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And with that, the NFL 2022 Regular Season comes to an end! We had a bunch of nail biting games, unforgettable moments, and unpredictable outcomes and finishes all year long. From the Bills blowing out the Super Bowl Defending Champs, the Los Angeles Rams, to the Lions eliminating the Green Bay Packers from playoffs in style, we saw it all in 2022. With the playoffs upon us, let's recap the last week of the season.
Photo: Stacy Revere/Getty Images
Wild Card Power Rankings
Teams to Note
No real teams to note this week, but shoutout to the Lions, Steelers, and Texans for fighting with the cards stacked against them.
Week 18 Awards
AFC Offensive MVP: Jordan Akins - Houston Texans
AFC Defensive MVP: Chris Jones - Kansas City Chiefs
AFC Trench Tyrant: Joe Thuney - Kansas City Chiefs
AFC Special Teams MVP: Nyheim Hines - Buffalo Bills
NFC Offensive MVP: Jamaal Williams - Detroit Lions
NFC Defensive MVP: Kendall Fuller - Washington Commanders
NFC Trench Tyrant: Abraham Lucas - Seattle Seahawks
NFC Special Teams MVP: Jake Elliott - Philadelphia Eagles
Award Winners to Note
Kendal Fuller - In a game that didn't matter much, the Commanders took it to the Cowboys. Kendall Fuller had a lockdown day, as he allowed 0 receptions on 7 targets, while also dropping a potential pick six, but then getting one of the very next play. This led to a 93.3 coverage grade across 42 coverage snaps, the highest mark in the NFL in Week 18.
Abraham Lucas - The rookie right tackle had a great day in a do or die matchup. On 38 pass block snaps, he allowed 0 pressures and generated an 83.9 pass block grade. He also posted a 79.5 run blocking grade, with the Seahawks totaling 197 rush yards and Kenneth Walker averaging 6 yards per carry running in his direction.
Jordan Akins - I said Akins would pop off in Week 18, and he did just that. On 6 targets, he hauled in 4 receptions for 70 yards and 2 TDs, including a last chance Hail Mary catch, and the 2 point conversion to give the Texans the lead and the win over the Colts. He put up a season high 83.0 overall grade, and gave the Texans a rare win on the season.
Photo: Zach Tarrant/Houston Texans
Key Fantasy Players Recap (Week 18)
QB: Sam Howell vs Dallas Cowboys
Projected - 11.6
Actual - 18.26
Results - Boomed
RB: Elijah Mitchell vs Arizona Cardinals
Projected - 6.2
Actual - 17.5
Results - Boomed
WR: Jameson Williams vs Detroit Lions
Projected - 4.2
Actual - 0.0
Results - Busted
TE: Jordan Akins vs Indianapolis Colts
Projected - 6.0
Actual - 25.0 (Season High!)
Results - Boomed
D/ST: Seattle Seahawks vs Los Angeles Rams
Projected - 5.7
Actual - 10.0
Results - Boomed
K: Wil Lutz vs Carolina Panthers
Projected - 7.2
Actual - -1.0
Results - Busted
Week 18 Total: 4 Boomed, 0 Pushed, 2 Busted
Final Yearly Total: 31 Boomed, 17 Pushed, 29 Busted
Wild Card Predictions
*Winner marked in bold lettering*
Seattle Seahawks vs San Francisco 49ers
It wouldn't matter who won the #7 seed, the 49ers should torch whoever comes into their house. Purdy has been fantastic, Deebo will be healthy, and this defense is virtually unstoppable right now.
Los Angeles Chargers vs Jacksonville Jaguars
Did I agree with Staley playing his starters in Week 18 to keep their momentum? Not really, but that may bode well since they'll have a sour taste in their mouth after a loss to the Broncos. It'll be a great QB duel, and I think Herbert edges out Lawrence on the road.
Miami Dolphins vs Buffalo Bills
It's been a minute since Tua took the field, and the Bills are playing with a purpose. They'll be fired up since they lost control of their #1 seed destiny, and they should rout the Dolphins at home.
New York Giants vs Minnesota Vikings
With the Giants basically getting a bye week by resting their key players, they should go and steal a win in Minnesota against a rollercoaster Vikings team. The Giants felt shafted after their last visit, and Danny Dimes will take home his first playoff victory.
Baltimore Ravens vs Cincinnati Bengals
It's still up in the air whether Lamar will play or not, but even if he does, I believe the Ravens will have the same issue as the Dolphins and will have plenty of rust to work out of. Cincy takes this one at home.
Dallas Cowboys vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers
These aren't the same Cowboys and Bucs teams that we're used to. Dallas was competitive all year long, and in a Week 1 rematch, I think Dallas takes care of Tampa with ease behind a loaded offense and a stacked defense.
Photo: Aaron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post
Final Notes:
With the regular season finished, I'll be releasing the House Enterprise Awards this Friday! Be on the lookout for that, as we have input from the House Contributors for each award and the All-House Team.