Week 18 NFL Player Incentives Tracker

As we gear up for the last week of the NFL’s 2024 regular season, it’s important to remember one thing…

Money talks.

While many teams are fighting for playoff spots and positioning, it’s important to remember that many individual players will also be using Week 18 to help line their own pockets. Contracts in the NFL can be fairly complex, and one of the ways players, agents and teams get creative in structuring them is by including incentives. These incentives are a way for teams to mitigate some of their risk if a player doesn’t perform up to expectations, and it’s a way for the players (and their agents) to continue betting on themselves even after they’ve signed their contracts.

So what does that mean for you, the savvy sports better looking to find an edge as the season comes to a close?

It’s easy for us to forget that NFL players and coaches are humans too. When they have a chance to obtain (or help someone else obtain) a nice payday before the season concludes, they’ll often go above and beyond to help hit the necessary milestones. For example, if a player needs one more receiving touchdown to reach a key milestone in their contract, don’t be surprised if the coaching staff and quarterback dig into the depths of the playbook to find a creative way to help them cross the goal line when they’re in the red zone.

Here are a few players who will have a little extra motivation when playing in Week 18. If they’re going to be cashing in on their big performances, it’d be wise for you to consider betting some of their overs so you can do the same.

The Buccaneer Stack – Baker Mayfield and Mike Evans

We’re starting off with a double dip here as the two most important components of Tampa Bay’s passing game are up for some potential pay bumps in a must win Week 18 matchup against New Orleans. For starters, Baker Mayfield has a unique contract structure where he gets a $500k bonus for finishing top five in a number of categories. Below you’ll find where Mayfield currently sits entering the final week of the season:

Mayfield is obviously in a great spot to cash in on many of the above incentives, but betting his overs this weekend would be a great way to cash in on him going above and beyond to ensure he hits those milestones. One of the best ways he can help ensure he’s on track is by throwing to his No. 1 target since Mike Evans also has a big incentive in play this weekend too. Unlike Mayfield though, the most likely milestone the Bucs will be chasing with Evans isn’t financial but instead based on keeping a key streak alive. Evans has eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark in all 10 of his NFL seasons thus far, and he needs 85 more yards to do it again in 2024. I’d be shocked if the Bucs don’t do everything they can to help him keep that streak alive.

J.K. Dobbins, RB, Los Angeles Chargers

This one is my personal favorite – J.K. Dobbins has been a true underdog story this year after coming back from numerous gruesome injuries that have derailed his career. The LA coaching staff in knows how hard he’s worked to get back on the field, and I’ll gladly bet they do what they can to help him hit the 900-rushing-yard mark he needs (currently at 842) to cash in a $150k bonus. If there were ever a coach to go out of their way to elevate one of their guys, it’d be Jim Harbaugh, and J.K. Dobbins is in line to be the beneficiary in Week 18.

Courtland Sutton, WR, Denver Broncos

Courtland Sutton has a handful of incentives in his contract, some of which are fairly complex. The incentive that feels both most attainable and easiest to track, however, is Sutton hitting 1,065 receiving yards, and he’d receive a generous $500k if he does. Denver’s WR1 is currently at 983 yards, so hitting the 1,065 mark will be attainable with just 82 yards in Week 18. With that said, even though the 82-yard number is attainable, Denver will be fighting for a playoff spot in Week 18, so it’s important to remember the Broncos will have much higher priorities than force feeding Sutton. Proceed with caution on this one accordingly.

Zach Ertz, TE, Washington Commanders

Zach Ertz managed to secure a handsome sum of money in Week 17 with his big performance (he eclipsed 60 catches, 600 yards and 6 TD all in that game, three incentive milestones in his contract), but if he has another monster performance in Week 18, he could line his pockets even more. Those same categories have another tier where Ertz could gain an additional $250k (for each category) if he reaches 70 catches, 700 yards, and/or 8 TDs. While these odds are fairly unlikely given his current statline (61/610/6), betting on him hitting any of these would come with a juicy payout. Considering Ertz’ season high in catches is 7, and his yardage high is 77, I won’t be betting those props, but another 2-TD day could lead to a big payout for both you and Ertz.

Brock Bowers, TE, Las Vegas Raiders

Speaking of Zach Ertz, the next name on our list has a chance to break one of his records. While Brock Bowers does not have a contract incentive to hit in Week 18, he does have a golden opportunity to set the single-season reception record for tight ends (116) that Ertz currently holds. Bowers currently has 108 catches, which has already eclipsed the rookie reception record for any position that was set by Puka Nacua last year (105), and he and the Raiders are surely eager to get him 8 (or 9) more snags to etch his name in the record books. Bowers has caught 8 or more balls in seven games already this season, and don’t be surprised to see the Raiders force feed him in Week 18 so he can hit that mark once again.

Ja’Marr Chase, WR, Cincinnati Bengals

While Ja’Marr Chase isn’t likely to break any NFL receiving records in Week 18, he does have the potential to lock down the receiving Triple Crown (leading the league in catches, yards and touchdowns). He’s currently in a great position to do so:

Don’t be surprised to see Chase play with a little extra juice this weekend to try and lock down the No. 1 spot in each of these categories. Although he doesn’t have an incentive in his current contract to hit any key milestones, he is due for a massive extension this offseason, and taking home the Triple Crown will surely help his argument in the pending negotiations.