Coach Herm Edwards Previews Crucial NFL Playoff Spots Ahead of Season Finale
The Final Push: Everything on the Line
As the NFL regular season approaches its dramatic conclusion, the tension is palpable across locker rooms and living rooms alike. With just one week remaining before the playoffs begin, teams are battling not just for their postseason lives, but for positioning that could make the difference between a Super Bowl run and an early exit. ESPN analyst and former NFL coach Herm Edwards recently sat down with ABC News’ Andrew Dymburt to break down what promises to be one of the most exciting final weeks in recent memory. Edwards, known for his passionate “You play to win the game!” philosophy, brings both coaching experience and analytical expertise to help fans understand what’s truly at stake as teams prepare for their season finales.
The importance of this final weekend cannot be overstated. Unlike regular games where teams might rest starters or play conservatively, Week 18 represents a winner-take-all mentality for many franchises. Some teams are fighting just to squeeze into the playoffs, while others are jockeying for the coveted first-round bye that only goes to the top seed in each conference. Edwards emphasized that coaching decisions this week will reveal a lot about organizational philosophy—do you rest your stars and risk momentum, or do you push for the best possible seeding even if it means potential injuries? These aren’t easy questions, and the answers will unfold in real-time as Sunday’s games progress. For players, this is when leadership truly matters, when veteran voices in the locker room can either inspire teammates to push through exhaustion or help them maintain focus under immense pressure.
The Race for Conference Supremacy and First-Round Byes
In both the AFC and NFC, the battle for the number one seed has created compelling storylines that have kept fans engaged throughout December. Edwards explained that the first-round bye—which allows the top seed to rest during Wild Card weekend—has become even more valuable in recent years as the playoff field has expanded. That extra week of rest and preparation can be the difference between reaching the Super Bowl and falling short in the divisional round. Teams that secure this advantage historically perform better in the playoffs, with fresher legs, healed injuries, and additional time to game plan against their eventual opponents.
In the AFC, several powerhouse teams remain in contention for that top spot, and Edwards broke down the scenarios that could unfold. The mathematical possibilities can seem overwhelming to casual fans, but Edwards simplified it: win and you control your destiny, lose and you’re at the mercy of others. He noted that coaching staffs are already preparing multiple game plans—one for if they’re the one seed, another for the two seed, and contingency plans for lower positions. The difference isn’t just rest; it’s also home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. Playing in front of your home crowd, sleeping in your own bed, and avoiding cross-country travel in January and February provides intangible benefits that don’t show up in statistics but absolutely matter in close games. Edwards, drawing from his coaching experience, recalled how he could feel the energy difference when his teams played at home versus on the road during crucial games.
The NFC race presents its own fascinating dynamics, with several teams capable of claiming the top seed depending on this weekend’s results. Edwards pointed out that the NFC might be even more competitive than the AFC this year, with less separation between the best teams. This parity means that seeding could be especially crucial—there’s no “easy” playoff game in the NFC this season. The two or three seed might actually face more difficult paths than in years past, making that first-round bye not just valuable but potentially essential for any team with legitimate Super Bowl aspirations. Edwards also noted that weather could become a factor for teams hoping to secure home-field advantage, as several top NFC contenders play in cold-weather cities where January football becomes a test of will as much as skill.
Wild Card Chaos: Teams Fighting for Their Playoff Lives
While the top seeds battle for positioning, Edwards reminded viewers that some of the weekend’s most compelling games will feature teams simply trying to get into the playoff picture. These win-and-in scenarios create the kind of pressure-packed football that brings out either the best or worst in teams. Edwards explained that this is where coaching really matters—keeping players focused on execution rather than the magnitude of the moment. Young teams especially can crumble under this pressure, while veteran-laden squads often rise to the occasion.
Several teams across both conferences find themselves in must-win situations, and Edwards walked through the different scenarios. Some teams control their own destiny—win and they’re in, regardless of what happens elsewhere. Others need help, requiring not just a victory but losses by other teams to squeeze into the playoffs. Edwards noted that these “scoreboard watching” scenarios can actually be distracting, and the best coaches keep their teams focused solely on what they can control: their own performance. He recalled instances from his coaching career where teams became too consumed with out-of-town scores and lost focus on their own game, ultimately costing themselves a playoff berth they should have secured.
The wild card races also feature intriguing tiebreaker scenarios that could come into play. Edwards broke down how head-to-head records, division records, and conference records all factor into determining playoff positioning when teams finish with identical records. For fans trying to follow along, it can seem bewilderingly complex, but Edwards emphasized that teams and their front offices have been tracking these possibilities for weeks. Every game matters, and decisions made back in November about whether to go for it on fourth down or kick a field goal could ultimately determine who makes the playoffs and who watches from home. This interconnectedness is part of what makes the NFL’s playoff structure so compelling—every single game throughout the season carries weight.
Coaching Decisions: Rest Versus Rust
One of the most debated topics heading into the final week involves teams that have already clinched playoff spots but are still competing for seeding. Edwards addressed the age-old question: do you rest your starters to keep them healthy, or do you play them to maintain rhythm and momentum? His answer, unsurprisingly, is that it depends on context. If you’re fighting for the number one seed and that first-round bye, you play your starters and go all-out for the win. The reward is too valuable to pass up. However, if you’re locked into a specific seed regardless of the outcome, the calculus changes.
Edwards explained that he’s always been wary of the “rust versus rest” debate. While conventional wisdom suggests that rest is always beneficial, he’s seen too many instances where teams rested starters for two weeks (their final regular season game plus the wild card bye week) and came out flat in the divisional round. Timing and rhythm matter in football, and players can lose their edge with too much time off. On the flip side, he’s also seen key players suffer injuries in meaningless games, derailing otherwise promising playoff runs. It’s a decision that requires careful consideration of your specific team—how banged up are your starters? Do you have young players who need game reps? What’s your team’s mentality and personality?
The best approach, Edwards suggested, might be a hybrid strategy: play your starters for a half to maintain sharpness, then pull them to minimize injury risk. This allows key players to stay in rhythm while also getting some rest and allowing backups valuable playing time. Those backup reps matter too—if an injury occurs during the playoffs, you want your second-string players to have recent game experience. Edwards emphasized that there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, and the best coaches understand their rosters well enough to make the right decision for their specific situation. Fans might criticize the choice either way, but coaches have to block out that noise and do what they believe gives their team the best chance to win the Super Bowl, not just the next game.
Injury Reports and Player Health: The Hidden Factor
Beyond strategy and seeding, Edwards highlighted an often-overlooked aspect of the season finale: injury management and player health. By Week 18, every team is dealing with various injuries, from minor nicks and bruises to more significant concerns that have kept players out for weeks. The teams that manage this challenge best often go furthest in the playoffs. Edwards noted that training staffs and medical personnel are just as important as coaches this time of year, making crucial decisions about who can play through pain and who needs rest to be ready for the playoff push.
Teams hoping to make deep playoff runs are carefully managing their injury reports, sometimes strategically listing players to keep opponents guessing while also genuinely assessing who will be available. Edwards explained that players will often tell coaches they’re ready to go even when they’re not quite 100%, because nobody wants to miss these crucial games. It falls to coaches and medical staff to make tough decisions, sometimes protecting players from themselves by holding them out even when they’re lobbying to play. The risk-reward calculation is complex: playing an injured star in Week 18 might help you win and improve seeding, but if that injury worsens, you could lose that player for the playoffs entirely. Edwards has seen championship hopes evaporate because a team pushed an injured player too hard too soon.
Looking ahead to the playoffs, Edwards emphasized that health might ultimately matter more than seeding. A lower-seeded team with all their key players healthy can absolutely beat a higher-seeded team dealing with significant injuries. The teams that have managed to keep their core players healthy throughout the grueling 17-game regular season have given themselves a tremendous advantage. Fresh legs in January and February, when everyone else is worn down, can be the difference between advancing and going home. Edwards encouraged fans to pay attention not just to who wins this weekend, but how those teams look physically. Are they laboring? Are key players grimacing after plays? These subtle signs can tell you a lot about which teams are truly poised for playoff success versus which teams might be running on fumes despite their impressive records.
The Bottom Line: Playoff Football Begins Now
As Edwards wrapped up his conversation with ABC News, he emphasized that while this is technically still the regular season, playoff football essentially begins this weekend for many teams. The intensity, the pressure, and the stakes all mirror what we’ll see in January. For players and coaches, this is when you find out what you’re made of. Can you perform when everything is on the line? Can you execute under the weight of expectations? These are the games that define careers and create legacies.
For fans, Edwards encouraged embracing the chaos and uncertainty. The beauty of this final weekend is that anything can happen. Teams expected to cruise might stumble, while underdogs might rise to the occasion and punch their playoff ticket in dramatic fashion. The multiple moving pieces—teams fighting for byes, teams fighting for positioning, teams fighting just to get in—create a weekend of football unlike any other on the calendar. Edwards suggested that rather than trying to track every possible scenario and outcome, fans should simply enjoy the high-stakes football and dramatic finishes that are almost certain to unfold.
Looking ahead to the playoffs themselves, Edwards offered his perspective that this year’s postseason could be especially unpredictable. The parity across both conferences means there’s no overwhelming favorite, and several teams have legitimate cases for why they could win it all. The teams that peak at the right time, stay healthy, and get a few bounces to go their way will be the ones standing in February. This final week will tell us a lot about who’s peaking and who might be limping into the playoffs. As Edwards reminded everyone with his trademark intensity, this is why we love football—because when it matters most, the best rise to the occasion. This weekend, we’ll find out who’s truly ready for the playoff crucible ahead.
