The duel for the top spot in the National Conference (NFC) between the 49ers and Seahawks, and the Buccaneers-Panthers and Steelers-Ravens divisional first-place games will be in the spotlight in Week 18, the last week of the NFL regular season.
The activity will kick off on Saturday with the most attractive matchup of the day. The San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks will define the West division champion and the number one team in the NFC.
49ers and Seahawks, in the NFL lockout
The 49ers have overcome an injury-plagued campaign in which they spent almost the entire year in third place in their division, but the six consecutive victories they accumulated in the lockout have them one win away from finishing as the best team in the National Conference.
It will not be easy for them to achieve their goal against the Seahawks, who are favored for their balance between offense and defense.
They also come into this game with six wins in a row.
San Francisco has a special motivation.
If they win in front of their home crowd at Levi’s Stadium, Seattle will be sure to play all their playoff games at home, including the NFC finals and the Super Bowl, since their stadium will host the NFL title game on February 8.
Buccaneers and Panthers
In the other Saturday clash between the Buccaneers and Panthers, first place in the NFC South is at stake.
The Panthers have the division title in their hands, they just have to win.
The Bucs, in addition to beating Carolina, must hope that the Atlanta Falcons fall to the New Orleans Saints on Sunday to take the top spot in the division; a Falcons win will give the division championship to Carolina.
Steelers and Ravens
Among the 14 games scheduled for Sunday, the focus will be on the Baltimore Ravens’ visit to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
This is a do-or-die game between two of the teams with one of the most bitter rivalries in the NFL; playoff qualification and the American Football Conference (AFC) North title are at stake.
Whoever wins between the Ravens and Steelers will win the division championship and qualify for the postseason; whoever loses is eliminated.
The AFC South division title will also be decided on Sunday.
If the Jacksonville Jaguars beat the Tennessee Titans, they will win the division, but if they lose and the Houston Texans beat the Indianapolis Colts, coach DeMeco Ryans’ team will be the champion.
Week 18 games of the NFL season:
Saturday 3.01: Buccaneers-Panthers, 49ers-Seahawks.
Sunday 4.01: Falcons-Saints, Bengals-Browns, Vikings-Packers, Giants-Cowboys, Jaguars-Titans, Texans-Colts, Bills-Jets, Bears-Lions, Broncos-Chargers, Raiders-Chiefs, Rams-Cardinals, Patriots-Dolphins, Eagles-Commanders, Steelers-Ravens.
Filed under: NFL Lockout
With information from EFE
