Week 18 of the NFL season is finally here, and a couple of playoff spots are still up for grabs. With 14 games scheduled for Sunday and another two on Saturday, let’s take a quick look at the most pivotal matchups for the final weekend of the regular season. Here are four must-watch games with heavy playoff implications slated for Week 18:
Cincinnati Bengals @ Pittsburgh Steelers
Time: Saturday, 8:00 p.m. EST/5:00 p.m. PST
A division rivalry that never gets old, the Bengals and Steelers face off in Week 18 with serious playoff implications. The Bengals need a win (plus some help) to get in. An offense led by Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins is not one that teams currently in the AFC playoff picture would like to see. Cincinnati needs the Broncos and Dolphins to lose for a chance to secure the final Wild Card spot.
For the Steelers, they still have a chance to win the AFC North. They’ll already know if they have a chance before this game begins, as the Ravens take on the Browns for a chance to clinch the division title Saturday afternoon. Either way, this game will still matter for Pittsburgh. A win over the Bengals clinches at least the 5th seed for the Steelers in the AFC playoffs.
New Orleans Saints @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Time: Sunday, 1:00 p.m. EST/10:00 a.m. PST
Six of the seven NFC playoff teams are already set — with some order details still to be sorted. The last spot will go to the winner of the NFC South between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Atlanta Falcons. The Bucs faced a similar situation last year. They needed a win over the Carolina Panthers to secure a spot. Baker Mayfield and company hope to take care of business once again this season. They’ll take on a New Orleans Saints team that will be starting rookie Spencer Rattler.
If Rattler can pick up his first career NFL win, Atlanta will have a chance to secure the NFC South with a win over the Carolina Panthers. Knowing the history between the Falcons and Saints, Falcons fans are likely not too pleased they have to cheer on their most bitter rival to have any chance at the postseason.
Kansas City Chiefs @ Denver Broncos
Time: Sunday, 4:25 p.m. EST/1:25 p.m. PST
It’s simple for the Broncos. Win, and they’re in. They take on a Chiefs team that is reportedly set to sit its starters — including QB Patrick Mahomes — having already clinched a first-round Bye. Denver enters the game as a heavy favorite against Kansas City’s backup.
However, we’ve seen crazier things happen in the NFL. If the Broncos were to lose, the Dolphins would be next in line for a chance to clinch a playoff berth. If Miami fails to capitalize, then the Bengals will have earned the spot if they pick up the win Saturday night. Several scenarios are still available, putting a ton of pressure on rookie QB Bo Nix and the Broncos to win this one.
Minnesota Vikings @ Detroit Lions
Time: Sunday, 8:20 p.m. EST/5:20 p.m. PST
The marquee matchup of the weekend was saved for Sunday night. The NFC North title, the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs, and a first-round Bye are all on the line in a Week 18 matchup between the Vikings and Lions. It all comes down to this game between the NFC’s top two teams through 17 weeks.
For the Lions, it’s a chance to clinch a second-straight NFC North title. A loss would be crushing here. Detroit, who started the season 12-1, would tumble to the 5th seed and go on the road against either the Rams or Buccaneers — two teams that have played well against the Lions previously.
The Vikings would put a cap on a magical season. Minnesota lost its first-round QB for the year before the season even began, and wasn’t given much of a chance in the NFC North by many pundits. The Vikings have won nine in a row to get here. A win means the NFC playoffs will go through a difficult road environment in Minnesota.
NFL fans could not have asked for a better ending to a fantastic regular season.
