Results from the early NFL Week 18 games on Sunday set the AFC Playoffs field and Wild Card Round matchups: Dolphins-Bills, Ravens-Bengals, Chargers-Jaguars. Those regular-season rematch games are in play in the early AFC Wild Card odds.
The NFL Wild Card Weekend has two games Saturday, three games Sunday, and extends into one game Monday Night.
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Los Angeles Chargers at Jacksonville Jaguars
Los Angeles opened as a 2.5-point road favorite in this first-ever playoff matchup (per DraftKings).
The Jaguars defeated the Chargers 38-10 at Los Angeles in Week 3.
Jacksonville (9-8) defeated the Tennessee Titans 20-16 on Saturday to win the AFC South and get the No. 4 seed. The Jaguars are entering the playoffs on a five-game winning streak and have allowed one touchdown and 22 points combined in their past three games.
“It’s hard to sum up this season and what we’ve been able to do,” Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence told ESPN. “Another home game here, I mean we’re fired up.”
Los Angeles (10-6) lost to the Denver Broncos 31-28 later Sunday. The Chargers, the top Wild Card and No. 5 seed, have won four in a row and are in the playoffs for the first time since 2018 and the second time since 2014.
Los Angeles wide receiver Mike Williams left the game in the second quarter with a back injury. He had to be helped to the team bus after the game, but reports say X-rays were negative. Williams will have more tests Monday.
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Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills
Buffalo opened as a 9-point home favorite for this game between AFC East rivals (per DraftKings).
The Dolphins qualified as the No. 7 seed by defeating the New York Jets 11-6, and the New England Patriots losing 35-23 to the Bills, who had already clinched the division.
“I’m very, very happy with the entire locker room, the entire building, and I feel they wanted no part of this season to be over, and it’s not,” Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said, according to The Associated Press.
Miami running back Raheem Mostert did not finish the game because of a thumb injury.
The Dolphins and Bills split their two games this season, with Miami winning 21-19 at home in Week 3, and Buffalo winning 32-29 at home in Week 15.
It is unknown who will be the Dolphins quarterback for their first playoff game since 2006. Tua Tagovailoa remained in the NFL concussion protocol in Week 18, and Teddy Bridgewater was unavailable recovering from an injured pinky on his throwing hand, leaving Skylar Thompson to play against the Jets.
Miami hasn’t won a playoff game since the 2000 season, and is making its second postseason appearance since then.
Buffalo, the No. 2 seed, responded playing its first game since the medical emergency involving safety Damar Hamlin from Week 17. Hamlin, who is recovering, was honored throughout the NFL this weekend.
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Baltimore Ravens at Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati opened as a 5.5-point home favorite for this Week 18 rematch of AFC North rivals (per DraftKings).
The Ravens and Bengals will run it back after Cincinnati won 27-16 at home Sunday. The Bengals were awarded the AFC North title this week after their unfinished Week 17 game against the Bills was canceled.
That circumstance created a coin-flip home-field possibility for this game, but that became unnecessary with the Bengals victory, which ended with the No. 3 seed. The Bengals and Ravens split two games, with Baltimore winning 19-17 at home in Week 5.
“I’m looking forward to next week and seeing these guys again,” Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith said, according to the AP. “It will be for all the marbles. I don’t look at it any differently. Just excited to get back out next week.”
The Ravens, the No. 6 seed, rested several players Sunday and started third-string quarterback Anthony Brown. Baltimore could have QB Lamar Jackson for the rematch if he has recovered from a knee injury that has sidelined him the past six games.
Baltimore running back Gus Edwards left the game in the second quarter due to NFL concussion protocol, and Cincinnati guard Alex Cappa was carted off the field in the third quarter with an ankle injury.
Chiefs Have Bye; NFC Set
The Kansas City Chiefs (14-3) have a bye after winning the AFC West and earning the No. 1 seed based on winning percentage. They defeated the Las Vegas Raiders 31-13 on Saturday.
The NFC playoff field and matchups were set after the later games Sunday.
Be sure to use our OddsShopper tools for the best NFL playoffs odds.
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