(Editor’s note: All times ET)
The stage is set for a dramatic final weekend of the 2023 NFL regular season, filled with several division rivalry matchups and teams’ last chances to clinch a playoff spot.
The most pivotal contest will be played as the final game of the regular season, an AFC East matchup between the Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins in Sunday night’s primetime slot. The winner will claim the division title. The Bills have not clinched a playoff berth, but still have a shot at the postseason if they lose Sunday, depending on how the AFC shakes out.
Advertisement
The Week 18 action kicks off Saturday afternoon when the Pittsburgh Steelers — a team on the bubble — visit the AFC’s top-seeded Baltimore Ravens at 4:30 p.m. Saturday’s double feature will finish with an AFC South clash between the Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts — two teams vying for a playoff spot — at 8:15 p.m.
Sunday’s 1 p.m. slate features the NFC South rivals Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints facing off while fighting to make the playoffs. If Atlanta beats New Orleans and the Carolina Panthers beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers next weekend, the Falcons will win the NFC South and be the NFC’s No. 4 seed.
The Jacksonville Jaguars’ shot at winning the AFC South is on the line when they visit the Tennessee Titans at 1 p.m. If the Jaguars lose, the winner of Colts-Texans will win the AFC South title.
GO DEEPER
NFL playoff picture: Ravens, 49ers lock up top seeds; AFC, NFC East titles still up for grabs
Sunday’s 4:25 p.m. slate includes the win-and-in Green Bay Packers hosting the Chicago Bears, and the Dallas Cowboys looking to beat the Washington Commanders on the road to win the NFC East. The Philadelphia Eagles are also vying to win the NFC East as they visit the New York Giants. The Eagles need a win over the Giants, as well as a Cowboys loss, to claim the division.
Week 18 NFL schedule:
Saturday:
- Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens: 4:30 p.m.
- Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts: 8:15 p.m.
Sunday:
1 p.m. games:
- Cleveland Browns at Cincinnati Bengals
- Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions
- Jacksonville Jaguars at Tennessee Titans
- New York Jets at New England Patriots
- Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Carolina Panthers
4:25 p.m. games:
- Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers
- Denver Broncos at Las Vegas Raiders
- Philadelphia Eagles at New York Giants
- Seattle Seahawks at Arizona Cardinals
- Kanas City Chiefs at Los Angeles Chargers
- Los Angeles Rams at San Francisco 49ers
- Dallas Cowboys at Washington Commanders
8:15 p.m. game:
- Buffalo Bills at Miami Dolphins
Required reading
- NFL Week 17 playoff standings and projections: Which teams have best chance to make postseason?
- A win away from playoffs, Colts feel something special brewing: ‘Everybody’s in it for one cause’
- With Josh Allen struggling, Bills’ defense feeling dangerous entering January push
- Yousuf: A lot happened — Cowboys get their miracle, move into NFC East’s driver’s seat
(Photo: Timothy T Ludwig / Getty Images)