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- Jacob Rhee

Here are my 10 biggest takeaways from Week 18 of the NFL season.

1. Baltimore looks unstoppable.

If the Ravens bludgeon their way to a ring - which unfortunately feels likelier by the day - people are going to look back and be downright bewildered at some of the regular season results. Wait, these guys were incredibly healthy and still lost five of their first 13? Gardner Minshew in Week 2? Jameis Winston in Week 8? They finished with the second-worst pass defense in the league? Huh?

2. Time for work.

It was kind of funny that Zac Taylor got all sassy after beating the Steelers. No one wants to see us! No one wants to see us! I’m sorry, what? Dude, everyone wants to see you. Buffalo would’ve dropped 150 on this defense had the Bengals snuck into the bracket.

I can only hope that the firing of Lou Anarumo is a signal that Cincinnati’s front office is recognizing this year for what it truly was. An outright disaster. Joe Burrow ascended into a different stratosphere, Ja’Marr Chase won the triple crown, and Trey Hendrickson claimed the sack title, and you wasted it all.

The Bengals put together an organization-altering offseason in 2020, then did it again in 2021. They’re in desperate need of one more.

3. Bryce Young is good.

20 total touchdowns and six interceptions since reclaiming his starting job in Week 8.

I told you so.

4. Do it all.

Here’s the complete list of players in the past 14 years that have tallied at least 1,456 rushing yards and 61 receptions in the same campaign.

• Christian McCaffrey (2023)

• Bijan Robinson (2024)

We have a special back on our hands in Atlanta, folks.

5. A Windy City paradise.

That triumph in Lambeau sent the Bears tumbling down the draft order, and thus negatively impacted the future of the franchise in a significant way. I cannot find a single member of the fan base who is legitimately upset.

Chicago hadn’t picked up a victory in Green Bay since I was literally a freshman in high school; a parade is in order.

6. What are the Giants doing?

Nick Sirianni has a top-five winning percentage in NFL history, and a lot of Eagles folks detest him. DeMeco Ryans immediately took a 3-13-1 team to back-to-back division titles, and there are Texans people calling for his job. That’s how high the standard is in this sport.

Yet here is New York, signing up for a fourth season of the 18-32-1 Brian Daboll. Even worse, Mr. Hard Knocks himself - otherwise known as the arrogant GM who should’ve listened to his son’s draft thoughts - is also back. Best of luck to the new quarterback walking into the building.

7. Denver is pretty fun.

Even as Cincinnati’s postseason hopes withered away, I couldn’t help but marvel at what Bo Nix did on Sunday. A chance to clinch a playoff berth, and he records more touchdown passes than incompletions? I know it was Kansas City’s reserves. I know he’s not a particularly young rookie. Still. This is what Bo’s numbers look like from Week 3 on.

• Completed 67.3% of his passes

• 3,761 total yards

• 32 total touchdowns

• 8 interceptions

• 10-5 record

That’s superstar-caliber stuff, while surrounded by one of the weakest groups of weapons in the NFL. The Broncos have found their long-awaited franchise guy.

I’m glad that the general public will have no choice but to pay attention to the dudes on the other side of the ball, as well. Nik Bonitto, Buckeye hero Jonathon Cooper, and Zach Allen have combined for an incredible 32.5 sacks, and the average fan has absolutely no idea what any of their faces look like. Pat Surtain reached out and snatched the Defensive Player of the Year while no one was looking. Vance Joseph has taken a rather pedestrian collection of talent and built arguably the best unit in the league; we’ll see how it holds up against the AFC’s gauntlet of elite signal-callers.

8. No excuses, Detroit.

You spent this entire year running up the score on opponents, and carrying yourself as though five Lombardis were already sitting in the trophy case. The No. 1 seed is in your possession now.

If you fail to reach the mountaintop, it will be my personal mission to make sure that you never hear the end of it.

9. My final MVP ladder.

1) Lamar Jackson, Ravens QB

2) Saquon Barkley, Eagles RB

3) Josh Allen, Bills QB

4) Derrick Henry, Ravens RB

5) Ja’Marr Chase, Bengals WR

6) Kerby Joseph, Lions S

7) Jared Goff, Lions QB

8) Joe Burrow, Bengals QB

9) Jayden Daniels, Commanders QB

10) Trey Hendrickson, Bengals EDGE

10. Time to peek ahead.

On Saturday, we get CJ Stroud vs. Justin Herbert, and a classic AFC North rugby match between Pittsburgh and Baltimore. Bo Nix strides into Orchard Park on Sunday afternoon, with a Packers-Eagles rematch immediately after. Jayden Daniels faces Tampa Bay to cap off the evening, and the Rams host the Vikings 24 hours later. The playoffs have arrived. It’s time.

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