NFL · 9 months ago

5 NFL Teams That Should Be Worried After Week 18

Grant White

Host · Writer

New England Patriots
The New England Patriots don't need a franchise quarterback, but playing themselves out of the first-overall selection in the upcoming NFL Draft against the Buffalo Bills' backup players wasn't the move this team needed to make.

More concerning, it's not clear that Drake Maye is the pre-eminent quarterback option. Joe Milton looked sensational in Week 18 and flashed more poise than what we've seen from Maye most of the season.

Pride is worth a lot, but it probably isn't worth more than the top pick in the draft. Let's see if this quarterback situation becomes more controversial as we head into the offseason.

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San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers organization will be reflecting heavily this offseason. Week 18's performance was a microcosm of the team's woes and apprehensions moving forward.

Injuries continue to plague the 49ers, which has undoubtedly profoundly impacted their effectiveness. Isaac Guerendo was the third running back to suffer a severe lower-body injury. That pattern begs the question: Are the Niners doing enough to protect and prepare their players for the rigors of their system?

San Francisco's offensive schemes rely heavily on running backs, but they can't stay healthy enough to finish a season, let alone a game. The 49ers' injury problems are an epidemic. A new training regimen should be the top priority this offseason.

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Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins were rudderless yet again in Week 18. Sure, Tua Tagovailoa was unavailable, impacting their scoring ability against the New York Jets. Still, they didn't put together a complete effort at any point this season, casting doubt on Mike McDaniel's coaching abilities.

After struggling through the entire season, Aaron Rodgers looked like his MVP-winning self in Week 18. His performance was largely a reflection of Miami's lack of effort on the defensive side of the ball. In retrospect, we know that a win wouldn't have gotten them into the playoffs, but they still were utterly outmatched in a must-win scenario.

McDaniel's shine as a head coach is wearing off. He'll be on a short leash heading into 2025, and Week 18's effort could be the beginning of the end for the once-promising head coach.
Tennessee Titans
A Week 18 loss and a little help from some teams around them helped the Tennessee Titans secure the first overall selection in the upcoming NFL Draft. While it may seem like an adequate consolation prize, the game revealed a much more concerning trend for the Titans.

Tennessee has more holes in their lineup than can be solved with the top pick. A franchise quarterback is needed, but the defense desperately needs a face-lift. Those concerns were brought to the forefront as the Titans couldn't compete against the Houston Texans' backups.

The schemes implemented by head coach Brian Callahan left the team short on both sides of the ball. Even with the right personnel, there's no telling when the Titans will be competitive again.
Atlanta Falcons
This was supposed to be their year. In the offseason, the Atlanta Falcons were praised as the presumptive favorite in the NFC South. With everything on the line, the Falcons laid the biggest egg of the year.

Atlanta was railroaded by the Carolina Panthers. Despite being -7.5 chalk, the Falcons barely led in Week 18 and were playing catch-up from the outset. Their lack of defensive effort underscored the issues that impair their outlook heading into the offseason.

Giving up 44 points in a must-win game is a black eye on the Falcons' franchise. They'll have to look at themselves in the mirror the entire offseason, knowing they need to improve.
New England Patriots
The New England Patriots don't need a franchise quarterback, but playing themselves out of the first-overall selection in the upcoming NFL Draft against the Buffalo Bills' backup players wasn't the move this team needed to make.

More concerning, it's not clear that Drake Maye is the pre-eminent quarterback option. Joe Milton looked sensational in Week 18 and flashed more poise than what we've seen from Maye most of the season.

Pride is worth a lot, but it probably isn't worth more than the top pick in the draft. Let's see if this quarterback situation becomes more controversial as we head into the offseason.

Stay ahead of the game and elevate your sports betting experience with SportsGrid.
San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers organization will be reflecting heavily this offseason. Week 18's performance was a microcosm of the team's woes and apprehensions moving forward.

Injuries continue to plague the 49ers, which has undoubtedly profoundly impacted their effectiveness. Isaac Guerendo was the third running back to suffer a severe lower-body injury. That pattern begs the question: Are the Niners doing enough to protect and prepare their players for the rigors of their system?

San Francisco's offensive schemes rely heavily on running backs, but they can't stay healthy enough to finish a season, let alone a game. The 49ers' injury problems are an epidemic. A new training regimen should be the top priority this offseason.

Have all the intel you need? Free actionable info is one click away! Sign up for our daily newsletter, SportsGrid Daily.

5 NFL Teams That Should Be Worried After Week 18

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