The final week of the NFL regular season is upon us, bringing with it the excitement and tension of playoff survival. Week 18 has officially been scheduled, with teams across the league entering the fray to secure their places or refine their outlooks for the postseason. This year, the matchups hold considerable weight, influencing which teams will advance and the seedings of those already clinched.
Among the most notable games is the Kansas City Chiefs' matchup against the Denver Broncos at 3:25 p.m. CT on Sunday, January 8. Although the Chiefs have secured the AFC No. 1 seed and cannot improve their standing, the stakes are high for Denver. If the Broncos win, they will clinch their first playoff berth since 2015.
The stakes extend beyond the Chiefs-Broncos game. A victory for Kansas City could open doors for the Cincinnati Bengals or Miami Dolphins to snatch the final AFC playoff spot. If the Dolphins manage to beat the New York Jets, Miami would secure the playoff berth. Conversely, if both the Broncos and Dolphins lose, the Bengals could capitalize on their opportunity by beating the Pittsburgh Steelers on January 7, thereby clinching their own playoff positioning. The upcoming AFC North title will likely hang on the result of the Bengals' game against the Steelers, with the Saturday night matchup influencing Sunday’s outcomes.
Heading toward Week 18, the league noted no game scheduled for Thursday, allowing fans to fully gear up for two action-packed Saturday contests. The Baltimore Ravens, sitting at 11-5, face the Cleveland Browns, needing just to avoid defeat to lock up the AFC North title. The Ravens enter the game as heavy favorites, with odds heavily favoring them by more than two touchdowns. If Baltimore falters, the Pittsburgh Steelers could take the division with a win over the Bengals.
Beyond the AFC North, the NFC also features significant matchups. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are eyeing the NFC South title and will be heavily favored against the New Orleans Saints, as they need only to avoid loss or tie to claim the division.
Sunday will see 14 games kick off, culminating with the key matchup between the Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions. The winner of this clash will claim the NFC North title and potentially secure the No. 1 seed, heightening the drama of the conclusion to the regular season.
The playoff picture brings together the performance of several teams, many of whom are locked or on the edge of being locked out of the playoffs for 2023. The Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills, and Houston Texans have solidified their seeds, with the Chiefs and Texans noted as underdogs heading toward the conclusion of the season.
The Baltimore Ravens’ decisive encounter against the Cleveland Browns could signify the end of road for the latter, who also find themselves among the lower-tiered teams (with other teams such as the Patriots and Giants). The teams will be under the scrutiny of fans and analysts, as the playoff race culminates.
Week 18 provides what could be thrilling and emotional matchups, so fans should brace themselves for possible nail-biting finishes as teams vie for playoff hopes, dignity, and the chance to be part of the postseason narrative. Here’s a look at the spreads and odds for all 16 NFL Week 18 games:
1. Cleveland Browns at Baltimore Ravens (ESPN/ABC)
2. Cincinnati Bengals at Pittsburgh Steelers (ESPN/ABC)
3. New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles (CBS)
4. Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers (FOX)
5. Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons (CBS)
6. New Orleans Saints at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (FOX)
7. Washington Commanders at Dallas Cowboys (FOX)
8. Jacksonville Jaguars at Indianapolis Colts (FOX)
9. Houston Texans at Tennessee Titans (CBS)
10. Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots (CBS)
11. Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos (CBS)
12. San Francisco 49ers at Arizona Cardinals (FOX)
13. Miami Dolphins at New York Jets (FOX)
14. Seattle Seahawks at Los Angeles Rams (FOX)
15. Los Angeles Chargers at Las Vegas Raiders (CBS)
16. Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions (NBC)