The NFL’s 18th and final week of the regular season is here, and fittingly, it’s a slate made up entirely of divisional matchups. With playoff spots, seeding, and draft position all on the line, motivation varies wildly from game to game. Below is the final game-by-game breakdown, including odds, analysis, and score predictions.
Panthers (8-8) at Buccaneers (7-9)
Saturday, Jan. 3 – 4:30 p.m. | Line: Buccaneers -3
The Panthers had a chance to take control of the division last week and avoid scoreboard watching in Week 18, but instead managed just 139 total yards in a poor showing against Seattle. Carolina has struggled all season to generate consistent offense, and that issue remains front and center.
Tampa Bay once looked like one of the league’s toughest teams, but the wheels have completely come off. After starting 6-2, the Buccaneers have dropped seven of their last eight. They now need a win here and a Falcons loss just to sneak into the playoffs.
Prediction: Buccaneers 30, Panthers 24
Seahawks (13-3) at 49ers (12-4)
Saturday, Jan. 3 – 8:00 p.m. | Line: Seahawks -1.5
Seattle’s defense continued its dominant stretch with a 27-10 win over Carolina, giving them their NFC-leading 13th victory. That said, another uneven performance from Sam Darnold against a quality defense raises questions heading into January.
San Francisco’s offense has been rolling since Brock Purdy’s return, and last week’s 42-38 win over Chicago confirmed they’re peaking at the right time. Christian McCaffrey remains the engine, and this group looks dangerous again.
That said, the Seahawks win a squeaker late.
Prediction: Seahawks 27, 49ers 24
Colts (8-8) at Texans (11-5)
Sunday, Jan. 4 – 1:00 p.m. | Line: Texans -10.5
Indianapolis battled Jacksonville last week but came up short, and now the offseason questions begin. The biggest revolves around Daniel Jones, who is set to hit free agency after rupturing his Achilles late in the year.
Houston continues to win behind a suffocating defense. They’re not an offense-first team, but their ability to control games defensively makes them a matchup nobody wants in the playoffs.
Prediction: Texans 24, Colts 10
Browns (4-12) at Bengals (6-10)
Sunday, Jan. 4 – 1:00 p.m. | Line: Bengals -7.5
Cleveland played spoiler perfectly last week, knocking off Pittsburgh with another dominant defensive performance. They held the Steelers to zero red-zone conversions and forced key stops all game.
Cincinnati, meanwhile, has finished strong offensively behind Joe Burrow. The defense still has issues to address, but the Bengals are at least closing the season on a positive note.
Prediction: Bengals 23, Browns 21
Saints (6-10) at Falcons (7-9)
Sunday, Jan. 4 – 1:00 p.m. | Line: Falcons -3.5
The Saints have quietly won four straight behind rookie QB Tyler Shough, who threw for 333 yards and two touchdowns last week. His chemistry with Chris Olave is one of the few bright spots heading into the offseason.
Atlanta rode another monster game from Bijan Robinson to a dramatic win over the Rams. With a victory here, the Falcons can eliminate Tampa Bay from playoff contention.
Prediction: Saints 30, Falcons 27
Packers (9-6-1) at Vikings (8-8)
Sunday, Jan. 4 – 1:00 p.m. | Line: Vikings -5.5
Green Bay looked like a potential NFC contender a month ago, but injuries and three straight losses have locked them into the No. 7 seed. The priority now is simply getting healthy.
Minnesota has won four straight thanks largely to Brian Flores’ defense, which forced six turnovers against Detroit despite minimal offensive production.
Prediction: Vikings 33, Packers 23
Titans (3-13) at Jaguars (11-5)
Sunday, Jan. 4 – 1:00 p.m. | Line: Jaguars -11.5
Tennessee showed some fight in last week’s loss to New Orleans, and Cam Ward continues to show flashes that offer hope for the future.
Jacksonville, meanwhile, has solved its early-season passing issues. Since adding Jakobi Meyers and seeing Parker Washington emerge, Trevor Lawrence has been one of the league’s most efficient quarterbacks.
Prediction: Jaguars 34, Titans 17
Cowboys (7-8-1) at Giants (3-13)
Sunday, Jan. 4 – 1:00 p.m. | Line: Cowboys -4.5
Dallas picked up a late-season win over Washington, but the bigger story is what comes next. With multiple expiring contracts and extra draft capital, this will once again be a fascinating offseason in Dallas.
The Giants’ win over Las Vegas may have felt good, but it likely cost them the top pick in the draft and the leverage that comes with it.
Prediction: Cowboys 37, Giants 23
Cardinals (3-13) at Rams (11-5)
Sunday, Jan. 4 – 4:25 p.m. | Line: Rams -7.5
Arizona has struggled to remain competitive for much of the second half, with inconsistency on both sides of the ball.
The Rams, once chasing the NFC’s top seed, have cooled off late. They still have the pieces for a postseason run, but they need momentum heading into January.
Prediction: Rams 31, Cardinals 27
Chiefs (6-10) at Raiders (2-14)
Sunday, Jan. 4 – 4:25 p.m. | Line: Chiefs -5.5
Kansas City’s defense played admirably in a loss to Denver despite minimal offensive support. The losing streak has at least positioned them well in the draft.
Las Vegas continues to limp toward the finish line, but one more loss could secure the top pick and a potential franchise quarterback.
Prediction: Chiefs 28, Raiders 21
Commanders (4-12) at Eagles (11-5)
Sunday, Jan. 4 – 4:25 p.m. | Line: Eagles -7
Washington’s season unraveled due to injuries and defensive regression, but a high draft pick offers optimism.
Philadelphia survived Buffalo in another strange win, but offensive inconsistency remains a concern as the playoffs approach.
Prediction: Eagles 27, Commanders 26
Dolphins (7-9) at Patriots (13-3)

Sunday, Jan. 4 – 4:25 p.m. | Line: Patriots -10.5
Quinn Ewers picked up his first NFL win last week, aided by a strong defensive effort from Miami. Questions remain about Mike McDaniel’s future.
New England clinched the AFC East with a dominant win over the Jets, and behind QB Drake Maye, this team will be extremely dangerous in the postseason.
Prediction: Dolphins 30, Patriots 28
Lions (8-8) at Bears (11-5)
Sunday, Jan. 4 – 4:25 p.m. | Line: Bears -2.5
Detroit’s disappointing season essentially came to an end last week despite favorable results elsewhere.
Chicago came inches away from a huge win against San Francisco. They’re tough, physical, and battle-tested, but playoff inexperience remains the final question.
Prediction: Lions 23, Bears 20
Chargers (11-5) at Broncos (13-3)
Sunday, Jan. 4 – 4:25 p.m. | Line: Broncos -11.5
The Chargers’ red-zone struggles cost them a shot at the AFC West last week.
Denver continues to dominate in the trenches and can lock up the AFC’s top seed with a win.
Prediction: Broncos 23, Chargers 20
Jets (3-13) at Bills (11-5)
Sunday, Jan. 4 – 4:25 p.m. | Line: Bills -7.5
The Jets’ season has unraveled completely, highlighted by another ugly loss to New England.
Buffalo dropped a tough one against Philadelphia but still pose a serious threat in the playoffs.
Prediction: Bills 37, Jets 21
Ravens (8-8) at Steelers (9-7)
Sunday, Jan. 4 – 8:20 p.m. | Line: Ravens -3.5
Baltimore stayed alive thanks to another historic Derrick Henry performance. Cold weather only makes him more dangerous.
Pittsburgh squandered a chance to clinch and will need significantly more offense to win this one.
Prediction: Ravens 24, Steelers 23
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