Week 18 Preview: The Final Stand for Division Titles

The Final Week

The 2025 NFL regular season spans 18 weeks, but for four teams, the playoffs start right now. Week 18 features a slate of "win-and-in" or "winner-take-all" matchups that will define the postseason bracket.

Game of the Week: Ravens vs. Steelers

Sunday Night Football | Winner Takes the AFC North It doesn't get better than this. Baltimore and Pittsburgh. Heinz Field. The winner hosts a playoff game; the loser goes on the road (or potentially misses out depending on other results).

• Ravens: Coming off a huge win where Derrick Henry rested in the 4th quarter. They need to establish the run early against T.J. Watt and company.
• Steelers: Justin Fields has been electric with his legs, but can he beat a disciplined Ravens defense through the air?

The Race for No. 1

In the AFC, it's a two-horse race for the bye week.

• Denver Broncos (13-3): Win vs. Chargers, and the road to the Super Bowl goes through Mile High.
• New England Patriots (13-3): Need a win vs. Dolphins AND a Broncos loss to steal the top seed.

NFC West Showdown

Seahawks (13-3) vs. 49ers (12-4) This game was flexed to Saturday night for a reason. Seattle can clinch the No. 1 seed in the NFC with a win. A loss puts the 49ers into the division lead (via tiebreaker) and could drop Seattle to the 5th seed Wild Card spot. The stakes are massive.

Bubble Watch

• Texans vs. Colts: Houston needs a win to secure the AFC South title (if Jags lose) or validte their Wild Card spot.
• Panthers vs. Bucs: Winner takes the NFC South. Loser goes home.