NFL Week 18 schedule: the games that impact the playoff picture most

Andy McNamara

NFL Week 18 schedule: the games that impact the playoff picture most image

One more lap to go in the NFL regular season, and then the march to the Super Bowl begins!

Week 18 is set to deliver with a plethora of important games. Four division titles are up for grabs, as well as overall playoff seeding.

 

 

The weekend kicks off with a bang on Saturday with a doubleheader that will decide two division champions.

NFC South Title

4:30pm ET: Carolina Panthers (8-8) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9)

The Bucs and Baker Mayfield are in free fall, losing four straight. Carolina lost over the weekend, but did defeat Tampa Bay just two weeks ago. Winner clinches, loser is eliminated.

NFC West Title

8:00pm ET: Seattle Seahawks (13-3) at San Francisco 49ers (12-4)

It's not just the division that's on the line Saturday night. This is a true winner-take-all. Whichever team comes away victorious also clinches the No. 1 seed in the conference, home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs, and a first-round bye.

MORE: Is Kevin Stefanski safe? Should Browns still make a coaching change after beating the Steelers?

 

Moving to Sunday, there are several other interesting battles.

AFC North Title

8:20pm ET: Baltimore Ravens (8-8) at Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7)

Getting flexed to prime time Sunday Night Football, can the floundering Steelers hold on? After getting upset by the Browns in Cleveland, Pittsburgh's offense looks lethargic.

The key for Baltimore to take the crown will be getting Lamar Jackson healthy and back on the field.

AFC South Title

While not playing head-to-head in Week 18, the Jacksonville Jaguars and Houston Texans still have a shot to win the division. The other squad will slot into the wild card picture.

1:00pm ET: Tennessee Titans (3-13) at Jacksonville Jaguars (12-4)

Defeating the Titans would secure Jacksonville their third AFC South championship in franchise history, regardless of what Houston does.

1:00pm ET: Indianapolis Colts (8-8) at Houston Texans (11-5)

Houston can only take top spot if they beat the Colts, and the Jaguars lose to Tennessee.

 

MORE:

'I'll be damned': Myles Garrett reacts to the idea of Browns tanking

Myles Garrett calls out Steelers after not breaking sack record in Browns win 

Ravens players and fans wild social media reactions to Browns upset win vs. Steelers

Is Judkins still the Browns' future at RB after his catastrophic leg injury? 

Browns defense best in the NFL? Steelers' Mike Tomlin weighs in

Trade Myles Garrett? Media calling for Browns to deal star 

News Correspondent