Crowe - NFL Week #18 Power Rankings: “Yes, Damar, You Won. You’ve Won the Game of Life.”

Crowe - NFL Week #18 Power Rankings: “Yes, Damar, You Won. You’ve Won the Game of Life.”

“Yes, Damar, you won. You’ve won the game of life.”

That’s what the doctors at the University of Cincinnati’s Medical Center told Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin Wednesday night when he asked them via a written question whether the Bills beat the Bengals Monday night. Just three days earlier, Hamlin was on the field in Cincinnati, having suffered cardiac arrest after taking a hit from Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins. By now, we all know the story of how Hamlin was administered life-saving CPR by medical professionals and team doctors from the Bills and Bengals. They saved his life.

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Thursday’s news of Hamlin’s improved condition, as reported here on GoLocal Prov, is news that we’ve all been waiting for since Monday night. Hamlin woke up after being sedated to be on a ventilator, is reportedly neurologically intact, and can hold family members’ hands. It’s a welcome sign for so many as he remains in critical condition at UC Medical Center as of Thursday.

After a few days of back-and-forth with fans, players, teams, and league officials trying to figure out what would happen with the incomplete game between the Bills and Bengals, and the upcoming week 18 and playoffs., the positive announcement on Hamlin has allowed his Bills’ teammates to move forward to Sunday’s regular-season finale against the Patriots. It will be an emotional Sunday in upstate New York to be sure. Hamlin’s father addressed the team during the week after Damar had woken up to share the exciting health update firsthand. How Buffalo will react to its first game action since Monday night and the tragic scenes they witnessed will play out in real-time.

When asked Thursday by the Buffalo media as to whether the Bills would be able to play a football game in 3 days, quarterback Josh Allen responded, "I do." Head coach Sean McDermott added, "I do as well."

Things got even better on Friday when Hamlin facetimed the Bills during a team meeting after being taken off the breathing tube. He said to his teammates, “Love you boys.”

As for the Patriots, it’s a playoff game for them. They need to win the game to clinch a playoff spot. A loss could get them in as well but only with week 18 losses by the Dolphins, Steelers, and Titans. The fact that the Pats still have a flicker of a possibility of postseason play is remarkable after the ups and downs they’ve had this season with a bad offense, injuries, and coaching ineptness. New England received good news of its own Thursday as defensive back and offensive star Marcus Jones, as well as tight end Jonnu Smith, both returned to practice after missing the Miami game with concussions. Beating the Bills in Buffalo on the heels of a week-long tidal wave of emotion might just be a task too big for the Patriots.

Rest assured, they are the afterthought on Sunday. As it should be, most of America will be watching and rooting for the Bills. How could you not? After all, the Bills are already coming into the game with the biggest victory of all.

Week 18 Power Rankings

NOTE: Thursday, the NFL decided that the Bills/Bengals game would not be completed. The top three seeds in the AFC will be decided based on winning percentage since the Chiefs will have played one more game. On Friday, NFL owners voted that the AFC Championship Game could be played at a neutral site if it involves the Chiefs and either the Bills or Bengals because they will not have played the same amount of regular season games. Commissioner Roger Goodell will have final say on where that game would be played. Also, the league announced that a coin flip will be used to award home-field advantage should the Bengals and Ravens meet in the Wild Card round if the Ravens defeat the Bengals in week 18. Cincinnati has already won the AFC North based on winning percentage, but with a win Sunday, the Ravens would have swept the season series between the two teams.

 

10. New York Giants (9-6-1, Last week not ranked)

I was tempted to put the Green Bay Packers in this spot, with their four-game winning streak and all. But, in the end, I’m giving the tenth spot to the Giants, who have clinched a spot in the NFC Playoffs, already locked into the sixth seed. The Packers still need a win over Detroit Sunday night to qualify. Kudos to Daniel Jones for his four-touchdown performance (two TD passes, two rushing TDs) against Indianapolis to seal the deal, 38-10. If I were the Giants, I’d bring him back and try to bring Saquon Barkley back on a reasonable new contract.

 

9. Minnesota Vikings (12-4, Last week ranked 7th)

Well, it seems as if the oddsmakers were right in giving the Vikings no respect heading into Green Bay last week. Minnesota got routed to the tune of a 41-17 loss in a game that was over before the end of the fourth quarter. With the dominating defeat, the Vikings could fall as low as the third seed in the NFC, depending on the results in week 18, possibly ensuring them two road games on the road to the Super Bowl in Arizona.

 

8. Jacksonville Jaguars (8-8, Last week not ranked)

Give the Jaguars credit. They didn’t rest anyone in week 17 even though their game with Houston meant nothing toward a playoff spot. Trevor Lawrence and crew took care of business from the word go, beating Houston 31-3. Now all they have to do to clinch the AFC South title is take down Tennessee in Jacksonville Saturday night. The Jags took out the Titans last month in Nashville, 36-22.

 

7. Los Angeles Chargers (10-6, Last week ranked 8th)

Just a month ago, we were asking ourselves if the Chargers could achieve their potential and play like the playoff team, we all thought they should be. Well, heading into the season’s final week, they’ve clinched a postseason spot with a win over SoFi Field roommate the Rams, 31-10. They’ll have a tune-up this Sunday against Denver.

 

6. Dallas Cowboys (12-4, Last week ranked 6th)

Thanks in part to Jalen Hurts injured shoulder and the Eagles’ sudden two straight losses, the Cowboys find themselves in the situation of being the first, second, third, or fifth seed in the upcoming NFC playoffs. After a workmanlike victory against the depleted Titans in week 17, Dallas has 10 days to prep for Washington, a team already eliminated from playoff contention. Dallas will be NFC East champs if the Cowboys win and the Eagles lose to the Giants. More likely, however, is the Cowboys sliding to the fifth seed and a first-round trip to Tampa to take on a Tom Brady team that beat the Boys back in week one in Dallas.

 

5. Philadelphia Eagles (13-3, Last week ranked 1st)

Maybe Jalen Hurts should be the NFL MVP for the 2022 season. Without Hurts (shoulder injury) the past two weeks, the Eagles have lost to the Cowboys and Saints. In both games, backup Gardner Minshew’s turnovers proved costly, especially against the Saints in which Marcus Lattimore’s fourth-quarter pick-six sealed the win for the Saints, 20-10. Philly can clinch the NFC East and a first-round bye with a victory Sunday over the Giants. Hurts remained limited in practice this week so his status for the game is still undecided.

 

4. Kansas City Chiefs (13-3, Last week ranked 5th)

Same ol’ story lately for the Chiefs as they slide by the woeful Denver Broncos, 27-24. They’ll travel to Las Vegas Saturday for the regular season finale against the Raiders. A win and they could clinch a first-round bye and the top seed in the AFC playoffs. They may be the top seed, but they seem just a bit off heading into the postseason.

 

3. Cincinnati Bengals (11-4, Last week ranked 3rd)

Due in part to the incomplete game with Buffalo, the Bengals have already won the AFC North even if they don’t beat the Ravens Sunday.

 

2. Buffalo Bills (12-3, Last week ranked 2nd)

An emotional week finds them hosting the Patriots with a chance to knock their AFC East rivals out of the playoff picture.

 

1. San Francisco 49ers (12-4, Last week ranked 4th)

Scratch a comeback win on the road off Brock Purdy’s checklist of things to do to prove he belongs as the starting quarterback for the Niners. The third-stringer, playing due to injuries to Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo, rallied the 49ers on several occasions, including driving San Francisco down the field for a game-winning, overtime field goal by Robbie Gould to beat the Raiders, 37-34. With a win over the Cardinals Sunday and a Philadelphia loss to the Giants, the Niners could grab the first-round bye in the upcoming NFC playoffs.

Last week:
10. Dolphins
9. Ravens
8. Chargers
7. Vikings
6. Cowboys
5. Chiefs
4. 49ers
3. Bengals
2. Bills
1. Eagles

Week 18 games to watch:
Titans at Jaguars (Saturday 8:15 pm ABC/ESPN) – Winner grabs the fourth seed and AFC South title.
Patriots at Bills (Sunday 1 pm CBS) – A win and the Pats are back in the postseason.
Jets at Dolphins (Sunday 1 pm FOX) – Miami needs a victory and a Patriots loss to keep the season alive. Skyler Thompson starts at QB for Miami.
Browns at Steelers (Sunday 1 pm CBS) – Pittsburgh grabs the last AFC wild-card spot with a win and losses by New England and Miami.
Rams at Seahawks (Sunday 4:25 pm FOX) – Seahawks need a victory and Packers’ loss to see the postseason.
Lions at Packers (Sunday 8:20 pm NBC) – Packers would make the NFC playoffs with their fifth straight win.