It all comes down to this: Week 18. 

The final week of the NFL regular season is here, and it’s packed with drama, stakes, and everything football fans could ask for — except maybe catching a glimpse of your favorite player in action, with so many teams resting starters. From playoff seeding chaos to record-breaking performances, this week will set the stage for January football and, for some, the future of their franchises.

Some teams are resting their stars, preparing for deep playoff runs, while others are fighting like it’s already the postseason. Three AFC teams are still clawing for that final Wild Card spot, while several NFC teams are jockeying for crucial seeding. 

Meanwhile, other squads have their eyes on something entirely different — a shot at the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft. Every snap, every decision could ripple into the offseason and beyond.

Saturday will set the tone with two critical AFC North matchups: the Ravens can clinch their division with a win over the Browns, while the Bengals face a must-win against the Steelers to stay alive. 

From there, Sunday takes over with a packed slate of games featuring win-or-go-home scenarios, wild-card battles, and even history-making matchups like the Vikings and Lions fighting for the NFC’s top seed. 

Buckle up — Week 18 is here.

Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons (1:00 PM ET)

Michael Penix Jr. steps into his third NFL start with immense pressure, as the Falcons face a win-and-in scenario for a home playoff game in the NFC South. To make it happen, they’ll need a victory over the Panthers and some help from a Buccaneers loss. For Penix, it’s the kind of moment that can cement a young quarterback’s reputation.

Luckily for the Falcons, Penix is matched up against a struggling Panthers defense that has allowed nearly 400 yards per game this season, the worst in the league.

Washington Commanders at Dallas Cowboys (1:00 PM ET)

The Dallas Cowboys’ season has been one of unmet expectations. At 7-9, this campaign feels even more deflating than their 6-10 effort in 2020, largely due to inconsistency when their stars are playing.

On the other side, the Washington Commanders may not have much to play for, but that's not how head coach Dan Quinn sees it. He said in his Monday press conference, "We’re going to go after it as hard as we can. I think the seeding portion of this is really important."

A win guarantees them the No. 6 seed and spares them a first-round matchup against the rested Eagles. However, a loss — combined with a Packers win over the Bears — would drop them to the No. 7 seed, setting up a trip to Philadelphia.

Jayden Daniels, likely the Rookie of the Year, has been the driving force behind the Commanders’ playoff push. With his dual-threat ability, he’s not only given Washington a new offensive identity but also hope for the future.

No matter how they do in the playoffs, this season should be viewed as an unquestioned success.

Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers (1:00 PM ET)

The Green Bay Packers are set to close out their regular season with a division matchup against the Chicago Bears. While the Packers have already secured a playoff spot, they’re not coasting into the postseason.

Head coach Matt LaFleur has made it clear: the starters are playing as the team looks to build momentum for the playoffs. A win, combined with a Commanders loss, would push Green Bay to the No. 6 seed, avoiding a fresh Saquon Barkley and the Eagles.

On the flip side, the Bears have nothing to lose but plenty to gain in terms of development. With their playoff hopes dashed weeks ago, this game is an opportunity to end the season on a high note and hopefully roll that into the offseason.

Jacksonville Jaguars at Indianapolis Colts (1:00 PM ET)

The Jacksonville Jaguars and Indianapolis Colts are closing out their seasons in a matchup that’s more about introspection than competition. For Jacksonville, the focus is on addressing widespread frustration with the front office and charting a new course after another rough year. Fans have made their thoughts known, calling for major changes in leadership to restore faith in the franchise.

Meanwhile, the Colts face their own set of challenges, with questions swirling around the team’s culture and locker room dynamics. Criticism from former players and inconsistent handling of quarterback Anthony Richardson have added to the uncertainty about the organization’s direction.

Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots (1:00 PM ET)

With the Buffalo Bills locked into the No. 2 seed in the AFC, head coach Sean McDermott plans to rest most of his starters and stay healthy heading into the postseason. The Patriots, on the other hand, are in a unique position. A loss secures the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, giving New England fans a reason to look ahead rather than dwell on this tough season.

Head coach Jerod Mayo has emphasized the importance of finishing strong, signaling that healthy starters will play; but with his reputation of following through on what he's told the media, who knows how accurate that will be on Sunday.

New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles (1:00 PM ET)

The Eagles are resting Saquon Barkley this week, even though he’s just 101 yards shy of breaking Eric Dickerson’s single-season rushing record. It’s a move that’s easy to understand but tough to swallow. 

Sure, keeping Barkley fresh for the playoffs makes sense, but records like this stick in the history books — and for a running back, that’s a big deal. The current record has stood for 40 years.

Head coach Nick Sirianni said the team’s focus is on the Super Bowl, not individual accolades, but fans and analysts aren’t thrilled. Meanwhile, the Giants are just trying to finish their season with a win and some pride. No playoff stakes here, just a divisional rivalry to close things out.

New Orleans Saints at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1:00 PM ET)

The Bucs have a chance to wrap up the NFC South with a win, but they could still claim the division even with a loss if the Falcons fall to the Panthers. 

Baker Mayfield has been the story in Tampa, putting up career-best numbers and leading this team to the brink of a playoff berth.

On the other side, the Saints have had a tough year. They’re without their head coach and starting quarterback, leaving them little more than pride to play for. Interim head coach Darren Rizzi will keep Spencer Rattler under center as the team looks to close the season with a spoiler win.

Adding some extra motivation, Bucs receiver Mike Evans is just 85 yards away from tying Jerry Rice’s record for consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. Expect Baker to feed him early and often as Tampa aims to punch its postseason ticket in style.

Houston Texans at Tennessee Titans (1:00 PM ET)

The Texans are locked into the No. 4 seed in the AFC and will be resting their starters, a decision that’s hard to love considering their recent struggles. They’ve stumbled into the postseason, and this game could’ve been a chance to get back on track. Instead, they’re prioritizing health over momentum.

Meanwhile, the Titans have their eyes on the 2025 NFL Draft. A loss here, combined with a Patriots win over a resting Bills squad, would land Tennessee the No. 1 overall pick. For Titans fans, this game is less about pride and more about what the future might hold — starting with a franchise-changing draft selection.

San Francisco 49ers at Arizona Cardinals (4:25 PM ET)

Neither the 49ers nor the Cardinals have anything at stake in this matchup, and it shows. Both teams are eliminated from the playoffs, and a win here doesn’t spoil anyone’s plans or drastically shift draft positions. This game is all about wrapping up the season and starting fresh for 2025.

The 49ers will lean on quarterback Josh Dobbs, while Kyler Murray suits up for Arizona to close out a rough year for the Cardinals. It’s a final chance for players to make a statement before the offseason, but for fans, it’s just the 17th game of the season and little more.

Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos (4:25 PM ET)

The Broncos’ playoff hopes come down to this: win, and they’re in. It’s a high-stakes game for Denver, and while the Chiefs are resting most of their starters with the No. 1 seed locked up, that doesn’t make it an automatic win for the Broncos.

Even without Patrick Mahomes, the Chiefs’ depth and exceptional coaching still give them a real chance to pull out a win. Denver will need to bring their best to snap their playoff drought and ensure their spot. 

Seattle Seahawks at Los Angeles Rams (4:25 PM ET)

The Rams are taking an unconventional approach, resting their starters despite having a chance to improve their playoff seeding. Sean McVay’s decision makes sense most years, but this season it’s different — landing the No. 4 seed means facing the NFL's first-ever 14-win wild-card team. Even so, McVay is prioritizing health over seeding.

The Seahawks, out of playoff contention, are just looking to finish their season strong. With no hopes of spoiling anything for the Rams, the Seahawks are likely already looking past this one and gearing up for the offseason.

Los Angeles Chargers at Las Vegas Raiders (4:25 PM ET)

This game is all about the outcome of Saturday’s Steelers vs. Bengals matchup. If the Steelers win, the Chargers are locked into the No. 6 seed and will likely rest their starters. 

But if the Steelers lose, the Chargers have everything to play for — a win bumps them up to the No. 5 seed and a more favorable playoff matchup against the Texans.

Even with backups, the Chargers might have enough firepower to handle the struggling Raiders. But if Saturday’s results keep the stakes alive, expect L.A. to go all out to secure the higher seed.

Miami Dolphins at New York Jets (4:25 PM ET)

The Dolphins’ playoff hopes rest on a win and some help — a Denver Broncos loss. Without Tua Tagovailoa, Miami will rely on backup quarterback Tyler "Snoop" Huntley to lead the charge. It’s a tough spot for the Dolphins, but their path to the playoffs is clear.

Meanwhile, the Jets may be out of the postseason picture, but they’re not about to roll over. With a new regime on the horizon, players are motivated to put good performances on tape, whether to secure their spot in New York or catch the eye of other teams. This game might lack playoff stakes for the Jets, but it won’t lack effort.

Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions (8:20 PM ET)

One of the biggest regular season matchups in NFL history, the Vikings and Lions square off with the NFC’s No. 1 seed on the line. It’s only the third time the regular season finale has featured two teams fighting for the top seed, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.

No regular season game has ever featured two teams with 13 wins meeting head-to-head, let alone two teams already at 14 wins. The winner locks up the No. 1 seed, while the loser becomes the first-ever 14-win wild card team, taking the long road through the playoffs. Ford Field is set to host an electric atmosphere, with the game shaping up to be a classic battle of division rivals.