While three of four NFC East teams will end their regular season with meaningless matchups, these games give young players (and an old coach) the chance to shine. Here’s who could stand out in Week 18.
Brian Daboll | HC | New York Giants
The Giants have nothing to gain but everything to lose against the Eagles on Sunday. Before upsetting the Indianapolis Colts in Week 17, New York’s chances of earning the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft stood at 42.5%, according to Pro Football Network. Now they have a 20.7% chance of winning the top pick, something the team’s head coach says he can’t think about.
“Our focus is on the opponent we’re playing and ourselves each week as a coaching staff and players.” Daboll said. “We do, again, try to do everything we can do to go out there and play as coach as good as we can.”
Daboll could be coaching his last game with the Giants with a 3-13 record in 2024 and 18- 31-1 overall in New York. If so, he doesn’t want to end his tenure with a loss against a division rival.
Jayden Daniels | QB | Washington Commanders
The Commanders have won four straight games thanks to the strong play of their rookie quarterback, Daniels. He has thrown at least one touchdown in his last six games and has 15 passing scores over his last five starts.
Washington will finish the regular season against a Dallas team that beat them 34-26 in Week 12 despite getting 349 total yards and three scores from Daniels. Of course, four sacks and two interceptions certainly didn’t help.
