The final week of the NFL season is always a convoluted one as some teams fight for their lives while others rest starters in preparation for the postseason. But even for the least successful franchises of the year that have nothing to play for, players still have a lot on the line.

Week 18, which begins on Saturday, also represents the final opportunity for players to hit lucrative contract incentives tied to regular-season statistics. From securing a playoff spot to recording even part of a sack, here are five of the most notable (and attainable) marks on the line this weekend, each with their own rewards:

$2.2 million: Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield 

• Goal: Make the playoffs ($1 million) and finish in the top 10 of four passing categories ($300,000 each)
• How close? Needs a victory over Carolina. Currently 6th in TD passes, 8th in yards, 9th in passer rating, and tied for 9th in yards per attempt

$2 million: Seattle Seahawks QB Geno Smith

• Goal: Make the playoffs
• How close? Needs a victory over Arizona and a Green Bay loss, or a number of scenarios involving ties

$1.25 million: Kansas City Chiefs DE Chris Jones 

• Goal: 10 sacks this season
• How Close? Has 9.5 already

$750,000: Cleveland Browns DE Jadaveon Clowney

• Goal: Nine sacks this season
• How close? Has 8.5 already (and already attained $1 million in bonuses for 5 and 7 sacks)

$750,000: Tennessee Titans WR DeAndre Hopkins

• Goal: 75 receptions, 1,050 yards, and 8 TDs (additional $250,000 each)
• How close? Has 68 receptions, 1,011 yards, and 6 TDs (already attained $1.5 million in bonuses in each category) 

That’s almost $7 million alone between those five players, and there are dozens of other smaller incentives up for grabs for other players related to playing time and other stats. Now, it’s time to cash in.

Contract details are from Spotrac and The Action Network.

Sneakerheads, rejoice: A collection of Michael Jordan game-worn sneakers is going to auction and is projected to fetch $7 million to $10 million, showcasing the latest major sale in what remains a boom time for sports memorabilia and trading cards. 

Sotheby’s is planning an auction, starting Feb. 2, of an unprecedented collection of Jordan shoes dubbed the “Dynasty Collection.” The set contains a single Air Jordan shoe from each of the clinching games in Jordan’s six NBA Finals appearances, all autographed by the basketball icon. The shoes were originally given to former Chicago Bulls public relations executive Tim Hallam, who then sold them to a private collector, who in turn has retained Sotheby’s for the latest auction. Sotheby’s had planned to make the shoes available in a private sale before shifting to an auction.

The “Dynasty Collection” is predicted to smash the existing sneaker sales record of $2.2 million for a single pair of shoes, another pair of Air Jordans worn by His Airness during Game 2 of the 1998 NBA Finals. To that end, Sotheby’s is touting the set as “the most valuable and significant collection of Air Jordan sneakers ever brought to market.”

Memorabilia Rush

The “Dynasty Collection” sale furthers what has been an extended run of new records set in the last two years across the memorabilia business. Among the prominent deals in that time frame:

• $12.6 million sale in 2022 of a Mickey Mantle baseball card from 1952.
• $10.1 million sale in 2022 of a Jordan jersey from Game 1 of the 1998 NBA Finals.
• $9.3 million sale in 2022 of Diego Maradona’s famous “Hand of God” jersey from the 1986 World Cup.
• $7.8 million sale last month of a collection of Lionel Messi jerseys from the 2022 World Cup.
• $7.25 million sale in 2022 of a Honus Wagner baseball card from 1909.
• $7.2 million sale last month of a Babe Ruth baseball card from 1914.

The run of record-breaking deals advances the concept of sports memorabilia and trading cards existing as an asset class of its own. 

Sunday afternoon could be Bill Belichick’s last game with the New England Patriots, who host the New York Jets in a meaningless matchup for both clubs. With an annual salary now reported to be $25 million, Belichick has already clinched the worst record (currently 4-12) of his 24-year tenure, during which he has been paid at least $200 million, by conservative estimates.

Despite reportedly receiving a “lucrative, multiyear” extension ahead of the season, according to NFL.com, Belichick could still be one of several coaches to lose their high-paying jobs on Black Monday, the first day after the regular season concludes. ESPN insider Adam Schefter said there could be as many as 10 coaches ultimately fired this cycle. 

As evidenced by the three vacancies already open, change isn’t cheap. Las Vegas will spend $85 million on buying out head coach Josh McDaniels, general manager Dave Zeigler, and other coaches; Carolina will pay head coach Frank Reich $27 million; and the Los Angeles Chargers owe Brandon Staley at least $4 million.

Coaches in Atlanta, New Orleans, and Tampa Bay are believed to be on the hot seat (particularly for whichever two don’t win the NFC South), as well as those in Chicago and Washington. Last season, there were five head coaching changes, and, as Schefter noted, there are typically 12-14 turnovers per two-year cycle, meaning this year could bring many more firings.

The Big Fish?

One of the hottest head coaching targets could be Jim Harbaugh, who was reportedly weighing a 10-year, $125 million contract extension at Michigan to make him the highest-paid coach in college football. Harbaugh has already been linked to openings in Los Angeles and Las Vegas, and he has hired a new agent, Don Yee, who has strong NFL ties.