Breaking Down Week 18’s Schedule with Playoffs on the Line

Eleven teams remain in the playoff hunt as we enter the final week of the regular season. As always, the NFL doesn’t decide the schedule until knowing what’s at stake for all 32 teams. Now that it’s crystalized, the league revealed Week 18’s slate shortly before the ball dropped on New Year's Eve.

The Steelers and Ravens kick things off Saturday in a battle between AFC North rivals. Pittsburgh’s fighting for a wild card spot, but needs help to get in even if it wins. Meanwhile, Baltimore has nothing to play for after locking up the AFC's top seed in a 56-19 dismantling of the Dolphins. As such, the Steelers opened as 3.5-point favorites.

The Colts host the Texans in the nightcap in a win-and-in game between a pair of surprising AFC South teams. Neither was expected to compete for the playoffs, yet here they are with identical 9-7 records. The winner could also win the division if Jacksonville loses to the Titans on Sunday. Indianapolis was favored between 1 – 1.5 points at the time the schedule was announced.

Sunday’s early slate features six games with six teams still in playoff contention. Tampa Bay wins the NFC South with a win over the Panthers. If they lose, the winner of the Falcons vs. Saints game wins the division. Meanwhile, the Jaguars can clinch the AFC South with a win over the Titans.

The late window is mainly comprised of teams fighting for playoff position. The Cowboys-Commanders and Eagles-Giants kickoff simultaneously as Dallas and Philadelphia battle to win the NFC East. Dallas has the inside track over Philadelphia as it captures the division crown with a win. Meanwhile, the Packers have a win-and-in game against the Bears in which they clinch the lone remaining NFC wild card spot with a victory.

The regular season ends with a bang as the Bills square off against the Dolphins on Sunday Night Football in a game that’ll decide the AFC East. Miami’s already locked up a playoff spot while Buffalo’s yet to do so. However, the Bills might be in by the time kickoff rolls around as they secure a berth with either a Pittsburgh or Jacksonville loss. The Bills opened as 3-point road favorites.