Monday, January 09, 2023

NFL Week 18 Results

NOT PREDICTIONS

1.  Chiefs (13-3) at Raiders (6-10) W 1
2.  Titans (7-9) at Jaguars (8-8) L 1

3. Buccaneers (8-8) at Falcons (6-10) W 2
4. Patriots (8-8) at Bills (12-3) W 3
5. Vikings (12-4) at Bears (3-13) L 2
6. Ravens (10-6) at Bengals (11-4) W 4
7. Texans (2-13-1) at Colts (4-11-1) W 5
8. Jets (7-9) at Dolphins (8-8) W 6
9. Panthers (6-10) at Saints (7-9) L 3
10. Browns (7-9) at Steelers (8-8) W 7
11. Giants (9-6-1) at Eagles (13-3) L 4
12. Cowboys (12-4) at Commanders (7-8-1) W 8
13. Chargers (10-6) at Broncos (4-12) W 9
14. Rams (5-11) at Seahawks (8-8) W 10
15. Cardinals (4-12) at 49ers (12-4) L 5
16. Lions (8-8) at Packers (8-8) W 11

Week 18 Results: 11-5 (69%)
Final Regular Season Results: 135-134 (50%)

I have to say that in addition to going 11-5 in this final week, it was a pretty successful Sunday in many ways.

Demar Hamlin of the Buffalo Bills has continued to improve dramatically That is such good news. I really feared for the worst last Monday night. His team won an inspired victory and he seemed to be enjoying watching it and commenting via social media.

Now, if you would have told me that the Chicago Bears would finish their season with a franchise record 10 game losing stream and have the worst record in the NFL, I would have thought I would be pretty disappointed. However, it earned them the Number One Draft Pick and tons of leverage as to what they can do with it! Yes, I wanted the Bears to win today, as I always do, but if they were not going to, it is pretty amazing that the Houston Texans decided to try to win today. Former Bears coach Lovie Smith saw his team complete an incredible 4th and 20 Touchdown pass late in the 4th quarter and then went for the two point conversion and was successful. Afterwards, Coach Smith was promptly fired. Serves the Texans right for him trying to win a game on his way out the door. Fate wanted the Bears to have this pick and I think it means that the team will be drastically improved next season and beyond.

(Sunday, the Chicago Blackhawks won a game, their second in a row, which is really rare this season, where they are also playing for the right to draft #1 in the NHL.) So, Chicago teams are losing so they can win. It sounds like something Kevin McCarthy might brag about.

Finally on Sunday night, the Green Bay Packers, with a chance to win a home game over the Lions and get themselves into the playoffs, lost! Aaron Rodgers threw an interception in what might have been his final pass a a Packer and then walked off the field at the end dejectedly. He seems like a good guy for that to happen to.

So, the playoffs start this weekend. I will be rooting for Buffalo (or at least some AFC team in the Super Bowl) and I am also looking forward to the NFL Draft and seeing which QB desperate team the Bears can cut a deal with. After all, we should be set for a long time with Justin Fields. Right?

Bears finish 3-14

Texans finish 3-13-1

Cardinals finish 4-13

Colts finish 4-12-1

Rams finish 5-12
Broncos finish 5-12

Raiders finish 6-11

Falcons finish 7-10
Saints finish 7-10
Browns finish 7-10
Panthers finish 7-10
Titans finish 7-10
Jets finish 7-10

Packers finish 8-9
Patriots finish 8-9

Commanders finish 8-8-1

Steelers finish 9-8
Lions finish 9-8