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American Football

Buccaneers and Jaguars handed quarterback boosts ahead of vital Week 18 matches

Philip Marsh
Buccaneers and Jaguars handed quarterback boosts ahead of vital Week 18 matchesgetty
Both teams will secure a playoff spot with victory.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Jacksonville Jaguars have been handed good news ahead of their respective crucial Week 18 games.

The Buccaneers are looking to secure the NFC South title as they face the Carolina Panthers, and quarterback Baker Mayfield has shrugged off a rib injury to be active for the game.

If the 8-8 Bucs can beat the 2-14 Panthers they will book their place in the postseason for a fourth straight season.

If Tampa Bay do slip up against Carolina that will open the door for the New Orleans Saints to clinch the division.

The Jaguars' franchise quarterback Trevor Lawrence has also been listed as active for their Week 18 game against the Tennessee Titans.

Lawrence missed last week's win over the Carolina Panthers with a shoulder injury, and had been limited in practice all week.

The 24-year-old, who is also dealing with a finger injury, will be hoping to guide the Jaguars into the playoffs for a second successive year.

Victory for the Jaguars will seal the AFC South title, stealing it away from the Houston Texans who beat the Indianapolis Colts to go top on Saturday.

Jacksonville can still reach the playoffs if they lose, but they would need the Pittsburgh Steelers and Denver Broncos to both lose.