Week 18 NFL incentives to watch for and who cashes in
This article is meant for entertainment purposes only. This week of the NFL is the first time we will all be watching a Week 18 of regular season football.
One more game for most teams to either determine if they make the playoffs or have a better draft pick. Individually, there are a lot of players who have incentives on the line, and here are a few I will be watching for.
Geno Smith- $2 Million playoff bonus
Prediction: Does not cash in
The Seattle Seahawks sit at 8-8 and is on the outside looking in for the playoffs. In order for Seattle to get in they must have one of these three scenarios happen:
Seahawks win and Green Bay loses or ties.
Seahawks tie and Green Bay loses and Tampa Bay loses or ties.
Seahawks tie and Green Bay loses and New Orleans loses or ties.
Seattle plays the 4-12 Arizona Cardinals, so there is a good chance they get the job done. However, they need a Packers team that is playing the red hot Chicago Bears to lose.
While the Bears have won four of their last five, the Packers have to win to make the playoffs. I have Green Bay getting in with a win.
Jordan Love- $1 Million top 10 passing bonus and $500K playoff bonus
Prediction: Cashes in on both
Packers quarterback Jordan Love collects on his playoff bonus with a win this week.
For the passing yards he sits at number 10 in the league with Jalen Hurts just 40 yards behind him. This one will be close as Love could pass Texans C.J. Stroud by just one yard to sit at number nine on the list. Between it being a must win game for Love and Hurts is without one of his main weapons in Devonta Smith, the Packer gets it done.
Baker Mayfield- $2.6 Million playoff bonus
Prediction: Cashes in
Mayfield and the Buccaneers take on the 2-14 Carolina Panthers. A win and not only do they make the playoffs but they clinch the NFC South with only a 9-8 record.
The pending unrestricted free agent is about to cash in more than this bonus as he has had a great comeback season. Mayfield has thrown for 3,907 yards with 28 touchdowns to 10 interceptions and has a 95.9 quarterback rating. This season is his best one since he was a Cleveland Brown in 2020 where he had an identical QB rating.
Austin Ekeler- Needs 110 all purpose yards for $100K bonus
Prediction: Cashes in
During the regular season the Chargers star running back had a down season, as did his whole team. He would have only hit the 110 mark three times. However, the Chargers are taking on mostly all backups as the Chiefs are resting for the playoffs.
“I hope he has 300 yards. We’re not limiting him. We’re gonna ride him, and he’s a great player, and it’ll be fun to see him perform.” Interim Chargers head coach Griff Smith said this week when asked about the potential of Ekeler hitting his incentive.
Between, the opponent and the comments up above, I say Ekeler cashes in as he gets at least 1,125 total scrimmage yards on the season.
DeAndre Hopkins- $250K bonus with 7 receptions, 39 receiving yards for $250K, and $250K bonus for 2 touchdowns
Prediction: Cashes in on only the yards
Hopkins has had his first 1,000 yard season since his 2020 season. I see the Titans wideout gettting the yards as he has only been held under 39 yards four times. Last time he played the Jacksonville Jaguars, his week 18 opponent, he put up 59 yards but only had four catches. In week 17 he had 7 catches which was the first time since week 14, and before that you have to go back to week 5.
For a multi-touchdown game, that is defintiely the most unlikely as he only has had one game with more than one score which was week 8 against the Atlanta Falcons when he found paydirt three times.
Dalton Schultz- $250K with 6 or more receptions
Prediction: Cashes in
Out of all my predictions, this one is the one I feel the least good about. The Houston Texans tight end has only got 6 or more catches in three games this season. Houston plays in a prime time game Saturday night for the division title.
The Indianapolis Colts have given up the 8th most receptions on average at the position with 5.31. This one will be close and will come down to the wire, but I believe Schultz cashes in.
These are not the only incentives heading into week 18, but this shows how much is on the line for a few of the players. The last week of football is sure to be filled with entertainment and drama.
Follow Matt on Twitter @BSTRONG415
For additional Red Sox, Bruins, Patriots, MLB and NFL content follow Beyond the Monster on Twitter @BeyondtheMnstr.
