NFL Week 18 kicked off on Saturday with a divisional battle between the Carolina Panthers and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Although the Bucs won the game 16-14, both teams finished with an identical 8-9 record, leaving the final NFC playoff berth to be decided by the winner of the New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons game. With the Saints and Falcons already eliminated, the victor of this game would play spoiler.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers v. Carolina Panthers
A Saints win would allow the Bucs to take the NFC South title and the remaining playoff berth. However, a Falcons win would send the Panthers to the playoffs based on the divisional tiebreakers.
New Orleans Saints v. Atlanta Falcons
Kevin Austin, Jr., New Orleans Saints wide receiver (Birmingham Stallions)
On Sunday, the Falcons triumphed over the Saints by a score of 19-17, sending the Panthers to the playoffs.
Former Birmingham Stallions wide receiver Kevin Austin, Jr. contributed four receptions for 37 yards with a 15-yard catch as his longest of the day. He ends his season with 13 catches for 140 yards with one touchdown.
LaCale London, Atlanta Falcons DT (St. Louis Battlehawks)
Former St. Louis Battlehawks defensive tackle LaCale London contributed four tackles with one solo and a sack on Sunday, bringing his season total to 30 tackles (17 solo), 5.0 sacks, a pass defense, and a forced fumble.
Cleveland Browns v. Cincinnati Bengals
Andre Szmyt, Cleveland Browns kicker (St. Louis Battlehawks)
In a game that saw DE Myles Garrett break the single-season sack record with 23 sacks, the Cleveland Browns pulled off an impressive 20-18 come-from-behind victory over division rival, the Cincinnati Bengals. Former St. Louis Battlehawkskicker Andre Szmyt nailed a high-pressure 49-yard game-winner just as the clock expired. In addition to the game-winning kick, Szmyt also delivered a 27-yard field goal earlier in the game and two extra points. He ends the season with 24 of 27 field goals with a longest of 55 yards and 25 of 26 extra points.
Rex Sunahara, Cleveland Browns long snapper (San Antonio Brahmas)
Cleveland Browns long snapper Rex Sunahara (San Antonio Brahmas) had a busy afternoon, snapping the ball for Szymt’s two field goals and both extra points, along with kickoff and punt duties. Corey Bojorquez punted five times for 225 yards, with his longest punt of the day a 52-yarder.
Sal Cannella, Cleveland Browns TE (Arlington Renegades)
Although former Arlington Renegades TE Sal Cannella was active for the Bengals game, he was only targeted once and did not record any receptions.
Minnesota Vikings v. Green Bay Packers
Jalen Redmond, Minnesota Vikings DT (Arlington Renegades)
The Minnesota Vikings pounded playoff-bound division rival, the Green Bay Packers, by a score of 16-3. Due to the punishing Vikings defense, the Packers didn’t get on the board until late in the game. Rumors are already circulating that with the Vikings’ defense among the NFL’s best, DC Brian Flores will be tabbed as an incoming head coach for next season.
Former Arlington Renegades DT Jalen Redmond had another impressive outing, delivering three tackles, including one solo. He finishes the year with 62 tackles (30 solo), 6.0 sacks, seven pass defenses, a forced fumble, and an opposing fumble recovery.
Daniel Whelan, Green Bay Packers punter (D.C. Defenders)
It was a frustrating afternoon for the Packers and former D.C. Defenders punter Daniel Whelan, who punted eight times for 433 yards with a longest of 68 yards.
Next week, the 9-7-1 playoff-bound Packers will take on the 11-6 Chicago Bears, who finish with the number two seed in the NFC.
Dallas Cowboys v. New York Giants
On Sunday, the Dallas Cowboys lost to the New York Giants by a score of 34-17. With both teams eliminated from payoff contention, the game had little meaning for the 7-9-1 Cowboys. However, losing to a division rival with a 4-13 record isn’t a good look for a team with as much talent as the Cowboys.
Brandon Aubrey, Dallas Cowboys kicker (Birmingham Stallions)
Former Birmingham Stallions kicker Brandon Aubrey had an off-day, missing a 51-yard kick and a 59-yard boot.
He made four other field goals, converting from 37, 26, and two from 41 yards. He also made two out of two extra points. Aubrey concluded his third year with Dallas, connecting on 36 of 42 field goals and 126 of 130 extra points.
KaVontae Turpin, Dallas Cowboys wide receiver (USFL New Jersey Generals)
Cowboys wide receiver and return specialistKaVontae Turpin was targeted only once but caught zero receptions. The former USFL New Jersey Generals had one carry for seven yards, but his primary work came on kick returns. Turpin had seven kick returns for 215 yards, with his longest, a stunning 84-yarder.
He finishes the season with 26 catches for 396 yards with two touchdowns and 69 kick returns for 1,814 yards, which is a franchise record. Turpin added 55 punt returns for 1,869 yards, setting a new Dallas punt return record.
Perrion Winfrey, Dallas Cowboys DT (Birmingham Stallions)
Former Birmingham Stallions DT Perrion Winfrey was once again inactive for Sunday’s game against the Giants.
Arizona Cardinals v. Los Angeles Rams
Harrison Mevis, Los Angeles Rams kicker (Birmingham Stallions)
Former Birmingham Stallions “Thiccer kicker,” Harrison Mevis, converted three of three field goals. He connected on kicks for 34 yards, 42 yards, and 40 yards. He also made four of four extra points. Despite only joining the team mid-way through the season in Week 10, Mevis has made 12 of 13 field goals and all 39 extra points.
Next week, the 12-5 playoff-bound Rams will play the 8-9 Carolina Panthers in the Wild Card Round.
Detroit Lions v. Chicago Bears
A year ago, the Detroit Lions were the reigning NFC Champions with a league-best 15-2 record. But on Christmas Day, the team was decimated by a ferocious Vikings defense that sacked quarterback Jared Goff five times and forced six turnovers. The 23-10 loss eliminated the Lions from playoff contention.
Jake Bates, Detroit Lions kicker (Michigan Panthers)
Under exceptionally heavy pressure, Jared Goff and the Detroit Lions’ offense struggled to mount an offensive attack. Former Michigan Panthers star kicker Jake Bates converted his only field goal, a 48-yarder late in the game, along with one extra point.
Jacob Saylors, Detroit Lions running back (St. Louis Battlehawks)
Jacob Saylors, Detroit Lions running back (St. Louis Battlehawks)
With Kaliff Raymond and Tom Kennedy handling punt and kickoff returns, former St. Louis Battlehawks and All-UFL team running back Jacob Saylors didn’t record any stats on 18 special teams snaps.
Nick Whiteside, Detroit Lions cornerback (St. Louis Battlehawks)
Former St. Louis Battlehawks cornerback Nick Whiteside did not record any stat against the Chicago Bears on Sunday.
Los Angeles Chargers v. Denver Broncos
Dondrea Tillman, Denver Broncos DT (Birmingham Stallions)
Former Birmingham Stallions‘ linebacker Dondrea Tillman contributed three tackles in the team’s 19-3 win against division rival the Los Angels Chargers. He finishes the Broncos regular season with 41 tackles (13 solo), 4.0 sacks, three pass defenses, and two interceptions.
The 14-3 Broncos as the AFC number one seed, will enjoy a well deserved bye week.
Practice Squad Players:
Jeremiah Pharms, New England Patriots DT (UFL Maulers) was released this week to make room for the return from injured reserve of LT Will Campbell and DT Milton Williams.
Michael Bandy, Denver Broncos WR (Houston Roughnecks) Jashaun Corbin, New England Patriots RB (D.C. Defenders)
Kohl Levao, New York Jets guard (San Antonio Brahmas)
Liam Fornadel, New York Jets guard (San Antonio Brahmas)
Kaden Davis, Cleveland Browns WR (Michigan Panthers)
Jonathan Garvin, Chicago Bears DE (Birmingham Stallions)
Check back here to find out the standout spring players next week in NFL Wild Card weekend.
