured a jab at Gronkowski, however the latter All-Decade-teamer will beat Brown to the Corridor of Fame. Gronk confirmed why Sunday, constantly breaking free for Tom Brady throughout a seven-catch, 137-yard recreation. Brady discovered Gronk sufficient for the tight-end GOAT so as to add a $500,000 incentive. This was Gronk’s highest yardage output since 2017 and his second straight 100-yard day. With Brown and Chris Godwin gone, the unretired tight finish — who missed a bit of time this season attributable to one other harm — will likely be extra necessary to Tampa Bay’s trigger in these playoffs than he was final yr.

BUCCANEERS GRADE: A | NEXT: vs. Eagles (Solar.)

The Packers crew that landed the NFC’s No. 1 seed ought to be inferior to the one which reveals up within the divisional spherical. Two of the Tremendous Bowl favourite’s many lacking items resurfaced Sunday, with All-Professional left sort out David Bakhtiari and second-round rookie heart Josh Myers again in uniform. The Detroit outcome didn’t matter, however these two blockers returning positive did. Bakhtiari had not performed since struggling an ACL tear, one which required two surgical procedures, on New 12 months’s Eve 2020. The Pack might have survived the Bucs’ move rush with him final yr. With Randall Cobb and Professional Bowlers Jaire Alexander and Za’Darius Smith additionally on their method again, that is going to be a tricky crew to oust.

PACKERS GRADE: C-minus | NEXT: bye

Pretend punts and tackle-eligible lobs performed an element in Dan Campbell‘s rookie season, and the favored coach dialed up two reverse-pass TDs Sunday, going stride-for-stride with a half-interested Packers crew. Kalif Raymond and Brock Wright’s TDs ended a surprisingly enjoyable Lions season at 3-13-1. Hopefully, Detroit — one of many groups with a clear-cut rebuild design this season — will likely be nice with profitable this recreation come draft time. There may be not a Trevor Lawrence-level prospect on this draft, establishing the Lions to take the second-best defensive finish expertise. Shedding this simply losable recreation would have helped, however it’s enjoyable to see a playbook embody this many gadget designs.

LIONS GRADE: A-minus 

The Bears gave Matt Nagy a worse hand than the Vikings dealt Mike Zimmer, and the crew solely accomplished one sub-.500 slate — this yr’s 6-11 ending. Nagy’s long-expected firing nonetheless went down Monday, and the Bears additionally axed GM Ryan Pace. The latter transfer makes extra sense, given Tempo’s era-defining Mitchell Trubisky trade-up. Nagy guided the Bears to a 12-4 report with Trubisky on the helm however couldn’t hold him afloat within the ensuing seasons. Nagy figures to be an fascinating offensive coordinator candidate, although the ex-Chiefs OC will must be pickier about the place he lands. The architects of the Justin Fields trade-up are out, leaving the QB within the palms of a regime not tied to him.

BEARS GRADE: C-minus 

Following the Vikings’ win over the Bears, it’s transferring day within the Twin Cities. Along with the Zimmer firing, the Vikings (8-9) moved on from the Sixteenth-year decision-maker Rick Spielman. In energy since earlier than the Brett Favre acquisition, the GM constructed the Vikings right into a contender — with a number of nuclei — and did so regardless of QB instability. In Spielman’s tenure, Tarvaris Jackson, Favre, Christian Ponder, Teddy Bridgewater, Case Keenum, and Kirk Cousins took the Vikes to the playoffs, with none doing so greater than as soon as. The Cousins’ transfer catalyzed this regime’s downfall. Sunday finalized the crew’s third non-playoff season within the well-paid passer’s 4 years. 

VIKINGS GRADE: B 

Maybe extra intrigued by a second-round recreation in Tennessee than in Kansas Metropolis, Taylor sat virtually all his starters in Week 18. Whereas the Bengals wouldn’t be locked right into a Titans tilt with a first-round win, Nashville can be their almost definitely vacation spot. Settling for the AFC’s No. 4 seed, the Bengals (10-7) will purpose to snap the NFL’s longest playoff-win drought. Bo Jackson‘s hip harm occurred every week after Cincinnati’s most up-to-date postseason victory (1990, over the Oilers). The Bengals additionally will face a Raiders crew they dealt with in Las Vegas lower than two months in the past. That is breaking proper for a crew nobody anticipated to be right here. 

BENGALS GRADE: C | NEXT: vs. Raiders (Sat.)

When nearly every little thing else went mistaken in Cleveland, a participant recognized for letdowns made it out unscathed. Clowney registered two extra sacks Sunday, certainly one of them being among the many most entertaining sack-strip scenes this season. Though Clowney pouted after not recovering the fumble his violent shove on Brandon Allen induced, he completed a season wholesome and tallied 9 sacks. Already constrained by the fifth-year possibility and franchise tag in Houston, the ex-No. 1 choose noticed accidents forestall multiyear contracts. Enjoying reverse Myles Garrett benefited him, and the Browns (8-9) should take into account maintaining the free-agent-to-be. 

BROWNS GRADE: B 

Additional evidenced in Atlanta, the Saints deployed a protection able to threatening favored playoff opposition. However Sean Payton‘s crew supplied predictable inconsistency on the opposite facet of the ball. This got here after Drew Brees supplied probably the most dependable 15-year stretch any crew’s QB ever has. Taysom Hill’s Lisfranc harm additional complicates his future. By no means afraid to carry out wage cap gymnastics, the Saints (9-8) must be within the combine for one of many many QBs who could possibly be obtainable. This season additionally underscored the necessity for a number of new wideouts. With a Michael Thomas divorce doubtless, how the Saints proceed right here ought to be receiving extra nationwide consideration.

SAINTS GRADE: A 

This was a tough yr for Mike Davis. Rapidly supplanted by a profession kick returner, the would-be Falcons high working again ended the yr with two misplaced fumbles. These miscues led to 10 Saints factors in a one-sided rivalry loss, one which didn’t function a lot of Hill. The Falcons have Cordarrelle Patterson as an uncommon free agent, being a profession returner/receiver and headed for his age-31 season and no certainly one of notice within the RB1 pipeline. The Rams getting out of the Jared Goff contract ought to remind that groups can skirt cap bother to unload dangerous QB offers, placing Matt Ryan’s future in query. Past Kyle Pitts, not a lot is understood about Atlanta’s chain-movers going ahead.

FALCONS GRADE: D 

The five-day span when the Eagles and Cowboys offenses chewed up Washington’s protection in island video games ended the defending NFC East champs’ real looking playoff hopes. The WFT, within the franchise’s closing act as such, exited the season on a greater notice. Bobby McCain’s pick-six set the tone for a one-sided win. The ex-Dolphin added one other choose on Jake Fromm within the closing seconds. Inside Matt Ioannidis stress additionally led to a Fromm fumble late. Washington (7-10) additionally watched because the Giants ran back-to-back QB sneaks from inside their very own 5-yard line. Quarterback would be the featured goal, however some items are in place right here.

WASHINGTON GRADE: B-plus 

Since Daniel Jones went down with a neck harm, the Giants misplaced their closing six video games by a mixed 163-56 margin. No crew completed the season in worse form. Contemplating the Giants (4-13) weren’t precisely thriving with Jones, who fell off after a considerably promising rookie season with Pat Shurmur, possession most likely wants to tug the set off right here and fireplace Joe Judge. The ex-special groups coach doesn’t name performs, limiting his worth, and the hard-edged chief clearly didn’t win over the locker room. The ex-Patriots staffer shouldn’t be profitable energy struggles or choosing the following GM. Even when it means a 3rd straight two-and-done coach, It’s time for Large Blue to get out earlier than it’s too late.

GIANTS GRADE: D-minus 

The Buccaneers-Eagles matchup in Week 6 concerned a Philly version that had but to kind its identification and a Bucs crew with higher weaponry. The Bucs gained 28-22, in a recreation not fairly as shut because the rating signifies. Whereas Tampa Bay was lacking a number of corners and Rob Gronkowski, the champs had all their receivers. Solely Mike Evans will present for the rematch, and it isn’t a lock linebackers Shaq Barrett, Jason Pierre-Paul, and Lavonte David are again. The Eagles had but to start out their historic streak of 175-yard speeding video games at this level. Technically, it is a rematch, however extra like a boxing rematch years after the primary encounter.

EAGLES GRADE: F | at Buccaneers (Solar.)

Walloping a backup-flooded Eagles lineup issues little for the Cowboys, who wrapped up a No. 1 regular-season DVOA rating. However the 49ers (sixth in DVOA) confirmed Sunday they’re one of the best of the three NFC wild-card groups. Whereas the No. 4-seeded Rams will catch the Cardinals at an excellent time, the No. 3-slotted Cowboys will face a 49ers crew that may roll out this matchup’s finest O-lineman (Trent Williams), move rusher ( Nick Bosa), and weapon (Deebo Samuel). Dallas’ prior accidents make its No. 16 run-defense rating much less related, however San Francisco’s No. 7-ranked floor assault is in the identical boat. This can be a robust draw and a terrific get for Nickelodeon.

COWBOYS GRADE: A | vs. 49ers (Solar.)

Sixth-round compensation modified the Chiefs’ fortunes. Their scuffling protection, which featured the misguided Chris Jones-at-end experiment, landed Ingram after a low-level commerce with the Steelers. Stats don’t reveal Ingram’s influence, with the ex-Charger Professional Bowler ending the common season with one sack as a Chief in 9 video games. However he allowed Jones to maneuver inside and offered an skilled Frank Clark complement. This method bit the Broncos, who noticed Ingram win a Melvin collision by stripping Melvin Gordon to arrange Nick Bolton’s fumble-six. The Steelers didn’t want Ingram, however they might pay for that commerce Sunday.

CHIEFS GRADE: B-minus | NEXT: vs. Steelers (Solar.)

John Elway made plenty of sturdy selections to arrange the Broncos’ dominance within the first half of the 2010s. Sadly for the Broncos, his Vance Joseph-over-Kyle Shanahan choice in 2017 lingers. Vic Fangio bumped into worse luck than Joseph. His poor game-management abilities, on show through his choice to kick a subject objective down seven within 5 minutes to play Saturday, undercut his defensive chops. New GM George Paton assembled a top quality 2021 draft however now should determine a brand new head coach, new OC, and QB. The Broncos (7-10) are certainly shut, however their subsequent play-caller — which most likely will likely be their subsequent HC — will decide how rapidly they will escape this now-lengthy skid.

BRONCOS GRADE: B-minus