NFL Week 18: Top 10 NFL Incentives this week to watch out for!

NFL Week 18: Players chasing huge bonuses

As the regular season closes, some players aim for more than just wins—they’re chasing contract bonuses. Here’s a breakdown of key players and the incentives they’re targeting in Week 18.

Baker Mayfield: Leading Tampa Bay and his bank account

Mayfield’s contract offers $500,000 each for ranking top 10 in passer rating, touchdown passes, passing yards, completion percentage, or yards per attempt. Through 16 games, he’s positioned to claim all five:

Passer rating: 4th in the league (107.6)
Touchdown passes: Tied 2nd (39)
Passing yards: 2nd (4,279)
Completion percentage: 2nd (71.7%)
Yards per attempt: Tied 5th (8.0)

Geno Smith: Career highs, big payday

Smith’s deal includes $2 million for exceeding career records in:

Passing yards: Needs 186 to beat 4,282.
Completion percentage: Must maintain 70.2%.
10 wins or playoff berth: Needs one more win. He won’t hit the marks for touchdowns (17 so far) or passer rating (90.5). If he secures the remaining goals, he could earn up to $6 million.

Week 18 Player Incentive Reminders:

1. Tony Pollard… pic.twitter.com/7JvzdRehD3
— Sal Bets (@salbets_) January 2, 2025

Mike Evans: Consistent in Tampa Bay

Evans needs to stay in the top 10 for receiving touchdowns to earn $666,000. With 11 touchdowns (tied 3rd), he’s in good shape. However, he misses bonuses for receiving yards (26th with 915) and catches (35th with 65).

Derrick Henry: Baltimore’s powerhouse runner

Henry has already hit milestones for 1,200 and 1,500 rushing yards ($1 million total). With 1,783 yards and 14 touchdowns, he’s one TD shy of another $500,000. A Super Bowl win would add $500,000 to his tally.

Courtland Sutton: Denver’s steady performer

Sutton has earned $1 million for surpassing 500 and 750 receiving yards. With 82 more yards, he’ll hit 1,085 and another $500,000 bonus. His consistent participation this season also ensures a $500,000 per-game bonus.

Von Miller: Buffalo’s veteran chaser

Miller needs one more sack to claim a $1.5 million bonus. Despite a storied career with 128.5 sacks, he didn’t register any last season. This year, he’s at five and closing in on the target.

Other sack chasers:

Emmanuel Ogbah (Dolphins) and Arden Key (Titans): $500,000 with 1.5 sacks.
Tyrel Dodson (Dolphins) and Calais Campbell (Dolphins): $300,000 for one sack.
Za’Darius Smith (Lions): $250,000 with two sacks.

Tony Pollard: Overcoming injuries

Pollard’s injuries limited his chances, but he could still earn:

$250,000 for 1,100 rushing yards (needs 83 more).
$200,000 for seven touchdowns (needs two more).

Ja’Marr Chase: Eyeing the triple crown

Chase is gunning for the league lead in catches, yards, and touchdowns. With Joe Burrow targeting him heavily, bettors should take note of the Bengals’ focus on his stats.

Already cashed in

Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles

Barkley has earned $500,000 for surpassing 1,500 and 2,000 scrimmage yards (currently at 2,283). He also banked $250,000 for making the Pro Bowl and stands to gain $500,000 if named a First-Team All-Pro. Further bonuses await if the Eagles win the NFC Championship or the Super Bowl.

Zach Ertz, Washington Commanders

Ertz earned $750,000 in Week 17 after catching six passes for 72 yards and two touchdowns, surpassing 60 receptions, 600 yards, and six touchdowns for the season.

Image: Imagn

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Natasha Bose

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