Week 18 closes out the 2025 regular season with massive playoff drama. Every game pits division rivals against each other. The NFL moved the biggest matchups to prime time.
Seattle travels to San Francisco on Saturday night for the NFC West title and the NFC’s number one seed. Baltimore visits Pittsburgh on Sunday Night Football with the AFC North crown on the line. Carolina battles Tampa Bay for the NFC South championship.
Here are my picks for all 16 Week 18 games.
Editor’s Note: Week 17 games are nearly complete with Monday Night Football still pending. The NFL announced the official Week 18 schedule on December 28, 2025. All game times and TV networks are now confirmed. These predictions are based on current playoff standings through Sunday Night Football of Week 17.
NFL Week 18 Quick Picks Table
| Date | Matchup | Time (ET) | TV | Pick | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat, Jan 3 | Panthers @ Buccaneers | 4:30 PM | ESPN/ABC | Buccaneers | 28-20 |
| Sat, Jan 3 | Seahawks @ 49ers | 8:00 PM | ESPN/ABC | 49ers | 31-27 |
| Sun, Jan 4 | Colts @ Texans | 1:00 PM | CBS | Texans | 27-17 |
| Sun, Jan 4 | Packers @ Vikings | 1:00 PM | CBS | Packers | 24-21 |
| Sun, Jan 4 | Browns @ Bengals | 1:00 PM | CBS | Bengals | 28-17 |
| Sun, Jan 4 | Titans @ Jaguars | 1:00 PM | FOX | Jaguars | 31-14 |
| Sun, Jan 4 | Saints @ Falcons | 1:00 PM | FOX | Falcons | 24-20 |
| Sun, Jan 4 | Cowboys @ Giants | 1:00 PM | FOX | Giants | 23-17 |
| Sun, Jan 4 | Chargers @ Broncos | 4:25 PM | CBS | Broncos | 27-23 |
| Sun, Jan 4 | Commanders @ Eagles | 4:25 PM | CBS | Eagles | 31-14 |
| Sun, Jan 4 | Jets @ Bills | 4:25 PM | CBS | Bills | 31-10 |
| Sun, Jan 4 | Chiefs @ Raiders | 4:25 PM | CBS | Chiefs | 20-17 |
| Sun, Jan 4 | Lions @ Bears | 4:25 PM | FOX | Bears | 27-20 |
| Sun, Jan 4 | Dolphins @ Patriots | 4:25 PM | FOX | Patriots | 28-20 |
| Sun, Jan 4 | Cardinals @ Rams | 4:25 PM | FOX | Rams | 34-17 |
| Sun, Jan 4 | Ravens @ Steelers | 8:20 PM | NBC | Steelers | 27-24 |
Record Prediction: 13-3
We also made a Free Printable NFL Week 18 Pick’em Sheet for you. Hope you enjoy it.
Saturday Games
Carolina Panthers (8-8) @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9)
Kickoff: Saturday, January 3, 4:30 PM ET
TV: ESPN/ABC
Location: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL
The NFC South championship game. Carolina is 8-8. Tampa Bay is 7-9. The winner gets the fourth seed. The loser misses the playoffs.
Baker Mayfield plays his best game at home. The Buccaneers force three turnovers. Tampa Bay wins the division.
Pick: Buccaneers 28, Panthers 20
Seattle Seahawks (13-3) @ San Francisco 49ers (12-4)
Kickoff: Saturday, January 3, 8:00 PM ET
TV: ESPN/ABC
Location: Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, CA
The game of Week 18. Seattle is 13-3. San Francisco is 12-4. The winner takes the NFC’s number one seed and a first-round bye.
Levi’s Stadium will be rocking. Christian McCaffrey runs for 150 yards. San Francisco wins the NFC West and claims the top seed.
Pick: 49ers 31, Seahawks 27
Sunday 1 PM ET Games
Indianapolis Colts (8-8) @ Houston Texans (11-5)
Kickoff: Sunday, January 4, 1:00 PM ET | TV: CBS
Location: NRG Stadium, Houston, TX
Indianapolis is eliminated. Houston rests starters and wins with backups.
Pick: Texans 27, Colts 17
Green Bay Packers (9-6-1) @ Minnesota Vikings (8-8)
Kickoff: Sunday, January 4, 1:00 PM ET | TV: CBS
Location: U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN
Green Bay rests Jordan Love. Malik Willis starts and the Packers win at Minnesota.
Pick: Packers 24, Vikings 21
Cleveland Browns (4-12) @ Cincinnati Bengals (6-10)
Kickoff: Sunday, January 4, 1:00 PM ET | TV: CBS
Location: Paycor Stadium, Cincinnati, OH
Joe Burrow pads stats against Cleveland. Bengals win easily at home.
Pick: Bengals 28, Browns 17
Tennessee Titans (3-13) @ Jacksonville Jaguars (12-4)
Kickoff: Sunday, January 4, 1:00 PM ET | TV: FOX
Location: EverBank Stadium, Jacksonville, FL
Jacksonville rests Trevor Lawrence. Mac Jones starts and the Jaguars dominate.
Pick: Jaguars 31, Titans 14
New Orleans Saints (6-10) @ Atlanta Falcons (6-9)
Kickoff: Sunday, January 4, 1:00 PM ET | TV: FOX
Location: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA
Both teams are eliminated. Bijan Robinson gets 25 carries and Atlanta wins at home.
Pick: Falcons 24, Saints 20
Dallas Cowboys (7-8-1) @ New York Giants (3-13)
Kickoff: Sunday, January 4, 1:00 PM ET | TV: FOX
Location: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
Jaxson Dart gets experience for the Giants. New York pulls the upset at home.
Pick: Giants 23, Cowboys 17
Sunday 4:25 PM ET Games
Los Angeles Chargers (11-5) @ Denver Broncos (13-3)
Kickoff: Sunday, January 4, 4:25 PM ET | TV: CBS
Location: Empower Field at Mile High, Denver, CO
Denver fights for the AFC’s number one seed. Bo Nix and the defense dominate at home.
Pick: Broncos 27, Chargers 23
Washington Commanders (4-12) @ Philadelphia Eagles (11-5)
Kickoff: Sunday, January 4, 4:25 PM ET | TV: CBS
Location: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia rests Jalen Hurts. Eagles backups destroy Washington.
Pick: Eagles 31, Commanders 14
New York Jets (3-13) @ Buffalo Bills (11-5)
Kickoff: Sunday, January 4, 4:25 PM ET | TV: CBS
Location: Highmark Stadium, Orchard Park, NY
Buffalo rests Josh Allen. Bills backups dominate the Jets.
Pick: Bills 31, Jets 10
Kansas City Chiefs (6-10) @ Las Vegas Raiders (2-14)
Kickoff: Sunday, January 4, 4:25 PM ET | TV: CBS
Location: Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, NV
Both teams are eliminated. Kansas City wins an ugly game.
Pick: Chiefs 20, Raiders 17
Detroit Lions (8-8) @ Chicago Bears (11-5)
Kickoff: Sunday, January 4, 4:25 PM ET | TV: FOX
Location: Soldier Field, Chicago, IL
Chicago rests Caleb Williams. Tyson Bagent starts and the Bears win.
Pick: Bears 27, Lions 20
Miami Dolphins (7-9) @ New England Patriots (13-3)
Kickoff: Sunday, January 4, 4:25 PM ET | TV: FOX
Location: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA
New England fights for the top seed. Drake Maye throws four touchdowns.
Pick: Patriots 28, Dolphins 20
Arizona Cardinals (3-13) @ Los Angeles Rams (11-4)
Kickoff: Sunday, January 4, 4:25 PM ET | TV: FOX
Location: SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CA
Los Angeles rests starters. Rams backups destroy Arizona.
Pick: Rams 34, Cardinals 17
Sunday Night Football
Baltimore Ravens (8-8) @ Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7)
Kickoff: Sunday, January 4, 8:20 PM ET
TV: NBC/Peacock
Location: Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh, PA
This is the biggest game of Week 18. Baltimore is 8-8. Pittsburgh is 9-7. The winner likely takes the AFC North. The loser misses the playoffs.
The Steelers rush for 200 yards at home. Najee Harris scores three times. Pittsburgh wins the division.
Pick: Steelers 27, Ravens 24
NFL Week 18 Storylines
NFC Number One Seed Battle
Seattle and San Francisco meet Saturday night for the NFC’s top seed. The Seahawks are 13-3 after beating the Rams in overtime. The 49ers are 12-4 after destroying the Bears.
The winner gets a first-round bye and home field advantage throughout the playoffs. This is the biggest regular season game in years. Levi’s Stadium will be rocking for an instant classic.
AFC Number One Seed Race
Denver and New England are both 13-3. The Broncos host the Chargers at 4:25 PM. The Patriots host the Dolphins at 4:25 PM. Both teams need to win to stay in the race.
If Denver wins and New England loses, the Broncos claim the top seed. If both win or both lose, tiebreakers determine home field advantage. The AFC’s number one seed comes down to the final day of the regular season.
NFC South Championship
Carolina leads Tampa Bay by one game entering Week 18. The Panthers are 8-8. The Buccaneers are 7-9. This game moved to Saturday at 4:30 PM for maximum drama.
The winner claims the NFC South title and the fourth seed. The loser misses the playoffs entirely. Baker Mayfield and Bryce Young duel for a division championship at Raymond James Stadium.
AFC North Title Game
Baltimore is 8-8 and on the playoff bubble. Pittsburgh is 9-7 and fighting for the division. This game moved to Sunday Night Football at 8:20 PM.
The winner likely takes the AFC North crown. The loser probably misses the playoffs entirely. Lamar Jackson and the Steelers defense collide under the lights in Pittsburgh.
Teams Resting Starters
Multiple playoff teams will rest key starters in Week 18. The Bears rest Caleb Williams and other starters. Chicago has the second seed locked up.
The Jaguars rest Trevor Lawrence against Tennessee. Jacksonville is locked into the third seed. The Packers rest Jordan Love at Minnesota. Green Bay is the seventh seed.
The Texans, Eagles, Rams and Bills might sit key players depending on playoff seeding. Teams with nothing to play for will give backups extended playing time.
Playoff Picture Impact
Week 18 decides the final playoff seeding and division titles. Fourteen teams have clinched playoff spots. Two division championships are up for grabs. The final wild card spots hang in the balance.
The NFC’s number one seed comes down to Seattle at San Francisco. The winner gets a first-round bye and home field advantage. The loser drops to the fifth seed and plays on wild card weekend.
The AFC’s number one seed depends on Denver and New England. Both teams are 13-3. Both need to win to control their destiny. Tiebreakers could decide home field advantage if both teams finish 14-3.
The AFC North title is on the line at Acrisure Stadium. Baltimore and Pittsburgh battle on Sunday Night Football. The winner takes the division. The loser likely misses the playoffs entirely.
The NFC South championship comes down to Carolina at Tampa Bay. The winner gets the fourth seed and hosts a playoff game at home. The loser goes home for the offseason.
Wild card weekend starts next Saturday, January 10. Six games will be played over three days. The road to Super Bowl LX begins in one week.
