NFL Week 18 is upon us, and a majority of the 16 games between Saturday and Sunday will have an impact on everything from playoff positioning to draft order.
Five of the 14 playoff berths are still up for grabs, and four of the eight divisions have yet to crown a winner. Beginning with the first two games Saturday, a select group of players will have more of a say than others in terms of how things play out before the dust settles after the final game late Sunday night.
Below is a list of 10 must-see players, ranked in reverse order. Just missing the cut, though, players, like Los Angeles Rams receiver Puka Nacua (who can set two rookie receiving records Sunday), Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (who is one catch from breaking the rookie reception record for tight ends), Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph (whose team has a 29-percent chance of making the playoffs), and Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones (who can earn a $1.25 million bonus with a half-sack).
Related: Week 18 NFL Power Rankings
10. Justin Fields, Bears QB
The Chicago Bears might be eliminated from playoff contention heading into NFL Week 18, but don’t think for a second that Fields won’t be motivated against the Green Bay Packers, who need a victory to make the playoffs. Going into Sunday’s game, Fields has plenty of incentive that extends well beyond a longstanding division rivalry.
The Bears have already locked up the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft, and there is speculation that they might select USC’s Caleb Williams or another top QB prospect. Not if Fields has something to say about it. Fields can make an emphatic statement if he turns in a star performance that both eliminates the Packers from playoff contention and persuades the Bears to stick with him as their franchise quarterback in April.
Related: Justin Fields or Caleb Williams? The Chicago Bears’ high-stakes QB dilemma
9. Micah Parsons, Cowboys LB
Picking a player from the Dallas Cowboys, one could have easily gone with quarterback Dak Prescott or receiver CeeDee Lamb, but we’ll go with Parsons instead. The Cowboys (11-5) control their own destiny in NFL Week 18, needing a victory at Washington on Sunday to secure the NFC East title and the No. 2 seed in the NFC playoffs.
But Dallas is 3-5 away from AT&T Stadium. Certainly, Parsons has heard the criticisms about the Cowboys’ road woes. And as an NFL Defensive Player of the Year favorite, Parsons will be on a seek-and-destroy mission Sunday. He was credited with 1.5 sacks of Washington QB Sam Howell in their last meeting. Look for Parsons to be a game-wrecker once again in Week 18.
Related: NFL Defensive Player of the Year: Is Micah Parsons the favorite?
8. Jalen Hurts, Eagles QB
If there’s a team in desperate need of a spark, it’s the Eagles, who’ve lost four of their past five games to drop to the No. 5 seed in the NFC heading into NFL Week 18. And Hurts, as their leader, needs to ignite the team with his handling of the offense.
The quarterback has spoken out about the team’s need for accountability, and there have been rumblings about locker-room strife and overall dysfunction. The only way to remedy the situation in a hurry is with a dominant win over the rival New York Giants, two weeks after the Eagles narrowly averted a late Giants rally. For the Eagles, it all starts with Hurts.
Related: Philadelphia Eagles’ implosion to end 2023 is all on head coach Nick Sirianni
7. Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars QB
The question is for now is whether Lawrence will even play Sunday at Tennessee. Due to a sprained AC joint in his throwing shoulder, Lawrence missed the first game of his NFL career last Sunday against Carolina, ending his consecutive games streak at 49 games.
If Lawrence can’t play, C.J. Beathard will start once again. But the Jaguars (9-7) have a 77-percent chance of making the playoffs and can’t afford a scenario in which they have to back their way into the playoffs. Having Lawrence on the field is the best way to ensure that doesn’t happen.
6. Gardner Minshew, Colts QB
The Colts have gone from a 4-12-1 team in 2022 to a 9-7 team going into NFL Week 18th, and they have Gardner Minshew to thank for it. He entered the season as the backup to rookie Anthony Richardson, but when Richardson went down for the season, Minshew came to the rescue. And now he has the Colts on the verge of their first playoff berth since 2020.
Indianapolis has a distinct advantage at Lucas Oil Stadium, where the Colts have four straight, and they’ve already beaten Houston on the road in Week 2. For the ultimate “win-and-you’re-in” game of the week, Minshew will be counted to work his magic once again.
5. Jordan Love, Packers QB
Few quarterbacks are playing as well as Love heading into NFL Week 18. It’s safe to say the first-year starter has exceeded expectations as the replacement for Aaron Rodgers. Not only has he led to the Packers to two straight road victories, but over the past seven games, Love has thrown 16 touchdown passes and only one interception while leading the Packers to a 5-2 record.
The Week 18 directive is clear for Green Bay, now the No. 7 seed in the NFC: Beat Chicago on Sunday or clean out your locker on Monday. The way Love is playing, the Packers most likely won’t be packing up their belongings for at least another week.
Related: NFL offense rankings
4. Baker Mayfield, Bucs QB
Mayfield is one of the best comeback stories of the season, a player who looked like he would be a journeyman quarterback for the remainder of his career. But the former Heisman Trophy winner has found a home in Tampa Bay.
And although the Bucs (8-8) are coming off a disappointing home loss to New Orleans, they have a favorable matchup Sunday at Carolina and can win the NFC South, entering the playoffs as the No. 4 seed. Mayfield, the NFL’s ninth-rated passer, has more incentive to perform well than just making the playoffs. He’s also on the verge of earning an additional $900K in bonuses.
Related: Baker Mayfield is having a season
3. C.J. Stroud, Texans QB
It’s been a record-breaking rookie season for Stroud, the No. 2 overall draft pick last April, who might have set more records if it weren’t for a concussion that forced him to miss two games. But he’s back at the right time for the Texans (9-7), who are on the playoff bubble and need to win at Indianapolis NFL Week 18.
He’s put up big numbers during the regular season, but we’re about to find out whether Stroud can win a must-win game. Perhaps no quarterback faces has much pressure as Stroud, who — if he can carry Houston to the playoffs — could strength his case for the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award.
Related: NFL’s top 10 breakout players of 2023, including C.J. Stroud
2. Tyreek Hill, Dolphins WR
Finally, we have an offensive player who’s not a quarterback. But there’s a huge reason to have Hill on this list. With the questionable injury status of fellow receiver Jaylen Waddle and running back Raheem Mostert, the Dolphins (11-5) need a standout effort from the NFL’s most explosive player, Hill, against Buffalo in a game that will decide the AFC East.
Miami is smarting in every way coming off a 56-19 blowout loss to Baltimore. Going into NFL Week 18, even quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is lagging a bit with a sore left shoulder. Playing the Bills, who spanked them 48-20 in Buffalo in Week 4, the Dolphins need to get the ball often to Hill, their one true difference-maker whom no can defend or catch in the open field.
Related: Firefighters battling blaze at Tyreek Hill’s house
1. Josh Allen, Bills QB
This might be a tough debate, but arguably no player — except perhaps Lamar Jackson — has as big an impact on his team from week to week than Allen does.
The Bills (10-6) rise and fall with Allen, and over the past four weeks they’ve ascended with four straight wins to inexplicably put them in position to win the AFC East. The four-game streak includes wins over Kansas City and Dallas, but then the Bills had trouble putting away the Los Angeles Chargers and New England.
Allen, for his part, played poorly against the Patriots. If the same Allen performs as he did in Week 4 against Miami (320 yards, four TD passes), the Bills will win the AFC East. But if he plays like he did last week against the Patriots (15-of-30 passing), Buffalo could drop from No. 6 to No. 7 and earn another trip back to Miami for Wildcard Weekend.
Related: Ranking the top 5 games of NFL Week 18, including Bills-Dolphins