There are 11 games that have some sort of playoff implications entering Week 18.
Washington Commanders (11-5) at Dallas Cowboys (7-9) This matchup is just for playoff seeding, as a Commanders win gets them the No.
A Commanders loss could allow the Packers to slide into the No.
The winner of this game takes the NFC North and clinches home-field advantage for the NFC playoffs — along with the lone first-round bye.
Everything is at stake in terms of playoff positioning for the Lions and Vikings, the first regular-season matchup between 14+ win teams in NFL history.
Teams usually have nothing left to play for or are nearing the end of their NFL season in the final week. In light of the upcoming January schedule, some teams do choose to rest players in order to secure a division title or a postseason seed.
A lot is at stake for other teams. While qualifying for the playoffs is a huge accomplishment, winning a division title and securing a home playoff game are equally significant. Two 14-win teams will even face off this week for the first time in league history, with the division title and the No. The line has one seed.
As Week 18 approaches, 11 games have some kind of playoff significance. To create a viewing guide of the most important playoff games this week, let’s rank them in order of significance.
11. . Las Vegas Raiders (4-12) vs. Los Angeles Chargers (10-6).
The Chargers still need to contend with seeding even though they are in the playoffs. The Chargers are the No. 1 team right now. 6 seed, but it could go as high as No. five with a Steelers victory or defeat. A victory by the Steelers puts the Chargers in the No. 6 seeds.
10. . Seattle Seahawks (9-7) vs. Los Angeles Rams (10-6).
The Rams can still secure the No. 1 seed even though they have already won the NFC West and the Seahawks are out of the playoffs. three seed with a victory. Los Angeles might drop to No. 8 because they intend to rest their starters against Seattle. 4 with Tampa Bay winning and a loss.
9. Miami Dolphins (8-8) vs. New York Jets (4-12).
No matter what the Bengals do this week, a loss by the Broncos would still mean that the Dolphins advance to the playoffs. The Dolphins are eliminated from the playoffs if the Broncos win.
8. . Green Bay Packers (11-5) vs. Chicago Bears (4-12).
Although the Packers’ playoff seed is up for grabs, this is another game with playoff seeding. It is the Packers’ chance to play for the No. 1 seed if the Commanders lose. (and would receive it with a victory) 6 seed. The Packers are locked into the No. 1 spot if the Commanders win. 7 seeds.
Seven. Atlanta Falcons (8-8) vs. Carolina Panthers (4-12).
In addition to needing assistance to win the NFC South, the Falcons must win to formally avoid playoff elimination. With a victory and a loss for the Bucs, the Falcons secure the NFC South and the No. 1 seed in the playoffs. fourth seed in the conference.
6. . The Dallas Cowboys (7-9) host the Washington Commanders (11-5).
Since a Commanders victory earns them the No. 1 seed, this game is only for playoff seeding. 6—and keeps them from having to face the Eagles a third time. If Commander loses, the Packers might move up to the No. 6 seed, and Dallas has defeated Washington this season.
5. Los Angeles Ravens (11-5) vs. Cleveland Browns (3-13).
The AFC North division title is up for grabs in the opening match of the Week 18 schedule. The Ravens will secure the AFC North and receive the No. 1 pick if they defeat the Browns. third seed in the playoffs. Pittsburgh can win the division and move the Ravens to the No. 1 seed if Baltimore loses. 5 seeds.
4. . Tampa Bay Bucs (9-7) vs. New Orleans Saints (5-11).
The Buccaneers have an easy time of it. Tampa Bay wins to secure the NFC South and advance to the postseason. The Bucs can secure the victory. also a 3 seed with a victory and a defeat to the Rams.
3. The Chiefs (15-1) play the Broncos (9-7) in Denver.
On the last day of the regular season, everything is under control by the Broncos. The Broncos will qualify for the playoffs as the No. 1 seed if they win. 7 seed, the last team in the competition. Miami or Cincinnati will be able to enter the playoffs if Denver loses.
Denver has a chance to qualify for the playoffs because the Chiefs will be resting their starting lineup.
2. . Pittsburgh Steelers (10–6) vs. Cincinnati Bengals (8–8).
Cincinnati needs to win to maintain its hopes of making the playoffs, so the Bengals have a lot on the line in this game. The Bengals can put pressure on the Broncos and Dolphins to win on Sunday because Cincinnati plays on Saturday.
To have a chance of winning the AFC North, the Steelers must lose to the Ravens. The Steelers have a chance to secure (at least) the No. 1 seed in the playoffs. With a victory, they would take the fifth seed and eliminate the Bengals from the playoffs.
1. . at the Detroit Lions (14-2) in the Minnesota Vikings (14-2).
It’s possibly the best regular-season finale the NFC has ever seen, and it’s for everyone. The winner of this match wins the NFC North, the only first-round bye, and home-field advantage in the NFC playoffs. The loser is returned to the No. 5 seed in spite of their 14 victories, making them the first team in NFL history to earn a wild card with 13 or more wins.
The Lions and Vikings are the first regular-season matchup between 14+ win teams in NFL history, and their playoff positioning is on the line.
