The Bills released an update Thursday morning relating to the standing of security Damar Hamlin:
“Based on the docs caring for Damar Hamlin on the College of Cincinnati Medical Heart, Damar has proven exceptional enchancment over the previous 24 hours. Though nonetheless critically unwell, he has demonstrated that he seems to be neurologically intact. His lungs proceed to heal and he’s making regular progress.”
It’s maybe probably the most encouraging information relating to Hamlin’s well being since he collapsed on the sector at Monday night time soccer in the course of the Payments-Bengals recreation.
Since then, the sporting world has rallied round him and proven their assist by flooding his charity with donations.
The Week 17 recreation remains to be postponed, and the league is contemplating two choices: Declare the sport a tie or push again the playoffs by per week to permit play to proceed.
Each groups are already within the playoffs, however the outcomes of Monday’s recreation would have a big impact on the AFC playoff image.
Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow stated rescheduling the sport shall be “powerful,” however “no matter Buffalo needs to do is what we would love to do. We’re behind them 100%.”
In right this moment’s Winners Membership one can find:
Playoff situations and Saturday’s season finale unfold
There are two playoff spots left within the AFC and only one within the NFC earlier than Week 18.
Within the AFC, the Chiefs, Payments, Bengals, Chargers and Ravens are all there. As for the NFC, the Eagles, 49ers, Vikings, Buccaneers, Cowboys and Giants all gained.
5 groups are vying for simply two spots within the AFC: the Jaguars and Patriots, who at the moment maintain the fourth and seventh seeds, respectively, and the Dolphins, Steelers and Titans.
- The Jaguars want a win or tie in opposition to the Titans to win the division, however they will additionally get into the wild card with a loss and losses to the Patriots, Dolphins and Steelers.
- The Patriots enter with a win in opposition to the Payments or a tie together with a mixture of ties and/or losses to the groups beneath them within the standings.
- The Dolphins must beat the Jets and wish a Patriots loss
- The Steelers should beat the Browns and each the Dolphins and Patriots lose
- The Titans simply must beat the Jaguars to lock up the AFC South
Do you have got all these? Good.
Now within the NFC, there are three groups vying for the ultimate playoff spot: The Seahawks, Lions and Packers.
- The Seahawks’ best path is a win in opposition to the Rams and a Packers loss
- The Lions’ greatest path is a win in opposition to the Packers and a loss or tie in opposition to the Seahawks
- For the Packers, it is easy: win and get in
![Aaron Rodgers puffs out his cheeks as he looks for where to put the football against the Lions.](https://www.si.com/.image/c_limit%2Ccs_srgb%2Cfl_progressive%2Cq_auto:good%2Cw_700/MTkzNTY2MDU0NTE2MDA4Mzg3/aaron-rodgers-packers-offense-damaged.jpg)
Lon Horwedel/USA TODAY Sports activities
An thrilling weekend forward and all the things is condensed on Saturday and Sunday. That is proper, no video games on Thursday or Monday this week. Beneath is the schedule for Saturday’s two-game league slate, together with spreads, totals and recreation previews for every. Come again Sunday morning for the remainder of this system.
four:30 p.m. ET (ESPN, ABC): Heads (-7.5) vs. Raiders | Whole: 52.5 | Sport preview
eight:15 p.m. ET (ESPN): titanium vs. Jaguars (-Three.5) | Whole: 39.5 | Sport preview
You may get in on the motion this week with SI Sportsbook’s Good 10 Contest! Simply choose 10 video games in opposition to the unfold to enter.
![Perfect 10_720x380](https://www.si.com/.image/c_limit%2Ccs_srgb%2Cfl_progressive%2Cq_auto:good%2Cw_700/MTk0OTUyMTk0MDA3NTA4NTA0/perfect-10_720x380.jpg)
Get NFL Week 18 tickets with SI Tickets
For probably the most half, fantasy soccer seasons are over. Many leagues do not go all the best way to Week 18, but when yours does, we have sources beneath that will help you end the season sturdy. And even when your trophy has already been awarded, you should use our projections and rankings to construct an optimum DFS line or place some participant bets.
For any leagues and commissioners struggling to deal with the postponement of the Payments-Bengals recreation, which after all pales compared to Hamlin’s well being, see how distinguished fantasy websites are dealing with the scenario and what fantasy professional Michael Fabiano in his work. leagues.
Begin them, place them
Quarters: Belief Aaron Rodgers in prime time with the season on the road.
runners: Fade Brian Robinson vs. Dallas.
Broad receivers: Guess Zay Jones would burn the Titans once more.
Tight ends: Avoid Noah Fant within the season finale.
Hitters and Protection: The fierce 49ers have a plus matchup with the Cardinals at residence.
Positional Rankings
Quarters: Brock Purdy is correct in QB1 vary in opposition to Arizona.
To run again: Keep on with Jerrick McKinnon’s sizzling hand vs. Las Vegas.
Broad receivers: Each Eagles choices are within the top-12 this week.
Tight ends: TJ Hockenson has earned his place among the many elite at his place.
Contract: Tennessee will go the identical manner as Derrick Henry and have a heavy workload.
Defenses: Head-to-head, the Jets and Dolphins are each shut video games.
Kickers: Watch with Brett Maher in Week 18 in opposition to Washington.
![49ers quarterback Brock Purdy in Week 17 against the Raiders.](https://www.si.com/.image/c_limit%2Ccs_srgb%2Cfl_progressive%2Cq_auto:good%2Cw_700/MTk0ODgxMDA1NDYxNDQ3ODQy/usatsi_19711476_168398175_lowres.jpg)
Gary A. Vasquez/USA TODAY Sports activities
State projections
Quarters: Jalen Hurts is poised for an enormous efficiency — if he performs.
runners: Cam Akers is firmly within the RB1 lineup after back-to-back stable outings.
Broad receivers: Jerry Jeudy is one in every of seven receivers projected to attain 20+ factors.
Tight ends: Just one tight finish is projected to cross Evan Engram this week.
In Different Information
TCU-Georgia Nationwide Championship Betting Breakdown: The Bulldogs are 13-point favorites at SoFi Stadium in opposition to the Horned Frogs with an opportunity to win their second straight title. See how each groups have gotten so far and what bets can be found at SI Sportsbook and which manner Frankie Taddeo is leaning forward of Monday’s recreation.
The case for Tom Brady and the Bucs within the playoffs: After limping into the playoffs, Tampa Bay may present some worth if the GOAT can warmth up for a number of video games. The Buccaneers, winners of the Tremendous Bowl simply two years in the past, are +2000 to win all of it as soon as once more.
Finest Bets for Celtics vs Mavericks in Dallas: Boston is a highway favourite within the second recreation of the season in opposition to Dallas. Can the C’s finish the Mavs’ streak and decelerate Luka Dončić? Or will the Celtics undergo their third straight loss?
NFL pronounces 2023 Corridor of Fame finalists: Eighteen gamers and one coach had been introduced as HOF finalists on Wednesday. The record was highlighted by Ronde Barber, Devin Hester, Andre Johnson, Darrelle Revis and Joe Thomas, amongst others.
Thanks for studying Winners Membership and for bearing with me via some schedule modifications across the holidays. I will be again in your inbox Sunday morning earlier than the ultimate week of the NFL common season. Till then.