NFL Week 18 Roundup

Last Updated on January 6, 2026 11:29 am by Erwin Noguera

The final week of the NFL season, Week 18, was played, and the last playoff teams were decided, with a few surprises along the way.

The biggest shock came in the NFC South, where a three-way tie at the top of the division occurred. Even though the Carolina Panthers lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Saturday, the Arizona Falcons defeated the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, leaving all three teams with an 8–9 record. The division title ultimately went to the Panthers thanks to their 3–1 record in head-to-head matchups among the tied teams.

In the AFC North, the Pittsburgh Steelers secured a dramatic victory over the Baltimore Ravens to punch their ticket to the postseason.

The Denver Broncos and the Seattle Seahawks claimed the top seeds in the AFC and NFC, respectively, earning the No. 1 spot in each conference.

The weekend also saw Cleveland Browns star Myles Garrett set a new league record for sacks with 23, while the Kansas City Chiefs lost to the Las Vegas Raiders and finished the season on a six-game losing streak with a 6–11 record.

At Gambyl Exchange, you can explore all NFL predictions, the final bets for this Matchday, and the odds for each match.

NFL Week 18 Games

NFL Week 18: Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Carolina Panthers

In a matchup that felt like a final and was played under heavy rain, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Carolina Panthers 16–14 at home. However, Tampa Bay was ultimately eliminated due to the three-way tie in the NFC South explained earlier.

The Buccaneers found their winning form too late. After four straight losses and just one win in their previous eight games, they managed to come out on top, but the Falcons’ victory in Atlanta over the Saints worked against them and knocked them out of the postseason.

Baker Mayfield had a solid afternoon given the weather conditions, completing 16 of 22 passes for 203 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Tight end Cade Otton scored the team’s only touchdown, with the remaining points coming from field goals.

The Panthers, meanwhile, ended a seven-year drought without playoffs, claiming the NFC South for the first time since 2015.

Bryce Young did his best, finishing 24 of 35 for 266 yards, one interception, and no sacks.

Carolina is undoubtedly the team everyone wants to face in the postseason, with the Los Angeles Rams set to benefit. They are the first team to reach the playoffs with a losing record since Tampa Bay did so in the 2022–23 season with the same 8–9 mark, only to be eliminated in their first game.

Result: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 16-14 Carolina Panthers

NFL Week 18: San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks

The Seattle Seahawks earned an impressive 13–3 road victory over the San Francisco 49ers to claim the divisional title and the top seed in the conference.

Seattle, which finished the regular season with a surprising 14–3 record, relied on a strong defensive performance that limited Brock Purdy to 19 completions on 27 attempts for just 127 yards, intercepting him once and sacking him three times.

The game featured only one touchdown, which came on a Zach Charbonnet rushing score in the first quarter. It was the running back’s third straight game with a touchdown and his fourth score over that span.

Sam Darnold completed 20 of 26 passes for 198 yards and was not intercepted. It marked the fifth game this season in which the quarterback failed to throw a touchdown pass.

Seattle now advances directly to the second round of the playoffs and will await their opponent, while the 49ers (12–5) will travel to face the Philadelphia Eagles.

Result: Francisco 49ers 3-13 Seattle Seahawks

NFL Week 18: Denver Broncos vs. Los Angeles Chargers

The Denver Broncos were far from flashy, but they did enough to defeat the Los Angeles Chargers 19–3 and secure the top seed in the conference.

In a game dominated by defense, the offense led by Bo Nix raised plenty of questions. The quarterback completed 14 of 23 passes for 141 yards, threw no interceptions, and was sacked four times. It marked the third game this season in which he failed to throw a touchdown pass.

Wil Lutz connected on four field goals, while the only touchdown came on a defensive play: Ja’Quan McMillan picked up a loose ball after it slipped out of KeAndre Lambert-Smith’s hands and returned it 45 yards for a score, his first touchdown of the season and the second of his career.

The Chargers (11–6) played mostly backups, with Trey Lance making his first start in a year. He completed 20 of 44 passes for 136 yards, threw one interception, and was sacked once.

The Broncos will await their opponent in the divisional round, while the Chargers will head to face the New England Patriots.

Result: Denver Broncos 19-3 Los Angeles Chargers

NFL Week 18: Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Baltimore Ravens

In a thrilling and dramatic game that closed out the NFL regular season, the Pittsburgh Steelers (10–7) edged the Baltimore Ravens (8–9) 26–24 in agonizing fashion to claim the AFC North title and eliminate their divisional rivals.

The villain of the night was Tyler Loop. The rookie kicker missed a 44-yard field goal on the final play of the game that would have given the Ravens both the win and a playoff berth. It is undoubtedly a moment that will haunt him for a long time.

On the winning side, 42-year-old Aaron Rodgers completed 31 of 47 passes for 294 yards and one touchdown, which came on a catch by Calvin Austin III with 55 seconds remaining.Chris Boswell missed the extra point, leaving the lead at just two points. Fortunately for him, his counterpart failed to convert the potential game-winning kick that would have turned Boswell into the villain instead.

It was a cinematic fourth quarter, with two touchdowns by each team and constant momentum swings. Pittsburgh started the quarter in front, Baltimore took the lead, then the home team went back ahead, followed by another Ravens score. Austin then put the Steelers back on top, and ultimately, Loop missed the kick that would have won it for Baltimore.

At halftime, the Ravens led 10–3 thanks to a touchdown catch by Devontez Walker. On the final play of the half, with just one yard to go, the Steelers attempted to run the ball, but Alohi Gilman made a crucial tackle.

In the third quarter, a rushing touchdown by Connor Heyward and a field goal from Boswell flipped the score in Pittsburgh’s favor, setting the stage for the wild final period. Kenneth Gainwell scored on the ground, and Austin added a receiving touchdown, while Zay Flowers caught two touchdown passes for Baltimore.

Lamar Jackson finished the game completing 11 of 18 passes for 238 yards and three touchdown passes, along with one interception.

Result: Pittsburgh Steelers 26-24 Baltimore Ravens