Week 18 of the NFL brings a lot of hope. Multiple teams are competing to earn a playoff spot, and a large portion of multiple teams' fan bases would like their favorite franchise to lose in order to secure a better draft pick. But no one is more hopeful than a backup quarterback taking his first shot of the season, and there are plenty of notable shots in Week 18.
First up is Carson Wentz. The former No. 2 overall pick and Super Bowl champion once looked like he would be a perennial MVP candidate. But repeated injuries derailed his career, followed by several poor seasons in Indianapolis and Washington, and Wentz lost his job.
But sadly, week 18 brings hope to everyone. Wentz has been hanging around since the Los Angeles Rams signed him in November as a force behind then-injured starter Matthew Stafford, and now he will finally get his chance.
NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reports on the Rams: locked They will be the No. 6 seed in the NFC in the playoffs, resting starter Matthew Stafford and starting Wentz.
of #Rams Carson Wentz will start against QB on Sunday. #49erssays the source. Sean McVay will give Matthew Stafford some breathing room before the postseason, and Wentz will start for the first time in over a year. pic.twitter.com/iaVM2xJFI8
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) January 3, 2024
In addition to being a chance to stay sharp in case the Rams need him in the playoffs, this opportunity is also an audition for Wentz. This is his chance to prove to a team that needs a QB in 2024 that he still has it. In the 2022-23 season, the Rams brought in Baker Mayfield to replace the injured Stafford, and he parlayed that into a starting role against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are one win away from winning the division in 2023-2024. season. (Related: Jimmy Kimmel hits back at QB Aaron Rodgers who joked he would be on Epstein's client list)
Another familiar face scheduled to appear is Kansas City Chiefs journeyman backup quarterback Blaine Gabbert. Gabbert, who won a Super Bowl ring as Tom Brady's backup in Tampa Bay, will be making his first start since 2018, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. As Schefter points out, the Chiefs are locked into the No. 3 seed in the AFC.
Patrick Mahomes will not play in Sunday's regular-season finale against the Chargers, as the Chiefs are locked into the No. 3 seed, with Blaine Gabbert starting in his place.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 3, 2024
But the craziest and least likely starting QB of them all would be Jeff Driskel of the Cleveland Browns. signed this week. Driskel was brought in to help the Browns rest their current starter Joe Flacco (who replaced the previous starter, etc.) as the Browns prepare for the playoffs. Flacco will take a well-deserved break after leading the Browns to the playoffs and securing the No. 5 seed in the AFC.
Driskel will become the Browns' fifth starting quarterback this year, joining a list that includes Flacco, $230 million man Deshaun Watson and rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson. Driskel will be looking for his second career win in his 11th start.
In the season when you can see 58 Different quarterbacks start games (not yet in 2022) record of 68) Three more will appear. I love this time of year. Anything can happen. Who knows, but there's a good chance that one of these players will be your favorite team's starter in 2024.
