The Mina Kimes Show featuring Lenny How the West is Won: Previewing Week 18
Jan 1, 2026
Jourdan Rodrigue, an NFL reporter for The Athletic, joins to dissect the crucial matchups of Week 18 as playoff stakes rise. They analyze pivotal battles like Panthers vs. Buccaneers and Seahawks vs. 49ers, considering game dynamics and team pressures. Plus, they explore the potential return of Lamar Jackson for Baltimore and its impact on their playoff strategy. Wrapping up, they hand out New Year’s resolutions for struggling teams, pinpointing what changes are needed for an offseason overhaul.
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NFC South Chaos Potential
- The NFC South title could be decided by a three-way tie or late-game swing, making Week 18 unusually chaotic.
- Mina Kimes and Jourdan Rodrigue both stress unpredictability and momentum flips across the division.
Bucs' Decline Is Multi-Factor
- The Buccaneers' collapse stems from multiple compounding issues, not a single failure point.
- Jourdan Rodrigue highlights injuries, drops, and Baker Mayfield's altered mechanics as a combined problem.
Don’t Force Deep Throws vs. Panthers
- Avoid forcing deep throws against Carolina; attack short middle zones and use screens to exploit their weakness.
- Use Baker Mayfield's mobility and short passing to be a distributor rather than a hero.