Which NFL Games Matter in Week 18? Breaking Down the Teams Playing For Something Including the Ravens, Broncos, Dolphins, and More

The 2024 NFL regular season will come to an end in Week 18. Although some games will be virtually meaningless, a lot will be at stake when certain teams take the field this weekend.

While a few franchises have decided to rest their starters this week, most teams will approach this like any other week (and some are treating it like a playoff game since it’s win or go home). Let’s examine which teams are still battling for a playoff spot, fighting for a division title, or jockeying for postseason seeding in Week 18.

Which NFL Games Matter in Week 18?

Let’s take a look at all the games with something on the line entering Week 18.

Baltimore Ravens vs. Cleveland Browns

The Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns will kick off the Week 18 slate with the AFC North up for grabs. If the Ravens win, they will secure the division title for the second year in a row. But if they lose, the Steelers will have a chance to clinch the division on Saturday night with a win over the Cincinnati Bengals.

The Ravens also need to defeat the Browns in order to lock up the No. 3 seed and a home game in the Wild Card Round, as a loss will see them take the No. 5 seed in the playoffs.

According to Pro Football Network Playoff Predictor, the Ravens have a 92.2% chance of winning the AFC North and securing the third seed. They will clinch the division with a win against the Browns or if the Steelers lose to the Bengals. pic.twitter.com/QBRVvNm3OB — Pro Football Network (@PFN365) January 4, 2025

While the Browns have been eliminated from the playoffs, Myles Garrett has indicated that they take their role as spoilers seriously and want to throw a wrench in Baltimore’s plans. The Browns have already upset the Ravens once this season, back in Week 8.

Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Cincinnati Bengals

This game will have much more at stake if the Ravens lose against the Browns, as that will give the Steelers an opportunity to clinch the AFC North title.

But even if Baltimore takes care of business on Saturday afternoon, the Steelers will be playing to secure the No. 5 seed in the AFC. If the Steelers lose and the Chargers defeat the Raiders, Los Angeles moves up to No. 5 and Pittsburgh falls to the No. 6 seed.

The Steelers aren’t the only team with something to play for in this clash. The Bengals’ miraculous late-season run will culminate in a playoff berth if they can win this game and the Dolphins and Broncos both lose their matchups.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. New Orleans Saints

The New Orleans Saints have no hope of making it to the playoffs, but the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a lot at stake in their final regular season game. They need to win to clinch the NFC South title, and this is their only route to a playoff spot.

The Buccaneers can also earn the NFC’s No. 3 seed if they win and the Los Angeles Rams lose to the Seattle Seahawks. Also, if Mike Evans catches five passes and records 85 receiving yards, he will earn a $3 million bonus for reaching 70 receptions and 1,000 yards.

MORE: NFL Contract Incentives: Who Has A Lot To Play for in Week 18?

If the Bucs lose and the Atlanta Falcons defeat the Carolina Panthers, Tampa Bay will be watching the postseason from home.

Denver Broncos vs. Kansas City Chiefs

With the AFC’s No. 1 seed already locked up, the Kansas City Chiefs will rest their starters against the Denver Broncos in Week 18.

This is great news for the Broncos, who need a victory against the reigning Super Bowl champions to secure a playoff birth as the No. 7 seed.

Seattle Seahawks vs. Los Angeles Rams

The Seahawks are already out of the playoffs race and have nothing much to play for (beyond pride and $6 million in contract incentives for quarterback Geno Smith).

However, if the Rams win this game, they can secure the No. 3 seed in the NFC. If they lose and the Bucs defeat the Saints, Los Angeles will fall to the No. 4 seed.

Interestingly, the Rams are resting their starters in this game, including Matthew Stafford, Puka Nacua, Cooper Kupp, and Kyren Williams. Head coach Sean McVay recently said he doesn’t care about the playoff seeding.

Carolina Panthers vs. Atlanta Falcons

As previously mentioned, the Falcons no longer control their own fate after losing in Week 17 against the Commanders.

Now, Atlanta will need help from the Buccaneers in order to win the NFC South and make the playoffs. But first, the Falcons need to defeat the Panthers or the Bucs’ outcome doesn’t matter.

Atlanta needs to defeat the already-eliminated Panthers and hope the Saints beat the Bucs.

Los Angeles Chargers vs. Las Vegas Raiders

The Los Angeles Chargers may have clinched their spot in the playoffs, but they enter Week 18 with something that many believe is worth fighting for in terms of seeding. The Chargers do not control their own destiny, but there is a chance they could finish as the No. 5 seed, which offers a more desirable path through the AFC playoff picture.

In addition to defeating the Raiders, the Chargers need the Steelers to lose against the Bengals. If Pittsburgh wins their game on Saturday evening, this matchup will become irrelevant. While head coach Jim Harbaugh has said that he plans to play his starters, one

Dallas Cowboys vs. Washington Commanders

With an opportunity to lock up the No. 6 seed in the NFC playoffs, the Washington Commanders are playing to win against the Dallas Cowboys. Accordingly, all of their healthy starters are expected to start on Sunday.

MORE: Which NFL Teams Are Resting Their Starters in Week 18?

“We’re going to go after [it] as hard as we can. I think the seeding portion of this is really important, and that’s what we discussed as a team,” head coach Dan Quinn said. “We recognize having a six seed and going into the playoffs with that is a good thing. And so, we’re going to fight like hell to keep that.”

The Cowboys have already been eliminated from the postseason.

Miami Dolphins vs. New York Jets

The Miami Dolphins still have a shot at the playoff spot. They must win their game against the New York Jets and hope for a Broncos loss against the Chiefs. If the latter doesn’t happen, the Dolphins-Jets game will become meaningless.

Chicago Bears vs. Green Bay Packers

The Green Bay Packers are still battling for the No. 6 seed in the playoffs and will play their starters as a result.

However, they need some help in order to land the sixth spot. Not only do the Packers need to defeat the Chicago Bears, they also need the Cowboys to pull off an upset over the Commanders.

Detroit Lions vs. Minnesota Vikings

The final game of the 2024 regular season is the most highly anticipated matchup of the week. Both the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings have something to play for in this Sunday Night Football showdown.

The Lions and Vikings are the first teams in NFL history to both have 14+ wins and face off in the regular season.

This game is huge as the NFC North title and No. 1 seed in the conference are up for grabs. That means the winner gets a first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, while the loser drops to the No. 5 seed.

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