Games of the Week

Dolphins 20, Buccaneers 17

The Buccaneers’ collapse in the second half of the season continued against Miami. The Dolphins rolled out Quinn Ewers for the rookie’s second career start and while he was far from spectacular, he did more than enough to secure the win.

Baker Mayfield once again was the Tampa Bay offense, throwing 44 times for 346 yards and two touchdowns. Tampa rushed the ball just 13 times total, not including Baker’s attempts, making it clear they have completely abandoned the run game. That has turned the offense into a one-dimensional operation. Baker also threw two costly interceptions, the Bucs lost by three, and a team that started 5-1 is now 7-9, riding a four-game losing streak and desperately need a win this week to make the playoffs.

Eagles 13, Bills 12

The Buffalo Bills could win the Super Bowl. They could also be bounced in the first round. That pretty much sums up where things stand.

Buffalo’s offense struggled badly in a one-point loss to Philadelphia, managing just 12 points. The offensive line was once again an issue, a concerning trend with the playoffs approaching. Josh Allen was under constant pressure, took several sacks, and looked worn down as the game progressed.

While the Eagles got the win, their offense raised questions as well. Thirteen points against a banged-up Bills defense is far from reassuring. This was an important win for Philadelphia, but both teams walked away knowing they still have work to do before the postseason begins.

49ers 42, Bears 38

San Francisco is officially dangerous.  Any playoff team should be on alert for this talented five-seed that appears to be peaking at the right time. Brock Purdy was outstanding, throwing for 303 yards and accounting for five total touchdowns, three through the air and two on the ground.

The 49ers now sit at 12-4 despite Purdy missing time earlier in the season, and their offense has looked nearly unstoppable over the past few weeks.

Chicago once again played a tight, dramatic game, driving to the 3-yard line with four seconds left before Caleb Williams’ potential game-winning pass fell just short. The Bears are competitive with anyone, and Ben Johnson has them trending in the right direction culturally, but the playoffs are a different animal and it will be interesting to see how Williams and company show up when the stakes are the highest.

Top Performers

Brock Purdy, 49ers

Purdy looks fully healthy and back to form. Five total touchdowns and over 330 total yards showcased exactly why he remains one of the league’s most efficient quarterbacks.

Derrick Henry, Ravens

Fantasy championship week belonged to Derrick Henry. He rushed for 216 yards and four touchdowns, consistently moving the chains and keeping Baltimore’s playoff hopes alive heading into Week 18.

Luther Burden III, Bears

The rookie wideout had a career day against San Francisco, hauling in eight catches for 138 yards and a touchdown. Averaging more than 17 yards per catch, Burden was a constant problem for the 49ers secondary.

Is There a Clear Super Bowl Favorite?

This question keeps coming up for a reason. Parity across the league feels as high as it has ever been. Week after week, perceived contenders take ugly losses, only to bounce back with strong performances the following Sunday.

Seattle and Denver sit atop their respective conferences, but few would feel completely comfortable backing either as a runaway favorite. Chicago plays everyone close, Green Bay’s outlook hinges on Jordan Love’s health, and Buffalo’s ceiling depends on how much Josh Allen has left in the tank each week.

As the Chiefs dynasty appears to fade, it is fair to wonder if this is the new normal. The Patriots and Chiefs dominated the playoff narrative for nearly two decades. If another dynasty does not emerge soon, we may be entering the most competitive era of NFL football this century.

Betting Strategy Adjustments After Week 17

Playoff-Deciding Games Are Risky

Games like Buccaneers-Panthers and Ravens-Steelers carry enormous stakes. Players will gut through injuries and divisional familiarity often leads to tighter games. If you have conviction, moneylines and spreads make more sense than chasing stat-heavy parlays.

Colts Are a Trap Spot for Houston

Rookie Riley Leonard has been confirmed as the Week 18 starter for Indianapolis. First-start situations in divisional games can create value. This is a spot worth watching closely for underdog opportunities.

Lions Will Look to Play Spoiler

Chicago is fighting for seeding while Detroit is officially out of the playoff picture. Dan Campbell will not hesitate to complicate things for his former coordinator. Motivation matters here, and bettors should account for it.

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