NFL: Week 18 Preview: The AFC’s Final Playoff Spot, And The NFC’s Top Seed

There’s a lot to watch out for in the final week of the NFL regular season.

On Saturday, the Ravens and Steelers hope to clinch the AFC North while the Bengals need a win and some help to make the postseason.

The next day, the Falcons and Buccaneers play the Panthers and Saints with the NFC South crown on the line. Meanwhile, the Broncos need a win to lock up a playoff berth.

It all ends on Sunday Night Football when the Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions face off for the NFC North Championship and the top seed in the conference.

Let’s take a look at the Week 18 slate and predict the winners.

Saturday Games

Cleveland Browns @ Baltimore Ravens

If the Ravens win/tie this game or the Steelers lose/tie their game, Baltimore wins the AFC North.

Interestingly, the Browns have won their last two games against the Ravens, so this isn’t a guarantee for Baltimore.

The Browns needed a strong offensive output to beat the Ravens, scoring 62 points in their last two matchups with Baltimore. Cleveland will not be able to beat Baltimore this time since the Browns are averaging 7.5 points over their last four games.

Ravens win 31-10

Cincinnati Bengals @ Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers can clinch the division with a win and a Ravens loss while the Bengals can move a step closer to securing a playoff spot.

The last three QBs the Steelers have faced have combined for 817 passing yards and nine total touchdowns. This spells trouble for a Pittsburgh team that has to go against Cincy quarterback Joe Burrow, the league’s leader in passing yards and passing touchdowns.

Cincinnati’s miraculous run continues.

Bengals win 27-24

Sunday Early Games

Carolina Panthers @ Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons need to win this game if they want to have a shot at making the playoffs. They’ll also need some help from the New Orleans Saints.

After starting the season 1-7, Carolina has turned things around to go 3-5 in its last eight games.

This game will be too close for comfort, but the Falcons will edge out the Panthers at home.

Falcons win 28-27 

Washington Commanders @ Dallas Cowboys

The Commanders are getting hot at the perfect time with four straight wins. Then again, the Cowboys are no joke with a 4-2 record in their last six.

The only reason the Cowboys won the last time these two faced off is because of a missed extra point. Ignoring the final score, Washington had more total yards, third-down conversions, passing yards, and rushing yards than Dallas.

The Commanders’ fifth-ranked scoring offense will overwhelm the Cowboys’ 31st-ranked scoring defense.

Commanders win 34-25

Chicago Bears @ Green Bay Packers

Though Green Bay has already punched its ticket to the playoffs, that won’t stop the Packers from giving it their all against their hated rival.

The Packers don’t lose to bad teams (11-0 this season against teams with a record of .500 or worse), and the Bears are a bad team as coming into this one on a ten-game losing streak.

Packers head coach Matt LaFleur remains undefeated against the Chicago Bears.

Packers win 28-22

Houston Texans @ Tennessee Titans

With Houston guaranteed to have the four-seed in the AFC, there isn’t much motivation for the Texans in this game. The same can be said for the Titans, who can basically lock up a top-three draft spot with a loss.

The last time these two teams played, Texans running back Joe Mixon – who averages roughly 76.4 rushing yards per game – was held to just 22 yards. Also, Houston was penalized 11 times last game.

Expect the penalties to be cleaned up and Joe Mixon not to be held to less than 25 rushing yards.

Texans win 31-25

Jacksonville Jaguars @ Indianapolis Colts

Colts quarterback Joe Flacco came alive last week throwing for 330 yards and two touchdowns in Indy’s 45-33 loss to the Giants.

In what could end up being his last game, the 39-year-old Flacco gets a rather favorable matchup against the NFL’s second-worst defense in quarterback rating allowed (104.7).

With a defense that has allowed the 28th-most passing touchdowns this season, don’t anticipate the Jags to rain on Joe Flacco’s (potentially last) parade.

Colts win 26-18 

Buffalo Bills @ New England Patriots

Bills quarterback Josh Allen is neck-and-neck with Ravens QB Lamar Jackson for the NFL’s MVP award. Though Jackson has the advantage in Passing TDs and Passing yards, Allen has the edge when it comes to rushing touchdowns.

Lamar Jackson will probably end up winning his third MVP but don’t count out Josh Allen yet. If Allen has an epic game and throws for 300+ yards while scoring five total touchdowns, then Allen could shock the world and steal the MVP.

If Josh Allen puts up a lot of points against the league’s 26th-ranked scoring defense, then he could be the league MVP.

Bills win 35-20

New York Giants @ Philadelphia Eagles

Philadelphia said that it plans on resting its starters, meaning there won’t be a new single-season rushing record. Eagles running back Saquon Barkley needed 101 yards to break the record set by Hall of Famer Eric Dickerson in 1984.

The New York Giants seriously hurt their chances at drafting a franchise quarterback by beating the Colts in Week 17, falling from the first overall pick to the fourth. The G-Men MUST lose this game if they want to get out of quarterback purgatory. Otherwise, next season will look a lot like this season.

Even with Saquon Barkley out, expect the Eagles to run the ball. Philly’s offense is first in rushing yards per game while New York’s defense is 31st in rushing yards.

Eagles win 26-21

New Orleans Saints @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The message to Tampa is simple: “Win and you’re in.” If the Bucs beat the unfortunate New Orleans Saints, then they will win the NFC South and secure a playoff spot.

The Saints do not have the offensive firepower to keep up with the Buccaneers. New Orleans has a measly ten points in its last two games while Tampa is averaging 37.3 points over its last three matchups.

Expect Baker Mayfield to carve up the NFL’s 27th-ranked passing defense.

Buccaneers win 33-15

Sunday Late Games

Kansas City Chiefs @ Denver Broncos

The Broncos can also secure a playoff berth if they win this game. With the AFC’s top spot locked up, the Chiefs announced that Patrick Mahomes won’t be playing in Week 18. That means the NFL’s fifth-ranked scoring defense will have to stop Carson Wentz instead of a future Hall of Famer.

With a league-leading 58 sacks this season, Denver will have no trouble making Wentz’s life miserable.

The Broncos should be able to score enough points to win this game since Kansas City will reportedly rest three key defensive starters (defensive lineman Chris Jones, defensive lineman George Karlaftis, and defensive back Trent McDuffie).

Broncos win 22-19

Los Angeles Chargers @ Las Vegas Raiders

The Chargers already punched their tickets to the postseason, so they’re now fighting for seeding. The Bolts can secure the AFC’s fifth seed with a win and a Bengals loss. LA could also end up being the sixth seed but not the seventh seed due to a tiebreaker over Denver.

The Chargers have figuratively flipped a switch since that embarrassing loss to the Buccaneers, outscoring their opponents 74-34 over the last two weeks.

LA will take care of business against a Las Vegas team that gives up 25 points per game.

Chargers win 30-13 

Seattle Seahawks @ Los Angeles Rams

If the Rams win, then they’ll be the number-three seed in the NFC. Conversely, they will fall to the four-spot if they lose which is unlikely because Seattle is 1-2 over their last three while the Rams have won five straight.

The defense has been the key to the Rams’ win streak, allowing just 16 points per game during the stretch. In Seattle’s two most recent losses, the team has surrendered 57 points.

LA will also force Seattle to make offensive mistakes. After all, the Rams have 20 takeaways while the Seahawks have 24 giveaways.

In a low-scoring battle, the Rams finish the regular season with a six-game winning streak.

Rams win 18-16

Miami Dolphins @ New York Jets

The Dolphins have everything to lose and the Jets have nothing to gain in this one.

If Miami wins this game, then they are a Denver Broncos loss away from clinching a playoff spot.

Unfortunately, Miami quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s status is uncertain. That will be a huge factor that determines whether the ‘Phins win or lose. If Tua plays, the Dolphins win. However, Miami will lose if Tua isn’t active.

In what could be Aaron Rodgers’ last game, expect Gang Green to play spoiler to the ‘Phins.

Jets win 31-20

San Francisco 49ers @ Arizona Cardinals

Neither team is playing for much. Niners quarterback Brock Purdy and Cards running back James Conner have already been ruled out of this matchup.

The San Francisco 49ers clearly failed to meet expectations this year due, in part, to injuries. Had the Niners had half of the injuries they currently have, then we would be looking at a potential playoff team.

Instead, they will finish the year 6-11 following a loss to the Cardinals in a game where Kyler Murray accumulates 275+ total yards.

Cardinals win 26-19

Sunday Night Football Game

Minnesota Vikings @ Detroit Lions

The 2024-25 NFL regular season concludes with a Sunday Night Football matchup for the number-one seed in the NFC between the Vikings and the Lions.

Even with an insane amount of injuries, the Lions have still won 13 of their last 14 games. On the other side, the Vikings have won nine straight after suffering back-to-back losses to LA and Detroit earlier in the season.

The key matchup in this game will be Detroit’s injured defense vs. Minnesota’s dynamic and healthy offense. Though Detroit gives up a lot of passing yards, they have only allowed 18 passing TDs, good for fourth in the league.

With the game being played in Detroit, expect the Lions to clinch the NFC’s top seed.

Lions win 34-31