The NFL playoff picture is almost set, but there are a few games in Week 18 with seismic postseason implications. These are the motivations for every team heading into the final week of the 2025-26 NFL regular season.
Arizona Cardinals at Los Angeles Rams
The Cardinals have been eliminated from playoff contention.
The Rams cannot win the NFC West, meaning they won’t host a playoff game. They can secure the No. 5 seed with a win on Monday and a win in Week 18 versus Arizona or a 49ers loss next week. Sean McVay told reporters early in the week that he will not rest his starters. I remain skeptical that they will play a full game with only minor differences in seeding on the line.
New Orleans Saints at Atlanta Falcons
Both teams have been eliminated from playoff contention.
New York Jets at Buffalo Bills
The Jets have been eliminated from playoff contention.
The Bills are guaranteed a playoff spot but are out of the running for the AFC East title. They can move as high as the No. 5 seed and as low as the No. 7 seed. A win in Week 18 alone doesn’t guarantee them the fifth seed and Josh Allen was hobbled by the end of his Week 17 loss to the Eagles. Head coach Sean McDermott could ultimately decide a shot at a better Wild Card Round matchup isn’t worth forgoing a week of rest for Allen and some other starters.
Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions
The Lions have been eliminated from playoff contention.
The Bears can get the No. 2 seed with a win or a Philly loss. I suspect they want the hirer seed and will at least give their starters a chance to play.
Cleveland Browns at Cincinnati Bengals
Both teams have been eliminated from playoff contention.
Los Angeles Chargers at Denver Broncos
The Chargers are guaranteed a playoff spot but cannot win the AFC West. They could climb as high as the No. 5 seed with a win over Denver and some help. They were in a similar spot last year and played their starters. Justin Herbert, however, has already been given the week off. LA could roll out a few other starters for a quarter or so, but I am simply ignoring this team for fantasy purposes.
The Broncos have already won the AFC West. They can claim the No. 1 seed with a win or losses by the Patriots and Jags.
Kansas City Chiefs at Las Vegas Raiders
Both teams have been eliminated from playoff contention.
Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings have been eliminated from playoff contention.
The Packers are guaranteed the No. 7 seed. They cannot move higher but are locked into the playoffs. Adam Schefter reports they will rest key players in Week 18.
With Green Bay locked into the NFC’s No. 7 seed, they are expected to rest key players next week.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 28, 2025
Jordan Love, Josh Jacobs, and Christian Watson have all been on the injury report — if not out entirely — in recent weeks. I expect all three of those players and several other starters to spend Sunday’s game on the bench.
Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots
The Dolphins have been eliminated from playoff contention.
The Pats can win the No. 1 seed with a win versus Miami and a Denver loss to the Chargers.
Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants
Both teams have been eliminated from playoff contention.
Washington Commanders at Philadelphia Eagles
The Commanders have been eliminated from playoff contention.
The Eagles have won the NFC East. They are guaranteed either the No. 2 or No. 3 seed. They can move up to the second seed with a Week 18 win and a loss by the Bears. They could ultimately opt for rest over a shot at a higher seed.
Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers
The winner of this game claims the AFC North title and a playoff berth with home-field advantage for the Wild Card Round. The loser goes home. A tie would see the Steelers advance to the postseason.
Seattle Seahawks at San Francisco 49ers
This game is a battle for the NFC West crown and the No. 1 seed in the NFC. The 49ers win the division in the event of a tie.
Carolina Panthers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Panthers win the NFC South with a win or a tie. They can also win the division with a loss and a Falcons win. That creates a three-way tie at the top of the NFC South, which the Panthers hold the tie-breaker for. The Bucs need to win and see the Falcons lose.
Tennessee Titans at Jacksonville Jaguars
The Titans have been eliminated from playoff contention.
The Jaguars can win the No. 1 seed with a win and losses by the Patriots and Broncos. They can win the AFC South with a win or a Texans loss.
Indianapolis Colts at Houston Texans
The Colts have been eliminated from playoff contention. Riley Leonard will draw the start over Philip Rivers this week.
The Texans need to win and see the Jags lose to bring home the AFC South. They are, however, already guaranteed a playoff spot.
