It’s NFL Week 18. The last week of the regular season has finally arrived, with still much to be done to determine the final seedings for the NFL playoffs, which begin the following week with the wild-card round.
Nine of the 14 playoff spots are now reserved, with three more slots to fill in the AFC and two more in the NFC.
Because it’s NFL Week 18, one difference is that there will be no Thursday night or Monday night games. Instead, two will be played Saturday, and the rest on Sunday, with six games starting at 1 p.m. ET, seven games at 4:25 p.m. ET, and one (our No. 1 game) reserved for Sunday night to add more drama and suspense to the final weekend.
One not included among the top five is the NFC West clash between the Los Angeles Rams and the San Francisco 49ers. During most weeks, that game would qualify for this list, but both have already clinched playoff spots, and the only possible outcome of the game could be the Rams either moving down to the No. 7 seed or staying in the No. 6 spot. In other words, the game isn’t that significant.
Here are the top five games of NFL Week 18, ranked in reverse order:
5. Philadelphia Eagles (11-5) at New York Giants (5-11)
WHEN: Sunday at 4:25 p.m. ET
Looking at the records, this might not seem like much of a game. But it is, given the fact the Eagles have lost four of their past five games and need to give themselves a chance at winning the NFC East crown and the No. 2 seed in the NFC, should the Dallas Cowboys stumble.
Plus, the Eagles and the Giants just played each other in Week 16, and even though Philadelphia won the game, the players didn’t sound like it after the fact.
The Eagles need a double-digit victory to improve their psyche and gain some momentum going into the playoffs the following week, but the Giants, as NFC East rivals, aren’t likely to give it them.
Related: Philadelphia Eagles’ implosion to end 2023 is all on head coach Nick Sirianni
4. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7) at Baltimore Ravens (13-3)
WHEN: Saturday at 4:30 p.m. ET
The Ravens have already wrapped up the AFC North title, along with the No. 1 seed and homefield advantage throughout the AFC playoffs. So, this NFL Week 18 game is not about them.
It’s all about the Steelers, the No. 9 seeds who have won two straight games with Mason Rudolph at quarterback. Pittsburgh still has a 29-percent chance of making the playoffs and will need some help in a few other games.
But the Ravens could decide to rest some players against their AFC North rivals and preserve their health heading into the playoffs.
Related: Pittsburgh Steelers QB Mason Rudolph proves he was the solution all along in Week 17 victory
3. Dallas Cowboys (11-5) at Washington Commanders (4-12)
WHEN: Sunday at 4:25 p.m. ET
This is yet another NFL Week 18 game with a huge disparity between the two teams’ records, yet the Cowboys need to win to secure the NFC East crown and the No. 2 seed in the NFC playoffs.
That might be easier said than done for Dallas, which has a 3-5 road record and could easily stumble against the Commanders anywhere outside of AT&T Stadium.
One other thing to keep in mind is Washington’s hold on the No. 2 overall spot in the 2024 NFL Draft. A victory could compromise where they would pick, but at the same time the Commanders won’t be tanking. It’s just another interesting subplot of the game.
Related: NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has the power to overturn Lions-Cowboys outcome
2. Houston Texans (9-7) at Indianapolis Colts (9-7)
WHEN: Saturday at 8:15 p.m. ET
It’s a NFL Week 18 battle between two first-year head coaches and NFL Coach of the Year candidates, DeMeco Ryans of Houston and Shane Steichen of Indianapolis, in the biggest “win or go home” game of NFL Week 18.
The Colts, as the No. 7 seed, enter the game with a 54-percent chance of making the playoffs, and the No. 8 Texans have a 47-percent chance. There is no scenario in which either team can lose this game and advance to the playoffs.
The Colts have the upper hand based on their Week 2 win over the Texans in Houston. C.J. Stroud, back in Week 17 after missing two weeks while on concussion protocol, will try to extend his stellar rookie season with a playoff berth, which would be Houston’s first since 2019.
1. Buffalo Bills (10-6) at Miami Dolphins (11-5)
WHEN: Sunday at 8:20 p.m. ET
The best game of NFL Week 18, by far. Given how the two teams started the season, it’s almost unbelievable that the Bills can clinch the AFC East title with a victory.
But the Bills have steamrolled back from a 5-5 start to win four straight and five of their past six games. The Dolphins, meanwhile, are coming off a 56-19 beatdown loss that might have cost them their best pass rusher, Bradley Chubb. They were already without receiver Jaylen Waddle and running back Raheem Mostert.
Related: Bradley Chubb suffers potentially serious knee injury; Miami Dolphins’ decision questioned
Buffalo won the first encounter back in Week 4, 48-20, and would enter the AFC playoffs as perhaps the biggest threat to Baltimore. But that will depend on the play of quarterback Josh Allen, who needs to be better than his three-interception Week 17 game against New England.