NFLSU Week 18 Recap

Jim Mora Voice: Playoffs??!!

The NFL regular season is in the books, and unfortunately that means some of the most exciting NFLSU representatives’ seasons have ended. Nevertheless, we will go game-by-game and break down how they finished, along with some final statistics. The All-NFLSU Team will not be released until after the postseason, so keep an eye out for that in a month.

Browns 10 at Ravens 35

You wouldn’t know it from the score, but the Browns defense did an alright job keeping the lid on the explosive Ravens offense for most of the game. Grant Delpit had four tackles. He finishes the season with 111, a new career-best. Tre’Davious White had one tackle. Ethan Pocic played center. Hopefully he will have a good QB again next year (God it’s gonna be Cousins, isn’t it?)

NFLSU Score: 3/10

Bengals 19 at Steelers 17

The Bengals’ red-hot offense simmered some in the Pittsburgh cold, but Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase did juuuust enough to secure a fifth-straight win and finish with a winning record.

Joe went 37/46 for 277 yards with that TD and 1 INT. The final line on his ridiculous season is 4,918 yards, a completion percentage of 70.6, 43 TDs and 9 INTs, all career-bests. This is far and away the best he’s ever played at the professional level, and it was a joy to watch.

Ja’Marr Chase caught 10 balls for 96 yards and that TD. He won the receiving triple crown with 127 catches for 1,708 yards and 17 TDs. The latter tied a Bengals franchise record. No player had ever had 1,700 yards and 17 TDs before. He also dropped an 18th TD in this game. It was absolutely cold as hell, so we’ll give him a pass this time.

But the most important NFLSU performance in this game? It’s obviously Cade York going 4-4 on field goals. The trio of Burrow, Chase and York are 20-0 together. If the Bengals want to win it all next year, the solution is to obviously just keep all three. I believe they can do it.

For Pittsburgh, Patrick Queen had five tackles with a sack (somehow his first of the season) and a pass breakup. Frankly, he deserves credit for making Burrow’s lone interception happen.

Queen finishes the season with 129 tackles, just four short of his career-high last year. He will get to face his former team for the third time this weekend in the Wild Card round.

NFLSU Score: 8/10

Texans 23 at Titans 14

Derek Stingley Jr. and Danielle Hunter rested with the Playoffs approaching, but Devin White played significant snaps and got five tackles. Ali Gaye got one for a Titans team that locked up the first overall pick.

NFLSU Score: 3/10

Panthers 44 at Falcons 38 (OT)

Damien Lewis capped off a season filled with tons of ups and downs for the Panthers offense, but he remained a rock through it all. Panthers fans have gushed about him all year. As good as Bryce Young was on Sunday, it was still far from the best performance by a No. 9 blocked by Damien Lewis in Mercedes-Benz Stadium… but good for D-Lew getting one more win.

NFLSU Score: 2/10

Saints 19 at Buccaneers 27

Foster Moreau caught four passes for 31 yards. Clyde Edwards-Helaire ran eight times for 26 yards and caught one pass for 14 yards. Tyrann Mathieu had two tackles.

NFLSU Score: 5/10

Bills 16 at Patriots 23

Kayshon Boutte sure likes playing the Bills. The second-year receiver had a career day, catching seven passes for 117 yards and this explosive TD.

Davon Godchaux had two tackles. Reid Ferguson long snapped and will be doing so in the Playoffs for the sixth straight year.

NFLSU Score: 7/10

Jaguars 23 at Colts 26 (OT)

Legitimately stunning news: Brian Thomas Jr. did not score a TD Sunday. He still went off for 103 yards on seven catches. He finishes his rookie year with 1,282 yards on 87 catches with 10 TDs, all Jags rookie records. I’m so excited to see how he develops. Jordan Jefferson had two tackles and Maason Smith had one. Colts, please draft a Tiger this year.

NFLSU Score: 7/10

Giants 13 at Eagles 20

Let’s talk about more amazing rookie receivers. Malik Nabers capped off the year with five catches for 64 yards and a TD.

He finishes his rookie year with 109 catches for 1,204 yards and 7 TDs. Consider he did all that despite missing two games and having abysmal QB play… he really has All-Pro potential. There are two QBs heavily linked to the Giants in this upcoming draft, and while both of them have question marks regarding their adaptability to pro football, they both also have cannons for arms that could create some spectacular Nabers highlights. It can’t be worse than this year.

Cor’Dale Flott had two tackles. The Eagles got me so excited last week only for Tyrion Davis-Price to not be activated Sunday. Perhaps they are resting him for the Playoffs? The only reasonable explanation.

NFLSU Score: 7/10

Commanders 23 at Cowboys 19

Jayden Daniels only played a couple drives, going 6/12 for 38 yards while rushing for 27 yards on four carries. Still, gotta feel good for Washington fans to beat Dallas, especially after losing the first game on some wacky bullshit.

Jayden finishes his steller rookie season with 3,580 passing yards, a nice completion percentage of 69.0, 25 passing TDs to 9 INTs, while rushing for 891 yards and 6 TDs on 148 carries. His first Playoff game will be at Tampa, where he lost in his first professional game ever. We will be seated on Sunday night.

NFLSU Score: 3/10

Bears 24 at Packers 22

Nothing here. Draft Tigers please!!!

NFLSU Score: 0/10

Seahawks 30 at Rams 25

Omar Speights had three tackles, finishing his excellent rookie season with 64 total.

NFLSU Score: 2/10

Dolphins 20 at Jets 32

Jalen Mills and Jarrick Bernard-Converse were out. I believe Duke Riley played and i’m tired of giving out zeroes, so let’s say he did.

NFLSU Score: 1/10

Chiefs 0 at Broncos 38

A disappointment for all of us who wanted to watch Joe and Ja’Marr in the playoffs. Hope y’all freeze your balls off in Buffalo, Broncos!

NFLSU Score: 0/10

Chargers 34 at Raiders 20

What better time than Week 18 to catch your first TD of the year?

He’ll have a chance for more with the Chargers in the Playoffs! Kristian Fulton had two tackles. K’Lavon Chaisson had one tackle to cap off a breakout season. 31 tackles ties his career high in Jacksonville, but 5 sacks are a career high and he also had the first forced fumble and interception of his career.

NFLSU Score: 6/10

49ers 24 at Cardinals 47

Nothing here. Here’s hoping we get a healthy BJ Ojulri back on the field next season!

NFLSU Score: 0/10

Vikings 9 at Lions 31

Justin Jefferson had a disappointing night with only three catches for 54 yards. It might not have been enough to withstand the Lions avalanche, but we know he won’t be happy about it. Hopefully we get an electrified performance in the Playoffs next Monday night. He finishes Year 5 with 103 catches for 1,533 yards and 10 TDs, the latter tying his career high. He is special and I’m happy we get to watch him more.

NFLSU Score: 4/10