Week 18 of the 2025 NFL season is packed with meaningful games that serve as direct “championship” games for multiple division championships. In addition, the #1 seeds in the NFC and the AFC will be determined this week. In the AFC, the Denver Broncos have a chance to clinch the #1 seed if they beat the Los Angeles Chargers, who will be without Justin Herbert. Also, in the NFC, the Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers are playing one another in a “winner takes all” matchup for the NFC West division championship and the top seed in the NFC. There are also two “division championship games” in the NFC South between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Carolina Panthers, and in the AFC North between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens.
#32 Las Vegas Raiders
After losing to the New York Giants in Week 17, the Las Vegas Raiders are now the favorites to land the first overall pick in the 2026 draft. While the Raiders currently have an 80% chance of getting the first pick, they will still need to lose to the Kansas City Chiefs. In the NFL, there is a stigma around tanking games to improve draft position, but last week the Raiders did a poor job of hiding their intentions amid a public dispute with defensive end Maxx Crosby. Ultimately, the Raiders put Crosby on the season-ending injured reserve list due to a knee injury, but on social media, Crosby responded by jumping on a trampoline and posting a video of himself playing basketball.
#31 New York Jets
Last week, the New York Jets suffered a major blowout loss to the New England Patriots, who were working to win the AFC East. This week, the Jets play another motivated team, the Buffalo Bills, which is still fighting for playoff seeding. Jets third-string quarterback Brady Cook is getting another opportunity to lead the Jets offense, but he will likely have a tough time against one of the best pass defenses in the NFL. To have a chance to win this game, the Jets will need to lean heavily on running back Breece Hall and then set up play-action pass plays off of that running game.
#30 Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals have had a rough ride this season. Arizona is currently on an eight-game losing streak, and earlier this season, they had a five-game losing streak. While the Cardinals have been decimated by injuries, especially on offense, they have found a way to stay in games most weeks behind the leadership of quarterback Jacoby Brissett. This week, the Cardinals go on the road one last time to play the Los Angeles Rams, and win or lose, they need to use this game to assess the players currently on their roster. This offseason, the Cardinals could find themselves entering a rebuild mode for their entire roster.
#29 Washington Commanders
The Washington Commanders are another NFL team whose entire season has been disrupted due to injuries to many of their top playmakers. For this week’s season finale, 3rd string quarterback Josh Johnson will likely get another start leading the Commanders’ offense. In addition, the Commanders face an Eagles team that has already won the NFC East division and does not have an opportunity to win the #1 seed in the NFC. That combination of factors means that the Eagles will likely rest their top playmakers on offense. That would give the Commanders a chance to end their disappointing season with a victory in Philadelphia.
#28 Cleveland Browns
While the Cleveland Browns have been eliminated from the playoffs for several weeks, they have not stopped embracing a spoiler role. Last week, the Browns upset the short-handed Pittsburgh Steelers, preventing the Steelers from clinching the AFC North division championship. This week, the Browns get a chance to end the season with another win against their in-state rival, the Cincinnati Bengals. In addition, defensive end Myles Garrett has a chance to break the NFL record for quarterback sacks with just one additional quarterback sack.
#27 Tennessee Titans
Last week, the Tennessee Titans came up just short of picking up their 4th win of the 2025 season against the New Orleans Saints. This week, the Titans have a chance to change the AFC playoff picture as they face the Jacksonville Jaguars on the road. If the Titans lose to Jacksonville, the Jaguars will clinch the AFC South. But if the Titans pull off an upset, Tennessee gives the Houston Texans a chance to win the division. In addition, the Titans have significant work to do this offseason to turn their team around for 2026, and a big piece of that turnaround will rest in the hands of rookie quarterback Cam Ward. A big game for Ward to end his rookie season could create momentum for the Titans heading into 2026.
#26 New York Giants
Last week, the New York Giants took themselves out of the lead for the first overall draft pick in the 2026 NFL Draft by defeating the Las Vegas Raiders. So this week, it only makes sense that the Giants will do all they can to get another win against their division rival from Dallas. If the Giants, behind the play of quarterback Jaxson Dart, can win this week’s game against the Cowboys, then they will be riding the momentum of a two-game winning streak into the offseason.
#25 Kansas City Chiefs
The last third of the Kansas City Chiefs’ 2025 season has been a complete disaster, with Chiefs quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes and Gardner Minshew being out for the season with ACL injuries. In their place, 3rd-string quarterback Chris Oladokun has attempted to lead the Chiefs’ offense to victory over the last two weeks. Last week, the Chiefs came up just short against the Denver Broncos. This week, the Chiefs face a Las Vegas Raiders team that will likely not be motivated to win this week, and that sets the stage for Oladokun to pick up his first win as the Chiefs’ starting quarterback.
#24 Cincinnati Bengals
Since being eliminated from the playoffs a few weeks ago, the Cincinnati Bengals have started piling up wins with quarterback Joe Burrow returning to lead the offense. This week, the Bengals have a great chance to pick up a third straight win to end the season, and in addition, they can sweep their in-state rival, the Cleveland Browns, with a win this week. Offensively, the Bengals benefitted from a balanced offensive attack featuring Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Chase Brown. This offseason, the Bengals will need to re-evaluate their roster and salary cap situation, and ending with a win will provide positive momentum as they begin that process.
#23 Miami Dolphins
Last week, the Miami Dolphins had a successful week during rookie quarterback Quinn Ewers’ second career start in the NFL, defeating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. That win prevented the Tampa Buccaneers from regaining control of the NFC South. This week, the Dolphins can play spoiler again, but this time they will go on the road to face their long-time rival, the New England Patriots. The Patriots still have a small chance to earn the #1 seed position in the AFC if they defeat the Dolphins. That means the Dolphins will have to come ready to play their best football if they want to get an 8th win for the 2025 season.
#22 Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys have a chance to even up their record for the 2025 season to 8-8-1 if they are able to get another win over a division rival. Last week, the Cowboys played well against the Washington Commanders to secure another win this season. This week, Dallas goes on the road to face another division rival, the New York Giants. With the Cowboys failing to make the playoffs this season, many of the team’s current players are likely playing for their futures with the team, including wide receiver George Pickens.
#21 Atlanta Falcons
Last week, the Atlanta Falcons shocked the NFL by picking up an unlikely upset victory over the Los Angeles Rams. The key to the Falcons’ success last week was an efficient performance by quarterback Kirk Cousins and an explosive game by Falcons running back Bijan Robinson. In addition to playing well on offense, the Falcons dominated on defense, forcing Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford to throw three interceptions. This week, the Falcons have a chance to pick up an 8th win if they can find a way to defeat the New Orleans Saints at home. New Orleans is currently riding a four-game winning streak.
#20 New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints come into their 2025 season finale on the road against the Atlanta Falcons, riding a four-game winning streak. However, this week the Saints will face a Falcons defense that will bring pressure from all angles and attempt to force their quarterback, Tyler Shough, into key mistakes. Last week, the Saints struggled early against the Tennessee Titans in the first half before taking the game over after halftime. If the Saints have a slow start on offense this week, they could find themselves fighting an uphill battle against a Falcons defense that has been Atlanta’s strength all season.
#19 Indianapolis Colts
During the second half of the 2025 NFL season, the Indianapolis Colts have experienced an epic collapse after starting 8-2. The Colts’ slide down the standings started when starting quarterback Daniel Jones injured his Achilles tendon in Jacksonville. Since then, the Colts’ offense has been led by former retired quarterback Philip Rivers, but despite Rivers’ efforts, the Colts have still experienced a six-game losing streak. This week, the Colts will visit a motivated Houston Texans team with one of the top defensive units in the NFL, and Indianapolis has decided to use this game as a learning opportunity for rookie quarterback Riley Leonard.
#18 Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings have been eliminated from the playoffs, but that is not stopping them from fighting for their spot to end the season with a winning record. Over the last few weeks, the Vikings’ offense has been led by Max Brosmer after starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy suffered a fractured hand. Despite McCarthy’s injury, the Vikings have put together a four-game winning streak and have a great chance to make it five straight. This week, the Vikings will host the Green Bay Packers, who will most likely be resting players ahead of the wild-card round of the playoffs.
#17 Detroit Lions
Last week, the Detroit Lions had their playoff hopes dashed during a loss to the Minnesota Vikings. Detroit still has a chance to secure a winning record for the 2025 season, but to get that last win, the Lions will have to defeat their division rival, the Chicago Bears. Currently, the Lions are on a three-game losing streak, and a win over a Bears team preparing for the playoffs would provide a small positive boost for Jared Goff and the Lions’ offense heading into the offseason.
#16 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The second half of the 2025 NFL season has been full of disappointing performances for Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Despite not playing well for the last eight weeks, the Buccaneers still have a chance to win the NFC South for the fifth time in a row. This week, the Buccaneers will host the Carolina Panthers in a head-to-head “winner takes all” game. If Tampa Bay can find a way to overcome its recent series of back-breaking turnovers, the Buccaneers can still win the division and get back to the playoffs. The last time the Panthers played Tampa Bay, the Buccaneers lost by three points after Mayfield threw an interception with 42 seconds left.
#15 Baltimore Ravens
Last week, Ravens backup quarterback Tyler Huntley helped lead the Ravens to a big win against the Green Bay Packers, keeping their playoff hopes alive as they started to come to an end. Luckily for the Ravens, not only did they beat the Packers, but in an unexpected twist, the Cleveland Browns upset the Pittsburgh Steelers. That set up this week’s matchup between the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers for a big game that will determine who wins the AFC North, and who goes to the playoffs this season. All reports are that Lamar Jackson will return this week against the Steelers. The Steelers have dealt with recent injuries to their receivers, and the Ravens should be the healthiest they have been in weeks heading into the biggest game of the 2025 season.
#14 Carolina Panthers
A few weeks ago, the Carolina Panthers had a chance to put themselves into the driver’s seat in the race for the NFC South division championship. That week, Carolina needed to defeat the New Orleans Saints, then the Tampa Bay Buccaneers the next week, to clinch the division. However, the Panthers came up short against the Saints, allowing Tampa Bay to stay in the race for the division championship. Soon after the Panthers picked up a hard-fought win over the Buccaneers, they will need to defeat the Buccaneers on the road to clinch the division and the last playoff spot in the NFC.
#13 Pittsburgh Steelers
Last week, the Pittsburgh Steelers and quarterback Aaron Rodgers were one win away from clinching the AFC North division championship and punching their ticket to the playoffs. On the other hand, the Steelers came into their game in Cleveland short-handed, especially at the receiver position, with leading wide receiver D.K. Metcalf being suspended after having a physical altercation with a Detroit Lions fan the week before. Without Metcalf, Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers offense could not find a way to score touchdowns, and they lost 13-6 to the Browns after scoring only two field goals. Because of that loss, the Steelers now face a must-win situation against the Baltimore Ravens, where the winner clinches the division and a spot in the AFC playoffs.
#12 Green Bay Packers
Last week, the Green Bay Packers officially clinched a playoff spot when the Detroit Lions lost to the Minnesota Vikings. This week, the Packers do not do much to gain or lose ground, as the Chicago Bears have already clinched the NFC North division due to the Packers’ loss to Baltimore last week. However, the Packers do need to figure out their quarterback situation with both Jordan Love and Malik Willis appearing to be injured. That opens the door for practice squad quarterback Clayton Tune to get his first start of the season when the Packers face the Minnesota Vikings. Regardless of the injury situation for Love and Willis, it would be a sound plan for the Packers to start Tune and ensure their quarterbacks are ready for the playoffs next week.
#11 Los Angeles Rams
Last week, the Los Angeles Rams were dealt a bitter pill when they were knocked out of the race for the NFC West division and the #1 seed spot in the NFC. The Rams’ exclusion from the race to the top of the NFC was directly due to the Rams’ surprising loss to the Atlanta Falcons last week. Los Angeles lost to the Falcons due to its inability to stop Falcons running back Bijan Robinson and three interceptions thrown by Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford. Before last week, Stafford had only thrown five interceptions for the season, but his three interceptions against Atlanta set the Rams up for a disappointing loss on Monday Night Football.
#10 Buffalo Bills
During the 2025 NFL season, the Buffalo Bills have been prone to missing big opportunities. Last week, the team fell one point short of a 13-point comeback victory at home against the Philadelphia Eagles after missing an extra point and a two-point conversion in the 4th quarter. That ended the Buffalo Bills’ five-year reign over the AFC East with the New England Patriots officially regaining control of the division. This week, the Buffalo Bills must make a decision about whether or not to start quarterback Josh Allen in their last regular-season home game at their current Highmark Stadium. Next year, the Bills will move into a new stadium; however, this week, they must decide how to approach their game against the New York Jets.
#9 Los Angeles Chargers
All signs point to the Los Angeles Chargers starting quarterback Justin Herbert in Week 18 against the Denver Broncos. In his place, Chargers backup quarterback Trey Lance will get his first start of the season. The decision to start Lance appears to be the Chargers’ conceding the #1 seed in the AFC to the Broncos. However, because he has not played at all this season for the Chargers, there is a chance that he can come out and put together a solid game. If the Chargers can upset the Broncos, both teams will have to play in Wild Card Weekend next week. If the Chargers lose, Denver will get a bye in the first week of the AFC playoffs.
#8 Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles have clinched the NFC East division championship, and they are out of the running for the #1 seed in the NFC. So while the Eagles do not know who they will play in the wild-card round of the playoffs, they know they will play a home game next week. Therefore, it would make sense for the Eagles to rest their best players this week, including quarterback Jalen Hurts, running back Saquon Barkley, and defensive lineman Jalen Carter, to ensure they are healthy for a postseason run. However, conceding a loss to a division rival like the Washington Commanders is not an easy decision to make, but they have nothing to gain if they put their playmakers at risk in Week 18.
#7 Houston Texans
This week, the Houston Texans have one last chance to catch the Jacksonville Jaguars in the race for the AFC South division crown. Houston has won eight games in a row, and their offense has been improving with the return of starting quarterback C.J. Stroud. The Texans’ strength is their defense, and that unit has been the driving force behind Houston’s win streak. This week, the Texans will face an Indianapolis Colts team that has lost six straight games and will be led by rookie quarterback Riley Leonard. While the Texans have already secured a playoff berth, winning this game could give them a home Wild Card Round game if the Jacksonville Jaguars stumble against the Tennessee Titans.
#6 New England Patriots
Last week, the New England Patriots clinched their first AFC East division championship since 2019. They also have a small chance to earn the #1 seed in the AFC if they beat the Miami Dolphins and the Jacksonville Jaguars, and the Denver Broncos lose. The odds are low that the Broncos will lose because Jim Harbaugh decided not to play starting quarterback Justin Herbert. So with those factors in mind, it is not outside the realm of reality that the Patriots choose to rest some of their starters, especially quarterback Drake Maye. On the other hand, Maye is in the race to be the NFL’s MVP; therefore, he could play in part of the game. Ultimately, losing to the Dolphins does not hurt the Patriots as they enter the playoffs.
#5 Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks come into Week 18 with a chance to clinch the NFC West division championship and become the #1 seed in the NFC. To accomplish both goals, Seattle will need to travel to face the San Francisco 49ers in a “winner-take-all” game. Over the last few seasons, Seahawks starting quarterback Sam Darnold has developed a reputation for not playing well under pressure. It will be important for the Seahawks offense to keep a balanced attack with their strong running game and allow their defense and special teams to do their part to help the Seahawks win against the 49ers. If Darnold can avoid being in a position where he has to play above his comfort level, then he could shed his reputation for melting down in big moments.
#4 Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos have everything they need this week to clinch the NFC West and clinch the #1 seed position in the AFC. That will give the Broncos a bye week and a chance to get healthy for a run to the Super Bowl. To earn that opportunity, the Broncos will have to defeat the Los Angeles Chargers at home. However, the Chargers have decided to rest starting quarterback Justin Herbert and allow Trey Lance to start his first game. That should set the stage for the Broncos to get the win, but that is only true if their offense and quarterback Bo Nix play well from the start. Last week, the Broncos struggled to score enough points to defeat the Kansas City Chiefs despite the Chiefs missing several offensive weapons.
#3 Chicago Bears
Last week, the Chicago Bears officially went from last place in the NFC North in 2024 to first place in 2025. The Lions’ loss to the Vikings allowed the Bears to clinch the division championship before they played the San Francisco 49ers. In that primetime game against the 49ers, the Bears’ offense and Caleb Williams played an outstanding game, and the Bears’ defense started the game with a pick-six. However, the Bears’ efforts were not enough to defeat the 49ers, and they came up four points short. This week, the Bears do not have much to gain by defeating the Detroit Lions, but they have to make a decision. That decision is, do the Bears rest their best players for the first round of the playoffs, or do they play their starters and maintain their momentum heading into the post-season?
#2 Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars have become one of the hottest teams in the NFL during the second half of the 2025 season. For the Jaguars to reach their current position at the top of the AFC South standings, quarterback Trevor Lawrence had to improve his ability to take care of the ball. In addition to paying attention to ball security, Lawrence has shown improvement in his decision-making ability. Last week, Lawrence showed that even if a defense can take away his passing options, he can still get the job done by running the ball. This week, the Jaguars face a Tennessee Titans team that has become dangerous recently. If Jacksonville defeats the Titans, they will clinch the AFC South division championship, get at least one home game in the playoffs, and have a chance to be the #1 seed in the AFC if the Denver Broncos stumble against the Chargers.
#1 San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers have faced a multitude of challenges this season, including numerous injuries to their top playmakers and ongoing contract disputes. Despite those situations, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan has kept his team focused on winning rather than on what they cannot control. San Francisco’s next-man-up mentality on offense and defense has allowed them to win six games in a row heading into Week 18. Also, the 49ers are in a position to win the NFC West and clinch the #1 seed in the NFC. To accomplish those goals, the 49ers need to play their best football against the Seattle Seahawks this week. If the 49ers can win this week, they will have home-field advantage for the NFC playoffs and the Super Bowl.
