NFL Week 18 players to watch: In AFC East title duel, Josh Allen gives Bills the edge

From a wide receiver putting the finishing touch on a historic rookie season to quarterbacks helping their teams secure playoff berths, here are players to watch in Week 18.

SUNDAY'S POST-GAME HEADLINE TODAY | Puka Nacua breaks rookie record that's stood for more than 60 years

Nacua — who has the league's fourth-most receiving yards (1,445) in 16 games — needs 29 yards to break the record Houston Oilers WR Bill Groman set (1,473) in 1960. Los Angeles HC Sean McVay will let the 22-year-old play in a road game against the San Francisco 49ers (12-4) although the Rams (9-7) have already clinched a playoff spot and are resting most of their starters.
"I think you'd like to be able to see him get an opportunity to do something special and then be smart with him," McVay told the media Wednesday.  

Per ESPN's Nick Wagoner, San Francisco HC Kyle Shanahan will rest QB Brock Purdy but has not decided whether other starters may also rest. Regardless, Nacua should eclipse the mark. The 49ers are 15th in the league in passing yards allowed (218.3).

SUNDAY'S POST-GAME HEADLINE TODAY | Josh Allen helps Bills win fourth straight AFC East crown

Ahead of their matchup with the Bills, Miami Dolphins veteran defensive coordinator Vic Fangio claimed Allen is like Pro Football Hall of Famer and former Denver Broncos star John Elway "on steroids" before adding, "And I don't mean he's taking steroids."

"[Allen and Elway] are very similar," he said Thursday, per NFL.com's Eric Edholm. "Different body types. Different running styles, but [they present] the same problems, for sure."

Expect Allen to shred Miami (11-5) in a must-win game. If Buffalo (10-6) wins, it clinches a division title and playoff spot. In his past three games against the Dolphins, Allen is 3-1, completing 66.5 percent of his passes for 13 TDs, two picks and an above-average 112.8 passer rating. As of Friday, FanDuel lists the Bills as a 2.5-point favorite in their road game.

SUNDAY'S POST-GAME HEADLINE TODAY | Amon-Ra St. Brown shows he should've made Pro Bowl

In 15 games, the third-year Lions WR is tied for second in the league in receptions (112), fifth in receiving yards (1,371) and tied for fifth in receiving TDs (nine). Surprisingly, he didn't earn a Pro Bowl nod.

"The receivers that got picked, they're great players, but I was hot," St. Brown said Thursday, via ESPN's Eric Woodyard. "I guess I didn't do enough during the season, so I've got to go harder."

He'll prove he deserved to make it against the Vikings. Minnesota (7-9) is 18th in passing yards allowed (229.8). ESPN Analytics gives Detroit (11-5) a 70.7 percent chance to win its home game.

SUNDAY'S POST-GAME HEADLINE TODAY | Jordan Love sees dollar signs

Green Bay's QB could earn a massive raise if Green Bay (8-8) beats the Chicago Bears (7-9) and secures a playoff spot. ESPN's Rob Demovsky reported this will activate a series of escalators that could increase his 2024 base salary ($5.5M) by as much as $4M.  

The 25-year-old should be able to cash in. He's third in the league in passing TDs (30 in 16 games) and facing a Chicago defense that's 21st in passing yards allowed (233.4). As of Friday, FanDuel lists the Packers as a three-point favorite.