NFL Week 18 takeaways: What We Learned from Sunday's 14 games

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• REWATCH: Saints-Falcons on NFL+ Premium
• READ: Falcons win clinches NFC South for Panthers

Kevin Patra's takeaways:

1. Falcons' victory over Saints sends Panthers to postseason. An odd Week 18 battle for the NFC South in which neither participating team had playoff chances led to an interesting concoction for division rivals. The bout got off to an inconspicuous start, with first-quarter turnovers by both squads and defenses bamboozling the quarterbacks. A Falcons blocked punt got things started with a short score, and Atlanta used a missed Saints field goal to take a double-digit lead. With ATL’s offense sputtering, failing to reach the end zone in the second half, the Falcons' D squelched multiple Saints comeback bids, with cornerback Dee Alford's fourth-quarter interception helping to seal the deal. They’re partying in Carolina after the Falcons' victory. 
2. Atlanta defense propels Raheem Morris’ team to fourth straight win. The Falcons offense has questions entering the offseason, needing weapons and aid along the offensive line, but the defense remains promising. ATL’s defensive line swarmed Tyler Shough, dropping the rookie quarterback four times. First-round edge James Pearce Jr. generated back-to-back sacks to squelch a Saints third-quarter drive, giving the rookie 10.5 sacks on the season. The upgraded defensive line helped set a franchise record with 57 sacks on the season. On a day the offense generated just 208 yards, it was apropos that the defense secured the victory, generating two turnovers, including Alford’s pivotal pick. Closing the season on a hot streak sets up a vital offseason in Atlanta after back-to-back 8-9 campaigns, and eighth straight missing the postseason. (EDITOR'S UPDATE: The Falcons fired Morris and GM Terry Fontenot on Sunday night.)
3. Shough, shorthanded Saints come up shy in comeback bid. Another slow start by the Saints offense included a first-play fumble by Juwan Johnson and zero first-quarter first downs. Playing without Chris Olave, a trove of backup wideouts, and next to no run game early, Tyler Shough was slowed out of the gate. No Saints wide receiver participating Sunday entered the game with double-digit catches on the season. And yet, the Rookie of the Year candidate kept things interesting, dropping several dimes, including a picture-perfect final drive touchdown lob to Ronnie Bell to give New Orleans an onside-kick shot late. Shough finished with 259 yards on 23-of-35 passing with a touchdown and an interception. The QB also added 34 rushing yards and a ground score. Shough was stellar under pressure, connecting on 8 of 12 attempts for 97 yards and a touchdown with defenders in his face. The interception was a back-breaker, his first in four weeks. However, the first-year quarterback continues to impress, zipping darts over the middle, showing touch out of the pocket, and smarts to know when to escape the pocket. The offseason focus is now on beefing up the roster around the quarterback.

Next Gen Stats Insight for Falcons-Saints (via NFL Pro): Chase Young generated eight pressures, including seven quick pressures, and 1.5 sacks on 29 pass rushes (27.6%) against the Falcons, marking his fourth-highest pressure rate in a game in his career (minimum 20 pass rushes).

NFL Research: Bijan Robinson (5,648) posted the third-most scrimmage yards by a player in their first three seasons. Only LaDainian Tomlinson (6,145) and Eric Dickerson (5,816) had more. 

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• REWATCH: Browns-Bengals on NFL+ Premium
• READ: Myles Garrett breaks single-season sack record
• READ: Stefanski out in CLE: Browns fire HC following 5-12 season

Nick Shook's takeaways:

1. Garrett stamps his place in history. Myles Garrett's pursuit of the single-season sack record was the only truly captivating element of the Browns' otherwise forgettable 2025 season, and after getting shut out of the column in the Browns' Week 17 win over the Steelers, all eyes were trained on No. 95 on Sunday in Cincinnati. Through three quarters, Garrett went without a sack, facing a Bengals game plan that mirrored Pittsburgh's the week prior by dedicating tight ends and running backs to chip and/or stay in to block Garrett and forcing him to move around to try to find new avenues to Joe Burrow. As the game entered its late stages, anticipation transformed into anxiety. But in a rare moment in which Cincinnati needed to look beyond a checkdown in the passing game, Garrett finally got the one-on-one opportunity he'd been hunting all afternoon. Garrett won off the snap, dipped under Orlando Brown's arms and around the left tackle, and at that point, Burrow knew he'd be on a career highlight reel. As Garrett slid around the edge, Burrow tucked the ball and fell to the ground as Garrett arrived to complete a record-breaking 23rd sack, passing Michael Strahan (22.5 in 2001) and T.J. Watt (22.5 in 2021) for the most sacks in a single season in NFL history and sending the Browns defense and their entire sideline into jubilant celebration (Shelby Harris even high-fived a nearby official). When folks reflect on Garrett's historic season, they might note he had the benefit of an additional game to get the job done. They'll ignore the fact Garrett's presence alone forced opponents to shrink their offense, dedicate additional manpower toward limiting him and hope for the best. None of that matters to Garrett, who will almost certainly take home Defensive Player of the Year for the second time in his career and now officially owns a place in NFL history.
2. Bengals fall in familiar fashion. Cincinnati's late-season playoff push didn't produce intended results, but the Bengals had plenty to be proud of entering Week 18. They'd rediscovered their ability to produce explosive plays offensively, their offensive line had improved its performance, and their defense had finally seemed to figure things out, placing the Bengals on a promising track entering 2026. On Sunday, their train encountered some unexpected hazards. Cincinnati outgained Cleveland, 364-200, won time of possession by more than 11 minutes and engineered a couple of impressive scoring drives early and late in the contest while executing a game plan that was simplified in order to limit Myles Garrett's impact. Running back Chase Brown gained rushing yards consistently, running right past Garrett for an average of 5.5 yards per tote, and veteran spell back Samaje Perine enjoyed similar results (eight rushes, 42 yards). But even when the Bengals finally found success and took a late lead by relying on the usual suspects of Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, their defense failed to close the door. Rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders was able to complete a few key passes to keep the Browns' desperate drive moving, and in the final seconds, the Browns moved into field goal range and finished their comeback attempt with an Andre Szmyt 49-yard field goal to win the game, poetically ending a season that began with a narrow loss to Cincinnati (due to missed Szmyt kicks) and finished with him drilling a game-winner. The Bengals made strides on both sides of the ball but will lament how they lost their final game because it involved another defensive breakdown, an outcome that was all too familiar.
3. Browns defense finishes strong. Much of Cleveland's 2025 tale was written by Jim Schwartz's defense, a unit that contained otherwise productive offenses and kept the Browns competitive throughout the campaign. In Week 18, the challenge increased in difficulty: Defensive Rookie of the Year favorite Carson Schwesinger didn't play after being placed on injured reserve, Denzel Ward left Sunday's game in the first quarter with a neck injury, and Tyson Campbell departed in the same period due to a shoulder injury, removing Cleveland's last three second- and third-level bastions of defense. That didn't prevent the Browns from continuing to perform at a high level, though. Shelby Harris deflected a Joe Burrow pass into the arms of Devin Bush, who returned it 97 yards for his second pick-six of the season. On the ensuing drive, two Browns defenders (Jerome Baker and Grant Delpit) slammed into tight end Noah Fant, forcing a fumble that journeyman defensive back Sam Webb scooped up and returned 47 yards for a touchdown, taking a 14-6 lead with zero offensive contributions. As has been typical in this season, the Browns defense eventually crumbled in the final moments, but not before draining nearly 13 minutes of game clock between the third and fourth quarters by stopping Bengals drives outside of field goal range. Even after surrendering a go-ahead score in the final two minutes, Schwartz's crew still had one key play in it when Delpit broke up a two-point conversion attempt, preserving the Browns' chances of victory. It's fair to wonder if Cleveland wins more than one game without this defense this season, and it's only fitting it bottled up another explosive offense in its finale.

Next Gen Stats Insight for Browns-Bengals (via NFL Pro): Joe Burrow recorded his fastest time to throw of the season (2.64 seconds) against the Browns defense.

NFL Research: With eight catches for 96 yards and a touchdown, Ja'Marr Chase became the only player in the NFL with 1,400-plus receiving yards and eight-plus touchdowns in both 2024 and 2025.

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• REWATCH: Colts-Texans on NFL+ Premium

Bobby Kownack's takeaways:

1. Texans pack it in at halftime. Houston had a shot at winning the AFC South, needing a win and a Titans upset over the Jaguars to steal the division. It didn’t take too much scoreboard watching to realize it wasn’t in the cards. Jacksonville was already up big, 31-7, at halftime. With that in mind, C.J. Stroud and most of the team’s stars took a seat on the bench for the final two frames. Stroud was sharp in his abbreviated action. He went 14 of 23 for 169 yards and a well-placed touchdown toss to a toe-dragging Jayden Higgins, and he also ran in another. While the defense was exposed more often than it’d probably like, it still exhibited some of its signature dominance. Danielle Hunter logged a strip-sack to bring his season sack total to 15, the second-highest mark of his career, and Indianapolis had only managed 19 rushing yards at halftime. The team’s backups eventually came through to extend Houston’s winning streak to nine, but with only seeding to play for, the most important thing is the Texans came away unscathed by any major injuries.
2. Leonard looks like he belongs. On his first throw of his first career start -- against the NFL’s first-ranked defense -- Riley Leonard uncorked a 66-yard bomb to Alec Pierce for a touchdown on a blown coverage. It wasn’t all perfect from there, but the sixth-round rookie absolutely proved himself as an NFL-caliber quarterback. He showed off a cannon, threw accurately from a couple different arm angles and mostly danced out of danger well. Made even more impressive by a complete lack of running game, Leonard became the first quarterback in Indianapolis history to have two-plus passing TDs and one-plus rushing TDs in his first career start. By game’s end, the Colts had put up the most points and most net passing yards (278) of any team this season on the Texans. The caveat is Houston eventually rested starters, but Leonard was making an impact long before then. It’s trivial to argue over whether the Colts’ fate would’ve been different had they not bypassed Leonard for Philip Rivers. The 44-year-old was not the problem in his three losses, and Leonard didn’t get a win either. But it does seem like the rookie would have offered the Colts more outcomes on the extremes compared to a steady vet. For all his good, Leonard also panicked himself into a bad fumble and did the same on a pick, both deep in his own territory, and another sure interception was dropped. Nonetheless, it was a promising debut against a terrific opponent.
3. Pierce has eventful day. No one benefitted more from swapping out quarterbacks than Alec Pierce. With the hard-throwing Leonard under center, Pierce’s deep-ball catching specialty was once again unlocked. He came free against a stingy Texans secondary often, collecting the opening throw for a 66-yard score, drawing a 30-yard pass interference penalty, scoring again on an 8-yarder that required some finesse and setting up a third Colts touchdown with a 53-yard snag down to the 1. Pierce finished with 132 yards and two TDs on four catches to bring his season totals to 47 receptions for 1,003 yards and six touchdowns. Along with notching his first career 1,000-yard season, he became the first player to score six-plus receiving TDs and average 20-plus yards per reception in consecutive seasons since James Lofton in 1983-84, per NFL Research. However, his day also ended unexpectedly early. After failing to come up with a third touchdown catch with 1:52 remaining in the third quarter, Pierce brushed up against an official while arguing for a flag only to earn one against himself. He was ejected, cutting short his season by 16 minutes and change. It was a bad end to a great day, but the pending free agent has the potential to get paid handsomely in a few months.

Next Gen Stats Insight for Colts-Texans (via NFL Pro): Houston stuffed Jonathan Taylor on six of his 14 carries (42.9% stuff rate) and held him to 26 rushing yards on 1.9 yards per carry, both his lowest totals of the season.

NFL Research: Danielle Hunter became one of six players since 1982 to have four career seasons with more than 14 sacks. Hunter’s four seasons ties him with Kevin Greene, Jared Allen, J.J. Watt and T.J. Watt, and he trails only Reggie White’s five such seasons.

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• REWATCH: Titans-Jaguars on NFL+ Premium
• READ: Jaguars clinch first AFC South title since 2022

Jeremy Bergman's takeaways:

1. Jaguars jaunt into postseason. With a division title and a possible first-round bye on the line, Trevor Lawrence took a sack on his very first play from scrimmage. Cam Ward's Titans responded to a subsequent Jags punt with a touchdown drive. From there, though, it was all Duval. The Jaguars scored 41 unanswered points after Tennessee's opening feint, scoring every which way. Parker Washington, Brenton Strange and Quintin Morris all collected touchdown receptions -- because why not? Antonio Johnson's fifth interception of the season was his first career pick-six. NFL record holder Cam Little booted a 67-yard field goal, one yard shy of his own mark. That was all in the first half! By beating the Titans, Jacksonville secured its first division title since 2022 and its first 13-win season since 1999. Liam Coen's squad enters the playoffs winners of eight straight, one of the league's hottest clubs and one no one wants to face.
2. Ward knocked out of rookie year finale. Cam Ward got off to a hot start in the final game of his first season, leading a five-play, 63-yard drive and capping it off with his second TD run of the season. But that was it for Tennessee's top pick. Ward injured his right shoulder at the end of the score and was quickly ruled out, ceding snaps to an overmatched Brandon Allen. Thus concluded a rickety rookie season from the No. 1 selection, filled with flash plays and inconsistent outings. Already the franchise record holder for rookie passing yards, Ward will also most likely end up tied for the NFL lead in sacks taken with 55. Par for the course for a top-five rookie QB. A lot is unknown in Nashville as the offseason commences -- the search for a new head coach begins in earnest Monday -- but at least the Titans know they have a QB under center with the ability to improve and the potential for greatness. A top-five pick in 2026 doesn't hurt either.
3. Lawrence caps best season by setting franchise mark. Few quarterbacks are rolling into the postseason like Trevor Lawrence. The Jaguars signal-caller has thrown for 19 touchdowns and run for five scores during Jacksonville's eight-game win streak, adding three through the air on Sunday. Only former MVPs Lamar Jackson and Cam Newton have enjoyed such an eight-game midseason run. Under Lawrence's leadership, the Jags have scored at least 23 points in a franchise-record 10 straight games. His 38 total TDs are the most in Jacksonville history, passing Blake Bortles' 37. Lawrence overstayed his welcome on Sunday, playing deep into a blowout with a foregone result, but was eventually pulled once he hit Parker Washington for a 23-yard gain in the fourth quarter, giving him his third career 4,000-yard passing season (4,007, to be exact). It'll all mean little once the playoffs begin, but thanks to Lawrence's play, the Jags can begin their title pursuit at home and on a heater.

Next Gen Stats Insight for Titans-Jaguars (via NFL Pro): Cam Little had just a 4.4% chance to make his 67-yard field goal attempt in Week 18 against the Titans, which goes down as the longest outdoor field goal in NFL history. Little had just a 4.3% chance to make his NFL record 68-yard field goal in Week 9 against the Raiders. He now owns the longest and second-longest field goals in NFL history.

NFL Research: The 2025 Jaguars have joined the 2025 Patriots and 1999 Colts as the only teams in NFL history to win at least 13 games one season after losing at least 13 games.

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• REWATCH: Packers-Vikings on NFL+ Premium

Eric Edholm's takeaways:

1. McCarthy returned for Vikings but couldn’t finish Week 18. J.J. McCarthy missed Week 17 with a hairline fracture in his right (throwing) hand, and he had his share of moments in the first half, helping Justin Jefferson surpass the 1,000-yard mark for the season and giving the Vikings a 13-0 halftime lead. But McCarthy came out of the game suddenly after an 8-yard completion to Jefferson on a first down less than five minutes into the third quarter and didn’t return, favoring his right hand on the sideline. McCarthy finished the game 14-of-23 passing for 182 yards against a pared-down Packers defense resting some starters for the playoffs. He came out fired up, and perhaps a bit too much so, drawing a taunting flag on the fifth play from scrimmage after stiff-arming Packers linebacker Ty'Ron Hopper and getting in the face of another defender. For a player who has had four notable injuries in his two NFL seasons, both his overexuberance and leaving with the reinjured hand have to make you nervous for the future if you’re a Vikings fan. Not so much for the short term but for the long term. Can McCarthy stay healthy? How the Vikings address the QB room this offseason could be very telling.
2. Packers went into rest mode with nothing to gain in Week 18. With the Packers locked into the seventh playoff seed prior to Sunday, they opted to rest several key starters on each side of the ball and started Clayton Tune at QB after spending most of the season on Green Bay’s practice squad. Tune had a rough draw, earning his second career start without many proven reinforcements (especially at receiver) against a Brian Flores defense that didn’t take the week off. Tune was 6-of-11 passing for 34 yards, taking four sacks that actually netted them minus-7 passing yards. Even with some quality scrambles after halftime, he had little chance of getting anything going. If there was a bright side, it was that the Packers were able to get newly claimed cornerback Trevon Diggs and some reserve defensive linemen some important reps prior to the playoffs. Diggs played every defensive snap in the first half, making two tackles and not allowing a completion on his one target, before sitting in the second half. Up front, Barryn Sorrell, Warren Brinson, Brenton Cox, Nazir Stackhouse, Jonathan Ford and Arron Mosby received more snaps than they had all season, with Cox supplying five pressures and strip-sack and Sorrell recovering the fumble and adding a sack of his own. Green Bay's defense should be rested for their wild-card game next week, and might have a few more personnel options than it did before this week.
3. Strong sendoffs for possible Vikings departures. Sunday might have been the final game for several important Vikings. The first one might be defensive coordinator Brian Flores, who turned in another gem against a shorthanded Packers team resting several players. Green Bay totaled 121 yards of offense, which included a meaningless field-goal drive at game’s end. Flores is expected to earn head-coaching interviews this offseason and could leave Minnesota with a big hole on the defensive side. Another major loss would be Harrison Smith if he chooses to retire. The 36-year-old Smith hasn’t made any statements about his plans, but he came off the field late in the fourth quarter to a rousing ovation, greeted by nearly the entire team as he hit the sideline after spending his entire career in Minnesota. One more possible departure could be beloved fullback C.J. Ham, a nine-year vet, all with the Vikings, and a two-time Walter Payton Man of the Year candidate for the franchise. He scored a rushing TD, only the sixth of his career, just before halftime and also was given plenty of love from the U.S. Bank Stadium crowd. It was a possibly bittersweet day for the Vikings, but these three men were able to go out on a high note if it indeed was their final time in purple.

Next Gen Stats Insight for Packers-Vikings (via NFL Pro): Vikings WR Justin Jefferson had eight catches for 101 receiving yards, including 51 yards after the catch (plus-11 yards over expectation). 

NFL Research: On Sunday, Justin Jefferson reached the 1,000-yard receiving mark for the sixth straight time in his career. Jefferson joined Randy Moss and Mike Evans as only players with 1,000 or more receiving yards in each of their first six seasons in the NFL.

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• REWATCH: Cowboys-Giants on NFL+ Premium

Michael Baca's takeaways:

1. Dart stamps rookie season with a win over Dallas. Considering the circumstances, there might not have been a prettier bow for Jaxson Dart to wrap on his promising rookie campaign than with a victory over the Cowboys at MetLife. Dart ended the club's 14-game losing streak against Dak Prescott with a two-touchdown showing in his first start against New York's NFC East rival. The Giants struggled to find the end zone in the first half, settling for three points in three possessions deep into Cowboys territory, but Dart whipped up his magic late in the second quarter, capping off an 11-play, 96-yard drive with an improvised shovel pass on third-and-16 to Daniel Bellinger, who weaved his way toward an impressive 29-yard score. Dart kept it going in the second half, showing great touch on his 13-yard seam to Tyrone Tracy Jr. to end the Giants' next possession and prompt Sunday's clubbing. The Giants' burgeoning star quarterback finished 22-of-32 passing for 230 yards and two TDs (no turnovers), authoring another positive chapter to his rookie campaign that had MetLife rocking -- draft position be damned. 
2. Dak sits second half; Blue shows flashes. Dallas chose to sit Dak Prescott for the second half with the game still in reach, which may have kept him from becoming the first Cowboys quarterback to lead the league in passing. The decision gave Joe Milton III ample playing time, but the backup QB struggled through the air, sailing most of his deep passes to finish 7-of-13 passing for 73 yards and an ugly interception in the final frame. With the defense in a constant struggle to halt Giant drives, there was a positive for Dallas on Sunday. With the Cowboys' featured running back duo inactive for the season finale, Jaydon Blue answered opportunity's knock with 64 rushing yards and a touchdown off a season-high 16 carries. Blue showed great burst and patience in between the tackles, exemplifying both on a 28-yard gain before finding his first career score in the opening quarter. Blue's touches waned as the deficit grew but the performance might influence Dallas' offseason. Javonte Williams, who produced a career-best 1,201 rushing yards and 11 TDs in his first year in Dallas, enters free agency this offseason and figures to re-sign, but Blue might have secured himself a role for 2026 after this showing in the season finale. 
3. Kafka ends his interim role on a high note. There was a palpable desire the Giants played with on Sunday despite having nothing to play for. Perhaps one can point to the influence of Giants interim head coach Mike Kafka, who not only had his team ready for the rivalry but also called a fantastic game on offense. New York scored points on seven of 10 possessions and were stellar on third down (8 of 14; 57%) against the Cowboys. The Giants displayed a balanced attack that saw Tyrone Tracy run rampant (159 scrimmage yards) and Jaxson Dart complete 68.8% of his passes despite getting pressured often. Kafka had some fun, too, dialing up a Devin Singletary pass on a successful two-point conversion and calling another trick play later in the second half that Gunner Olszewski underthrew for a would-be TD. It remains to be seen where Kafka goes from here, but after sending the Giants off with consecutive wins -- the team's lone win streak of 2025 -- his offensive mind will certainly be desired this offseason. 

Next Gen Stats Insight for Cowboys-Giants (via NFL Pro): Jaxson Dart finished 16-of-25 passing for 178 yards and two TDs when the Cowboys didn't blitz. 

NFL Research: Jaxson Dart becomes the second rookie QB in Giants franchise history to beat the Cowboys, joining Eli Manning (2004).  

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• REWATCH: Jets-Bills on NFL+ Premium

Eric Edholm's takeaways:

1. Bills sat several key players, still routed Jets. In what might have been the final game at old Highmark Stadium, the Bills cameoed a few stars, sat a few more starters and generally didn’t go all out to win in Week 18. Then again, the Jets didn’t offer a lot of resistance. Buffalo knew coming into its late-game window that the Texans beating the Colts meant that the best possible result for next week’s playoffs would be the No. 6 seed. That’s what ended up happening with the Bills beating the Jets and the Chargers losing to the Broncos. With little upside to playing Josh Allen, who missed practice this week with a foot injury, he came out after one play. James Cook padded his NFL-best rushing total with two carries for 15 yards, bringing him to 1,621 -- putting him 152 yards ahead of his closest challenger, Derrick Henry, prior to Sunday night’s game. (EDITOR'S NOTE: Cook won the rushing total after Henry ran for 126 yards in Baltimore's loss to Pittsburgh.) Buffalo is now in playoff mode, and we’ll see if they can be healthy enough to go on the road and get a win.
2. Jets managed to go a whole season without picking a pass. They’ve done it, folks. The 2025 New York Jets went through an entire season, faced 515 passes and didn’t intercept a single one of them. Their chance to break the streak theoretically got easier with Josh Allen leaving after one ceremonial play and giving way to Mitchell Trubisky. And they had a decent shot at one when Samuel Womack got his hand on an off-target throw from Trubisky. Later, Womack broke up a would-be TD pass. But other than that, the Jets didn’t get their hands on many passes Sunday, which was a fitting end to a frustrating season. It’s not shocking that the Jets struggled in what was viewed as a transition season with first-year head coach Aaron Glenn. But even with the Jets offloading two defensive stars (including Sauce Gardner) at the trade deadline, there’s just no excuse for the Jets to have allowed 36 TDs -- four Sunday to Trubisky -- and picked off zero passes this season. There’s really no modern comp for that, and you can add “defensive playmaker(s)” to the offseason needs list, which also likely includes major upgrades on offense, too. Landing the No. 2 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft is nice, but the Jets have a lot of work to do.
3. One injury could end up haunting Bills. Although the Bills sat a lot of their key players Sunday, kicker Matt Prater played in his first game since Week 15. He kicked all first half, but when the Bills scored in the third quarter to go up, 27-0, they went for two with Prater’s right quad acting up. The Bills quickly ruled Prater out after that, leaving the kicking duties to punter Mitch Wishnowsky. But now the Bills must prepare to play their playoff road opener without their most trusted kicker if Prater can’t get healthy quickly. Mike Badgley has been the recent replacement, and he made his only field-goal try from 41 yards, but he missed an extra point and had one blocked in two games. Granted, most of the talk this week also should be about Josh Allen and the right foot he’s had X-rayed after each of the past few games, and defensive backs Cam Lewis and Maxwell Hairston both left the game with injuries. But the Prater injury definitely bears watching in what could be a tough environment against a good team.

Next Gen Stats Insight for Jets-Bills (via NFL Pro): Bills RB Ray Davis recorded career highs in carries (21), rushing yards (151) and rushing yards over expected (+50) in Buffalo's Week 18 win over the Jets. Davis was particularly efficient on carries to the right, totaling 118 of his 151 yards on 15 such carries (+48 RYOE), compared to just 33 yards on 6 carries to the left (+2 RYOE).

NFL Research: Since 2020, the Bills have the most home wins in the NFL (49, including playoffs). The Bills are now 28-8 vs. the AFC East since 2020, which is the best divisional record in the NFL in that span. The Jets have the worst division record in that span at 6-30.

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• REWATCH: Lions-Bears on NFL+ Premium

Kevin Patra's takeaways:

1. Bears' comeback bid falls short, but secured No. 2 seed. Chicago wiped out a 16-0 fourth-quarter deficit to tie the contest, but couldn’t get Detroit off the field, losing at the buzzer on a Jake Bates field goal. However, with Philadelphia losing to Washington, Ben Johnson’s club still secured the No. 2 seed and will host Green Bay in the Wild Card Round. A sleepy start got the Bears behind the eight-ball. The defense allowed Detroit to walk up and down the field, giving up 433 yards, but broke only once, holding the Lions to early red zone field goals to keep things close. Chicago got the ball back late, but a three-and-out and a Jared Goff 26-yard strike to Amon-Ra St. Brown set up Detroit’s win. Heading into the postseason, the Bears defense needs to plug the leaks, but at least they’ll have potentially multiple home games to get it done.
2. Lions avoid losing season. Dan Campbell’s club snapped a three-game losing skid and finished out a disappointing campaign 9-8, Detroit’s fourth straight season over .500. Jared Goff diced up the Bears' secondary, peppering short throws to runners in stride for YAC. Goff completed 27 of 42 pass attempts for 331 yards with a touchdown and an INT. The Lions repeatedly moved the chains with St. Brown finding open grass. The Pro Bowl receiver went for 11 catches and 139 yards, virtually unguardable for Chicago. As much of their season has gone, there were self-induced miscues and ill-timed mishaps. Stubbed toes in the red zone and a late Goff interception opened the door for a potential Bears comeback. However, in a meaningless game, the Lions battled and showed how potent their offense can be when everything is clicking. Unfortunately for Detroit, it didn’t happen enough in 2025.
3. Williams, Bears can’t overcome slow start. Chicago generated just four first-half first downs and were outgained, 237-69, through two quarters. A Caleb Williams third-quarter interception led to a goose egg on the scoreboard through three quarters. Trialing, 16-0, in the fourth quarter, Williams heated up, tossing lasers and repeatedly finding open targets to spearhead the comeback. The QB found Colston Loveland for pivotal chain-moving plays and calmly hit the TE for the game-tying TD. Following a Kevin Byard INT, it felt like another fourth-quarter comeback was in the bag for Chicago, but an intentional grounding penalty doomed a three-and-out drive. The Bears never saw the ball again. Despite the loss, Williams again showed he’s unflappable when trailing, able to make plays on the move and mostly avoid negatives. To succeed in January, however, the Bears need to smooth out their play and avoid early-game lulls against hardened opponents.

Next Gen Stats Insight for Lions-Bears (via NFL Pro): Jared Goff went 9 of 12 for 120 yards with a TD and an INT versus pressure for a +23.8 completion percentage over expected rate. 

NFL Research: With 212 passing yards, Caleb Williams generated 3,942 passing yards on the season, passing Eric Kramer (3,838) for most in Bears franchise history.

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• REWATCH: Chargers-Broncos on NFL+ Premium
• READ: Broncos clinch AFC's No. 1 seed

Kevin Patra's takeaways:

1. Broncos defense mashes Chargers to secure No. 1 seed. It wasn’t a pretty affair, but Sean Payton’s team did what it needed to do to earn the much-coveted bye. Facing Trey Lance and a host of Chargers backups, Denver forced two turnovers, including a Ja'Quan McMillian first-quarter pick-six that allowed the Broncos to skate away with the victory. Context is key, with the Chargers choosing to rest starters, but Denver’s D showed its talent, generating four sacks on Lance and allowing just 217 total yards. The early double-digit lead allowed Denver to milk the clock with little pressure and the defense to feast on the inexperienced Lance. The Broncos now get a week to rest bumps and bruises before their tournament begins.
2. Denver offense can’t find pay dirt. Calling it a punt-fest in Mile High might be an insult to punts. The Broncos marched 81 yards before sputtering at the Chargers' 6-yard line for a field goal. In all, Denver’s offense managed just four field goals, with Bo Nix stymied, despite the Chargers sitting several defensive starters. In the first half, the QB generated more rushing yards (43) than passing yards (38). Nix finished 14-of-23 passing for 141 yards with four sacks. He added eight scampers for 49 yards. The Broncos generated just two plays of 20-plus yards on the day -- a 37-yard pass to Evan Engram and a 22-yard Nix scamper. Denver had seven drives with one or fewer first downs -- not counting kneels. It was enough to secure the No. 1 seed against a team resting its starters, but Denver needs more from the offense the rest of January.
3. Trey Lance can’t find magic vs. Broncos defense. The former first-round quarterback got his shot against a top-tier defense, but couldn’t find the range. Lance started the game 1 of 8 for 6 yards, including a pick-six. Facing a ferocious pass rush, Lance often got happy feet, scattering his passes. He was able to find a modicum of success on short strikes to Keenan Allen, but the rest of the passing offense played in a box. Lance did some damage with his legs (nine carries for 69 yards), but the chunk plays came late with little doubt of the outcome. Playing behind a backup offensive line against a very good defense didn’t help, but Lance, who finished 20-of-44 passing for 136 yards and an INT for a 43.4 passer rating, showed why he’s still far away from being more than a mop-up starter.

Next Gen Stats Insight for Broncos-Chargers (via NFL Pro): Bo Nix averaged just 1.2 air yards per attempt against the Chargers, the second-fewest by any quarterback in a qualified game this season. Nix was pressured on 40.6% of his passes, just the second time he has faced a 40% pressure rate or higher, along with his Week 3 matchup with the Chargers.

NFL Research: Sean Payton is the fifth coach all time to lead multiple teams to the No. 1 seed, joining Marty Schottenheimer (CLE, KC, LAC), Andy Reid (PHI, KC), Tom Coughlin (JAX, NYG) and Mike Holmgren (GB, SEA).

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• REWATCH: Cardinals-Rams on NFL+ Premium

Nick Shook's takeaways:

1. Stafford gets back on track. After struggling mightily in a stunning loss to Atlanta in Week 17 that might have hurt his NFL MVP chances, Matthew Stafford looked much more like the quarterback he’s been for the vast majority of the 2025 season. It didn’t happen quickly. The Rams didn’t find the end zone until the end of an 18-play touchdown drive with less than two minutes left in the first half. But the fashion in which Los Angeles finished that drive -- a perfectly placed Stafford fade to Puka Nacua for a one-handed TD grab -- was fitting for the Rams and seemed to give their offense a jolt. Stafford spent the entire second half dicing up Arizona’s defense, sprinkling in play action and benefitting from an offensive line that looked much better after welcoming Alaric Jackson back into the mix. His rollout touchdown pass to Colby Parkinson and quick play-action fake, plant and fire to Tyler Higbee were vintage Stafford on a day in which he posted another sparkling passing line that should rehab his MVP case and improve the feelings of Rams fans as they enter the postseason.
2. Cardinals go out aggressively. If Jonathan Gannon needs some evidence to point toward his case to remain employed, he can direct ownership's attention to Sunday. Arizona matched the Rams on the scoreboard for most of the first half and threw caution to the wind in the third quarter, digging out of a third-and-26 before executing a fake punt pass for a 28-yard gain. On the very next play, offensive coordinator Drew Petzing pushed the accelerator flat to the floor, dialing up a strike to Michael Wilson (who finished off a very impressive year by breaking 1,000 receiving yards Sunday) for a 43-yard touchdown pass to cut Los Angeles' lead to three. They kept the pedal to the metal on the next series, covering 76 yards in 10 plays and finishing with a precise bullet to tight end Josiah Deguara for his first touchdown reception since he was with the Packers in 2021. In the end, the Cardinals ran out of steam, succumbing to the superior Rams. But Gannon's squad fought for him to the end.
3. Rams wake up, tune up. With NFC wild-card seeding still unsettled, Los Angeles still had something to play for entering Week 18. It wasn’t just about where the Rams might play next week, either. After laying an egg offensively in Atlanta for a second straight loss, coach Sean McVay knew his team needed to fix a few things and rediscover its stride ahead of the playoffs. Consider the mission accomplished. After a slow start and a temporary, unexpected deficit, the Rams woke up in the third quarter and unleashed their offensive firepower on the Cardinals, operating a balanced attack that saw Blake Corum and Kyren Williams combine for 119 yards and Stafford toss three touchdown passes. The second score, a 22-yard pass from Stafford to Higbee, felt like a statement from the Rams that they're awake, they're aggressive and they're back to what made them a contender in the NFC during the regular season. If they end up going on a deep run, they might want to thank the Cardinals for forcing them to get their act together in time to secure the No. 5 seed in the playoffs and back into the rhythm that has many believing they could reach the Super Bowl.

Next Gen Stats Insight for Cardinals-Rams (via NFL Pro): Puka Nacua has gained 3.9 yards per route this season, a mark exceeded by only one other player in the Next Gen Stats era (Tyreek Hill in 2023, minimum 200 routes).

NFL Research: Puka Nacua (4,191) passed Randy Moss for the second-most receiving yards by a player in their first three seasons in NFL history, trailing only Justin Jefferson.

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• REWATCH: Chiefs-Raiders on NFL+ Premium
• READ: Raiders clinch 2026 NFL Draft's No. 1 pick before kickoff
• READ: Kelce on '26: 'Either it hits me quick or I've got to take some time'
• READ: Raiders fire Carroll after one year; Spytek, Brady to lead HC search

Michael Baca's takeaways:

1. Carlson hits 60-yarder to end 10-game losing streak. Clinching the No. 1 overall pick of the 2026 NFL Draft before kickoff, Las Vegas ended its 10-game losing streak with four field goals and a safety -- a result that could only come to fruition with great defensive play and a trustworthy kicker. After the Raiders somehow found themselves down after allowing two field goals within minutes late in the fourth quarter, Aidan O'Connell gained 26 yards off two completions to get the ball to midfield. That was enough for Daniel Carlson, who nailed a 60-yarder with plenty of room to spare. He was a perfect 4 for 4 on field goals in a game that didn't involve a touchdown. O'Connell, who entered the game for Kenny Pickett in the second quarter, moved the offense far better than the starter but ended with a 45.5 completion percentage. Ashton Jeanty impressively eked out 87 rushing yards behind a limited offensive line, falling 25 yards short of 1,000 to conclude his rookie season. It was a rough one, but Las Vegas ended its season victorious and is now on the clock until April.
2. Kelce's three catches add to historic career. Playing in what was possibly his last NFL game, Travis Kelce caught just three passes for 12 yards off six targets, but that menial stat line adds to his Hall of Fame-worthy career. Kelce became the fastest tight end to reach 13,000 receiving yards and joined Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez and Jason Witten as the only TEs to reach that mark. It was tough for Kelce to get the ball as Chris Oladokun and Shane Buechele were under duress all game. Buechele, who entered the game to begin the second half, was far more effective and tossed a nice 51-yard pass to Marquise Brown to set up a go-ahead field goal late. The Chiefs fought until the bitter end, dialing up Kelce for the game's final play as he prompted a series of laterals that ended with Kingsley Suamataia hurdling a Raider. If that was it for Kelce, the 36-year-old gave a valiant final effort that saw him make blocks, catch a few from a pair of struggling third-string QBs and nearly come away victorious. 
3. Raiders defense dominates sans Crosby. Las Vegas' pass rush showed out with eight sacks and 28 QB pressures against the Chiefs, forcing two turnovers that led to field goals. Tyree Wilson produced each of those forced fumbles in the second quarter and scored a safety on his second sack of the afternoon in the fourth quarter. Charles Snowden and Tonka Hemingway also notched two sacks apiece while Thomas Booker generated seven QB pressures. The Raiders held Kansas City to 166 total yards -- 51 of which were gained on a single pass play that led to a Chiefs go-ahead field goal with under two minutes to play. Las Vegas' stellar showing of QB disruption was something to see and perhaps something to consider in regard to Maxx Crosby, who was placed on injured reserve.

Next Gen Stats Insight for Chiefs-Raiders (via NFL Pro): Shane Buechele's 51-yard pass to Hollywood Brown traveled an air distance of 50.8 yards.

NFL Research: Travis Kelce eclipsed 75 receptions for the 10th straight season, tying Hall of Famer Tim Brown for most in NFL history.

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• REWATCH: Dolphins-Patriots on NFL+ Premium

Eric Edholm's takeaways:

1. Patriots clinch No. 2 seed by dominating the Dolphins. The Patriots played most of their starters Sunday -- including a few injured players returning -- and looked playoff-ready after thumping the Dolphins. There were a few shaky moments on defense, a turnover on downs, and the Patriots had a field-goal try blocked, as Miami had a few chances to make this a game. Ultimately, though, the Patriots put the pedal down offensively and ran the Dolphins out of the building. Drake Maye and the Patriots’ run game were cooking, and the defense made enough timely stops, forcing two key turnovers, to finish off the game. Hunter Henry's knee was an injury people were watching, but he played and led the team with five receptions. The way Sunday went, with Denver and Buffalo winning, the Patriots stayed in the No. 2 slot and will face the Chargers, who sat Justin Herbert and others in their Week 18 game. We’ll see who’s more battle-prepared next weekend: the Patriots, who played their starters, or the Chargers, who didn’t.
2. Dolphins’ season ends with offensive disappointment. Even with some key Dolphins ( De'Von Achane, Jaylen Waddle, Austin Jackson) sitting out the season finale, they finished the season in disappointing fashion offensively at New England. Sure, the defense can absolutely be blamed for its effort against the Patriots, but Miami’s offense had shown more promise in recent games. Quinn Ewers had some moments in his third start, just like he did in his first two. One of Ewers’ best throws wasn’t even caught, as Cedrick Wilson dropped a would-be TD on fourth-and-1 from the Patriots’ 8-yard line. But there were some plays Ewers would have liked back, including an end zone interception and a few sacks that were on him. He also left the game late with a knee injury whose severity wasn’t initially clear. But there were plenty of mistakes elsewhere, too, including Jaylen Wright's fumble and some annoying penalties.
3. Returning players boost Patriots. The Patriots welcomed back two critical players to boost their strength on the line of scrimmage -- and both made their impact felt. Defensive tackle Milton Williams came back Sunday and played 26 snaps on defense, logging two tackles, including a TFL in the red zone. The Patriots supplied ample pressure on Quinn Ewers, sacking him four times and hitting him nine times, and Williams was a big part of that effort. Rookie left tackle Will Campbell also returned, and he helped pave the way to the Patriots’ 243-yard, four-TD rushing effort. The Patriots set the tone on the first drive, opening the game with Rhamondre Stevenson runs for 9 and 56 yards and a TreVeyon Henderson TD. Campbell had a few balky moments in pass protection, as you might expect for a first-year player returning from injury, but he didn’t allow any sacks Sunday -- and there’s nothing more important to this team than keeping Drake Maye upright. Williams and Campbell returning prior to the playoffs felt like a big boost for both lines of scrimmage.

Next Gen Stats Insight for Dolphins-Patriots (via NFL Pro): The Patriots utilized jumbo personnel (six-plus offensive lineman) on 25.0% of their offensive plays (14 of 56), gaining 207 yards and three touchdowns, the second-most yards out of jumbo by an offense in the Next Gen Stats era (since 2016).

NFL Research: After his first attempt was blocked, Patriots rookie kicker Andres Borregales hit a career-best 59-yard field goal before the half -- six yards longer than his previous best.

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• REWATCH: Commanders-Eagles on NFL+ Premium
• READ: Sirianni defends decision to rest starters despite chance at No. 2 seed

Nick Shook's takeaways:

1. Johnson leads a complete team win. Josh Johnson, 39, entered Sunday without having thrown a touchdown pass since 2021, after he spent most of 2025 on the sideline as the Commanders' third-string quarterback, and only started Sunday because he was all Washington had left. None of that mattered in this game. With a win very much in reach, Johnson channeled his 10 years of NFL experience and engineered two scoring drives, capitalizing on mistakes made by Eagles backups (for a combined 56 penalty yards between the two possessions) to move the Commanders into the Eagles' red zone. From there, Johnson embraced the moment, firing a sharp pass to tight end John Bates for a touchdown early in the fourth, then expertly executed a play action bootleg, rolling to his left, swiveling his shoulders just enough to send the nearest defender retreating in coverage, then trotting through the space that defender (Kelee Ringo) vacated for a rushing score. Yes, in 2025, Josh Johnson accounted for two fourth-quarter touchdowns in a road win, a game in which Johnson kept Washington moving forward with his arm and legs. What a beautiful moment on one of the most winding football journeys we've ever seen.  
2. McKee's stock takes a dive. Lost in the undying buzz that surrounds the Eagles (both positively and mostly negatively) is the optimism regarding their backup quarterback, Tanner McKee. A preseason hero who carries intrigue that stretches beyond Philadelphia, McKee received the start in a backup-heavy game for the Eagles on Sunday and showed why he's an understudy. McKee's stat line does him more favors than the tape. On multiple (often key) occasions, McKee struggled with accuracy and/or wasn't on the same page with his intended receiver. He threw an ugly interception in the end zone on a pass he anticipated would be open if Washington's Jeremy Reaves had carried the nearest pass-catcher in coverage, but Reaves instead sat on the throw McKee eventually fired, picking him off to stop an Eagles drive that likely would have finished in the end zone. Throughout the game, McKee sailed passes over open targets and when the Eagles desperately needed a touchdown drive to preserve their chances of victory or extending to overtime, McKee looked unqualified, struggling with pressure and missing targets. McKee has thrived in preseason action to a degree that has even led some to wonder whether he might become a starter elsewhere (or, depending on the week and which Eagles fans you speak to, in place of Jalen Hurts). He didn't look anything like that on Sunday.
3. Washington ends disappointing season on high note. The Commanders had every reason to quit on Dan Quinn weeks ago, but that's not how this squad is built. Washington didn't live up to the preseason hype created by its magical run to the NFC Championship Game a season ago, and while the 2025 campaign would indeed end in the same place its playoff run did last year, that didn't inspire any doubt. The Commanders -- a team initially built on veteran talent, but now including a handful of aspiring youngsters fighting for a future -- took advantage of a matchup against Eagles backups Sunday and won with effort. Jeremy Reaves and Mike Sainristil accounted for the three combined passes defensed by the Commanders (per Next Gen Stats), while Chris Rodriguez Jr. ran hard through Philadelphia's defense, battling to stay in a game that seemed destined to end in a narrow Eagles win before the fourth quarter arrived. Teams with lopsided losing records typically don't close like this, but while Quinn's group was a disappointment in total for 2025, the Commanders ensured they'd go out like worthy competitors by winning a Week 18 rock fight.

Next Gen Stats Insight for Commanders-Eagles (via NFL Pro): Tanner McKee completed just one of his 14 passes under pressure for 12 yards, while completing 20 of 26 passes for 229 yards, a touchdown, and an interception when not pressured.

NFL Research: Josh Johnson, 39, finished with nine carries for 45 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown Sunday, becoming the oldest player in NFL history to have 40-plus rushing yards and one-plus rushing touchdowns in a game.

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• REWATCH: Ravens-Steelers on NFL+ Premium
• READ: Steelers secure AFC North title after Ravens miss last-second FG
• READ: Rodgers achieves Steelers' 'vision' after winning AFC North title
• READ: Ravens' Jackson not ready to discuss future after loss to Steelers

Grant Gordon's takeaways:

1. Rodgers, Steelers rally thrice for AFC North crown. Aaron Rodgers, Mike Tomlin and the Steelers are going to the playoffs. John Harbaugh, Lamar Jackson and the Ravens are going home. In a game with more big plays than good plays and a fourth quarter that was complete anarchy, Pittsburgh kicker Chris Boswell's missed extra point set Baltimore up for a win before rookie Tyler Loop's missed 44-yarder -- his first miss inside 50 yards this year -- sent the Steelers to the postseason with the AFC North title in tow. As retirement talk surrounds Rodgers, the 42-year-old future Hall of Famer will play at least one more game thanks to his clutch play in the final stanza. Rodgers captained the Steelers to three comebacks in one game, throwing it 47 times with 31 completions, a game-winning 26-yard touchdown pass to Calvin Austin III and 294 yards. Down 10-3 at halftime, Pittsburgh mounted its first comeback, taking its initial lead at 13-10 in the third quarter. Rodgers piloted a 60-yard TD drive for a 20-17 lead with fewer than four minutes to play thanks in large part to a 31-yard hookup with Pat Freiermuth on third-and-8. After Jackson and the Ravens answered with a 64-yard score to Zay Flowers, Rodgers and Austin put the last points on the board. Rodgers is back in the playoffs for the first time since 2021 with the Green Bay Packers, and potentially the last time in his career. This was a crazy season for the Steelers and the Ravens. It made the ending, one in which their playoff lives hung in the balance of the last regular-season game until the final second ticked off, so fitting. Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow, and now Jackson are all going to be at home for the playoffs. Rodgers is back, though, and the Steelers with him.
2. Big plays not enough to extend Ravens’ season. Lamar Jackson wasn’t his extraordinary self throughout Sunday night, but on more than a few plays -- namely his three touchdown passes -- he looked every bit like a two-time MVP. In the end, it just wasn’t enough, symbolic of the travails that characterized such a disappointing season. Derrick Henry had more than 100 yards in the first half. Jackson, who had 38-, 50- and 65-yard TD passes, hit Isaiah Likely for a 26-yard gain on fourth-and-7 on the final drive to set up Loop’s 44-yard attempt gone awry. For much of the game, though, the Steelers defense stood tall, buoyed by T.J. Watt returning from missing multiple weeks due to a lung injury. Watt had an interception, Cameron Heyward was as stellar as he’s been all year, and so was Alex Highsmith, other than missing a tackle on a Jackson TD toss -- one of those MVP-esque plays. For the Ravens, it’s clear the talent is there, with Jackson, Henry and plenty more, but the end results were not. This was the Steelers’ night -- and their division to claim. 
3. Does Sunday’s result signal massive change for Steelers, AFC North? Sunday night was the 40th meeting, including playoffs, between Mike Tomlin and John Harbaugh. It’s second only to Hall of Famers George Halas and Curly Lambeau with the Bears and Packers, respectively (49 meetings). It seems entirely possible this could have been their last as AFC North adversaries. For weeks, there have been rumblings about Harbaugh’s job security in Baltimore should the Ravens fall short of the playoffs in a season with Super Bowl expectations. They have, blowing a fourth-quarter lead for the 16th time over the last five years -- tied for the most with the Colts in that span. It seems borderline inconceivable to imagine the Ravens sidelines sans Harbaugh, who’s now finished his 18th season at the helm -- second in the NFL behind only Tomlin. Just the third head coach in the Ravens history, Harbaugh’s 180 wins are not just the most in franchise chronicle, but 100 more than second-place Brian Billick. With Harbaugh at the helm, Baltimore has won a Super Bowl, six AFC North titles and gone to the playoffs 12 times. But a string of three straight playoff appearances has been snapped, the Lamar Jackson-led offense fell well short of expectations, as did the Kyle Hamilton-helmed defense. Having built a reputation for coming up short in the playoffs and squandering late leads, Baltimore was not the AFC heavyweight everyone expected. Perhaps a massive change is on the way after such a massive letdown. 

Next Gen Stats Insight for Ravens-Steelers (via NFL Pro): The field goal probability of Ravens kicker Tyler Loop’s missed 44-yard game-ending kick was 79.3 percent. It was the rookie’s first missed field goal inside 50 yards all season. He was previously 29 of 29 from 49 yards and closer.

NFL Research: Mike Tomlin won his 193rd game, tying him with Hall of Famer Chuck Noll for the most in franchise history.