NFL Week 18: Eagles clinch No. 1 seed; AFC playoff picture finalized as Bills, Dolphins win
Jacksonville Jaguars locked up the AFC South with a narrow 20-16 win over the Titans, while the Kansas City Chiefs earned the AFC’s No. 1 seed with a 31-13 rout of the Las Vegas Raiders.
Meanwhile, the Philadelphia Eagles won Sunday to secure the NFC East and a first-round bye.
The AFC playoff picture is complete as the Buffalo Bills paid tribute to Damar Hamlin and locked in the second seed with a win over the New England Patriots, knocking them out of the postseason. The Miami Dolphins punched their ticket to the playoffs with a win over the New York Jets.
Follow every game: Latest NFL Scores and Schedules
Houston Texans gifted the Chicago Bears the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 draft with a win over the Indianapolis Colts.
POWER RANKINGS:Bengals usurp Eagles as top team heading into Week 18
PLAYOFF PICTURE:Unprecedented outcomes possible after Bills-Bengals game canceled
WEEK 18 PICKS: Can the Detroit Lions vanquish the Green Bay Packers?
Here’s a rundown of all the Week 18 action around the NFL.
Kansas City Chiefs 31, Las Vegas Raiders 13
Briefly: The Chiefs had full control of the game en route to a decisive victory that yielded them the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoffs. Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes was 18 for 26 passing for 202 yards and a touchdown in the win. Isiah Pacheco, Ronald Jones II and Kadarius Toney all scored rushing touchdowns for Kansas City.
One highlight to know: The touchdown was called back, but the Chiefs deployed a spinning huddle that led to a wildcat snap and horizontal passing play.
Next up: The Chiefs received a first-round bye in the playoffs. The Raiders were already eliminated from postseason contention.
Jacksonville Jaguars 20, Tennessee Titans 16
Briefly: Defense was the story of this de-facto AFC South championship game that netted the Jaguars their first playoff berth since 2017 and their fourth division title in franchise history. Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence was solid, but the Jacksonville offense left some opportunities out on the field. Instead, it was the defense that sealed the game — and a trip to the postseason — for the Jaguars. Meanwhile, the Titans ended the season with seven straight losses.
One highlight to know: Titans QB Josh Dobbs lost a fumble with Jaguars defender Josh Allen collected the loose fumble and returned it for a touchdown that gave Jacksonville a lead it would not relinquish.
Next up: The Jaguars won the AFC South and claimed the No. 4 seed in the AFC playoffs. The Titans were eliminated with the loss.
Miami Dolphins 11, New York Jets 6
Briefly: Jason Sanders kicked a game-winning field goal from 50 yards out as Miami clinched its first playoff berth since 2016. In a game dominated by the two defenses, Jets QB Joe Flacco and Dolphins QB Skylar Thompson both struggled to get in a rhythm.
One highlight to know: Sanders’ field goal punched the Dolphins’ postseason ticket.
Next up: The Dolphins locked up the seventh and final seed in the AFC playoffs. The Jets had been previously eliminated.
Buffalo Bills 35, New England Patriots 23
Briefly: The Bills took care of business in their first game action since Damar Hamlin went down on Monday Night Football nearly a week before. The win eliminated the Patriots from postseason contention. Special teams was huge in this game, as Nyheim Hines ran back a pair of kickoff returns for touchdowns, including one on the opening kickoff of the game.
One highlight to know: Hines found the end zone on the game’s opening kickoff.
Next up: The Bills locked up the No. 2 seed in the AFC playoffs. The Patriots were eliminated.
Atlanta Falcons 30, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 17
Briefly: Falcons QB Desmond Ridder threw for a pair of scores as Atlanta took down its division rival by a two-touchdown margin in the regular-season finale. The Buccaneers, who already clinched the NFC South, elected to rest some of their starters throughout the game. Falcons RB Tyler Allgeier had 24 rushes for 135 yards.
One highlight to know: Ridder found Olamide Zaccheaus for a 3-yard touchdown to give the Falcons a third-quarter lead they would not relinquish.
Next up: The Buccaneers previously clinched the No. 4 seed in the NFC playoffs. The Falcons had already been eliminated.
Minnesota Vikings 29, Chicago Bears 13
Briefly: Kirk Cousins and the Vikings rolled over a Bears team without many of its starters, including standout second-year QB Justin Fields. The short-handed Bears struggled to produce much of anything on offense and finished a disappointing season on a down note.
One highlight to know: Cousins found wide receiver Adam Thielen for a 4-yard touchdown to open the game’s scoring.
Next up: Minnesota had already clinched the NFC North and one of the conference’s top four seeds in the playoffs. The Bears were previously eliminated.
Cincinnati Bengals 27, Baltimore Ravens 16
Briefly: The Ravens committed four turnovers and slid down in the playoff seeding with a loss to the Bengals, who clinch the No. 3 seed in their first game after witnessing Damar Hamlin suffer a cardiac arrest. Rookie quarterback Anthony Brown got his first start and threw two interceptions in Baltimore’s fifth game without Lamar Jackson. For Cincinnati, Joe Burrow was 25-of-42 for 215 yards and a touchdown to Ja’Marr Chase.
One highlight to know: Joe Mixon scored a 1-yard touchdown in the first quarter to put the Bengals up 10-0. He celebrated with a coin toss. The NFL had previously announced that the playoff sites could come down to a coin toss since the Bengals-Bills game was canceled.
Next up: The No. 6 seed Ravens will have a rematch against the No. 3 seed Bengals in the first round of the playoffs.
Houston Texans 32, Indianapolis Colts 31
Briefly: The Texans got their third win of the season but gave up the No. 1 draft pick with a win over the lowly Colts. It wasn’t pretty as both Davis Mills and Sam Ehlinger both threw a pair of interceptions. Texans wideout Brandin Cooks, after a disgruntled season, was the team’s leading receiver with five catches for 106 yards and he caught the opening touchdown.
One highlight to know: On fourth-and-20 and down 31-24, Mills connected with Jordan Akins for a 28-yard touchdown. The two then joined forces for the two-point conversion with 50 seconds left in the game that gave Houston the victory.
Next up: The season is over for both teams.
Carolina Panthers 10, New Orleans Saints 7
Briefly: The Panthers ended their season on a high note, getting a last-second field goal to take down the Saints in a Week 18 finale in New Orleans. The Panthers completed only five passes in the game but ran for 171 yards as a team.
One highlight to know: The Panthers blocked a 55-yard field goal attempt by Saints kicker Will Lutz. Carolina would get its game-winning kick on the subsequent possession.
Next up: Both teams were previously eliminated from postseason contention.
Pittsburgh Steelers 28, Cleveland Browns 14
Briefly: Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin has never finished a season with a losing record, including this year, finishing with a four-game winning streak. But the Steelers will miss the playoffs despite beating the Browns. Kenny Pickett went 13-of-29 for 195 yards and a touchdown and was helped by 84 rushing yards and a touchdown from Najee Harris. Deshaun Watson was 19-of-29 for 239 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. He was sacked seven times, 2.5 of which came from Alex Highsmith.
One highlight to know: Damontae Kazee snagged Watson’s second interception of the day. On third-and-18, the quarterback threw downfield for David Bell, who was closely covered by Kazee, who grabbed the ball. The play set up a touchdown that put the Steelers up by two scores.
Next up: The season is over for both teams.
Philadelphia Eagles 22, New York Giants 16
Briefly: Jalen Hurts returned from injury to will the Eagles to a win and the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoff picture. The quarterback went 20-of-35 for 229 yards and an interception while running back Boston Scott added a rushing touchdown. A.J. Brown had four receptions for 95 yards and passed Mike Quick to take the franchise record for most receiving yards in a season. The Giants sat most of their starters since they clinched their first playoff spot since 2016 last week. They came back after being down 19-0, but didn’t have enough fire power, or reason to play for the win.
One highlight to know: With Hurts still hindered, Scott stepped up and scored the Eagles’ lone touchdown of the game. It was an eight-yard run in the first quarter where he rumbled through the Giants’ defense to reach the end zone.
Odds, moneyline and more
What to know: The Lions are in prime-time and have a shot at the postseason. They need to defeat the Packers and get some help from the earlier games. The Packers road is simple and just need a win to get into the postseason. With Aaron Rodgers in the mix, it gives Green Bay a chance to make a real run.
Playoff scenario: The Lions can enter playoffs with a win and Seattle Seahawks loss. The Packers can make the playoffs with a win.