Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith. Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Three players who have a lot to gain in Week 18

By Nick Canzoneri | Last updated Jan 2, 2025 2:12 PM ET

Week 18 of the NFL can trigger a lot of motivation and emotion for its players and teams, mostly related around teams trying to punch their ticket into the postseason or to move up a higher seed. However, for these players there is more on the line than just playoffs in Week 18.

Geno Smith - Seattle Seahawks

Smith is going up against the Jimmy Garoppolo led Los Angeles Rams this Sunday in basically an irrelevant game since the Rams clinched the division and the Seahawks were eliminated from playoffs. Smith needs just 185 more passing yards to secure a $2 million dollar bonus. He currently averages 256 passing yards per game. Smith will also receive another $2 million dollars if he records a passing completion percentage of 69.7% or better this season. He is currently at 70.2% on the year.

Mike Evans - Tampa Bay Buccaneers

As if Evans needed more to play for this weekend, on top of potentially tying Jerry Rice's record for most consecutive 1,000 yard seasons, Evans could also get paid $3 million dollars if he catches five more passes resulting in 85 receiving yards. Evans averages 70.4 receiving yards per game this year and is on the cusp of making history despite missing three games due to injury.

J.K. Dobbins - Los Angeles Chargers

One of the candidates for NFL's AP Comeback Player of the Year, Dobbins also has some extra motivation when suiting up in Week 18. Dobbins has already secured $300,000 in bonuses this season and is just 58 rushing yards away from securing yet another bonus of $150,000. The running back signed a one-year contract with the Chargers for only $1.6 million. If he were to hit this bonus, Dobbins will have received $450,000, which is over 25% of his yearly salary just in incentive-based bonuses on the year. Dobbins and the Chargers take on the Las Vegas Raiders this week and need to win if they wish to move up from the six to the five seed. The Raiders have the 11th ranked run defense, allowing 115.6 rushing yards per game.

CBS Sports Katie Mox and Emory Hunt discussed Dobbins' incentives and how much he will play considering his injury history.

Nick Canzoneri

Nick is an avid sports fan with a passion for sports writing. In college, Nick was a part of a weekly sports radio talk show, sports podcast called "The Pass", and also wrote for his college's student run newspaper. Nick strives to deliver fans with the latest trends and news in football, basketball, and soccer with a unique perspective in the sports world

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