Football

The Falcons and Buccaneers will compete for the last playoff spot in the NFC. Broncos and Dolphins will define the same, but in the AFC, where Bengals also have possibilities of qualifying. The NFL regular season is about to come to an end, but before saying goodbye to it, to start thinking about the playoffs, four teams will dispute the last spots of the American Conference and the National Conference, which promises us a day full of excitement. The last spot in the NFC At exactly 12 p.m., Central Mexico Time, the matchups that will define the last NFC spot will be Atlanta Falcons vs. Carolina Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. New Orleans Saints. The Buccaneers only need to win their game against the Saints; with this result, they will catapult directly to the postseason. However, if the Bucs lose, the Falcons can access the playoffs if they win their match against the Panthers; if the Falcons lose, the Buccaneers advance automatically. A three-team battle in the AFC At 3:25 p.m., the games between Denver Broncos vs. Kansas City Chiefs and New York Jets vs. Miami Dolphins will decide the last invitee to the postseason in the American Conference, where three teams are still in the fight: Broncos, Dolphins, and Bengals, the latter waiting for the results of the first two after their victory over the Steelers. The Broncos only need to win against the Chiefs to quash the hopes of the other two teams. If Denver loses, the Dolphins would have the opportunity to enter the playoffs if they win their duel against the Jets, eliminating the Bengals. However, if both teams playing in the afternoon were to lose, the Cincinnati Bengals would advance as the seventh-best team in the AFC. Lions vs. Vikings, an unmissable match As an honorable mention for a matchup, where although both teams are already in the playoffs, there is still something at stake; it is about the number one seed in the NFC, where Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings will face off to be the best in the National Conference. We will undoubtedly have a conference final in this Week 18, which may give us hints of what we can expect in the playoff games. This match is scheduled for 7:20 p.m. Central Mexico Time. Cover image: X (@Broncos)

Week 18 of the NFL kicks off with Ravens vs. Browns and Steelers vs. Bengals. The Bengals must win to keep their playoff hopes alive, relying on two other results to go their way. The Stage Is Set for the Final Week The last week of the NFL regular season starts today, with five teams still in the hunt for the final playoff spots in their respective conferences. The day’s matchups feature the Baltimore Ravens taking on the Cleveland Browns and the Pittsburgh Steelers facing the Cincinnati Bengals, with the latter being the highlight of Saturday’s slate. Ravens vs. Browns: A Formality The first game of the day is set for 3:30 p.m. CT at M&T Bank Stadium, where the playoff-bound Baltimore Ravens will host the eliminated Cleveland Browns. This game carries little consequence as the Ravens, with an 11-5 record, have secured their playoff berth and are on the verge of clinching their divisional title. On the other side, the Browns, with a dismal 3-13 record, are playing solely for pride and to end their season on a positive note. Steelers vs. Bengals: Do or Die The main event takes place at 7:00 p.m. CT, with the Bengals traveling to Acrisure Stadium to face the Steelers in a must-win situation. Cincinnati needs a victory to keep their playoff dreams alive while also relying on the outcome of other key games. The Steelers, boasting a 10-6 record, are one of the top teams in the AFC and present a formidable challenge. Meanwhile, the Bengals, sitting at 8-8, must win and hope for a miracle to secure their playoff spot. For Cincinnati to make the postseason, they need the Denver Broncos to lose their matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs and the Miami Dolphins to fall to the New York Jets. If the Broncos win their game, they will claim the final playoff spot, eliminating the Bengals and the Dolphins from contention. The stakes couldn’t be higher as the NFL’s final week unfolds, promising drama and excitement until the last whistle.

The NFL is ready for the Pro Bowl games, set to take place from January 30 to February 2. The representatives for the AFC and NFC have been announced. The NFL has revealed the rosters for the 2025 Pro Bowl games, with a notable absence of Patrick Mahomes for the first time since 2017. Meanwhile, the Baltimore Ravens lead all teams with nine players selected. The Detroit Lions will contribute seven players, while the Vikings, Eagles, and Cowboys will each send at least five representatives. This event will serve as the prelude to Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans and will be held from Thursday, January 30, to Sunday, February 2. It will feature various skill challenges and games where players compete by conference, culminating in a flag football match between the AFC and NFC. AFC Selections Offense Quarterbacks: Josh Allen (Buffalo Bills), Joe Burrow (Cincinnati Bengals), Lamar Jackson (Baltimore Ravens) Running Backs: Derrick Henry (Baltimore Ravens), Joe Mixon (Houston Texans), Jonathan Taylor (Indianapolis Colts) Fullback: Patrick Ricard (Baltimore Ravens) Wide Receivers: Ja’Marr Chase (Cincinnati Bengals), Jerry Jeudy (Cleveland Browns), Nico Collins (Houston Texans), Zay Flowers (Baltimore Ravens) Tight Ends: Brock Bowers (Las Vegas Raiders), Travis Kelce (Kansas City Chiefs) Offensive Tackles: Dion Dawkins (Buffalo Bills), Laremy Tunsil (Houston Texans), Rashawn Slater (Los Angeles Chargers) Offensive Guards: Quenton Nelson (Indianapolis Colts), Joe Thuney (Kansas City Chiefs), Trey Smith (Kansas City Chiefs) Centers: Creed Humphrey (Kansas City Chiefs), Tyler Linderbaum (Baltimore Ravens) Defense Defensive Ends: Myles Garrett (Cleveland Browns), Trey Hendrickson (Cincinnati Bengals), Maxx Crosby (Las Vegas Raiders) Interior Linemen: Cameron Heyward (Pittsburgh Steelers), Chris Jones (Kansas City Chiefs), Nnamdi Madubuike (Baltimore Ravens) Outside Linebackers: Nik Bonitto (Denver Broncos), T.J. Watt (Pittsburgh Steelers), Khalil Mack (Los Angeles Chargers) Inside/Middle Linebackers: Roquan Smith (Baltimore Ravens), Zaire Franklin (Indianapolis Colts) Cornerbacks: Derek Stingley Jr. (Houston Texans), Patrick Surtain II (Denver Broncos), Marlon Humphrey (Baltimore Ravens), Denzel Ward (Cleveland Browns) Free Safety: Minkah Fitzpatrick (Pittsburgh Steelers) Strong Safeties: Kyle Hamilton (Baltimore Ravens), Derwin James (Los Angeles Chargers) Special Teams Long Snapper: Ross Matiscik (Jacksonville Jaguars) Punter: Logan Cooke (Jacksonville Jaguars) Placekicker: Chris Boswell (Pittsburgh Steelers) Return Specialist: Marvin Mims Jr. (Denver Broncos) Special Teamer: Brenden Schooler (New England Patriots) NFC Selections Offense Quarterbacks: Jared Goff (Detroit Lions), Jayden Daniels (Washington Commanders), Sam Darnold (Minnesota Vikings) Running Backs: Saquon Barkley (Philadelphia Eagles), Jahmyr Gibbs (Detroit Lions), Josh Jacobs (Green Bay Packers) Fullback: Kyle Juszczyk (San Francisco 49ers) Wide Receivers: Justin Jefferson (Minnesota Vikings), Amon-Ra St. Brown (Detroit Lions), CeeDee Lamb (Dallas Cowboys), Terry McLaurin (Washington Commanders) Tight Ends: George Kittle (San Francisco 49ers), Trey McBride (Arizona Cardinals) Offensive Tackles: Lane Johnson (Philadelphia Eagles), Penei Sewell (Detroit Lions), Tristan Wirfs (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) Offensive Guards: Landon Dickerson (Philadelphia Eagles), Tyler Smith (Dallas Cowboys), Chris Lindstrom (Atlanta Falcons) Centers: Frank Ragnow (Detroit Lions), Cam Jurgens (Philadelphia Eagles) Defense Defensive Ends: Nick Bosa (San Francisco 49ers), Micah Parsons (Dallas Cowboys), Rashan Gary (Green Bay Packers) Interior Linemen: Jalen Carter (Philadelphia Eagles), Dexter Lawrence (New York Giants), Vita Vea (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) Outside Linebackers: Jonathan Greenard (Minnesota Vikings), Andrew Van Ginkel (Minnesota Vikings), Jared Verse (Los Angeles Rams) Inside/Middle Linebackers: Fred Warner (San Francisco 49ers), Zack Baun (Philadelphia Eagles) Cornerbacks: Jaylon Johnson (Chicago Bears), Byron Murphy (Minnesota Vikings), Jaycee Horn (Carolina Panthers), Devon Witherspoon (Seattle Seahawks) Free Safety: Xavier McKinney (Green Bay Packers) Strong Safeties: Budda Baker (Arizona Cardinals), Brian Branch (Detroit Lions) Special Teams Long Snapper: Andrew DePaola (Minnesota Vikings) Punter: Jack Fox (Detroit Lions) Placekicker: Brandon Aubrey (Dallas Cowboys) Return Specialist: KaVontae Turpin (Dallas Cowboys) Special Teamer: KhaDarel Hodge (Atlanta Falcons)

The historic quarterback, currently with the New York Jets, Aaron Rodgers, mentioned in an interview on Wednesday that his next game on Sunday at MetLife Stadium, against the Miami Dolphins, could be the last of his career. With 41 years of age and 20 years of career, Rodgers affirmed that he is already thinking about retirement and that it is a close option for him, before becoming a free agent. The quarterback lived his best moment with the Green Bay Packers and is well remembered with that team, but now, with the Jets, both he and the team did not have a good season, so he also mentioned that he would be happy to try again next season, but, understanding the situation, he will also accept if his last game with the New York team is against Dolphins, which could also be his last as a professional. Cover image: X (@nyjets)