NFL results, schedule, live updates on Week 18: No. 1 draft pick in doubt as Texans start strong, Bears stumble

It’s finally week 18 of the 2022 NFL season, and we’re keeping you updated with all the action and biggest storylines throughout the day. This week’s list has some awesome matchups and storylines, and we’re here to help you watch them. Check back often to find out everything you need to know.

Schedule week 18

Saturday

Chiefs 31, Raiders 13 (snack)
Jaguars 20, Titans 16 (snack)

Sunday

Ravens at Bengals, 1 p.m. ET (Game Tracker)
Patriots at Bills, 1 p.m. ET (Game Tracker)
Jets at Dolphins, 1 p.m. ET (Game Tracker)
Panthers at Saints, 1 p.m. ET (Game Tracker)
Browns at Steelers, 1 p.m. ET (Gametracker)
Vikings at Bears, 1 p.m. ET (Game Tracker)
Texans at Colts, 1pm ET (Gametracker)
Buccaneers at Falcons, 1pm ET (Gametracker)
Cardinals at 49ers, 4:25 p.m. ET (Preview)
Cowboys at Commanders, 4:25 p.m. ET (Preview)
Chargers at Broncos, 4:25 p.m. ET (Preview)
Rams at Seahawks, 4:25 p.m. ET (Preview)
Giants at Eagles, 4:25 p.m. ET (Preview)
Lions at Packers, 8:20 p.m. ET (Preview)

Bills, Pats fight

Every time the Bills have hit, the Patriots have hit back. Fall and Point: After Dawson Knox’s touchdown put Buffalo back in front, Davante Parker scored on subsequent possession to level things at 14.

Bears (mostly) do their job

The Bears understood the task: lose to the Vikings and finish no worse than the No. 2 in the 2023 NFL Draft. Not only is Justin Fields not playing, Chicago benched Nathan Peterman after three missed drives for Tim Boyle. And on his second pass, Boyle threw the ball straight to the Vikings’ Patrick Peterson, whose interception set up a field goal that gave Minnesota a 16-0 lead.

I added “mostly” to the subtitle because, as I was writing this blurb, Bears rookie Velus Jones Jr. was taking the reverse pitch and kind of staying within bounds as he hugged the right touchline to the 42-yard touchdown. Luckily for Chicago, the two-point conversion fell through.

Choose six!

I’m sorry Texans fans, but your team plays good football. Sam Ehlinger awkwardly decided to throw the ball when he was sacked and defensive end Jonathan Greenard took full advantage, tapping the ball to himself and rumbled 39 yards for the goal.

Bengals everywhere in Ravens

With the Bengals and Ravens likely to play each other in the wildcard round next week, Baltimore is resting most of its starters and starting Anthony Brown as quarterback. Brown has been shown to throw two interceptions and the defense allowed 17 points in just over a quarter of the action.

Pat reacts

The Patriots are in the playoffs with a win over the Bills, who didn’t get off to a great start with Buffalo’s kickoff return TD to open the game. But New England responded immediately as Mac Jones and company rushed for 74 yards in nine games and tied the game with a two-yard pass from Jones to Jakobi Meyers.

Rookie WR goes for 1,000 yards

April draft No. 11 Chris Olave joined former Ohio State teammate Garrett Wilson as the only rookie wideout to rush for 1,000 yards in the 2022 season. The performance came in dramatic fashion as Olave caught the short pass, stopped on a dime – leaving his defender in the dust – and then sprinted the rest of the way for a 25-yard touchdown to put the Saints ahead.

Bad start for the Texans

The Texans immediately took a 10-0 lead, which would normally be great… except in this scenario. Houston, who is currently the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, will secure the first pick with a loss. But if it ends up beating the Colts and the Vikings defeat the Bears, then Chicago will pick first and Houston may miss a chance to take his No. 1 QB prospect.

Thanks to Davis Mills and Brandin Cooks for connecting on an 11-yard touchdown, but Texan fans don’t want to see that again today.

UNBELIEVABLE!

You just can’t invent this stuff. In the Bills’ first game since Damar Hamlin’s collapse on the field and with Hamlin watching from the hospital, Nyheim Hines won Opening kickoff for a 96-yard touchdown! It was the perfect start for Buffalo based on how the last game ended, and Hamlin’s watching made it even more incredible.

The QB revolution has arrived in AFC; NFC veterans persevere

Consider the ages of the starting quarterbacks for the AFC’s six playoff teams competing in Week 18 (from youngest to oldest): Trevor Lawrence (23), Justin Herbert (24), Lamar Jackson (26), Joe Burrow ( 26), Josh Allen (26) and Patrick Mahomes (27).

Average age: 25.3 years

Now let’s do the NFC: Brock Purdy (23), Jalen Hurts (24), Daniel Jones (25), Dak Prescott (29), Kirk Cousins ​​(34), Tom Brady (45)

Average age: 30.0 years

Yes, Brady skews the NFC a lot older, but regardless, the age gap won’t grow until after Sunday’s games. There are three teams battling for number 7 in their respective conferences. In the AFC, it’s the Steelers with Kenny Pickett, the Patriots with Mac Jones and the Dolphins with Tua Tagovailoa (we know he’s out on Sunday, but he’s the undisputed starter). All three quarterbacks are just 24 years old.

In the NFC, it’s the Lions with Jared Goff (28), the Seahawks with Geno Smith (32) and the Packers with Aaron Rodgers (39).

The smallest distance that could be between the conferences is 4.6 years; furthest is more than six years!

So, as the road to the Super Bowl begins next week, you’ll want to appreciate the playoff races from both conferences for different reasons. In the AFC, there are quarterbacks either before or in their prime that should make for some epic showdowns every round. There are veterans in the NFC looking to either expand or solidify their legacy before younger signal callers step into the limelight as well. Either way, expect theater en route to Super Bowl LVII.