While many teams find themselves with not much to play for in Week 18, players across the league still have plenty of motivation in the form of contract incentives and milestones. Just last week we saw Brock Bowers of the Las Vegas Raiders break the rookie reception record, for example.
Mike Evans' pursuit of yet another 1,000-yard season headlines the action, but he isn't alone.
Below are some of the remaining incentives and milestones to know heading into NFL Week 18.
Contract incentives
Mike Evans: 1,000-yard stare
Since joining the league in 2014, Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Mike Evans has always hit 1,000 receiving yards.
However, that streak is in jeopardy. But getting to 1,000 yards isn't just important to keep his streak alive — it's also tied to a $3-million incentive.
The 11-year wideout will cash in on the incentive if he can hit 70 receptions, 1,000 yards, and 10 touchdowns on the season.
After his pair of scores last week, he is good on the touchdowns, but he needs five receptions and 85 yards to hit the remaining two milestones.
To top it all off, he will take on a Saints secondary that has been porous as of late.
Popular NFL futures markets
DeAndre Hopkins: New team, same incentives
When the Kansas City Chiefs traded for DeAndre Hopkins earlier this year, they also traded for the incentive-laden contract he originally signed with the Titans.
Hopkins currently has 56 receptions for 610 yards and five touchdowns, and he is set to receive $250,000 for hitting each of 65 catches and 750 receiving yards and an additional $500,000 for six receiving touchdowns.
He could realistically earn upwards of $1 million on Sunday.
Andy Reid is also not only aware of these player incentives and milestones but puts players in a position to reach them: “Yeah, sure, I look at those. Like we did with Chris (Jones) last year. Sure, we look at all of that, for sure. We want the guys to be able to reach them if it is reachable.”
Reid is referencing Chris Jones playing well into the third quarter of Week 18 in his pursuit of at least half a sack to earn a $1.25 million incentive, which he ultimately achieved.
Zach Ertz: Return to form
Zach Ertz has bounced around the NFL in recent years after failing to find his footing since this three-time Pro Bowl peak with the Eagles.
This year, he's tallied three-year highs in receptions (61), yards (610), and touchdowns (six).
Last week, he earned $250,000 for hitting the 60-reception mark, another $250,000 for hitting the 600-yard receiving mark, and another $250,000 for his sixth TD.
But there is still reasonable money for Ertz to earn as those $250,000 payouts extend out to the 70- and 80-reception mark, 700- and 800-receiving yards, and eight touchdowns.
The Washington Commanders are locked into the sixth or seventh seed but securing the former would mean a matchup against the Rams or Buccaneers, whereas the latter would be a matchup against the Eagles. So there is still something to play for but it will ultimately be up to head coach Dan Quinn.
Single-season records
Saquon Barkley: Single-season rushing record
Philadelphia Eagles RB Saquon Barkley is painfully close to eclipsing Eric Dickerson's all-time record of 2,105 rushing yards. The resurgent back is 100 yards away from breaking the Hall of Famer's number, but he won't get the chance to do it as he will sit out Philly's final game in Week 18.
With the Eagles locked into the NFC's second seed, head coach Nick Siriani isn't taking any chances with his star rusher.
It might be a disappointing end to the season for Barkley, knowing how close he came, but a shot at the Super Bowl likely takes precedence.
Quick hits
- Geno Smith can earn $2 million if he gets 185 passing yards on Sunday and another $2 million if the Seattle Seahawks win.
- Kyler Murray needs 50 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown to earn an additional $750,000
- Derrick Henry needs one touchdown to earn another $500,000
- JK Dobbins needs 58 rushing yards to receive another $150,000 on his heavily incentive-based contract
- Courtland Sutton needs 82 receiving yards to earn another $500,000 and will face a Chiefs team that is locked into the one seed
- Tony Pollard needs 83 rushing yards to earn $250,000 but has fallen out of Brian Callahan's favor as he has leaned much more heavily on Tyjae
Spears as of late. - Joe Mixon needs 107 rushing yards to earn an additional $250,000 after netting just 106 yards in the last three weeks combined.
