Around the NFL: Doctors Remove Damar Hamlin’s Breathing Tube, Week 18 Playoff Outlook, Clinching Scenarios, More

It’s the final Friday of the NFL regular season, and there’s plenty to play for in Week 18 regarding playoff spots and seeding. But before we get into that, I want to open this ATNFL with the best news of the day: More remarkable progress in Damar Hamlin’s recovery.

The Bills shared on Twitter this morning that doctors at UCMC removed Hamlin’s breathing tube overnight. The Bills added that per physicians at UCMC, Hamlin’s neurological function remains intact and that Hamlin has been able to talk to his family and care team.

This is just really fantastic news, and I’m so happy for Damar, his family, his teammates, and everyone involved in this, whether from close or afar.

Bills Playing for Three this Weekend

There’s plenty to play for this weekend for many teams in the NFL, but the Buffalo Bills will be playing for much more than playoff seeding or football this Sunday when they take on the New England Patriots. Instead, they’ll be “playing for three.”

“We’ve talked about it and, obviously, we wanna go out there and play for three,” said Bills quarterback Josh Allen, via The Athletic. “It’ll be a huge driving force and the emotion and the love of the game that we play and for each other.”

The Bills will be playing Week 18 and the rest of the season for their friend and teammate, whose recovery has trended into an incredibly promising direction over the past 24-48 hours but still has a long way to go.

Bills head coach Sean McDermott said that Hamlin would want it that way:

“Damar would have wanted it that way” McDermott paraphrased. “…that includes our game against New England this week. That has helped and then the news today as Josh alluded to was a huge help to getting us back to focus on the game this weekend.”

Week 18 AFC Playoff Picture and Implications

Let’s take a look at where the AFC playoff picture (x= clinched playoff berth, y = clinched wild card spot, z = clinched division, * = clinched No. 1 seed):

  1. Chiefs xz (13-3)
  2. Bills xz (12-3)
  3. Bengals x (11-4)
  4. Jaguars (8-8)
  5. Chargers x (10-6)
  6. Ravens x (10-6)
  7. Patriots (8-8)

As you can see, two spots are up for grabs in the AFC heading into Week 18 this weekend. The first is the No. 4 seed which will go to the winner of the AFC South, either the Jaguars or the Titans. If the Jaguars beat the Titans this week, they lock up the AFC South and the fourth seed. If the Titans win, they win the AFC South and the fourth seed. However, if the Titans win, the Jaguars can still get into the playoffs with some help. With a loss to the Titans, Jacksonville would need a Steelers loss to the Browns, a Patriots loss to the Bills, and a Dolphins loss to the Jets.

The other spot, which could fall to the Jaguars in the scenario I described, is the final wild card spot, which the Patriots currently hold at 8-8. New England can punch its ticket to the playoffs with a win over Buffalo, but there’s a path with help even if they lose. That would require a Dolphins loss to the Jets, a Steelers loss to the Browns, and a Titans loss to the Jaguars. The Steelers can clinch the final wild-card spot with a win over the Browns, a Patriots loss to the Bills, and a Dolphins loss to the Jets.

As far as things go in the AFC North with the Bengals and the Ravens, who currently hold the third and sixth seeds, the Bengals can clinch the AFC North with a win over the Ravens. But a Ravens win over the Bengals is where things get sticky. That would put the Bengals at 11-5 and the Ravens at 11-6. According to an NFL statement released on Thursday, the Bengals would win the division with a higher winning percentage despite one less game played. But, if the two teams were to match up in a wild card game, a coin toss would determine the home field.

Lastly, as far as the No. 1 seed goes, or more specifically, home-field advantage in the AFC title game, if the AFC Championship features two teams that have played an unequal number of games this season, the game will be played at a neutral site.

Week 18 NFC Playoff Picture and Implications

Let’s take a look at where the AFC playoff picture (x= clinched playoff berth, y = clinched wild card spot, z = clinched division, * = clinched No. 1 seed):

  1. Eagles x (13-3)
  2. 49ers xz (12-4)
  3. Vikings xz (12-4)
  4. Buccaneers xz (8-8)
  5. Cowboys x (12-4)
  6. Giants x (9-6)
  7. Seahawks (8-8)

The NFC picture is a little clearer than the AFC’s, but by no means finalized. Let’s start with the one spot still up for grabs this week, the final wild card. The Seahawks, Lions, and Packers all have a shot at that, and here’s how things would have to play out for each team to punch their ticket:

  • Seahawks: clinch wild card berth with a win over the Rams and a Packers loss to the Lions.
  • Packers: clinch wild card berth with a win over the Lions.
  • Lions: clinch wild card berth with a win over the Packers and a Seahawks loss to the Rams.

So, somehow (thanks, Minnesota), the Packers have clawed back and control their destiny. Win and in for Green Bay, it’s that simple.

If Green Bay loses to the Lions, the Lions still need the Seahawks to lose to the Rams, and vice versa. The Seahawks, even if they win, need the Lions to beat the Packers to make it into the playoffs. (Luis: Got all that? Good!)

The Eagles can clinch the NFC East and the No. 1 seed in the NFC with a win over the Giants OR a Cowboys loss to the Cardinals and a 49ers loss to the Commanders. But if the Eagles lose and the Cowboys beat the Commanders, Dallas will win the NFC East.

That would leave the No. 1 seed up for grabs between the Cowboys and the 49ers. A 49ers loss, a Dallas win, and a Philadelphia loss would give the Cowboys the No. 1 seed. If the scenario plays out in which the Cowboys win the NFC East, but the 49ers beat the Cardinals, then it’s San Francisco who would have the No. 1 seed.

Extra Points

  • If the AFC Championship details are a little confusing, the NFL Research department made a handy infographic with potential scenarios and outcomes that Ian Rapoport shard on Twitter. I would recommend throwing this one in the Twitter bookmarks.

  • Some good reading here on the disastrous season and state of the Indianapolis Colts over at The Athletic this morning:

  • In more scary football-related news, former Broncos, Browns (and other NFL teams), and Arkansas running back Peyton Hillis is reportedly in critical condition after saving his children from downing in the ocean off the coast of Florida.

  • Peyton’s uncle, Greg Hillis, posted this update on Facebook on Thursday evening:

“I just wanted to let everyone know on Razorback Nation that Peyton is doing better,” Greg Hillis wrote. “He’s still in intensive care and having some problems with his kidneys and his lungs but doctors say he is improving. I just wanted to head off any rumors that may be started. I’m sure he would want everyone to know that he appreciates all of the prayers being thrown up on his behalf!!!”

  • Scary stuff, man. I’m just glad to hear that the children are safe and Hillis is improving.

  • If you haven’t checked out many Jamaal Williams media availability clips, you should. Williams is pretty funny. Williams needs just one touchdown on Sunday to tie Barry Sanders’ franchise record, and Williams spoke about how much he loved playing with Sanders’ character on the ‘NFL Street 2’ video game.

  • If you missed any of the World Juniors action, Tab summed up what you need to know about current and (hopefully future) Blackhawks prospects at the tourney:

  • Zach LaVine trade rumblings march …

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Chicago Blackhawks
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Chicago Blackhawks
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Chicago Blackhawks
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written by

Patrick grew up in Chicago's Bridgeport and Garfield Ridge neighborhoods before moving to the Western Suburbs of Chicago before eventually relocating to the Las Vegas area with his family in 2023. He started with Bleacher Nation in 2021 and has spent time as a Staff Writer and on the Chicago Blackhawks beat. He is currently a writer and editor at Bleacher Nation covering the Chicago Bears and the NFL at large and the author of the Bleacher Nation Newsletter. Patrick is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA).

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Around the NFL: Kelce’s Future, Jets Ultimatum to Rodgers, Slowik’s New Gig, More

Travis Kelce will take some time before deciding his future, and the City of Brotherly Love will celebrate their Super Bowl LIX victory on Friday—that and more in today's NFL Notes. Travis Kelce will take some time to decide his...

This 2025 NFL Draft Big Board is Loaded With Top Offensive Line Prospects and Possible Bears Fits

The day that Dane Brugler drops his first NFL Draft board should be a holiday, if only because I need it to fully get a grasp on which prospects rank where in the eyes of one of The Athletic's analysts....

ESPN’s Adam Schefter Makes A Bold Prediction About the Chicago Bears 2025 Schedule

We are three days into the post-Super Bowl NFL offseason schedule and I have already learned one thing — it is never too early to include the Chicago Bears in a hypothetical scenario. ESPN's Adam Schefter shares his belief that the...

Raiders Staff Loaded With Ex-Bears, NFL Offseason’s Most Interesting Teams, Jets Had a Plan For Rodgers, and Other Wednesday Bullets

It's Day 38 of the Chicago Bears offseason. Does anyone want to call their shot and predict the Super Bowl Halftime Show performer for next year's game? I don't think anyone would've predicted Kendrick Lamar this time last year, so...

Ian Cunningham Will Reportedly Interview With the Jaguars on Friday

Even though the NFL coaching carousel has come to a stop now that the New Orleans Saints have hired a head coach, there is still one prominent opening to be filled — and it could belong to Ian Cunningham. The...

2025 Chicago Bears Offseason: Dates, Deadlines, and When to Expect Things

With Super Bowl LIX in our rear-view mirror, it is time for us to fully immerse ourselves in the Chicago Bears' offseason plans. Sure, the Bears (and their fans) have been in offseason mode since early January late November after...

The NFL Hiring Cycle is Complete: The Saints Are Making It Official With Kellen Moore

Kellen Moore is extending his stay in New Orleans. Two days after the Philadelphia Eagles won Super Bowl LIX at the Superdome in New Orleans, the team's offensive coordinator is flying away to become the Saints' new head coach: Eagles...

Super Bowl Leftovers, Early Power Rankings, How to Build a Winner, and Other Bears Bullets

It's Day 37 of the Chicago Bears offseason. I can't believe the Justin Fields vs. Caleb Williams discourse is still happening online. It is absolutely unnecessary, friends. The Bears have bigger and brighter things ahead. And if the cards fall...

Caleb Williams Already Has an Offseason Improvement Plan in Place

If you watched Super Bowl LIX and wondered what it would take for Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears to reach the mountaintop, know you are not alone. The day after the Super Bowl always puts me in a reflective...

Latest News

REPORT: Red Sox Get Alex Bregman with a Huge AAV

Well, that's that. Alex Bregman is not joining the Cubs and is instead reuniting with his former Astros coach and current Red Sox Manager, Alex Cora, in Boston. And while I'm not particularly surprised by his choice of team -...

Creighton vs Georgetown Women’s College Basketball Odds and Prediction – February 15

The Creighton Bluejays (20-4) will try to extend a four-game win streak when they host the Georgetown Hoyas (11-13) on February 15, 2025 at D.J. Sokol Arena.Creighton vs. Georgetown NCAA Game InfoDate: Saturday, February 15, 2025Time: 4:00 PM ETTV: Fox...

Davidson vs Saint Bonaventure Women’s College Basketball Odds and Prediction – February 16

The Davidson Wildcats (14-11) will look to continue a four-game winning streak when they host the Saint Bonaventure Bonnies (5-19) on February 16, 2025 at John M. Belk Arena.Davidson vs. Saint Bonaventure NCAA Game InfoDate: Sunday, February 16, 2025Time: 1:00...

Alabama vs Texas A&M Women’s College Basketball Odds and Prediction – February 17

The Alabama Crimson Tide (20-5) will look to extend a three-game win streak when they host the Texas A&M Aggies (10-13) on February 17, 2025 at Coleman Coliseum.Alabama vs. Texas A&M NCAA Game InfoDate: Monday, February 17, 2025Time: 8:00 PM...

Patrick Williams Leaves Wednesday Night’s Game with Injury

The Chicago Bulls will finish Wednesday night's game without Patrick Williams. The team ruled out Patrick Williams in the third quarter of their matchup with the Detroit Pistons due to a knee injury. According to K.C. Johnson of the Chicago...

Jabeur vs. Ostapenko Prediction at the WTA Doha, Qatar – Thursday, February 13

Ons Jabeur will take on Jelena Ostapenko in the WTA Doha, Qatar quarterfinals on Thursday, February 13.Against the underdog Ostapenko (+135), Jabeur is the favorite (-175) to advance.WTA Doha, Qatar InfoTournament: The WTA Doha, QatarRound: QuarterfinalsDate: Thursday, February 13Venue: Khalifa...

Fonseca vs. Coria Prediction at the Argentina Open – Thursday, February 13

In the Argentina Open Round of 16 on Thursday, we have a matchup featuring No. 115-ranked Federico Coria versus No. 99 Joao Fonseca.In this match, Fonseca is the favorite (-549) versus Coria (+375) .Argentina Open InfoTournament: The Argentina OpenRound: Round...

Martinez vs. Schwartzman Prediction at the Argentina Open – Thursday, February 13

In the Argentina Open Round of 16 on Thursday, we have a matchup featuring No. 386-ranked Diego Schwartzman versus No. 41 Pedro Martinez.Martinez is favored over Schwartzman, with -250 odds compared to the underdog's +190.Argentina Open InfoTournament: The Argentina OpenRound:...

Arnaldi vs. Tien Prediction at the Delray Beach Open by VITACOST.com – Thursday, February 13

In the Delray Beach Open by VITACOST.com Round of 16 on Thursday, No. 38-ranked Matteo Arnaldi takes on No. 82 Learner Tien.In this match, Tien is the favorite (-130) against Arnaldi (+100) .Delray Beach Open by VITACOST.com InfoTournament: The Delray...

How to Watch Texas A&M-CC Islanders vs. Houston Christian Huskies Women’s Basketball: Live Stream or on TV

The Texas A&M-CC Islanders (11-13) will host the Houston Christian Huskies (6-17) after losing four straight home games.In its most recent game, Texas A&M-CC fell to SFA on Saturday, 74-56. Jaeda Whitner scored a team-high 11 points (and added zero...

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