The playoff matchups are set after Week 18 of the 2025 NFL season, but it is a good time to reflect on several milestones from this week. Most notably, Browns edge rusher Myles Garrett was able to break the single-season sack record by recording his 23rd sack of the season against the Cincinnati Bengals. In addition, Buffalo Bills running back James Cook won the 2025 rushing title with 1,621 rushing yards for the season, and Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba was the 7th NFL receiver to surpass 1,800 receiving yards in a season. Also, the New England Patriots completed their big turnaround, going from 4-13 last season to 14-3 in 2025. On the other hand, the Atlanta Falcons parted ways with general manager Terry Fontenot and head coach Raheem Morris, and the Cleveland Browns fired head coach Kevin Stefanski.
Arizona Cardinals = 6 QB Sacks Allowed
The Arizona Cardinals ended their 2025 NFL season with their 9th consecutive loss for the season. Arizona losing the game was a product of their inability to protect their quarterback and to perform effectively on 3rd down. During the game, the Cardinals allowed the Los Angeles Rams’ defense to sack quarterback Jacoby Brissett six times. Those sacks put the Cardinals behind the chains, leading to a 36% success rate on 3rd down, which made it impossible for the Cardinals to sustain drives in the 2nd half of their game against the Rams.
Atlanta Falcons = 4 Quarterback Sacks
The Atlanta Falcons were able to end their 2025 NFL season with a four-game winning streak after getting a season-ending win against the New Orleans Saints. During the Falcons’ win, the defense added four quarterback sacks to their season total, bringing their total to 57, a single-season franchise record for Atlanta. Rookie pass rusher James Pearce Jr. was a big part of the Falcons’ defensive success against New Orleans with two back-to-back sacks against Saints quarterback Tyler Shough.
Baltimore Ravens = 33% 3rd Down Rate
After a season with several ups and downs during the 2025 NFL season, the Baltimore Ravens found themselves one win away from winning the AFC North division and returning to the playoffs. However, despite averaging 7.5 yards per play on offense, the Ravens came up short against the Pittsburgh Steelers. A big reason for the Ravens’ failure was their 33% success rate on 3rd down against the Steelers’ defense, picking up first downs in only 4 of 12 3rd-down situations. In addition, the Ravens did not get to the red zone on any of their offensive possessions against the Steelers, and the Ravens’ 7.5 yards/play was inflated by two 50+ yard touchdown receptions by Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers.
Buffalo Bills = 122 Total Offense Yards Allowed
The Buffalo Bills ended their 2025 regular season with a dominant win over the New York Jets. While Buffalo dominated the game on offense and defense, the Bills’ defense stood out with an outstanding effort, allowing the Jets just 122 total offensive yards. In the first half, the Bills allowed the Jets offense to pick up only 4 first downs and 63 yards in their 35-8 win. In addition, Bills backup quarterback Mitchell Trubisky threw 4 touchdown passes.
Carolina Panthers = 11 Total Rushing Yards
To be a legitimate playoff team in the NFL, it is critical to have the ability to run the ball late in the season. A big part of the need to run the ball is that, more often than not, a team has to win in bad weather. That was true for the Carolina Panthers in Week 18, when they visited the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to compete for the NFC South division championship. Carolina was greeted by a steady downpour. Those weather conditions meant the Panthers would need to establish their ground game to give themselves the best chance of winning. However, the Panthers failed to get their running game going, with running back Rico Dowdle gaining only 1 yard and Chuba Hubbard gaining 10 rushing yards in a soggy Panthers loss.
Chicago Bears = 16 Points in the 4th Quarter
Heading into Week 18 of the 2025 NFL season, the Chicago Bears had already clinched the NFC North division championship and were hoping to end the season with some positive momentum heading into the playoffs. However, the Bears failed to build that momentum, scoring no points in the first three quarters against Detroit. On the other hand, in the 4th quarter, the Bears’ offense came to life, scoring 16 consecutive points to tie the game against the Detroit Lions. Unfortunately, the Bears could not complete a game-winning drive, and the Detroit Lions capitalized on the Bears’ offensive failures to kick a game-winning field goal, sweeping the Bears in the 2025 season.
Cincinnati Bengals = 2 Defensive TD Allowed
More often than not during the 2025 NFL season, the Cincinnati Bengals have been their own worst enemy. That trend continued during Week 18 when the Bengals faced the Cleveland Browns. During the Bengals’ loss to the Browns, Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow threw an interception near the goal line that Browns defender Devin Bush intercepted and then returned for a 97-yard defensive touchdown. In addition, Browns defender Sam Webb recovered a Bengals fumble and returned it for a 47-yard fumble return for a touchdown. Ultimately, Cincinnati lost to the Browns by 2 points, marking the end of another disappointing season for the Bengals.
Cleveland Browns = 23rd Quarterback Sack
The Cleveland Browns ended their 2025 NFL season on a high note with a last-second win over the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 18. Cleveland’s defense played a big role in the Browns’ success against Cincinnati. During the game, the Browns’ edge rusher Myles Garrett broke the single-season NFL record for sacks in a season by getting one sack against the Bengals, giving Garrett 23 sacks, surpassing the previous sack record of 22.5 sacks in a season. In addition, the Browns forced the Bengals to turn the ball over, and during two of those turnovers, the Browns turned those takeaways into defensive touchdowns to put the Browns ahead in their 20-18 win in Cincinnati.
Dallas Cowboys = 25% 3rd Down Rate
The Dallas Cowboys chose to give other players opportunities to perform during their Week 18 game against the New York Giants. Joe Milton got his first action as a Dallas Cowboys quarterback, but Milton’s debut for the Cowboys was less than successful. Dallas failed to consistently put together scoring drives because it couldn’t find success on 3rd down. In 3rd-down situations, the Cowboys picked up first downs only 3 times in 12 attempts. A 25% success rate on 3rd down made it difficult for the Cowboys’ offense to put together scoring drives offensively.
Denver Broncos = +2 Turnover Margin
During Week 18, the Denver Broncos had an opportunity to clinch the #1 seed position in the AFC with a win against the Los Angeles Chargers. The Chargers planned to rest several starters in this game, which opened the door for the Broncos to clinch the top spot in the AFC. While the Broncos dominated the game against the short-handed Chargers, their defense clinched the win by taking the ball away from the Chargers’ offense. In addition, one of those turnovers was a 45-yard pick-six by Broncos defender Ja’Quan McMillian.
Detroit Lions = 433 Total Offensive Yards
While the Detroit Lions had already been eliminated from the playoffs entering their matchup against the Chicago Bears during Week 18 of the 2025 NFL season, the Lions came ready to end the season with a win. Offensively, the Lions jumped out to a big lead against the Bears with a balanced attack on the offensive side of the ball. By the end of the game, the Lions had gained 433 total offensive yards, which included 11 catches for 139 yards by wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown. Despite an overpowering offensive performance, the Lions failed to score touchdowns consistently, leaving kicker Jake Bates to make four field goals, including the game-winning field goal in the 4th quarter.
Green Bay Packers = 121 Total Offensive Yards
Coming into Week 18 of the 2025 NFL season, the Green Bay Packers had already clinched a spot in the playoffs and had a way to change their postseason destiny. Therefore, it makes sense that the Packers chose to rest several key players for their 2025 season finale against the Minnesota Vikings. The Packers’ decision to rest their injured quarterback, Jordan Love, and Malik Willis opened the door for Clayton Tune to get his first start for the season for Green Bay. However, with many of the Packers’ best offensive players not playing, it was not surprising that the Packers produced only 2.4 yards/play, and Tune gained only 16 net passing yards.
Houston Texans = 6 for 6 on Field Goal Attempts
The Houston Texans came into Week 18 of the 2025 NFL season looking to extend their long winning streak and keep their slim chance of competing for the AFC South division championship alive. However, when they faced the Indianapolis Colts, the Texans faced more of a challenge than they had hoped to wrap up the season. Fortunately for the Texans, Houston scored enough points to hold off an upset against the Colts. A big part of the Texans’ winning effort was kick Ka’imi Fairborn scoring 18 points by hitting 6 out of 6 attempted field goals, which was enough for Houston to hold onto a 38-30 win over the Colts.
Indianapolis Colts = -3 Turnover Margin
While the Indianapolis Colts decided to play many of their younger players in their season finale, they still found a way to compete against the Houston Texans. In addition to competing against Houston, the Colts had a great chance to pull off a big upset against the Texans. However, the habits that led to the Colts missing the playoffs after starting the 2025 season 8-2 came back to bite them. Those bad habits included turnovers, and against Houston, the Colts turned the ball over three times. In the 2nd quarter, quarterback Riley Leonard fumbled the ball to end a Colts drive. During the 4th quarter, Leonard also threw an interception, and on the last play of the game, the Colts fumbled, allowing the Texans to recover and end the game.
Jacksonville Jaguars = 41 Consecutive Points
The Jacksonville Jaguars had a chance to clinch the AFC South division championship in their season finale against the Indianapolis Colts. And while the Titans did not have anything to play for other than the chance to spoil the Jaguars’ opportunity to win the division, they came into the game with many young players getting a chance to show that they have what it takes to be future playmakers for the Titans. Tennessee jumped out to an early 7-point lead against the Jaguars, but when Titans quarterback Cam Ward was knocked out of the game with a shoulder injury, the Jaguars took over. From that point on, Jacksonville’s offense scored 41 points to bury the Titans.
Kansas City Chiefs = 0% Red Zone TD Rate
The stage seemed set for the Kansas City Chiefs to snap their losing streak in the last third of the 2025 season when they faced a Las Vegas Raiders team that had been more focused on draft position rather than winning games. However, coming into this Week 18 game against the Raiders, the Chiefs ran into a team that had already clinched the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. The result was that the Chiefs’ game against the Raiders was more difficult than they expected, and the Raiders’ defense shut down the Chiefs’ offense. By the end of the game, the Chiefs produced only 168 total offensive yards and went 0-for-2 on their trips to the red zone, leading the Raiders to a 0% red-zone touchdown rate.
Las Vegas Raiders = 8 Quarterback Sacks
Despite adding defensive end Maxx Crosby to the injured reserve list last week, the Raiders’ defense came ready to play in the season finale against the Chiefs. Raiders defensive players Tyree Wilson, Charles Snowden, and Tonka Hemingway all had two sacks apiece for the Raiders defense. In addition, Wilson forced the Chiefs to fumble twice, allowing the Raiders to clinch a hard-fought two-point win and end that season with a win.
Los Angeles Chargers = -2 Turnover Margin
Heading into Week 18, the Los Angeles Chargers decided to rest several of their starters this week against the Denver Broncos, including quarterback Justin Herbert and running back Omarion Hampton. That opened the door for Chargers backup quarterback Trey Lance to demonstrate his ability to lead the Chargers offense. However, Lance failed to produce positive results for the Chargers and turned the ball over twice in their loss to the Broncos. One of those turnovers was a 45-yard pick-six for Ja’Quan McMillian, and a fumble after Broncos pass rusher Nik Bonitto forced a strip sack against Lance.
Los Angeles Rams = 21 Unanswered Points
The Los Angeles Rams came into their Week 18 game against the Arizona Cardinals with hopes of ending the season on a high note as the Rams prepared to head into the NFL postseason. However, the Rams had a slow start against the Cardinals, and in the third quarter, they trailed by 4 points. From that point, the Rams and quarterback Matthew Stafford ramped up the intensity, sparking a 21-point run by the Rams’ offense to end the season with another divisional 37-20 win against the Arizona Cardinals.
Miami Dolphins = 24 Unanswered Points Allowed
The Miami Dolphins and quarterback Quinn Ewers had a solid start against the New England Patriots during Week 18 of the 2025 NFL season. That was until the end of the 1st half. Just before halftime, the Dolphins allowed the Patriots to get into a rhythm on offense, which put New England ahead and allowed them to put the Dolphins away. By the end of the game, the Dolphins’ defense had allowed the Patriots’ offense to score 24 unanswered points. The Dolphins were unable to withstand the Patriots’ offensive onslaught, losing 38-10.
Minnesota Vikings = -7 Net Passing Yards
The Minnesota Vikings were able to finish their 2025 NFL season on a high note by picking up a division win against the Green Bay Packers in Week 18. While the Vikings offense did a good job of managing the game against Green Bay, the Vikings defense made a much bigger impact for Minnesota. By the end of the game, the Vikings’ defense held the Green Bay Packers’ passing offense to -7 net passing yards, including 34 yards from Clayton Tune and 41 yards lost due to four sacks.
New England Patriots = 243 Total Rushing Yards
or a team to make a deep playoff run in the NFL, it must establish its running game so opposing defenses have to play to keep their game plan honest. The Patriots have shown time and again this season that they can dominate with their rushing attack, and this week against the Miami Dolphins, they reminded the NFL that they can run the ball. By the end of the Patriots’ blowout win against the Dolphins, New England had run the ball for 7.1 rushing yards per carry. That included a 131-yard and two-touchdown effort from Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson, and complementary play from running back TreVeyon Henderson.
New Orleans Saints = 4th Quarter Meltdown
The New Orleans Saints came into their Week 18 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons riding the momentum of a four-game winning streak. In addition to attempting to extend their winning streak, the Saints and Falcons also held the power to determine who would win the NFC South division championship. For most of the game, the Saints stayed just behind the Falcons on the scoreboard, but in the 4th quarter, they made a series of mistakes that ultimately led to their demise this week. The 4th-quarter meltdown began with a red-zone interception by quarterback Tyler Shough. Then the Saints had a touchdown taken off the scoreboard for offensive pass interference, and rather than taking the lead, the Saints’ failures allowed Atlanta to kick a game-winning field goal.
New York Giants = 100% Red Zone TD Rate
The New York Giants rolled into Week 18 of the 2025 NFL season, looking to finish on a positive note and build on their team in the off-season before the 2026 NFL season. With that in mind, the Giants accomplished their goal by picking up a division win against the Dallas Cowboys. A big part of the Giants’ 17-point win over the Cowboys was their ability to execute in the red zone. During the game, the Giants made five trips to the red zone and scored five touchdowns, resulting in a 100% red zone touchdown rate. In addition to the Giants’ red zone success, Giants running back Tyrone Tracy gained 103 rushing yards, and rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart led the offense to a 96-yard scoring drive.
New York Jets = 4 First Downs and 63 Yards
The 2025 NFL season has been a rough ride for the New York Jets, due to a lack of sustained success on offense and a defense that set an NFL record as the first team to go an entire season without an interception. Those struggles continued for the Jets in their last game of the season against the Buffalo Bills, as quarterback Brady Cook failed to get the Jets offense moving early. During the first half of the game, the Jets gained 63 total yards on offense and only picked up 4 first downs to start the game. In the second half, the Bills’ offense ran away with the game, and the Jets finished the season with an 8-35 loss.
Philadelphia Eagles = 9 Penalties for 123 Yards
The Philadelphia Eagles faced a unique situation heading into Week 18 of the 2025 season, where winning and losing did not result in any significant gain or loss for the Eagles in the postseason. What the Eagles needed to avoid was developing bad habits that may haunt them as they begin the playoffs. One example of a bad habit is penalties, and during the Eagles’ season finale against the Washington Commanders, they found themselves burned by a mix of penalties. By the end of the game, the Eagles had been called for nine penalties for 123 lost yards. Despite good performances by wide receiver DeVonta Smith, who eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards for the third time in his career, and Eagles running back Tank Bigsby, who produced 106 total yards, including 75 rushing yards and 31 receiving yards.
Pittsburgh Steelers = 56% 3rd Down Rate
The Pittsburgh Steelers were facing a must-win situation in Week 18 of the 2025 NFL season against their division rival from Baltimore. Coming into the game, there were questions about how effective the Steelers’ offense and quarterback Aaron Rodgers would be without D.K. Metcalf in the lineup. Those worries were quickly dissipated as the Steelers showed that they were ready and willing to grind out a win against the Ravens. By the end of the game, the Steelers had run 73 offensive plays compared to only 48 by the Ravens offense. That lopsided performance by Pittsburgh was made possible by the Steelers’ 56% success rate on 3rd down. During the game, the Steelers converted 9 of 16 3rd-down attempts, enough for Pittsburgh to finish with a 2-point win over Baltimore.
San Francisco 49ers = 16.77% 3rd Down Rate
The San Francisco 49ers had a huge opportunity to gain home-field advantage for the playoffs and the Super Bowl when they faced the Seattle Seahawks. To accomplish that goal, the 49ers were going to need to play one of their best games of the season on offense against an outstanding Seahawks defense. However, the 49ers’ offense struggled to get a foothold at home against Seattle, producing only 173 total yards. In addition, the 49ers’ offense managed only 9 first downs against Seattle and went 2-for-12 on 3rd down, making it nearly impossible for San Francisco to put together scoring drives.
Seattle Seahawks = 37:48 Time of Possession
The Seattle Seahawks have taken advantage of the opportunities presented to them during the 2025 NFL season. One of the first and most important opportunities was the Seahawks’ decision to sign quarterback Sam Darnold after the Minnesota Vikings moved on from the veteran. Darnold has been a great fit for the Seahawks’ offense, and he has benefited from the Seahawks’ dominant running game and strong defense. During Week 18, the Seahawks put their run game and defense on display as they dominated the San Francisco 49ers. By winning in Week 18 against the 49ers, the Seahawks clinched the NFC West division championship and the #1 seed position for the NFC playoffs.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers = 100% on Field Goals
Coming into Week 18 of the 2025 NFL season, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers had a 5-5 record in one-score games. The key to Tampa Bay’s success in close games is its ability to take care of the small details. This week, the Buccaneers had a rough start, turning the ball over on offense in the 1st quarter under extremely wet conditions. But despite the weather and field conditions, the Buccaneers’ offense got back on track. The Tampa Bay kicker Chase McLaughlin was 3 for 3 on field goal attempts. Despite the wet conditions, McLaughlin was able to successfully make field goals from 29 yards, 36 yards, and 48 yards. Those field goals were the difference between winning and losing in a two-point win over the Carolina Panthers.
Tennessee Titans = 29% 3rd Down Rate
The Tennessee Titans jumped out to an early lead against the Jacksonville Jaguars during their Week 18 matchup. However, the Titans’ early lead turned to disappointment when quarterback Cam Ward was knocked out of the game with a shoulder injury, and they never recovered. A big part of the Jaguars’ dominance over the Titans in this week’s game was the Titans’ inability to extend drives on offense, and a big part of that was a lack of success on 3rd down. By the end of the game, the Titans had only converted 14 third-down attempts into 4 first downs, and a 29% 3rd down success rate is not enough for a team like Tennessee to steal a win against a balanced team like the Jaguars.
Washington Commanders = 4 Interference Calls
While the Washington Commanders came into Philadelphia with expectations to defeat the Eagles to end the 2025 NFL season, the Commanders needed some help to secure a win against the Eagles. That help came in the form of four defensive pass interference calls against the Philadelphia Eagles. Those defensive penalties resulted in 88 total yards for the Commanders’ offense, and down the stretch, two of those penalties directly led to points for Washington. The Commanders took full advantage of the calls against the Eagles, scoring two touchdowns on drives extended by those defensive pass interference penalties.
