Steve Brownlee

If nothing else, the Detroit Lions will be in good company.

I, and just about every other Motown football fan, wishes it was in the company of playoff teams, but alas, it wasn’t to be this season like it hasn’t been in 51 of my years on this earth since 1961.

Other teams joining the Lions in not making the playoffs this season are the Vikings, Cowboys, Giants, Redskins … oops, Commanders, and the Dolphins, Colts, Chiefs, Raiders and either the Ravens or the Steelers.

Each of those franchises has a storied history, at least for a pretty good part of their existence, even if it hasn’t occurred for something like 10 or 20 or 30 years in the case of Dallas.

If they’re not careful, the Packers may join them, no matter what they do in the playoffs.

The big group Green bay might join are the highly regarded teams in the preseason that go out with a wimper in the first round of the playoffs.

But there is also a much more distinguished group — teams that were overlooked entering the playoffs, no matter what the reason. The reason Green Bay is being overlooked as a Super Bowl contender was their losing their last three games and suffering so many injuries among key players.

When one of these overlooked teams makes an incredible run to, say, the Super Bowl, everybody really sits up and takes notice.

Maybe that’s in Green Bay’s future.

A boy who also happens to be a Packers fan — not me, probably some lucky lad in Negaunee or Ishpeming — can only dream.

Now let’s look at the 18th and final week of the NFL regular season. These times weren’t set at the beginning of the season, but I see from NFL.com that they are now set in stone:

Today, 4:30 p.m.

Carolina at Tampa Bay — This is kind-of for all the marbles, since if the Bucs win, they create a tie atop the NFC South that won’t be broken until about the third or fourth tiebreaker, from what I’ve gathered.

Still, as far as these teams are concerned, this one determines a playoff spot. With the way Tampa Bay has been reeling, I’ll take the Panthers, 24-20.

Today, 8 p.m.

Seattle at San Francisco — Both teams have offenses that are pretty good, the difference is that Northern Michigan University graduate Robert Saleh has a much depleted defensive corps he’s working with with the 49ers (he’s defensive coordinator, by the way).

Gotta take the Seahawks, 27-19.

Sunday, 1 p.m.

Cleveland at Cincinnati — Bleah, who do you take in this mess? I’ll hold my nose and take the home Bengals, 25-20.

Dallas at New York Giants — The Giants have only next year to look forward to, so even though I know Dallas isn’t nearly as good at home, give me the Cowboys, 31-29.

Green Bay at Minnesota — With a whole bunch of starters rested and a third-string quarterback starting for the Pack, give me the Vikings, 19-15.

Indianapolis at Houston — Not sure if Houston has anything to play for, but still, their defense against 44-year-old QB Philip Rivers, I’ll take the Texans, 24-13.

New Orleans at Atlanta — Apparently, this game may decide the NFC South if Tampa wins today, since it causes a tilt in the strength-of-schedule tiebreaker, or something like that. Basically, this is two non-playoff teams slugging it out. I’ll take the Falcons, 33-27.

Tennessee at Jacksonville — Again, I think Jacksonville still has a shot at the No. 1 or No. 2 seed in the AFC playoffs, both worth something to play for. So I’ll take the motivated Jaguars, 36-23.

Sunday, 4:25 p.m.

Arizona at Los Angeles Rams — The way the Rams have been playing, they should be motivated to try to win their final regular-season game just for that reason. Rams, 31-24.

Detroit at Chicago — I think the Bears want to show off Coach Ben Johnson against his old team, which everyone thought would repeat as NFC North winners this season. Bears, 34-28.

Kansas City at Las Vegas — Two of the biggest disappointments in the league, KC after being in last year’s Super Bowl, and the Raiders just for being so bad. Give me pride helping the Chiefs, 26-22.

Los Angeles Chargers at Denver — With the Chargers only playing for the No. 5, 6 or 7 seed and Denver going for the overall No. 1 in the AFC, then combining it with the mile-high altitude, I’ll take the Broncos, 23-16.

Miami at New England — Again, another team with a shot at the No. 1 overall seed in the AFC. And I’m not talking the Dolphins! Patriots, 34-23.

New York Jets at Buffalo — I still can’t get over that stat — the Jets didn’t have one single interception all season by its defense, at least before last weekend. Bills, 33-20.

Washington at Philadelphia — With Philly only wobbling between the No. 2 and 3 seed in the NFC, but the Commanders’ defense so bad, I’ll take the Eagles, 27-20.

Sunday, 8:20 p.m.

Baltimore at Pittsburgh — The schedule-makers in the last week knew this was THE game left in Week 18. Winner take all, for a playoff berth that is, and all that stuff. How about Steelers, 30-28.

Last week — 9-7, 56 percent. Season — 151-103, 59 percent.

Journal Sports Editor Steve Brownlee’s email address is sbrownlee@miningjournal.net.