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Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) has a word with wide receiver Stefon Diggs (14). Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

Week 18 NFL underdog report: Pride, playoff seeds and home-field advantage

By Bruce Ewing | Last updated 1/3/24

One team wants a No. 2 seed, the other would like a two-game win streak. Both hope to avenge an earlier loss to a division rival.

Buffalo Bills at Miami Dolphins (-3)

Thanks to a blowout loss to Baltimore, the Dolphins cannot win the AFC's top seed. But with a home victory against the Bills, Miami could win its first division title since 2008 and the No. 2 seed in the AFC. If that doesn’t motivate the team, head coach Mike McDaniel could always play the “revenge card.”

After a 50-point win against the Broncos in Week 3, the Dolphins suffered their first loss of the season with a 48-20 drubbing against Buffalo in Week 4. Bills quarterback Josh Allen had his best game of the year, going 21-of-25 for 320 yards and five total touchdowns.

Josh. Allen.

He has FIVE total touchdowns today pic.twitter.com/hiedMueiea
— NFL Fantasy Football (@NFLFantasy) October 1, 2023

But Allen didn’t look so good against the Patriots last Sunday. The Bills won the game, but Allen earned a season-low quarterback rating (53.3) by going 15-of-30 for 169 yards with no touchdowns and an interception.

Of course, Miami struggled in Baltimore last week, giving up three turnovers and a season-high 491 yards while practically handing Lamar Jackson his second MVP trophy. This week’s game is in Miami. The Dolphins are 7-1 at Hard Rock Stadium while the Bills are 3-4 on the road.

Thanks to injuries against the Ravens, Miami will be without Pro Bowl players like linebacker Bradley Chubb and cornerback Xavien Howard. Unlike the teams’ first meeting, cornerback Jalen Ramsey will be available.

There's no word yet on whether or not running back Raheem Mostert will suit up for the Dolphins after missing last week’s game with an ankle injury. De’Von Achane had 137 yards and a score in relief, but if both are healthy, look for Miami to run the ball and keep the Bills offense on the sideline.

Seattle Seahawks at Arizona Cardinals (-2)

Are the Cardinals as good as their 35-31 victory against the Eagles would suggest or is Philadelphia just that bad? Assuming the former could be true, Arizona has an excellent chance of beating the Seahawks at home this week.

Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray completed 80.7 of his passes among eight different receivers for 232 yards and three scores in Week 17. Wide receiver Greg Dortch caught all seven targets for a season-high 82 yards while running back James Conner averaged 4.9 yards per carry for 128 yards with a pair of touchdowns.

JAMES CONNER WITH THE ONE-HANDED TOUCHDOWN GRAB IN THE FANTASY CHAMPIONSHIPpic.twitter.com/2qBoJ5l2T4
— Yahoo Fantasy Sports (@YahooFantasy) December 31, 2023

Meanwhile, the Seahawks lost at home to a Mason Rudolph-led Steelers team. Running backs Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren combined for 197 and three scores against a suspect Seattle defense. The Seahawks have allowed 2,146 yards on the ground this year, third-most in the NFL. If Conner has anything left, he should have a big day.

Seattle beat Arizona 20-10 back in Week 7 when the Cardinals were without Conner and Murray. Both are available for the season finale which could be bad news for the Seahawks playoff chances.

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