Every weekend in the NFL, elements attract our attention regarding the forces present, the records that are within reach or in relation to certain historical marks. Here, for the 18e week of activities, five elements to watch out for.
• Also read: Our predictions for week 18: a historic duel to end the season
• Also read: Pro Bowl: here are the 10 biggest forgotten
1. Conquering the triple crown
Ja’Marr Chase and Jermaine Burton celebrate a Bengals touchdown.
Photo AFP
There are statistical feats that you don’t often see in the NFL, and the famous “triple crown” among receivers is one of them. Ja’Marr Chase is on track to achieve this feat of arms for the Bengals, who face the Steelers on Saturday. With 117 receptions for 1,612 yards and 16 touchdowns, he dominates in all three categories. He leads Amon-Ra St. Brown (Lions) by eight receptions, Justin Jefferson (Vikings) by 133 yards and Terry McLaurin (Commanders) as well as St. Brown by four touchdowns. In history, only Cooper Kupp (Rams, 2021), Steve Smith Sr. (Panthers, 2005), Sterling Sharpe (Packers, 1992) and Jerry Rice (49ers, 1990) have won the triple crown.
2. Burrow in a class of his own
Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow has thrown at least three touchdown passes in eight straight games.
Photo AFP
Still with the Bengals, quarterback Joe Burrow also finds himself at the door of a select club. He is the leader in the NFL with 4,641 yards and 42 touchdowns. He will try against the Steelers to become the fifth quarterback in the club of 5,000 yards and 45 touchdown passes in the same season, after Patrick Mahomes (Chiefs, 2018), Peyton Manning (Broncos, 2013), Drew Brees (Saints, 2011) and Dan Marino (Dolphins, 1984).
3. New York, New York!
Several Jets fans prefer not to be identified anymore, after long years of repeated failure.
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Believe it or not, a record could be set in New York on Sunday… Okay, it’s not the kind of record you want to break, but let’s point it out anyway. To date this season, the Jets (4-12) and the Giants (3-13) have a combined 25 losses. This week, the Jets are in action against the Dolphins, and the Giants face the Eagles. If the two New York clubs lose, their total of 27 defeats in one season would constitute a sad historical mark for the teams from the Big Apple. In 2021, the two teams had 26 defeats on the clock. It was the first season of the current 17-game schedule. Good luck!
4. The Mike Evans sequence
Buccaneers receiver Mike Evans catches every ball that flies his way.
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Even though he missed three games due to injury this season, Buccaneers receiver Mike Evans is still approaching his traditional plateau of 1,000 receiving yards. Against the Saints, he must gain 85 yards to reach this milestone for an 11e season away. He would thus equal the mark established by the one and only Jerry Rice between 1986 and 1996. Since arriving in the NFL in 2014, Evans has never missed this plateau.
5. The latest scenarios for the series
Derrick Henry and Lamar Jackson are on a mission to help the Ravens win the AFC North Division title.
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For those still wondering, the weekend’s matches will determine three division champions who have not yet been crowned. The Ravens can become AFC North champions with a win against the Browns or a Steelers loss to the Bengals. The opposite scenario is also true. The Steelers will win the division with a win, in addition to a loss for the Ravens. It’s exactly the same situation in the NFC South division, with the Buccanneers who will be champions in the event of a victory against the Saints or a defeat of the Falcons against the Panthers. The Falcons will rather be champions if they win and the Bucs lose. The winner of the duel between Vikings and Lions will be crowned champion in the NFC North division. Finally, the last vacant ticket in the AFC will belong to the Broncos if they win, otherwise to the Dolphins or the Bengals.
