NFL Week 18 Recap

The final week of the NFL regular season is in the books, and it’s always wild to see how quickly the season flies by. Week 18 delivered its fair share of drama, surprises, and shake-ups as teams closed out their campaigns and shifted focus to the playoffs. The Denver Broncos routed the Kansas City Chiefs 38-0. With the Chiefs opting to rest their starters after clinching the AFC’s #1 seed, the Broncos capitalized on the opportunity, a win that ultimately knocked the Bengals out of playoff contention.

Meanwhile, the New England Patriots defeated the Buffalo Bills 23-16, costing themselves the coveted #1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Buffalo also rested key players, having already locked in the AFC’s #2 seed. After an awful, forgettable season in New England, they only finish with the 4th pick in the Draft. Now, the NFL Playoffs are set, the draft order is finalized, and the football world turns its attention to playoff matchups and the start of mock draft season!

Denver Clinches Final AFC Playoff Spot

The Denver Broncos closed out their regular season with a statement, defeating the Kansas City Chiefs 38-0 in a game that carried very different stakes for each team. The Chiefs, having clinched the AFC's #1 seed with last week’s victory over Pittsburgh, used the opportunity to rest their starters, securing home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. While the game was essentially meaningless for Kansas City, it had massive implications for the Cincinnati Bengals. A Denver loss would have sent the Bengals to the postseason, but instead, Cincinnati fans are left disappointed as Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase will miss out on the playoffs. On the flip side, it’s a remarkable moment for the Broncos, who are back in the playoffs for the first time in a decade. As for the Chiefs, their extended rest and home-field advantage make them a strong contender for a three-peat, but can they stay sharp enough to complete the feat?

New England Blows the #1 Pick; Fire Coach Jerod Mayo

The New England Patriots ended their season with a 23-16 victory over the Buffalo Bills, but not without controversy. Rookie quarterback Joe Milton took over after Drake Maye started the first series and delivered an impressive performance, completing 22 of 29 passes for 241 yards, a passing touchdown, and a rushing score. While Milton may have raised his stock, he didn’t win over Patriots fans, who were frustrated by the victory. A loss would have secured New England the #1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, but the win dropped them to the 4th pick—much to the dismay of the fanbase. The frustration boiled over as the Patriots fired head coach Jerod Mayo after the game, ending a disastrous one-year tenure. Now, the team looks ahead to what could be a new era, with Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and Patriots legend Mike Vrabel emerging as the frontrunners to take over the helm.

The 2025 NFL Draft Order is Now Set (Mostly)

With the 2025 NFL Draft order nearly finalized, the stage is set for what promises to be an exciting draft season. While picks 19-32 will be determined as the postseason unfolds, the most important selections are locked in. The Tennessee Titans hold the #1 overall pick, followed by the Cleveland Browns, New York Giants, New England Patriots, and Jacksonville Jaguars. Based on team needs and talent available, my current projections could look something like this:

• Titans: Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado – a franchise cornerstone for a team desperate for stability under center.

• Browns: Cam Ward, QB, Miami – Cleveland needs a fresh start at quarterback, and Ward's fits the bill.

• Giants: Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado – Hunter’s versatility could immediately transform both sides of the ball in New York.

• Patriots: Abdul Carter, DE, Penn State – a disruptive force on the edge to kickstart a rebuild.

• Jaguars: Mason Graham, DL, Michigan – a dominant presence in the trenches to bolster Jacksonville’s defense.

  
  

As teams solidify their boards, and with mock draft season in full swing, it’ll be fascinating to see how these projections evolve leading up to the big day.