NFL 2025 Week 18 Recap
THIS. IS. WHEN. THE. BIG. DOGS. COME. OUT!
Carolina Panthers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers was the Saturday afternoon game. The 8-8 Panthers defeated the 7-9 Buccaneers two weeks ago. Initially this was billed as whoever wins this game wins the NFC South with the loser out of the playoffs. That has been modified. The Buccaneers with a loss are absolutely out. The Panthers can lose and still win the division as long as Atlanta also wins. If the Panthers and Atlanta both lose, the Buccaneers win the division. Home field matters very little in this series. The Buccaneers have melted down since a 6-2 start. Todd Bowles, who might be a Black Monday casualty, tried to blame Baker Mayfield. The Buccaneers were trying to win the NFC South for the 5th straight year. In pouring rain, the Buccaneers went straight to work from their own 25. Irving ran for 9 and 3. Mayfield went to Mike Evans for 13. Irving ran for 6, 2, and on 3rd and 2 from the Carolina 41, 4. Mayfield ran for 9. Mayfield hit Cade Otton for 10 and again for the 18 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Buccaneers. The Buccaneers got it back at their own 20 and moved to a 1st and 10 at the Carolina 13. Yet a pass to a wide open receiver in the end zone saw the ball got right through the receiver’s hands. Chase McLaughlin hit a 29 yard field goal to make it 10-0 Buccaneers after the first quarter.
The Buccaneers had all the momentum in the second quarter when Mayfield was intercepted by Rozeboom. Rozeboom returned the interception 20 yards to the Tampa Bay 19. Bryce Young went to McMillan for 11 and to Tommy Tremble for an 8 yard touchdown. The Panthers were within 10-7. While driving for the tying field goal on 3rd and 6 just past midfield, Young was intercepted with 1:51 left in the half. That led to a 36 yard McLaughlin field goal and a 13-7 Buccaneers halftime lead. The rain subsided, in the second half, but the defenses dominated. Ryan Fitzgerald’s 54 yard field goal try for the Panthers was no good as the third quarter was scoreless. A horrendous defensive pass interference call on the Panthers allowed McLaughlin hit from 48 early in the fourth quarter to make it 16-7 Buccaneers. The Panthers got a good drive going and reached a 1st and 10 at the Tampa Bay 20. Dave Canales then lost his mind and went for an ill-advised flea flicker. It blew up spectacularly when the running back slipped while trying to lateral the ball back. The Buccaneers recovered the fumble with 11 minutes left in regulation. A 38 yard McLaughlin try to pad the lead was blocked. Yet the Panthers still needed 2 scores and had only 5 minutes to do it.
The Panthers were down to their last gasp facing 4th and 8 from the Tampa Bay 48. Under heavy pressure, young stayed in the pocket and fired a desperation bomb to Tetairoa McMillan for a 40 yard gain. Two plays later Young threw a jump ball and Jalen Coker came down with it for the touchdown to get the Panthers right back in it down 16-14. Only 2 1/2 minutes remained. The Panthers still had all 3 timeouts plus the 2 minute warning. The hard rain had returned. The Buccaneers soon faced 3rd and 4 at their own 35 with 2:12 left. Mayfield rolled out on a naked bootleg and hit Otton for a 20 yard gain as the clock hit the 2 minute warning. Now the Buccaneers could take the clock down to under 30 seconds. On 3rd and 6 from the Carolina 41 with 1:11 left, Todd Bowles was not taking any chances. A safe run gained 2 yards. An attempt to draw the defense offsides didn’t work as the delay of game penalty meant 4th and 9. The Buccaneers set up to punt wit 26 seconds left as the Panthers put all 11 men on the line for a desperation punt block. The punt died at the Carolina 3 yard line with 16 seconds left. The Panthers needed a miracle to reach long field goal range with 18 seconds left. A completion gained only 18 yards. With 3 seconds left from their own 21, Needing 79 yards, the hook and laterals gained only about 15.
Call it Pewter Power, Buc Ball or ugly ball, but the Buccaneers got the win. Both teams were 8-9, but the NFC South Division was still not clinched by anyone. 7-9 Atlanta played on Sunday. Atlanta was eliminated from playoff contention. If Atlanta won, there would be a 3-way tie atop the division. The Panthers would win the division tie-breaker and the Buccaneers would be out. If Atlanta lost, there would be only a 2-way tie atop the division. The Buccaneers would win the tie-breaker and the Panthers would be out. After spending Saturday in a rainstorm, both teams spent Sunday indoors watching television. On Sunday, Atlanta won. That meant, Atlanta, Tampa Bay and Carolina were all 8-9. Based on the three way tie-breaker, despite winning this game, the Buccaneers were out. The Panthers despite the loss were the NFC South champions. 16-14 Buccaneers
Seattle Seahawks at San Francisco 49ers was the Saturday night game. This is why we watch football. The 13-3 Seahawks faced off against the 12-4 49ers for all the marbles. The winner takes the NFC West and the top seed in the NFC with home field advantage throughout the playoffs and the first round bye. The loser is a Wildcard who has to play road playoff games. In Week 1, the 49ers went into Seattle and beat the Seahawks 17-13. The Seahawks began at their own 30 and moved to a 1st and goal at the one. Remember a decade ago when the Seahawks refused to hand the ball to Marshawn Lynch? New decade new coach new quarterback, new running back, same head-scratching call. Rather the just go smash mouth, a pass play was called. Sam Darnold was sacked for an 11 yard loss. For some reason Mike MacDonald gambled on 4th and goal at the 4. Darnold threw incomplete. After 7 1/2 minutes, the offense came up snake eyes. Yet the Seahawks have defense playing as well as the vaunted Legion of Boom. The defense held and a defensive facemask penalty on the punt return gave the Seahawks the ball back at the San Francisco 35. On 3rd and 2, Charbonnet got the first down and the 27 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Seahawks.
Early in the second quarter, Jason Myers missed a 47 yard field goal try that would have extended the lead. Kyle Shanahan went for it on 4th and 1 from the Seattle 39 rather than try a 57 yard field goal. Purdy threw incomplete as the play was well-defended. Myers hit from 45 to make it 10-0 Seahawks wit 5 1/2 minutes left in the half. Eddie Pineiro hit from 48 with one minute left in the half to get the 49ers on the board. The Seahawks had 115 yards rushing in the first half while the 49ers had only 60 total yards. Despite being dominated statistically, the 49ers were only down 10-3 at the intermission. The defenses dug in as the third quarter was scoreless. Myers hit a 31 yard field goal early in the fourth quarter to give the Seahawks breathing room up 13-3. That drive was helped along by a give-up run on 3rd and 17 that gained 19 yards. The 49ers moved from their 30 to a 2nd and goal at the 6. Brock Purdy’s pass was slightly tipped, but still should have been caught by Christian McCaffrey. Instead it bounced off of McCaffrey’s hands and was intercepted by Thomas at the Seattle 3 yard line.
The Seahawks then ground the exhausted 49ers defense into dust. Needing 2 scores, Kyle Shanahan took all 3 of his timeouts on defense with 4 minutes left. The Seahawks moved 94 yards in 16 plays and took 8 minutes off the clock. On 4th and 1 from the Seattle 3, Mike McDonald played it safe. Yet to the shock of everyone, Myers doinked the 26 yard field goal try off the left upright no good. The 49ers were alive, but barely. On 4th and 6 from their own 24 with 1:55 left, Darnold got belted by two separate defenders and threw incomplete. Darnold took 3 knees to end it. Both quarterbacks were efficient. The difference was the Seahawks running the ball a whopping 39 times for 180 yards, over 4 1/2 yards per carry. The Seattle defense held the 49ers to only 53 rushing yards.
The win was sweet vindication for Darnold. Last year Darnold led Minnesota to a 14-2 record and a Week 18 showdown at 14-2 Detroit for all the NFC marbles. A close game for three quarters, Minnesota got blown out in the fourth quarter. They lost the top seed, were relegated to a road Wildcard playoff game, and got bounced in the first round. Minnesota considered Darnold expendable, but they fell off a cliff this year to a losing record. This year Darnold got the big Week 18 road win. The Seahawks are the top seed with home field throughout the playoffs and the first round bye. The 49ers fell to the five seed. If the Rams win on Sunday, the 49ers fall to the six seed. The Rams won, and the 49ers became the six seed. 13-3 Seahawks
Indianapolis Colts at Houston Texans — The Colts are eliminated. The 11-5 Texans are one game back in the AFC South. They are currently the five seed and would play a road playoff game on Wildcard Weekend. If they win their regular season finale and Jacksonville loses, Houston wins the division tie-breaker and moves up to the three seed with a home playoff game on Wildcard Weekend. Philip Rivers re-retired after 3 games. Although he was 0-3, he played quite well for a 44 year old man. 3rd stringer Riley Leonard started for the Colts. Kaimi Fairbairn hit a 51 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Texans. The Colts soon faced 3rd and 7 at their own 34. Leonard went bombs away to a wide open Alec Pierce for a 66 yard touchdown and a 7-3 Colts lead. Fairbairn hit a 48 yard field goal to get the Texans within 7-6. Jonathan Gannon called a successful fake punt from his own 29 yard line that led to a 50 yard Blake Grupe field goal to make it 10-6 Colts.
The Texans began the second quarter at their own 18. CJ Stroud went to Stover for 9. Stroud found Hutchinson for 33. On 3rd and 1 from the Indianapolis 24, Marks gained 2. On 3rd and 4 from the Indianapolis 16, Marks gained 5. Stroud hit Higgins for an 11 yard touchdown to make it 13-10 Texans. The Colts soon faced 2nd and 15 from their own 24. Leonard went back to pass and a defender hit the ball. In trying to bring the ball back to himself, Leonard lost his grip on the ball. 25 years too late for some fans, the Tuck Rule no longer exists. Unlike Tom Brady, Riley Leonard did not get the call. This was ruled a fumble, and it was recovered by the Texans all the way at the Indy two yard line. Stroud got around the right end on the next play for a 20-10 Texans advantage.
The Colts took over at their own 8 with 4 minutes left in the half. Leonard went to downs for 30. Defensive pass interference brought 30 more yards. Leonard hit Pittman for 16. On
3rd and goal at the 8, Leonard hit Alec Pierce for the touchdown to get the Colts within 20-17 with 90 seconds left. That was enough time for Fairbairn to hit from 29 to have the Texans up 23-17 at halftime. The Colts began the third quarter at their own 35. Leonard hit Jonathan Taylor for 11 and then went deep to Pierce for a 53 yard gain down to the one. Leonard got the last yard o put the Colts back on top 24-23.
Then came the field goals as the lead kept changing hands. Fairbairn hit from 43 and Grupe answered from 39. In the fourth quarter Fairbairn hit from 44 and Grupe answered from 22 as the Colts had the lead 30-29 with 2 1/2 minutes left in regulation. With 12 seconds left, Fairbairn came in for a 43 yard try. The 8th lead change of the game had the Colts up 32-30 Ashton Dulon should have taken a knee on the ensuing kickoff to set up the Colts at their own 35 with 12 seconds left. Instead Dulin tried to make something happened. He got talked at his own 25 and left only 5 seconds. There would not be another field goal try from Grupe. Instead it was tie for the hook and laterals. That became a comedy of errors leading to big man with football, as the ball bounced to Togiai, who rumbled 17 yards through people for a touchdown the other way. The Texans fell short of the divisions but earned the five seed Wildcard with road playoff games. The Colts announced after th game that ownership was not firing anyone, and that the coach and general manager would return in 2026. 6 field goals by Fairbairn were the difference. 38-30 Texans
Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants — Both teams are eliminated. The Giants with a loss and a Raiders win and other help could regain the top pick in the Draft. They currently have the second pick. The Cowboys with a win can avoid a losing season. The Giants will have a new coach next year. An early Cowboys fumble led to a 45 yard Sauls field and a 3-0 Giants lead. Brandon Aubrey hit from 22 for the Cowboys and Sauls connected again from 35 for a 6-3 Giants lead. Kevontae Turpin returned the ensuing kickoff 84 yards to the Giants 11. On 2nd ad 13, Jaden Blue became the most popular Blue since “Old School.” The 14 yard touchdown run had the Cowboys up 10-6 after the first quarter. In a season gone wrong for the Cowboys,
Dak Prescott has been a bright spot. He had a chance to be the first Cowboys quarterback ever to lead the league in passing. For a franchise that had Roger Staubach, Danny White, Troy Aikman and Tony Romo, that is pretty impressive. Yet Brian Schottenheimer, with input from Jerry Jones of course, did not want to risk an injury to their franchise quarterback. Prescott was sent to the bench as Joe Milton played the second half. When Prescott eft the game, he led the league in passing. However, action later in the day was widely expected to see other quarterbacks surpass him.
In the second quarter the Giants moved to a 2nd and 2 at the Dallas 3. A run got blown up for a 3 yard loss. Sauls hit from 23 to have the Giants with 10-9. The Cowboys moved 65 yards in 12 plays and 7 minutes. Brian schottenheimer gambled on 4th and 2 from the Giants 4. Prescott threw incomplete as the Cowboys came up snake eyes with 2:49 left in the half. Singletary gained 13. On 3rd and 6 from their own 25, Jaxson Dart hit Greg Olszewski for 11. On 2nd and 21 after an offensive penalty, defensive unnecessary roughness gave the Giants the yards back and a new set of downs. Dart hit Olszewski for 8 and 23. On 3rd and 16 from the Dallas 29 after a sack Dart was about to be sacked again. As he was going down he somehow shoveled a pass to Bellinger, who weaved through traffic for a ridiculous touchdown and a 16-10 Giants lead at the half. The Giants got it back in the third quarter at their own 38. Tracy ran for 15. Dart hit Olszewki for 15. On 3rd and 6 from the Dallas 13, Dart hit Tracy for the touchdown. Interim Coach Mike Kafka went for 2 and went to the bag of tricks. Singletary threw the halfback option pass to Darrius Slayton successfully. Interim coaches have nothing to lose, as the Giants led 24-10.
Things got worse for the Cowboys when Aubrey’s 52 yard field goal try was no good. The Giants moved to the Dallas 35, ad a field goal would put them up by 17 and make it a 3 score game. Instead. the Giants fumbled the ball away. The Cowboys took over and Mafah ran like a bad Mafah. Shut your mouth. He ran for 8, 5 and 3. Brian schottenheimer went for it on 4th and 1 from the Giants 47. Milton got around the end for a 23 yard gain. Milton went to Mafah went for 10. Defensive pass interference added 13. Mafah got the last yard on the first play of the fourth quarter to cap the 10 play, 69 yard, 5 minute drive and get the Cowboys within 24-17. Sauls tacked on a 30 yard field goal with 9 1/2 minutes left in regulation to give the Giants some breathing room up 27-17. On the next play from scrimmage, Milton was intercepted to set up the Giants at the Dallas 33. Tracy ran for 12. On 3rd and 7 from the Dallas 12, the Dallas defense jumped offsides. On 3rd and 1, Tracy gained 6. Singletary ran for 6 yard touchdown to ice the game with 6 minutes left. with the win, the Giants eliminated themselves from contention for the top pick in the Draft. The Giants end the season on a 2 game win streak and the Cowboys finish with a losing season. 34-17 Giants
Cleveland Browns at Cincinnati Bengals. — Both teams are eliminated. Both coaches could become Black Monday casualties. Myles Garrett needs one more sack to set the all time single season NFL record. An early sack of Shedeur Sanders forced a fumble to set up the Bengals at the Cleveland 29. Joe Burrow went to Tee Higgins for 21. Burrow hit Brown for a 4 yard touchdown. The extra point was blocked but the Bengals led 6-0. The Bengals got it back at their own 30. and moved straight down the field. On 1st and goal at the 7, Burrow had his pass tipped and intercepted by Devon Bush, who raced the other way. Bush appeared to run out of gas with Garrett along side him. Bush practically begged Garrett for a block, and Garrett obliged. Bush made it to the end zone for the 97 yard interception return touchdown. Instead of trailing 13-0, the 14 point swing had the Browns up 7-6 after the first quarter. Early in the second quarter the Bengals faced 1st and 10 at their own 41. A short completion saw the ball punched out. Sam Webb picked up the fumble and returned it 47 yards the other way to pay dirt. Two defensive touchdowns had the Browns up 14-6. Who needs offense?
The Bengals took over at their own 21. Brown ran for 19. Burrow went to Chase for 21. On 3rd and 1 from the Cleveland 30, Joe Flacco came in for one play. Zac Taylor was not going to risk an injury to Burrow on a quarterback sneak in a meaningless game. Flacco gained 2 as the crowd went wild. After 18 seasons, Flacco, who turns 40 next week, has not said whether he will return for a 19th season. Burrow came back in and threw a 13 yard touchdown pass to Higgins. McPherson’s miserable day continued as he missed the extra point The Bengals trailed 14-12 at halftime. Szmyt hit a 27 yard field goal to have the Browns up 17-12 after three quarters.
With 5 minutes left in regulation, Burrow was sacked by Garrett. The record was set. While it appeared Burrow went down without being touched, the pocket did collapse. This was not Brett Favre diving for Michael Strahan. It was a close call, but Favre’s game was locked up. The Bengals were trailing and trying for a win. Burrow would not taking a dive, and Cleveland has a good defense. Garrett was in the history books. Yet Garrett then went to the sideline and was mobbed by teammates. The Browns were celebrating his individual statistical accomplishment, but the game was not over.
The Bengals punted but got the ball back at their own 39 with 2:40 left. On 3rd and 2 Burrow hit Chase for 11. Burrow found Higgins for 17 and Chase for 21. Burrow hit Chase for a 4 yard touchdown. With 90 seconds left, the Bengals had the one point lead. Zac Taylor went for two and Burrow threw incomplete. Instead of leading 21-17, the Bengals only led 18-17. The exhausted Cleveland defense broke. Now their inept offense had to do something. The Browns soon faced 3rd and 10 at their own 29, Shedeur Sanders hit Bond for 13. Sanders hit Sampson for 9 and Jerry Jeudy for 11. With 3 seconds left, Szmyt came in for a 49 yard field goal try. On the final play of the regular season for both teams, Szmyt was good. Garrett’s sack record was totally sweet rather than bitter sweet. Both coaches awaited Black Monday. The Browns ended the season with consecutive wins. Zac Taylor survived Black Monday but Kevin Stefanski did not. 20-18 Browns
New Orleans Saints at Atlanta Falcons — Both teams are eliminated but the NFC South Division crown and trip to the playoffs oddly hinges on this game. If the Saints win this game, Tampa Bay wins the division tie-breaker. If the Falcons win this game, they move into a 3-way tie atop the division. The Falcons again are eliminated because they lose all tie-breakers. Yet their win would
mean Carolina wins the division tie-breaker. It would not be a Saints-Falcons game without a blocked punt, but this was hardly Steve Gleason drama. This time it was the Falcons blocking the
punt to give them 1st and goal at the 5. After an offensive penalty, Kirk Cousins hit Drake London for a 15 y yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Falcons. In the second quarter, Smyth missed a 56 yard field goal that would have gotten the Saints on the board. Zane Gonzalez hit a 40 yard second quarter field goal to make it 10-0 Falcons.
The Saints soon faced 3rd and 6 at their own 39. Tyler Shough went to Austin Estime for 19 and to Bettis for 22. On 3rd and 16 from the Atlanta 26, a very questionable defensive pass interference call meant a 22 yard gain. On 3rd and goal at the one, Shough got around the end for the touchdown to get the Saints within 10-7 with 4 1/2 minutes left in the half. Gonzalez hit from 51 in the third quarter to make it 13-7 Falcons. The Saints moved to a 3rd and goal at the one. Estime got stopped for no gain. Kellen Moore went for it. On 4th and goal at the one, Shough found a wide open Austin for the touchdown. Yet offensive pass interference nullified the score. Smyth hit the 29 yard field goal to get the saints within 13-10 after three quarters. Gonzalez hit from 38 with 11 minutes left in regulation to have the Falcons up 16-10.
The Saints moved to a 3rd and 7 at the Atlanta 20. Looking for the lead, though was intercepted by Alford, who returned it 59 yards. Gonzalez hit a 38 yard field goal with 3 minutes left to give the Falcons breathing room up 19-10. The saints took over at their own 35 needing 2 scores. Shough quickly went to Bettis for 26 and again for 12, and to Bell for a 16 yard touchdown. The Saints were within 2 with 1:11 to play. The onside kick failed. Despite winning and being in a 3-way tie atop the division, it didn’t matter. Atlanta knocked out Tampa Bay and handed Carolina the pathetic NFC South division. The Falcons ended with four straight wins while the Saints may have found their quarterback of the future. Yet the strong finish did not sway. Arthur Blank. He did not even wait until Black Monday. His Sunday night massacre took out coach Raheem Morris, General Manager Terry Fontenot, and even team President Rich Mckay. 19-17 Falcons
Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings — The Vikings are eliminated. The Packers have locked up the seven seed and cannot move higher, so they are expected to play their backups. Will Reichard hit an early 43 yard field goal and again from 25 with 3 minutes left in the half to make it 6-0 Vikings. The Packers punted on 4th and 24 from their own 8 to set the Vikings up at their own 41. On 3rd and 8 from the Green Bay 47, McCarthy hit Jalen Naylor for 26. McCarthy went to Sims for 18. CJ Ham, perhaps playing his final game with the Vikings after 8 seasons, scored the one yard touchdown to make it 13-0 Vikings. A useless second half saw Reichard hit again from 35 with 4 minutes left in regulation. At that point the Vikings had 363 yards of offense and the Packers had 65. Vikings defensive standout Harrison Smith left the game to a standing ovation shortly afterward. After 14 seasons, all with the Vikings, the man with 39 interceptions and 6 Pro Bowls is calling it a career after the game On the final play, Matt Lafleur kicked a field goal to avoid the shutout. 16-3 Vikings
Tennessee Titans at Jacksonville Jaguars — The Titans are eliminated. The Jaguars have clinched a playoff spot and are one game up in the AFC South. They are currently the three seed. They would play a game at home on Wildcard weekend. If the Jaguars win their regular season finale and either Denver or New England loses, the Jaguars would move up to the two seed. If the Jaguars win and both Denver and New England lose, the Jaguars would vault to the top seed with home field advantage throughout the playoffs and a first round bye. If the Jaguars lose, they can keep the three seed as long as Houston also loses. Yet if the Jaguars lose and Houston wins, the Jaguars lose the tie-breaker and the division. They would fall to the five seed Wildcard and play road playoff games.
The Jaguars began facing 4th and 28 at their own 13. The Jaguars punted and the Titans took over at their own 42. On 3rd and 10, Cam Ward went deep to Ayomanor for 39. Ward then went to Pollard for 12. Ward ran around the end and just got past then pylon for a 7 yard touchdown. The Titans led 7-0 but Ward hurt his shoulder on the play and left the game. Sometimes a bad team can go on the road shock a good team in an upset for the ages. This was not that game. Goliath beat up David and stole his lunch money.
The Jaguars took over at their own 33. Lawrence went to Thomas for 22. On 3rd and 5 from the Tennessee 28, Lawrence threw incomplete but the defense jumped offside to give the Jaguars the first down. On the next play, Lawrence went deep to Washington for a 23 yard touchdown to make it 7-7. Brandon Allen came in for Ward. The Jaguars began the second quarter at their own 18. Lawrence found Strange for a pair of 11 yard gains. Lawrence hit Jakobi Meyers for 17. Defensive pass interference added 25. Lawrence hit Strange for a 7 yard touchdown to make it 14-7 Jaguars. The Titans soon faced 3rd and 18 from their own 45. Allen fired a completion over the middle to Johnson. Problem: Johnson plays defense for the Jaguars. Johnson made his way to the sideline for a 59 yard interception touchdown return and a 21-7 Jaguars advantage. The Jaguars got it back and faced 2nd and 12 at their own 12. Lawrence went to Washington for 29 and to Strange for 9. Tuten ran for 12. Lawrence hit Washington for 8 and Mundt for 16. On 3rd and 1 from the Tennessee 5 Lawrence went to Morris for the touchdown. The Jaguars led 28-7. Cam Little already holds the NFL record with a 68 yard field goal made earlier this season. So 67 was a piece of cake. He buried it dead center for a 31-7 Jaguars lead. For some reason, league rules meant the second half could not be canceled. Little hit a 52 yard field goal late in the third quarter. Tuten ran for a 5 yard touchdown midway through the fourth quarter to complete the blowout. The Jaguars wrapped up the AFC South and the three seed but did not move higher. 41-7 Jaguars
New York Jets at Buffalo Bills — The Jets are eliminated. The Bills have clinched a Wildcard and will play a road playoff game on Wildcard Weekend. As of now they are the seven seed. If they win their regular season finale and the Chargers lose, the Bills move up to the six seed. If the Bills win and the Chargers and Houston both lose, the Bills rise to the five seed. Yet Sean McDermott decided to rest his starters anyway. Mitchell Trubisky started pl place of Josh Allen. The Bills began at their own 20. James Cook ran for 10 and 5. Davis ran for 4, 3, and on 3rd and 2 from midfield, 17 and 9 more. Trubisky hit Dawson Knox for a 17 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Bills. he Bills got it back at their own 16. Trubisky hit Davis for 21 and Kincaid for 18. With their kicker injured, Sean McDermott had to pass up field goals and extra points. On 4th and 4 from the Jets 34, Trubisky hit Latu for 7. On 3rd and 20 from the Jets 37, Trubisky hit Johnson for 14 with a defensive facemask adding 12 more. On 3rd and 5 from the Jets 6, Johnson took the Wildcat snap and ran for the touchdown to make it 14-0 Bills. The Bills got it back just shy of midfield. Trubisky hit Davis or 18 and Gilliam for 22. On 3rd and 1 from the Jets 2, Trubisky hit Davis for the touchdown to make it 21-0 Bills at the half. The second half was unnecessary. An 11 play, 5 minute, 54 yard drive led to 4th and goal at the 2 in the third quarter. Trubisky hit Davs for the touchdown and Coleman for the 2 point conversion to make it 29-0 Bills. Trubisky hit Johnson for a 6 yard fourth quarter touchdown to make it 35-0 Bills. The Jets got one garbage touchdown in a garbage season. The Jets will have the second pick in the Draft. Aaron Glenn survived black Monday. The Bills moved up to the six seed. 35-8 Bills
Arizona Cardinals at Los Angeles Rams — The Cardinals are eliminated. The 11-5 Rams stunning loss at Atlanta dropped them from the five seed to the six seed. Yet the five seed would be traveling to a warm weather city to play a weaker team while the six seed will be playing in a cold weather city against a very good defense. If the Rams lose their regular season finale, they remain the six seed. If they win and San Francisco loses, the Rams win that tie-breaker and move back up to the five seed. Either way they will play a road playoff game on Wildcard weekend. They cannot move higher than the five seed. An early fumble led to a 34 yard Harold Mevis field goal for the Rams. Ryland answered from 45. In the second quarter Mevis hit from 42 and Ryland countered from 56 for a 6-6 ballgame.
The Rams got it back at their own 26. On 3rd and 1, Stafford hit Kyren Williams for 4. Stafford found Colby Parkinson for 9 and Puka Nacua for 15. On 3rd and 5 from the Arizona 16, Stafford hit Higbee for 10. On 4th and goal at the 2, Stafford went to Nacua for the yard touchdown to make it 13-6 Rams at the 2 minute warning. Mevis tacked on a 40 yard field goal to end the half with the Rams up 16-6. Yet just when it seemed this was going to turn into a blowout, the game changed.
The Cardinals took over in the third quarter soon faced 3rd and 26 from their own 11. Demercado gained 18. Jonathan Gannon gambled on a fake punt on 4th and 8 from his own 29. Haack went to Demercado for 28. On the next play Jacoby Brissett went deep to Wilson for a 43 yard touchdown. Just like that, the Cardinals were back in it down 16-13. The Cardinals got it back at their own 24. Brissett hit Carter for 11. Carter gained 9 and one. Brissett hit Higgins for 10. Brissett went to Wilson for 20 and to Deguara for a 7 yard touchdown. With 4 minutes left in the third quarter, the Cardinals led 20-16 and were smelling upset. The Rams were trying to avoid 3 straight kisses to end the regular season.
The Rams took over at their own 30. Stafford hit Nacua for 9. Corum ran for 8 and caught a pass from Stafford for 10. Stafford went to Higbee for 21 and to Parkinson for a 21 yard touchdown as the Rams led 23-20 after three quarters. The Rams got it back and faced 3rd and 1 at their own 43. Nacua gained 13 and Williams added 22. Stafford hit Higbee for a 22 yard touchdown to make it 30-20 Rams with 10 1/2 minutes left in regulation. The Rams got it back and faced 3rd and 1 at their own 28. Corum gained 2 and then ripped off 21 yard run. Nacua dded 11 more. On 3rd and 1 from the Arizona 22, Williams gained 3. Stafford hit Nacua for 17. Stafford hit Parkinson to complete the 12 play, 81 yard, 5 minute drive and salt the game away. The Rams did move up to the five seed. Stafford finished as the 2025 NFL passing leader wit over 4,700 yards passing yards, 150 yards more than his closest competition. The Cardinals on Black Monday declded that Jonathan Gannon was Jonathan Gone-on. 37-20 Rams
Los Angeles Chargers at Denver Broncos – This was supposed to be a winer take all battle for the AFC West crown. Yet with the Chargers stumbling at home last week, this game lost some meaning. The Chargers have clinched a Wildcard and will play a road playoff game on Wildcard Weekend. As of now they are the six seed. If they win their regular season finale and Houston loses, the Chargers move up to the five seed. If the Chargers lose and Buffalo wins, the Chargers fall to the seven seed. They may even play backups. The 13-3 Broncos have to play their starters. They control their own destiny and have clinched the AFC West, breaking the Kansas City streak of nine straight seasons. The Broncos are currently the one seed. If the Broncos win their regular season finale, they clinch home field advantage throughout the playoffs and the first round bye. if the Broncos lose, they still keep the top seed if New England and Jacksonville both lose. If the Broncos lose and New England or Jacksonville wins, the Broncos fall to the two seed. If the Broncos lose and New England and Jacksonville both win, the Broncos fall to the three seed.
Wil Lutz hit a 24 yard first quarter field goal to make it 3-0 Broncos. The Chargers soon faced 3rd and 5 at their own 40. Lance was intercepted by McMillan, who returned the pick 45 yards away fo the game’s only touchdown. The Broncos led 10-0. Cameron Dicker hit a 30 yard field goal for the Chargers to end the half, but the second half belonged to Lutz and the Denver defense. Lutz hit field goals of 25 in the third quarter and from 41 and 23 in the fourth quarter to complete the scoring. Neither offense reached the end zone. The Broncos won ugly and maintained the top seed. The Chargers are the seven seed. If the Chargers win their road Wildcard game, they would return to Denver for the Divisional round in a rematch. This time, both teams would have their starters. 19-3 Broncos
Kansas City Chiefs at Las Vegas Raiders — Both teams are eliminated. Before this game kicked off, the Giants had won. Win or lose, the Raiders were guaranteed the top Draft pick. They now had every incentive to end the season with a win. Pete Carroll may be a Black Monday casualty. A loss would make this the worst Raiders team in franchise history in terms of 15 losses. They come in having lost 10 straight. Travis Kelce may be retiring after the game. Patrick Mahomes is out injured. The Raiders were playing without Maxx Crosby and Brock Bowers. Yet the Raider Nation still had hope for a win because Geno Smith and his league leading interceptions were also out injured. Third stringer Chris Oludokan started for the Chiefs and was sacked on the third play of the game. Yet Kenny Pickett picked up where Smith left off and threw an interception 3 minutes into the game. A horrendous first half saw the Chiefs gain 84 total yards and the Raiders gain 81. What was amazing was that the Chiefs had 6 penalties for 40 yards and the Raiders had ZERO penalties for ZERO yards. Harrison Butker hit a 36 yard first quarter field goal. Daniel Carlson hit second quarter field goals of 32 and 23 for a 6-3 Raiders halftime lead. Butker hit from 41 for a 6-6 tie with 4 minutes left in the third quarter. Carlson leveled a 55 yard field goal with 13 minutes left in regulation to give the Raiders a 9-6 lead.
A great punt by AJ Cole pinned the Chiefs at their own 6 yard line. On 3rd and 6, Tyree Wilson got around the edge and belted Buechele in his own end zone. The safety gave the Raiders an 11-6 lead with 4 1/2 minutes left in regulation. The Raiders had the lead and were getting the free kick. They actually had a ray of hope to get a win. The Raiders fumbled the free kick and the Chiefs recovered at the Raiders 21. The Raiders just give games away. Somehow the defense got an inspired stand. Butker hit a 47 yard field goal, but the Chiefs still trailed 11-9 with 3 1/2 minutes left. The Raiders needed their pathetic offense to give their defense one chance at rest. That was just too much to ask. Unable to run, O’Connell threw an incompletion to let the Chiefs preserve a timeout. Then O’Connell was sacked. The Chiefs took over at their own 26 with 2:23 left. What happened next was inevitable. It has happened all year. The offense did nothing and the exhausted defense broke. Buchere uncorked a bomb just before getting belted and Malcolm Hollywood Brown caught ti for a 51 yard gain. The Raiders were going to blow another game.
With 1:50 left and the Raiders out of timeouts, the Chiefs faced 3rd and 3 at the Raiders 16. A first down would let the Chiefs run out the rest of the clock and kick the short 34 yard field goal on the final play. Yet rather than just run the ball, Buckle went backward and was sacked for a 7 yard loss. Butker came in for the 41 yard field goal. As expected, the kick was good. The Chiefs led 12-11. Yet the Raiders still had one minute left. The Raiders took over at their own 32, but their inept offense was expected to fail as usual. Instead, O’Connell fired a 21 yard completion to Mayer. Yet a pair of incompletions had the Raiders facing 4th and 5 from the Kansas City 42 with 12 seconds left. Carlson’s longest ever field goal was 57 yards. This one was from 60. The Raiders needed a miracle. Carlson blasted it. Good! The kick was good! The Chiefs had 8 seconds, but the hook and laterals failed. For the Raiders, the 10 game losing streak was over. They beat their hated rival despite neither team scoring a touchdown. Pete Carroll celebrated with everybody.. The win would end up bittersweet. Carroll was fired on Black Monday, one and done. The upside is that the Raiders got the win and still have the top pick in the Draft. This game was hideous, yet the Raiders got it done. As Al Davis said, “Just win baby!” They did. 14-12 Raiders
Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots — The Dolphins are eliminated. Mike McDaniel may be a Black Monday casualty. The Patriots clinched the AFC East, breaking the Buffalo streak of five straight seasons. The Patriots are currently the two seed and would play a home playoff game on Wildcard Weekend. If the Patriots win their regular season finale and Denver loses, the Patriots move up to the top seed with home field advantage throughout the playoffs and a first round bye. If the Patriots lose and Jacksonville wins, the Patriots fall to the three seed. The Patriots began at their own 30. Raimondre Stevenson ran for 9 and then ripped off a 56 yard gain. Henderson ran for a 5 yard touchdown as 3 plays and less tan 2 minutes had the Patriot up 7-0. The Dolphins took over at their own 35 and moved 57 yards in 12 plays and 7 1/2 minutes. McDaniels went for it on 4th and 1 from the New England 8. Quinn Ewers threw incomplete. Drake Maye hit Boutte for 11. On 3rd and 6 from his own 30, Maye gained 7. Maye went deep to Chism for 35. Henderson gained 13 and 5. Stevenson took the wildcat snap for a 2 yard touchdown to make it 14-0 Patriots after one quarter.
The Dolphins took over at their own 35 in the second quarter. Ewers went to Washington for 19. Washington ran for 14. On 3rd and 1 from the New England 3, Gordon gained 2. Ewers went to Washington for a 2 yard touchdown to get the Dolphins within 14-7. The game got ugly. Mike Vrabel gambled on 4th and 1 from his own 40 unsuccessfully. The Dolphins fumbled the ball right back. Borrgales had a 38 yard field goal try for the Patriots blocked. Riley Patterson hit a 52 yard field goal as the Dolphins were only down 14-10 with 28 seconds left in the half.
The was enough time for Borregales to bury a 59 yard field goal to end the half with the Patriots up 17-10. In the second half the Patriots turned out the lights. A third quarter interception of ewers had the Patriots at their own 20. Maye went to Hunter Henry for 29. On 3rd and 1 from the Miami 42, Stevenson gained 20. On 3rd and 3 from the Miami 15, Maye went to Stevenson for the touchdown to make it 24-10 Patriots. The Patriots got it back t their own 37. Maye went to Henry for 16. Stevenson ran for 6 and then for a 35 yard touchdown to make it 31-10 Patriots. The Patriots got it back just sh you midfield in the fourth quarter. Maye went deep to Stefan Diggs for 34. On 3rd and 3 from the Miami 10, Maye gained 8. Henderson got the 2 yard touchdown to complete the scoring. Mike McDaniel survived Black Monday. The Patriots held the two seed but did not get the top seed. 38-10 Patriots
Washington Commanders at Philadelphia Eagles — One year after reaching the NFC Title Game, the Commanders are eliminated. The 11-5 defending champion Eagles have clinched the NFC East and are currently the three seed. The top seed is out of reach. If the Eagles win their regular season finale and Chicago loses, the Eagles rise to the two seed. They cannot be lower than the three seed and no matter what are hosting a playoff game on Wildcard Weekend. Given the chance to move up a notch, Nick Sirianni made the curious decision to rest his starters. Tanner McKee started in place of Jalen Hurts. The Commanders were down to third string quarterback Josh Johnson. A scoreless first quarter saw the Commanders mount a whopping 17 play, 79 yard, 10 minute drive. Somehow Jake Moody doinked a 24 yard field goal try off the right upright no good as the Commanders came up snake eyes.
The Eagles took over at their own 20. On 3rd and 1 form his own 40, McKee went deep to Devonta Smith for 27 on the last play of the first quarter. The second quarter began with McKee hitting Jahan Dotson for 15. On 3rd and 7 from the Washington 15, McKee went to Calcaterra for the touchdown and the 7-0 Eagles lead. The Commanders soon faced 3rd and 7 at their own 38. Johnson went to Terry McLaurin for 25. Rodriguez ran for 12. On 3rd and 9 from the Philadelphia 24, defensive pass interference meant a 23 yard gain down to the one. Rodriguez got the yard to tie the game 7-7. The Eagles drove deep in the final minute of the half but McKee was intercepted. That allowed Moody to hit a 56 yard field goal to end the half with the Eagles up 10-7. A third quarter Johnson fumble set up the Eagles at the Washington 28. On 3rd and 8 McKee hit Covey for just enough. On 3rd and goal at the 2, Bigsby got around the end for the touchdown to make it 14-10 Eagles. Jake Elliott hit a 39 yard field goal to have the Eagles up 17-10 after three quarters.
The Commanders took over in the fourth quarter at their own 35. Johnson hit Bates for 11. Croskey-Merritt ran for 8 and 3. Johnson ran for 9. Defensive pass interference added 29 down to the one. A false start followed by another defensive pass interference call made it 1st and goal at the one again. On 3rd and goal at the 2, Johnson hit Bates for the touchdown. The game was deadlocked 17-17 with 9 1/2 minutes left in regulation. The Commanders got the ball back one minute later at their own 23. Another defensive pass interference call meant a 32 yard gain. Rodriguez gained 11 and caught a pass from Johnson for 18. On 3rd and 7 from the Philly 11, Johnson got around the end for just enough. On 3rd and goal at the one, Johnson again got around the left end and got in. The Commanders had the 7 point lead with 2 1/2 minutes left.
The Eagles moved from their own 35 to a 4th and 3 at the Washington 31 with 80 seconds left. McKee threw incomplete. The Eagles took their timeouts on defense and less than 30 seconds went off the clock. The Eagles took over at their own 28 with 53 seconds left. Yet on 4th and 17 with 16 seconds left, McKee threw incomplete. The Eagles remained the three seed. Chicago also lost, which meant the Eagles may have won and grabbed the two seed had they just played their starters. If the Eagles and Chicago both win their Wildcard home games, they would play each other in the divisional round. Instead of being in Philadelphia, that game would be in Chicago. Nick Sirianni has taken the Eagles to two Super Bowls. They are the defending champions. Yet his decision to bench his starters was still puzzling. 24-17 Commanders
Detroit Lions at Chicago Bears — One year after going 15-2, The Lions are eliminated. Their former offensive coordinator in his very first season as a head coach turned around the Bears. The Bears have clinched the NFC North and are currently the two seed. The top seed is out of reach. If the Bears lose their regular season finale, they can still remain the two seed if Philadelphia also loses. If the Bears lose and Philadelphia wins, the Bears fall to the three seed. They cannot be lower than the three seed and no matter what are hosting a playoff game on Wildcard Weekend. Jake Bates hit field goals of 34 in the first quarter and 30 in the second quarter for a 6-0 Lions lead. The Lions then faced 4th and 1 at their own 33. Again, it was time for a Dan Campbell gamble. It may have been a buff, but the defense encroached. Jared Goff then hit Amra St. Brown for 11. On 3rd and 6 from the Chicago 45. Goff went to t. Brown for 30. Goff hit Gibbs for the Lions only touchdown and a 13-0 Lions lead. Bates missed from 53 to end the half but hit from 25 in the third quarter. The Lions led 16-0 after three quarters. All year the Bears had played like garbage for long stretches only to have a cardiac fourth quarter comeback.
The Bears took over at their own 35. On 3rd and 4. Caleb Williams hit Burden for 10 and again for 13. Williams went deep to Walker for a 25 yard touchdown. Ben Johnson went for 2 and Monangai got in to get the Bears within 16-8 less than one minute into the fourth quarter. The Bears got it back at their own 12 with 11 1/2 minutes left in regulation. Williams hit Loveland for 9. On 3rd and 10 from their own 22, Williams hit Cole Ket for 19. Williams hit Swift for 8 and Loveland for 27. Williams hit Loveland for a one yard touchdown. Johnson again went for 2 and Williams hit Ket successfully. With 5 1/2 minutes left in regulation, the game was tied 16-16. The Bears were going to do it again. The Lions moved from their own 20 to a 1st and 10 at the Chicago 25 with 2 1/2 minutes left. Intentional grounding set up 1st and 20. Then Goff was intercepted. Yet this time the Beats could not capitalize. The Lions got it back at their own 37. Gibbs ran for 9. Goff went to St. Brown for 26. Bates came in for a 42 yard field goal try to win it with 2 seconds left. Bates was good. The Lions finished the year with a winning season. The Bears were lucky to keep the two seed given that Philadelphia for some reason played backups and also lost. 19-16 Bears
Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers is the regular season finale Sunday night game.This is why we watch football. The 8-8 Ravens and 9-7 Steelers have a simple situation. The winner captures the AFC North and hosts a Wildcard game. The loser is out of the playoffs. For much of the last 20 years, John Harbaugh and Mike Tomlin have fielded teams that are mirror images of each other. These teams win with hard nosed running and defense. To quote stone Cold Steve Austin, this game is going to be a bare-fisted slobberknocker. Home field is irrelevant. This is a last man standing war of attrition. The Steelers won 27-22 in Baltimore in Week 14. The rematch will be just as intense to close out the 2025 nFL regular season. As great as Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry are, the Ravens may be out of gas after willing themselves to get this far after a 1-5 start. Aaron Rodgers three years ago needed to win one game at home to make the playoffs. Instead, it was his final game in Green Bay as he was bounced out of the playoffs. The talent favors the Ravens, but Tomlin keeps confounding everyone. If it comes down to a field goal, trust Chris Boswell in any weather elements in that stadium. With everything on the line, expect TJ Watt to play.
The Ravens began at their own 15 and went right to work. On the first play from scrimmage, King Derrick Henry ripped off a 47 yard gain, although an illegal blindside block on Baltimore took back some of it. On 3rd and 1 from midfield Lamar Jackson gained 5. John Harbaugh gambled on 4th and 3 from the Pittsburgh 38. Rather than move the chains, Jackson went for it all and found a wide open Walker for a 38 yard touchdown and a 7-0 Ravens lead. After that the defenses dug in. In the second quarter Tyler Loop hit a 40 yard field goal to make it 10-0 Ravens.
Chris Boswell leveled a 57 yard field goal to have the Steelers on the board. In the last 3 minutes of the half the Steelers moved from their own 9 to a 1st and goal at the one with 2 seconds left. Rather than take the field goal, Mike Tomlin gambled. Kenneth Gainwell got the carry and was blown up in the backfield for a one yard loss. The Steelers began the third quarter at their own 33. Warren ran for 9 and 3. On 3rd and 3 from their own 45, Aaron Rodgers hit Pat Freiermuth for 14 and Adam Thielen for 28. On 3rd and 1 from the Baltimore 2, a run got stopped cold for no gain. Mike Tomlin went for it again on 4th and 1. This time Hayward took the Wildcat snap and got the tough yard. Hayward took another Wildcat snap and got the last yard as the game was deadlocked 10-10. Jackson was then intercepted to give the Steelers a short field at the Baltimore 34. On3 rd and 2 from the Baltimore 7, Rodgers threw incomplete. This time Tomlin played it safe. Boswell hit the 25 yard field goal. After three quarters, the Steelers led 13-10. This was the exact defensive head-knocker fans expected. Yet in the fourth quarter the game completely shifted and had fans wondering what happened to both vaunted defenses.
With 11 minutes left, the Ravens took over at their own 29. Jackson went to Bay Flowers for 15. On 3rd and 4 from midfield, Jackson went bombs away to Flowers for the touchdown and the 17-13 Ravens lead with 8:42 left in regulation. Loop hit the ensuing kickoff out of bounds to set up the Steelers at their own 40. Warren ran for 15. On 3rd and 8 from the Baltimore 36, Rodgers went deep to Freiermuth for 31. On 3rd and goal at the 2, Gainwell got around the end for the touchdown and the 20-17 Steelers lead with 3:49 left. The Ravens soon faced 3rd and 1 at their own 36. Jackson again went for the deep bomb to a wide open Flowers for a 64 yard touchdown. With 2:20 left, the Ravens were back on top 24-20, The Steelers took over at their own 35. Rodgers hit Austin for 16 Thielen for 8, and Gainwell for 15. On 3rd and 10 from the Baltimore 26, Rodgers went for it all and hit Austin for the touchdown. Touchdowns on 4 consecutive possessions, 2 by each team, turned a slugfest into a track meet. Yet each team kept scoring too early. Nearly one minute still remained. 5 lead changes in the second half including 4 in the fourth quarter alone led to an insane finish.
The craziness started with Boswell. His extra point got picked up by the Heinz Field wind and was blown wide no good. In front of a shocked home crowd, the Steelers led by 2 points instead of 3. The Ravens with a field goal would win it. A 41 yard kickoff return had the Ravens already at their own 47 with a full 47 seconds left. Rodgers sat on the sideline in disbelief, helpless to do anything. Boswell had his head in his hands unable to watch. With 21 seconds left, the Ravens were down to their last gasp, facing 4th and 7 at midfield. Former kicker Justin Tucker held the NFL record 66 yard field goal until this year. Yet he was cut from the team due to a sex scandal. This kick was from 68, and Loop was a rookie. So John Harbaugh went for the first down. Jackson threw high to Isaiah Likely between 2 defenders, and Likely made a leaping catch and hung on to the ball for a 26 yard gain. Jackson took one knee to center the ball for Loop. With 2 seconds left, Loop came in for a 44 yard try. He was a perfect 20 for 29 on the season under 50. The entire playoff fate of both bitter rivals came down to one kick. Loop knew as soon as he hit it. No Good! He missed it! This was not wind. He just hit a brick wide right.
Kickers Loop and Boswell both fought back tears, Loop out of agony and Boswell out of relief. Years from now, nobody will remember that Boswell missed the extra point. He was bailed out. As for Loop, he entered kicker hell with Gary Anderson, Scott Norwood, Norwood’s alter ego Ray Finkle and Finkle’s other ego Lois Einhorn. Outside of Pittsburgh, fans who watched this instant classic had to feel awful for Loop. Humans fail. That is what makes us human. Loop had the misfortune of failing in front of millions of people. To his credit, he calmly answered all media questions in the locker room. John Harbaugh to his credit comforted Loop. The cliche about one play not deciding a game is true. The Baltimore defense gave up a 10-0 lead when they were dominating and twice failed to protect a fourth quarter lead. Jackson refused to answer questions about his future, explaining that he was stung by the loss and thinking only about that. The Ravens are out. The Steelers are the AFC North Champions and hosting a Wildcard playoff game. This game was every bot as good as the classics that involved Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, and Ben Roethlisberger. Again, this is why we watch football. This was a heartbreaking but spectacular finish to the final game of the 2025 regular season. 26-24 Steelers
The 2025-2026 NFL Playoffs are set.
AFC: 1) Denver Broncos have the bye week off.
7) Los Angeles Chargers at 2) New England Patriots.
6) Buffalo Bills at 3) Jacksonville Jaguars.
5) Houston Texans at 4) Pittsburgh Steelers.
NFC: 1) Seattle Seahawks have the bye week off.
7) Green Bay Packers at 2) Chicago Bears.
6) San Francisco 49ers at 3) Philadelphia Eagles.
5) Los Angeles Rams at 4) Carolina Panthers.