Every weekend in the NFL, elements that relate to the forces present, the records that are within reach or in relation to certain historical notes catch our attention. Here, for the 18the Week full of activities, 5 elements to pay attention to.
• Also read: Our Week 18 NFL Predictions: Another Black Monday ahead for the coaches
1. An exciting ending
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There are still 20 out of 32 teams that can dream of participating in the Super Bowl, the highest number since 2006. It should be noted that the record for a game week is 22 in 1982. There are still five playoff spots available, which is the highest total since 2020. Better yet, there are still four division champions to be crowned, which is the most in the final week of the regular schedule since 2014. In total, 13 of the 16 games played in Week 18 had an impact on the playoff race.
2. Nacua close to record
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Rams receiver Puka Nacua will be among the starters wearing their uniform, even if the team has nothing left to prove. Head coach Sean McVay indicated this week that he wanted to help his young receiver break the rookie passing yardage record before removing him from the game against the 49ers. Nacua is just 29 yards shy of the record set by Bill Groman in 1960 with 1,473 yards. However, it should be noted that by this point Groman had established his brand during a 14-game schedule.
3. The NFL as king and champion
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In the year 2023, which has just ended, the NFL is dominating television networks more than ever. According to SportsMediaWatch.com, the 56 most-watched sporting events of the year in the United States were all NFL games. Still incredible! Super Bowl 57 between the Chiefs and Eagles obviously took the prize with 112.17 million viewers. This regular season, the Cowboys' Thanksgiving matchup against the Commanders was the most viewed (41.76 million). On a regular Sunday, the most watched game was Week 16 between the same Cowboys and the Dolphins (31.52 million). The most-watched sporting event outside of the NFL remains football, the rivalry between Ohio State and Michigan in the NCAA, which drew 19.07 million viewers.
4. Goodbye, King Henry?
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The Titans have nothing left to win or lose against the Jaguars, but they know this could be running back Derrick Henry's last game in a Titans jersey. King Henry just turned 30 this week, he became a free agent in March, and the Titans drafted Tyjae Spears in the third round last April. With 1,014 rushing yards this season, Henry has shown he can still be useful, but his 3.9 yards per carry average is the lowest of his career behind the Titans' rebuilding offensive line. Logically, Henry might want to join a suitor. Henry is second in Titans history with 9,349 rushing yards, behind Eddie George (10,009 yards). Henry ranks 38th in the league over time.
5. Blue in Miami…
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The clash between the Dolphins and the Bills in Miami will crown the Eastern Division champion of the American Conference. This would be a chance for the Dolphins to win their first title since 2008 while also completing a 12-win season for the first time since 1990. For the Bills, a win would mean their fourth league title in a series, a feat they have not achieved since the 1988 to 1991 seasons. Note that Bills fans are expected to be very numerous in Miami. Ticket resale site VividSeats.com estimates that 52% of the seats will be filled by people from Buffalo and surrounding areas.