NFL Week 18 Predictions, Schedule & Prime-Time Games, Check How to Watch!

NFL Week 18 is unlike any other week of the season, as everything comes down to this final stretch. All the division titles, playoff spots, and draft order are decided at once. Some teams play with full urgency, while others rest key players and look ahead to January. Do you know which games actually matter the most this weekend and which ones could surprise you?

🚨 WEEK 18 SCHEDULE 🚨 pic.twitter.com/c4kM67GCmR

— NFL (@NFL) December 29, 2025

As the regular season comes to an end, every matchup carries a different level of pressure and purpose. From tight division races to games with nothing on the line but pride, Week 18 brings chaos, clarity, and drama all at the same time. By Sunday night, the playoff picture will finally be complete, and every unanswered question will have an answer.

What are the Final Week 18 Predictions from NFL.com Editors?

As the regular season comes to an end, all the editors of NFL.com have made their picks for every Week 18 game. These include Ali Bhanpuri, Tom Blair, Brooke Cersosimo, Gennaro Filice, and Dan Parr. Their predictions combine film study, data, gut instinct, and plenty of strong opinions.

With the playoffs right around the corner, these final picks focus heavily on motivation, home-field advantage, and which teams still have something to play for. The table below gives a look at how the analysts have performed this season and how they see the biggest Week 18 games playing out.

.@bakermayfield delivered a 5 TD game against the Panthers last season 🔥

Will he come through again this Saturday?

CARvsTB– Saturday 4:30pm ET on ESPN/ABC
Stream on @NFLPlus and ESPN App pic.twitter.com/YBuj4vtmFy

— NFL (@NFL) January 1, 2026

Saturday Games (January 4)

Saturday’s doubleheader sets the tone for the weekend, featuring a division title game and a clash for the NFC’s top seed. Both games are nationally televised and carry real postseason consequences.

These matchups are particularly compelling because neither allows teams to ease into Week 18, as the stakes demand full effort.

Key takeaways:

• Carolina clinches the NFC South with a late field goal.

• San Francisco claims the NFC No. 1 seed in a physical, one-point win.

Also Read: NFL Week 17 Games: Check Schedule, Picks, Odds & Playoff Picture!

Sunday Early Games (10:00 AM PT)

Sunday’s early window is packed with games that range from playoff positioning to pride and evaluation for next season. Motivation varies heavily here, which plays a major role in Farmer’s predictions. Several contenders face teams already looking toward the draft, creating potential mismatches on paper.

Notable trends:

• Jacksonville stays hot entering the playoffs.

• Minnesota benefits from Green Bay prioritising health.

• Cincinnati’s defence proves decisive at home.

Sunday Afternoon Games (1:25 PM PT)

The late-afternoon games on Sunday include several teams that have already made the playoffs. Some of them may rest their star players to stay healthy, while others want to finish the regular season strong after recent struggles. A few of these matchups are expected to be one-sided, with clear favourites likely to win by a large margin.

What stands out:

• The Rams and Patriots deliver statement wins.

• Buffalo takes care of business with playoff seeding in mind.

• Chicago rebounds after a tough loss with a divisional victory.

Who Will Win the AFC North on Sunday Night Football?

If you are not aware of the ending of Week 18, no need to worry, as it will be with one of the NFL’s biggest rivalries taking centre stage. You will get to experience a neck-to-neck competition between the Baltimore Ravens and the Pittsburgh Steelers. All of this will take place for the AFC North title on the line, making this the most important game of the weekend.

Rivalry games between these two teams are almost always close, especially in Pittsburgh. Even though Baltimore is coming in with strong momentum. The matchup and predictions are given below:

Why it matters:

• Pittsburgh wins the division.

• AFC playoff seeding is finalised.

• A rivalry game delivers the final word of the regular season.

NFL Week 18 Prime-Time Games 

Week 18’s national broadcasts focus on games with real stakes. The league limits prime-time slots to matchups that directly impact playoff races. If you want to have a quick reference as a viewer to plan the weekend, here is how to watch:

• Saturday (ABC / ESPN):

• Panthers vs Buccaneers

• Seahawks vs 49ers

• Sunday Night Football (NBC / Peacock):

• Ravens vs Steelers

• FOX: NFC-heavy slate

• CBS: AFC-heavy slate

• NFL+: Streaming access for select games

You may also like to read: NFL 2026 Pro Bowl Games: See Full List of Chargers, Steelers & Chiefs Stars!

To conclude, Week 18 is unpredictable by nature, but it also delivers clarity. By Sunday night, division champions will be crowned, playoff brackets finalised, and draft positioning locked in.

Apart from this, the 49ers and Patriots are entering the postseason as No. 1 seeds. Even the Steelers are surviving the AFC North. Several contenders are regaining momentum just in time.