NFL Week 18 Saturday Games Preview

  

Carolina at Tampa Bay - The Panthers and Buccaneers have both passed up on wonderful opportunities to basically wrap the division race up. For most of the season, in fact, it was Tampa Bay that seemed to own this division. The fact that a late season collapse suddenly made what seemed like a laugher of a division race into an actual suspenseful one. Tampa Bay completely unraveled, to the point where they basically gave away the division title to the Panthers. Only the Panthers themselves also seemed unable to capitalize, losing to the Falcons and Saints. Last weekend, they lost to the Seahawks in a game that, had they won, would have outright clinched the NFC South division title. But now, we are at the regular season finale, and one of these teams will walk away the field after this game with the division title.. Even if it somehow ends in a tie, the division title would be decided. However, I suspect that the Panthers, with home field advantage, should finally win and knock out the collapsing Buccaneers once and for all. My pick: Carolina

Seattle at San Francisco- This was one of those divisional races which remained tight all season. Yet the 49ers were two games behind for a long time, and everyone assumed - wrongly - that they were surely irrelevant. But now here we are. They get to host the game to decide the NFC West title. Whoever wins takes not only the division, but the number one overall seed in the NFC. So a huge game with wide playoff ramifications. I like Seattle's intensity in recent weeks. Still, I have questions about them, and whether quarterback Sam Darnold can handle the pressure in the biggest games like this. His final two performances with the Vikings last year, when Minnesota was in a similar position to where Seattle is now, are more than a slight source of concern. Yet, the Seahawks are good, and have a real chance. However, the 49ers seem to have been getting better as the season has worn down. They seem to be playing their best right now, and can win the West. Remember, this game is being played on the same field in the stadium where the Super Bowl will be played at in a little over one month. Should be an exciting one, I think.  My pick: San Francisco