NFL Week 18 Bold Predictions: AFC East

The Patriots are tied with the Denver Broncos for the best record in the AFC (and the entire NFL), but need a Broncos loss to get the first-round playoff bye. While the Los Angeles Chargers are going to sit Justin Herbert, we’re going to go out on a limb and predict that Trey Lance will lead the Chargers to victory in Denver.

Drake Maye will win the MVP

Drake Maye is neck-and-neck with Matthew Stafford for the NFL MVP award, but probably needs one last week of production to seal the deal. With the 7-9 Miami Dolphins coming to town, we’re predicting the Patriots leave Maye in long enough to both win the game and put up at least 250 passing yards.

Buffalo Bills

The Bills will lose to the New York Jets

The Buffalo Bills don’t really have anything to play for besides playoff seeding, as they’re guaranteed to play on the road in the first round of the playoffs. They’re reportedly going to rest their starters against the Jets, so we’re going to predict a 17-14 loss as the Bills fall to the No. 7 seed in the AFC.

James Cook will lead the NFL in rushing yards

While the Bills will reportedly rest their starters this weekend, Bills head coach Sean McDermott reportedly wants to get James Cook the NFL rushing title. Cook is 47 rushing yards ahead of Jonathan Taylor heading into Week 18, so he has a bit of a head start. With the Colts playing earlier than the Bills, McDermott will be able to get Cook the title and rest him.

Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins will lay an egg in New England

The Miami Dolphins are looking to finish their season strong, but will have to head to frigid New England to finish their year. Heading into the game at 7-9, the Dolphins don’t have much to play for as the Patriots still have a chance at the No. 1 seed in the AFC East. We’re predicting the Dolphins to leave their A-game in Miami and lose 27-13. After Week 18 they can head home and ponder the rumors that have them targeting a former NFL MVP in an offseason trade.

Quinn Ewers will struggle against the Patriots

Quinn Ewers has looked decent for the Miami Dolphins as he’s stepped in for the benched Tua Tagovailoa, but the seventh-round pick also hasn’t been great either. He’ll have to play his first game in the frigid cold of New England this weekend, and we’re predicting him to throw for less than 200 yards with at least one interception on the day.

New York Jets

The Jets will beat the Buffalo Bills

The New York Jets come into this week sitting at 3-13, but they’ll get to play the Bills’ backups (for the most part) as the Bills have nothing to play for. While the Jets aren’t very good, their starters should be able to do some damage against the Bills’ backups. We’re predicting a 17-14 Jets win in Buffalo.

Adonai Mitchell will have a big week

Adonai Mitchell was a throw-in as part of the Sauce Gardner trade, but he’s quickly turned into the Jets’ most-targeted receiver since. While that’s a low bar to clear, Mitchell has put together some solid games with the Jets, and we’re predicting him to excel against the Bills’ backups this week with at least 80 receiving yards and a touchdown.