Week 18 of the National Football League commences on Saturday. This is the final week of the regular season. Here are the key injuries, difference makers and projected upsets for the week.
Key Injuries
Two of the key injuries in 2023 came in Arizona and San Francisco. 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey of Castle Rock, Colorado will miss the final week of the NFL regular season against the Los Angeles Rams with a mild calf strain. McCaffrey has simply had a magnificent season, and has been our top rated running back many times this season. He leads the NFL with 1459 rushing yards, 2023 yards from scrimmage and 21 rushing and receiving touchdowns. Meanwhile, left tackle D.J. Humphries of the Arizona Cardinals will also miss the week 18 contest. The native of Charlotte, North Carolina has a torn anterior cruciate ligament.
Difference Makers
The top rated quarterback is Jalen Hurts of the Philadelphia Eagles. The native of Houston, Texas is projected to get 212 passing yards, 50 rushing yards and two touchdowns against the New York Giants. But beware, there is heavy snow in the forecast, which may not generate a lot of passing plays.
The top rated receiver is Justin Jefferson of the Minnesota Vikings. The native of Saint Rose, Louisiana is projected to get seven catches for 96 yards and one touchdown against the Detroit Lions. The top rated running back is projected to be Saquon Barkley of the New York Giants. The native of the Bronx, New York is projected to get 17 rushes for 69 yards and three catches for 21 yards and one touchdown.
Projected Upsets
There are two underdogs I like in week 18, with both upsets coming in the NFC North. I liked the Minnesota Vikings to beat the Detroit Lions and the Chicago Bears to beat the Green Bay Packers. This game does not have great significance for the Lions as they have already clinched a playoff spot, while the Vikings played the Lions tough two weeks ago in a 30-24 loss. Green Bay meanwhile beat Chicago 38-20 back in week one. That was considered an upset as the Bears on paper were the better team at the beginning of the year. The Bears meanwhile have looked great the last two weeks in wins over Arizona and Atlanta, and are playing a Packers team with less time to prepare, as they played the Vikings in prime time on New Year’s Eve.
