RADIO
We investigate the NFL playoff contenders as we head into Week 18 of the NFL season. Which teams improved their position and who fell following Week 17? What key games lay ahead as we look toward the postseason?
AFC Contender #1: Denver Broncos
The Broncos once again found themselves relying on late heroics to overcome a non-contending opponent. A late gamble to go for it on fourth down with the game tied at 13 paid off, as they induced a Chris Jones’ offsides penalty, which then led to RJ Harvey’s go-ahead receiving score.
The win clinches the AFC West thanks to the Chargers’ Saturday loss to the Texans, but Denver faithful will want to see more conviction in Week 18. Denver’s defense held Kansas City to 139 total yards, but committed some key penalties and failed to wreck the game or flip the field against a third-string QB.
The offense needed to play better in the red zone and score more than 20 against an eliminated K.C. defense. Will the Broncos look sharper when hosting the Chargers, who will rest Justin Herbert, in the final tune-up before the playoffs?
AFC Contender #2: New England Patriots
New England took an impactful step toward the AFC East title by trampling the Jets 42-10. They put up five touchdowns in the first half, and Drake Maye made history with the best completion percentage (90%) by a quarterback with over 250 yards and five scores. Yes, it was the Jets, and that sums up how the Pats’ season has been perceived thanks to the soft schedule.
They aren’t just sneaking by bad teams, however. And now they’ll finish in Week 18 against the Dolphins as Maye looks to put the finishing touches on his MVP-hopeful campaign. If the Pats win and Denver stumbles against the Chargers, then New England captures the No. 1 seed.
AFC Contender #3: Jacksonville Jaguars
Jacksonville trailed Indianapolis by three points with six minutes left in the third quarter on Sunday, but then the defense shut Indy out while the Jags found three field-goal drives to earn a 23-17 win. Trevor Lawrence continues to play aggressively, scrambling for a pair of TDs and finding Parker Washington eight times for 115 yards.
The defense held the Colts to 4-of-11 on third downs, 204 total yards, and secured two interceptions. The win streak now sits at seven as they hold onto the one-game advantage over Houston’s own surge. All Jacksonville has to do now is beat the Titans, and they’ll secure at least the No. 3 seed, with a chance at the No. 1 or 2 seed pending Denver and New England’s Week 18 result.
AFC Contender #4: Houston Texans
The Texans won their eighth straight game to further bury that 0-3 start in the past. C.J. Stroud connected with Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel for a pair of first-quarter TDs as they roared out to a 14-0 lead that became a 20-16 win. You’d like to see the offense be able to keep things going, but the Chargers’ defense is formidable.
Assuming the Texans can beat the Colts, who will probably pivot to Riley Leonard at QB with their contending window closed, Houston will take the No. 5 seed and earn a date with the AFC North winner. Though the Texans won’t get a home game to open things up, facing an opponent with three fewer wins is nice. And if Jacksonville drops its game against the Titans, then Houston takes the division and may host the Jags as the No. 3 seed.
AFC Contender #5: Buffalo Bills
The Bills fell behind thanks to yet another slow start, and that early hole came with some horrible weather to create a perfect storm, resulting in a 13-12 loss to Philadelphia. Josh Allen had a chance to pull out the win, but he missed Khalil Shakir wide left on the decisive two-point conversion.
The good news is that Buffalo’s run defense held up against a potent opponent, and both Brandin Cooks and Tyrell Shavers made clutch deep receptions for a subpar WR room. But this theme of the team waiting to mobilize until the second half must change. This is still an extremely capable team, but the question surrounding Allen’s playmakers will loom large.
The Bills should beat the 3-13 Jets next week and settle for 12-5. Interestingly, Buffalo likely faces the Jaguars in Jacksonville no matter what. If they win and Denver beats the Chargers, then Buffalo is the No. 6 seed, and Jacksonville is at No. 3, but if the Chargers win, it’s Buffalo at No. 7 and Jacksonville at No. 2 (Denver slides to No. 3).
AFC Contender #6: Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers couldn’t overcome Houston’s stifling defense, which means the AFC West is no longer within reach in that Week 18 matchup with the Broncos. There were more troubling signs in the loss as well, with missed offensive line blocks, drops, and questionable throws by a quarterback under duress.
The defense played well after looking flat-footed in the first quarter, but can Justin Herbert dance around the flames for a playoff run? It seems that Herbert will not play in Week 18, so let’s see if Trey Lance can beat Denver to make a clear statement going into the postseason, which would set up an immediate Wild Card weekend rematch in the Mile High City.
AFC Contender #7: Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh had everything going for them heading into a Week 17 matchup with the Browns, where a win would’ve earned the AFC North title. But these things are never straightforward, and Cleveland stood tall and pulled off a 13-6 win, which shifts the spotlight back onto Week 18.
Thanks to Baltimore beating Green Bay, the regular-season finale between the two rivals will confer the division to the winner, while the loser misses the postseason entirely. This will boil down to which PIT squad shows up. Will it be the Steelers who beat the Lions, or who just got contained by Cleveland?
AFC Contender #8: Baltimore Ravens
With Tyler Huntley in for the injured Lamar Jackson (back), Baltimore leaned on Derrick Henry and (finally) didn’t pivot from that. King Henry rushed for over 200 yards and four TDs, as Huntley kept them in the fight with an 80% completion rate and 60 rushing yards of his own.
The ground success helped them control the clock, owning over 40 minutes of the 60-minute contest. This win, combined with a Steelers loss to the Browns, sets up a Week 18 showdown in Pittsburgh for all of the divisional marbles. Does either fanbase feel confident?
NFC Contender #1: Seattle Seahawks
Seattle poured it on Carolina throughout the second half, with Zach Charbonnet spearheading the offense while the defense never let the Panthers get going. They are now the only NFC team with 13 wins and can lock down both the NFC West crown and the No. 1 seed with a Week 18 victory. Standing in their way are the 49ers, who are also red-hot and on a six-game win streak of their own.
Assuming the Rams beat the Cardinals, even a Seahawks loss in San Francisco next week will drop them into a healthy position as the No. 5 seed against the NFC South champion. Seattle has a slight advantage with the game scheduled for Saturday and San Fran coming off a Sunday night tilt, but the Niners did win the first matchup between the two by a tight margin (17-13) in Week 2.
NFC Contender #2: San Francisco 49ers
Brock Purdy’s second straight five-touchdown performance led San Francisco to a 42-38 win over the Bears, which maintained their path to the No. 1 seed. Christian McCaffrey’s odometer climbed further with 27 touches (181 yards, TD), Jake Tonges stepped into George Kittle’s cleats with 60 yards and a TD, and Ricky Pearsall’s knee looked great with a team-leading 85 receiving yards.
Kittle says he’ll be out there for the marquee matchup with the Seahawks next week, which will determine who takes the No. 1 seed, first-round bye, and the NFC West banner. A loss would likely mean traveling to Philadelphia, but perhaps Chicago, to open the playoffs. With no runaway favorite in the conference, San Fran and its divisional cohorts look to have the inside track. Can the Niners emerge as the top dog?
NFC Contender #3: Chicago Bears
The Bears came up short in a Sunday night 42-38 race with the Niners, but continue to lookcapable of hanging with any opponent. With Rome Odunze still out with a foot injury and DJ Moore held to one catch, rookies Luther Burden III and Colston Loveland stepped up for 232 combined receiving yards.
Odunze may return for Week 18 against the Lions, but Burden required a cart to leave the field after the final play. Despite the loss, a win at home against the Lions will cement them as the No. 2 seed, which will bring the ailing Packers to their doorstep.
NFC Contender #4: Los Angeles Rams
The Rams fell into a 21-point hole only to claw back to a 24-24 tie, but couldn’t stave off a late field goal to lose for a second straight game. While the previous week’s loss could at least be framed by losing to a top contender in Seattle, the Falcons have been eliminated for a while.
The offense certainly needs Davante Adams (hamstring) to heal up, but recent poor decisions and miscues from the offense must be cleaned up. The conference, and the entire NFL, is without a clear favorite, and the Rams can hang with anyone when they’re humming. But three losses over their last five games is not promising, and a Week 18 game against the sputtering Cardinals won’t do much to change perception.
NFC Contender #5: Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles eked out a 13-12 win over the Bills in stormy Buffalo, giving them a playoff-caliber win to pocket before finishing up against the Commanders in Week 18. Win or lose, they’re likely ticketed for that No. 3 seed slot, which should mean hosting either the Rams or 49ers, but if Detroit beats Chicago, then Philly can hop into the No. 2 seed and take on Green Bay.
We’ll chalk up most of the offensive woes to the weather in Buffalo, though it was discouraging to see Saquon Barkley once again struggle to find rushing lanes against a bad rush unit. But Jalen Hurts and his pass-catchers were able to do enough and avoid any turnovers. Do they have another gear available come playoff time?
NFC Contender #6: Green Bay Packers
The Packers lost their third consecutive game, but still clinched the final NFC playoff berth thanks to Detroit’s loss at the hands of the Vikings. Malik Willis performed well with Jordan Love out due to a concussion, but Jeff Hafley’s defense didn’t have a single answer for containing Derrick Henry.
On the plus side, the three recent losses have all been to playoff contenders, but they need Love and Josh Jacobs (knee/ankle) to be healthy come January. They will travel to either Chicago or Philadelphia for the first round, no matter what happens in Minnesota this week. A strong showing against the Vikings’ stout defense would go a long way toward building playoff-worthy momentum as an underdog.
NFC Contender #7: Carolina Panthers
Carolina could’ve iced the division with a win over Seattle thanks to Tampa Bay’s loss to Miami, but it was not meant to be. The Panthers did well to stymie the Seahawks early and took a 3-3 tie into halftime, but were outscored 24-7 after that. Bryce Young mustered only 54 yards on 14 completions, alongside an interception, and the defense finally broke in the face of Seattle’s ground game.
It is unlikely that the NFC South winner will make a deep run, but we must note that Carolina can now lose to the Bucs in Week 18 and still capture the division on a tiebreak if Atlanta wins against the Saints. Your 2025 NFC South, everyone!
NFC Contender #8: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
With their season’s hopes on the ropes, the Bucs couldn’t overcome their first three-turnover effort of the year in a loss to Miami. The running game went nowhere without star tackle Tristan Wirfs to anchor the line. However, Jalen McMillan’s first career 100-yard game was a pleasant sight after the career-threatening neck injury he suffered this preseason.
Tampa Bay also had a 55-yard field goal try blocked. Simply put, they need Wirfs to get healthy for the offense’s sake, and they could really use a pass-rush spark like Calijah Kancey (pec) back on defense. Now, they not only need to beat Carolina in the season finale on Saturday, but they also need Atlanta to fall to New Orleans on Sunday.
