Top five headlines from Week 18 of the 2023 NFL season

Puka Nacua (Sewageboy, Wikimedia Commons)

The 2023 National Football League regular season has come to a close. Here are the top five regular season headlines from Week 18.

5) T.J. Watt injured

The Pittsburgh Steelers are playoff bound as they defeated the Baltimore Ravens 17-10 and the Jacksonville Jaguars lost 28-20 to the Tennessee Titans. However, the win came at a price. That is because Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt of Pewaukee, Wisconsin sprained his medial collateral ligament and will not be available Sunday in Buffalo for the AFC Wildcard playoff game.

4) Sam Laporta sets NFL record

Sam LaPorta of Highland, Illinois set the NFL record for most receptions by a rookie tight end in a NFL season. He finished the season with 86 receptions, which broke the record previously set by Keith Jackson of the Philadelphia Eagles, who had 81 receptions in 1988. On Sunday, LaPorta had five catches for 29 receiving yards as the Lions beat the Minnesota Vikings 30-20. However, the win came at a price as LaPorta injured his knee and is questionable this weekend against the Los Angeles Rams in playoff action.

3) Teams that made the playoffs in Week 18

Buffalo made the playoffs when Jacksonville was upset 28-20 by the Tenessee Titans. Pittsburgh also got into the postseason with the Jacksonville loss and the fact the Steelers beat the Baltimore Ravens 17-10 on Saturday. The Houston Texans meanwhile clinched a playoff spot on Saturday with a 23-19 win over the Indianapolis Colts, and clinched the AFC South when Tennessee beat Jacksonville.

In the NFC, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the NFC South when they blanked the Carolina Panthers 9-0. The Green Bay Packers clinched a playoff spot when they beat the Chicago Bears 17-9.

2) Three NFL teams fire head coaches.

Since the regular season ended, the Tennessee Titans have fired Mike Vrabel, the Atlanta Falcons have fired Arthur Smith, and the Washington Commanders fired head coach Ron Rivera. The Carolina Panthers have also fired general manager Scott Fitterer.

1) Puka Nacua makes NFL history.

Los Angeles Rams rookie wide receiver Puka Nacua of Las Vegas, Nevada made NFL history on Sunday. He set the NFL rookie record for most receiving yards (1486) in a season, and most receptions in a season (105) as the Los Angeles Rams beat the San Francisco 49ers 21-20. In the game, Nacua had four catches for 41 yards and one touchdown. The old NFL rookie record for most receiving yards in a season belonged to Bill Groman of Tiffin, Ohio. He had 1473 receiving yards with the Houston Oilers in 1960. The old NFL rookie record for most receptions in a season belonged to Jaylen Waddle of Houston, Texas. He had 104 catches with the Miami Dolphins in 2021.