Four division titles, a No. 1 seed in the NFC and much more are up for grabs as the NFL regular season comes to a close. Here's who's under the hottest spotlight.
Aaron Rodgers has played in 285 NFL games, including playoffs. He might have just one left.
That is yet to be determined, including Rodgers’ decision on whether he’ll play again next season. The immediate issue at hand is that the Pittsburgh Steelers need to win or their season — and perhaps Rodgers’ incredible career — is done.
The Steelers did this to themselves. All they had to do to clinch the AFC North was beat the Cleveland Browns, who were 3-12 before Sunday. But the Browns got their fourth win as Rodgers didn’t lead a single touchdown drive in a 13-6 loss.
None of the Steelers want their season to be over on Sunday night after they play the Baltimore Ravens. But most will return next season. Rodgers suggested months ago this will be his last season. He has played well enough that coming back for another season shouldn’t be out of the question. Given how many teams need quarterbacks, he’d likely find a job if he wants one.
[Get more Steelers news: Pittsburgh team feed]
But at age 42, retirement is a constant storyline. All that’s certain is Rodgers’ season ends with a loss in prime time on Sunday night. His final moments, including walking off the field for perhaps the final time, would overshadow a Ravens win. It would be great theater.
While Rodgers has plenty of detractors, he’s unquestionably one of the greatest players in NFL history. He has four NFL MVPs, more than everyone except Peyton Manning. He has the highest passer rating in league history at 102.3. He has more than 65,000 yards and 500 touchdowns, a club that has just five members: Rodgers, Manning, Tom Brady, Drew Brees, and Brett Favre.
Losing two straight win-and-in games is not the way Rodgers wants his career to end. He might have one shot to keep a 21-year career going.
Panic meter: It would be a long offseason for the Steelers with a loss, and perhaps an endless offseason for Rodgers
Here’s the rest of the panic meter for Week 18, and who has the most on the line:
What happens if the Ravens lose?
The stakes for Ravens-Steelers go far beyond just a division title.
The losing team could be in for some major changes. The Steelers have the Aaron Rodgers retirement question, and there will also be more speculation over Mike Tomlin’s future if the Steelers blow a lead in the AFC North and miss the playoffs.
The Ravens have a complicated situation too. With a reported rift between coach John Harbaugh and quarterback Lamar Jackson, would the Ravens just run it back if they miss the playoffs after being considered a top Super Bowl contender in the preseason? General manager Eric DeCosta would have the most challenging offseason of his career with a loss. Maybe even with a win and a division title. At very least, he would need to find a way to improve the roster to get the Ravens back to a Super Bowl level. Or he might be looking at a much bigger change.
Panic meter: The shape of the Ravens going forward might depend on Sunday night’s result
Bryce Young’s close-up
Saturday will be the biggest game of Young’s pro career. With a win, the Carolina Panthers are in the playoffs as NFC South champs.
A loss might create a different conversation, especially if the Saints win on Sunday and the Buccaneers steal the division.
Young has been up and down all season. On Sunday, when a Panthers win would have clinched the NFC South, Young had 54 yards passing. A division title would lead to some good vibes and not an angry David Tepper, the Panthers’ team owner who has been calm this season but has a reputation for being impulsive. A loss might get the Panthers wondering if they have the right quarterback.
Panic meter: It’s a huge game for Young, in more ways than one
Are the Bucs and Todd Bowles going to blow this?
As the Buccaneers headed into their Week 9 bye, they were 6-2, two games ahead of the Panthers in the NFC South and about to get some key players back from injury. What has happened since the bye is startling.
The Buccaneers have lost seven of eight, despite getting many stars back in the lineup, and need a win over the Panthers on Saturday to stay alive for the NFC South title. A win doesn’t clinch the division title though. If the Falcons beat the Saints on Sunday, the Panthers win the division.
And if the Buccaneers lose to Carolina — even if they win to finish 8-9 and lose the division to the Panthers because the Falcons win — it seems irresponsible to suggest Bowles wouldn’t be on the hot seat. With a loss he would have a 35-36 record as Buccaneers coach, including playoffs. He would also be responsible for a startling collapse with a mostly healthy team in the second half. That sounds like a coach who is safe?
Panic meter: It really doesn’t seem like Bowles should be considered safe
Last season, the Vikings had a Week 18 game at the Lions with the division title on the line. Darnold had a rough game, not leading the Vikings to any touchdowns in a loss. A week later, Darnold was bad in a playoff loss to the Rams. Those two losses cost Darnold some money in free agency and created the narrative that he would melt down in big games.
What if Darnold repeats that same pattern to end this season? Like last season’s Vikings, the Seahawks either get the No. 1 seed with a win in their season finale on Saturday at San Francisco or slide to a wild-card spot with a loss.
Panic meter: If the Seahawks lose this week, or in their first playoff game, you know what the talking points will be
Category: General Sports
