The NFL doesn’t believe in cliffhangers for the season finale.

While most scripts call for that kind of tactic to keep viewers coming back, the NFL’s reality show certainly tries to provide answers. A season that began in early September featured 272 games over 18 weeks. In total, it took over 16,320 minutes to play the entire regular season.

Of course, it came down to the final minute of Game 272.

The Pittsburgh Steelers prevailed in the winner-take-all AFC North clash, defeating the Baltimore Ravens, 26-24. It was mostly a quiet contest until the final 15 minutes, when both sides began landing haymakers.

There were 27 points scored between the two teams, but it was the four that weren’t that promised to tell the story in the end.

It started with a missed extra point from Chris Boswell, his first of the season. That miss ensured that the Steelers would only hold a two-point edge with 55 seconds left. Lamar Jackson and the Ravens quickly responded, working the ball into field goal range.

In the end, it was rookie kicker Tyler Loop who missed the 44-yard kick wide right, ending Baltimore’s season in crushing.

There was speculation that this could have been Aaron Rodgers’ final game in the NFL, as retirement looms.

Turns out, he’ll have at least one more game in the black-and-gold when the Steelers host the Houston Texans in the wild-card round of the NFL playoffs.

It was a finale filled with chaos, a fitting conclusion to the mayhem that reigned supreme all season long.

Here’s how the action unfolded on “Sunday Night Football” in Week 18.

Steelers vs. Ravens SNF takeaways: Week 18

• The NFL is king: Only the NFL. In a world where sequels and remakes dominate television and movies, the NFL provides some of the best content that anyone could ever ask for. No other league can produce this level of drama every season, especially in the finale. There are so many games, so many twists and turns, yet it always comes down to the last one. With everything on the line, it came down to the final seconds of the final regular-season game. Take a bow.
• Aaron Rodgers isn’t done yet: We knew it was win-and-in for both teams, but we’ll never know if it was lose-and-retire for Rodgers. The four-time NFL MVP now gets a chance to play in the playoffs again. After a couple of rough seasons with the New York Jets, this one with the Steelers is bound to end in much better fashion. Time will tell if there’s another season, but the veteran still has more to say before closing this chapter.
• Pittsburgh keeps finding a way: The Steelers offense isn’t pretty. The Steelers’ defense looked like it forgot how to play at times in Week 18. Rodgers had to use the Steelers’ final timeouts to deal with some bad helmet communication. Boswell missed his first extra point of the season. None of that mattered. They still found a way to win. Now they’ll have a chance to win their first playoff game since 2017.
• Ravens enter offseason with more questions than answers: What does the future hold for John Harbaugh? Lamar Jackson? Questions were swirling before this game. Who knows what they’ll be like when the dust finally settles? Jackson’s contract remains a key talking point and Harbaugh’s inability to get Baltimore over the top will take on a new life this offseason. There appears to be one thing guaranteed for the Ravens – change is coming.
• The Ravens invent new ways to lose: It’s the type of thing you often say about some of the league’s worst teams, but the Ravens are unique. There was Mark Andrews’ famous drop that ended last season. There was the 15-point fourth-quarter blown lead in Week 1. There was the Thanksgiving disaster against the Bengals. Then there was the Loop missed field goal to end the season. Baltimore is no stranger to losing games excruciatingly. Add Week 18 of the 2025 NFL season to the increasingly long list.

NFL playoff schedule: Wild-card games

Jan. 10

• Los Angeles Rams at Carolina Panthers, 4:30 p.m. ET, FOX
• Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears, 8 p.m. ET, Prime Video

Jan. 11

• Buffalo Bills at Jacksonville Jaguars, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
• San Francisco 49ers at Philadelphia Eagles, 4:30 p.m. ET, FOX
• Los Angeles Chargers at New England Patriots, 8 p.m. ET, NBC

Jan. 12

• Houston Texans at Pittsburgh Steelers, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN/ABC

Who will the Steelers play in playoffs?

Pittsburgh will host the Houston Texans in the wild-card round. The Steelers earned the No. 4 seed and will play the highest-seeded wild-card team – the Texans. The matchup will be on Monday, Jan. 12, at 8:15 p.m. on ESPN.

Are the Ravens eliminated from playoff contention?

Baltimore has been eliminated from playoff contention with its loss to the Steelers on Sunday night in Week 18.

Steelers vs. Ravens Week 18 highlights

Steelers vs. Ravens final score: Pittsburgh 26, Baltimore 24

Steelers defeat Ravens on Tyler Loop missed field goal

The Ravens charged down the field to get into field goal range, but the Ravens’ rookie kicker, Tyler Loop, pushed his 44-yard field goal attempt wide right. Pittsburgh wins the game and the AFC North title.

Aaron Rodgers stats vs. Ravens

• 31-of-47 (65.9% completion rate)
• 294 passing yards
• 1 passing touchdown
• 0 interceptions
• 90.2 passer rating

Lamar Jackson stats vs. Steelers

• 11-of-18 (61.1% completion rate)
• 238 passing yards
• 3 passing touchdowns
• 1 interception
• 121.5 passer rating
• 4 rushing attempts, 8 rushing yards

Steelers vs. Ravens score update: Steelers back in front with 55 seconds left

Aaron Rodgers isn’t done yet. A vintage throw from the quarterback to a wide-open Calvin Austin III gives the Steelers the lead right back with 55 seconds to go. However, Boswell missed his first extra point all season and now the Ravens can win it with a field goal. They have all three timeouts and a big return from Keaton Mitchell set Baltimore up at around midfield.

Steelers 26, Ravens 24

Steelers vs. Ravens score update: Baltimore retakes lead with Zay Flowers’ second TD of the game

Football fans are certainly familiar with Zay Flowers. The Steelers, however, must be just finding out who this guy is. For the second time in as many drives, the Ravens take the lead on a Flowers’ touchdown. He got behind the defense and Baltimore marched 73 yards in just 1:29.

Now the Steelers will look to respond with 2:20 to go. Again, they are out of timeouts.

Ravens 24, Steelers 20

Steelers vs. Ravens score update: Kenneth Gainwell scores go-ahead TD with 3:49 to go

The Steelers had to answer and they did. Despite some helmet communication woes, Gainwell punched it into the end zone for the lead. Notably, Pittsburgh is out of timeouts now, adding another layer of intrigue to the final minutes of regulation.

Steelers 20, Ravens 17

Aaron Rodgers contract details, incentives

Rodgers signed a one-year deal with the Steelers, which has a base value of $13.65 million, according to Spotrac. He received a $10 million signing bonus and will have a cap hit of $14.15 million in 2025.

Rodgers’ contract can be worth up to $19.5 million in total value thanks to a $5.85 million incentive package tied to the deal. His incentives for the 2025 NFL season are as follows:

• Playoff berth: $500,000
• Wild card win: $600,000
• Divisional win: $750,000
• Conference championship: $1 million
• Super Bowl win: $1.5 million
• League MVP: $1.5 million

Steelers vs. Ravens score update: Zay Flowers TD puts Baltimore back in front

Pittsburgh had two free runners coming for Lamar Jackson. It didn’t matter. The two-time MVP did two-time MVP things and escaped pressure to direct Flowers toward the end zone, where he beat Patrick Queen for the 50-yard touchdown. Baltimore leads by four with 8:42 to go in the regular season.

Ravens 17, Steelers 13

Steelers vs. Ravens score update: Chris Boswell gives Pittsburgh the lead

Just like that, the home team snags the lead for the first time tonight. Boswell’s kick is good from 25 yards and now it’s Baltimore’s turn to come from behind.

Steelers 13, Ravens 10

Who are the Heyward brothers on Pittsburgh Steelers?

Steelers football is a family affair. Cameron and Connor Heyward are the latest brother duo to play for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Cameron has been a mainstay on the defensive line for years, while Connor is part of a deep tight end room.

The Steelers have been no strangers to fielding rosters with brothers over the years. In the past, they had Nate and Nick Herbig, T.J. and Derek Watt, as well as Terrell and Trey Edmunds.

Lamar Jackson deflected pass intercepted by T.J. Watt

If you’re a believer in momentum shifts, then this game is about to change dramatically. Just a few plays after the Steelers tied the game, Jackson attempted a pass that was deflected by Cameron Heyward and eventually intercepted by Watt. It puts Pittsburgh in excellent field position and gives them a chance to take the lead.

Steelers vs. Ravens score update: Connor Heyward ‘tush push’ TD ties the game

After failing to convert on fourth down earlier, the Steelers went right back to Heyward in a big spot in the third quarter. He gets the job done this time and scores the game-tying touchdown after back-to-back pushes from his brother, Cameron.

The Steelers couldn’t convert from the same distance to end the first half, but it’s a brand-new ball game halfway through the third after Boswell knocks through the extra point. The game is tied with 8:22 left in the third quarter.

Steelers 10, Ravens 10

Did Aaron Rodgers get married? Who is his wife? 

Rodgers was married during the 2025 offseason. Rodgers’ wife has not publicly appeared with him yet.

Before acknowledging his marriage, Rodgers last mentioned having a significant other during a December 2024 appearance on ’The Pat McAfee Show.’  During the appearance, Rodgers said her name was ‘Brittani,’ clarifying that she spelled it with an ‘I.’ 

Rodgers has not clarified whether she is the woman he married in 2025.

Kyle Hamilton injury update

Hamilton was on the receiving end of a helmet-to-helmet hit early in the third quarter from teammate Alohi Gilman. The safety remained down after the play and replays showed his head also hit the field as Hamilton fell to the ground.

He walked off the field under his own power.

Steelers vs. Ravens score at halftime: Baltimore 10, Pittsburgh 3

Steelers’ last playoff win

The Steelers haven’t won a playoff game since Jan. 15, 2017 when they defeated the Kansas City Chiefs on the road in the division round. They have lost six playoff games in a row since that game and two of those losses came at home.

Steelers denied at the goal line before halftime

Baltimore’s Kyle Hamilton was flagged for pass interference with just two seconds left in the opening half. That gave Pittsburgh the ball at the one-yard line. The Steelers went for the game-tying touchdown and instead go into halftime down seven after Kenneth Gainwell was stuffed behind the line on a toss play. It was a curious play design for the Steelers, since it seemed dead from the start. They’ll get the second half kickoff, but have plenty of work to do in the final 30 minutes. 

Steelers vs. Ravens score update: Chris Boswell gets Pittsburgh on the board

Pittsburgh’s drive stalled after an off-target throw from Rodgers, but Boswell was able to convert from 57 yards to cut into the Baltimore lead.

Ravens 10, Steelers 3

Steelers vs. Ravens score update: Tyler Loop extends Baltimore’s lead

The rookie kicker knocks it through from 40 yards to give his team a two-score lead early in the second quarter. This drive was set up by the Steelers’ inability to convert on fourth down around midfield. It’s an important upcoming drive for Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers’ offense. Already down 10-0 and struggling on offense, this game can get away from them quickly.

Ravens 10, Steelers 0

Steelers vs. Ravens score at end of first quarter: Baltimore leads, looking to add

Just like that, 15 minutes have come and gone in Game 272. The Ravens have been the better team by far. They also have the edge on the scoreboard, taking a 7-0 lead into the second. A fourth-down stop by the Ravens’ defense set them up with great field position and they’ll continue the drive at the edge of the red zone when play resumes.

Ravens 7, Steelers 0

Where did Aaron Rodgers go to college?

Rodgers attended Butte Community College for a year in 2002 before playing two seasons at California from 2003-04.

Steelers punt on opening drive

Pittsburgh is still trying to find its footing without Metcalf on offense and that remained the case on the opening drive. It was a quick possession for the home team and Baltimore takes back over inside its own 15.

Why is DK Metcalf suspended?

In this winner-take-all showdown, there is a notable absence for the Steelers – DK Metcalf. The receiver is serving the second and final game of his suspension. The NFL issued the penalty to Metcalf for his involvement in an altercation with a Detroit Lions fan in Week 16. He reached into the stands to strike the fan on the sideline and the league promptly suspended Metcalf for the remainder of the regular season.

Oldest NFL players in 2025

Philip Rivers turned 44 on Dec. 8 and is now the oldest active NFL player. Aaron Rodgers turned 42 on Dec. 6. There are 12 players aged 39 or older playing in the NFL in 2025:

• Philip Rivers, QB, Indianapolis Colts: 44 years old
• Aaron Rodgers, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers: 42 years old
• Nick Folk, K, New York Jets: 41 years old
• Matt Prater, K, Buffalo Bills: 41 years old
• Marcedes Lewis, TE, Denver Broncos: 41 years old
• Joe Flacco, QB, Cincinnati Bengals: 40 years old
• JJ Jansen, LS, Carolina Panthers: 39 years old
• Jon Weeks, LS, San Francisco 49ers: 39 years old
• Morgan Cox, LS, Tennessee Titans: 39 years old
• Thomas Morstead, P, San Francisco 49ers: 39 years old
• Josh Johnson, QB, Washington Commanders: 39 years old
• Calais Campbell, DL, Arizona Cardinals: 39 years old

Steelers vs. Ravens score update: Baltimore strikes first with Devontez Walker TD

It was an eventful opening drive for the visitors. They were called for a holding penalty on the opening kickoff, negating a nice return. They were called for an illegal blindside block on a 47-yard run by Derrick Henry – which was a bad call, according to NBC’s rules analyst, Terry McAulay.

None of that mattered. The Ravens still managed to find the end zone with a 38-yard passing touchdown from Lamar Jackson to Walker on fourth down.

Ravens 7, Steelers 0

What is the temperature in Pittsburgh?

The temperature at tonight’s kickoff was 28 degrees in Pittsburgh.

What TV channel is the Steelers vs. Ravens game?

• TV channel: NBC

Week 18’s ‘Sunday Night Football’ game – the final regular season game of the year – between the Steelers and Ravens will be broadcast by NBC on Jan. 4. Mike Tirico (play-by-play), Cris Collinsworth (game analyst) and Melissa Stark (sideline reporter) will be on the call for the battle for the AFC North.

What time is the Ravens at Steelers game?

• Start time: 8:20 p.m. ET

The Steelers vs. Ravens game will kick off at 8:20 p.m. ET on Sunday, Jan. 4.

Steelers vs. Ravens live stream

• Live stream: Peacock

As with every iteration of ‘Sunday Night Football,’, NBC will simulcast its prime-time offering on Peacock, its proprietary streaming service. Cord-cutters can also watch the game on NFL+, the NFL’s own streaming service.

Catch ‘SNF’ with a Peacock subscription

Steelers vs. Ravems prediction, picks

• Mike Middlehurst-Schwartz: Ravens, 24-17
• Jarrett Bell: Steelers, 23-20
• Nick Brinkerhoff: Steelers, 23-20
• Chris Bumbaca: Ravens, 21-20
• Nate Davis: Ravens, 23-20
• Tyler Dragon: Ravens, 25-20

Steelers vs. Ravens odds, moneyline, O/U

• Moneyline (ML): Ravens -190 (Bet $190 to win $100) | Steelers +160 (Bet $100 to win $160)
• Against the spread (ATS): Ravens -3.5 (-105) | Steelers +3.5 (-115)
• Over/Under (O/U): 41.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

Is Lamar Jackson playing tonight vs. Steelers?

Lamar Jackson has had a full week of practice for the first time since November and will play in Sunday night’s AFC North title game in Pittsburgh. He missed Week 17 with a back contusion but is expected to be a full go tonight.

Is T.J. Watt playing tonight vs. Ravens?

The Steelers’ four-time All-Pro linebacker will be back on the field for Pittsburgh tonight against Baltimore. Watt has missed the last two weeks following surgery stemming from a partially collapsed lung on Dec. 10. That lung injury happened during a routine dry needling treatment at a team facility. He was subsequently hospitalized but has made a full recovery.

‘It’ll be great to have him back,’ Steelers defensive coordinator Teryl Austin said via the team. ‘What capacity we’ll find out really, not till Sunday. But it’ll be great to have him back… I would think that he’ll only strengthen our group and how we play and all those things.’

Steelers vs. Ravens weather report

The temperature is expected to be 28 degrees around kickoff in Pittsburgh. There is no snow in the forecast and wind gusts will max out at just 5 MPH.

Steelers inactives today vs. Ravens

• WR Roman Wilson
• RB Kaleb Johnson
• CB Tre Flowers
• OLB Jeremiah Moon
• OL Jack Driscoll
• QB Will Howard (emergency third QB)

Ravens inactives today vs. Steelers

• WR Rashod Bateman (illness)
• CB Keyon Martin
• T Joseph Noteboom
• DL Aeneas Peebles
• WR Keith Kirkwood
• CB Amani Oruwariye
• QB Cooper Rush (emergency third QB)

Steelers schedule 2025

Ravens schedule 2025

AFC North standings

Week 18’s ‘Sunday Night Football’ game will determine the AFC North champion. The Steelers are entering the matchup with a one-game lead in the standings:

• Pittsburgh Steelers: 9-7 (3-2 AFC North)
• Baltimore Ravens: 8-8 (3-2)
• Cincinnati Bengals: 6-11 (3-3)
• Cleveland Browns: 5-12 (2-4)

NFL playoff picture: AFC bracket

1. Denver Broncos (14-3, AFC West winners)*
2. New England Patriots (14-3, AFC East winners)*
3. Jacksonville Jaguars (13-4, AFC South winners)*
4. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7, AFC North leaders)
5. Houston Texans (12-5, wild card No. 1)*
6. Buffalo Bills (12-5, wild card No. 2)*
7. Los Angeles Chargers (11-6, wild card No. 3)*

In the hunt: Baltimore Ravens (8-8)

NFL playoff picture: NFC bracket

1. Seattle Seahawks (14-3, NFC West winners)*
2. Chicago Bears (11-6, NFC North winners)*
3. Philadelphia Eagles (11-6, NFC East winners)*
4. Carolina Panthers (8-9, NFC South winners)*
5. Los Angeles Rams (12-5, wild card No. 1)*
6. San Francisco 49ers (12-5, wild card No. 2)*
7. Green Bay Packers (9-7-1, wild card No. 3)*

2026 NFL Draft order

Here’s a look at the latest draft order for the first round with strength of schedule information via Tankathon:

1. Las Vegas Raiders: 3-14 record; .538 strength of schedule
2. New York Jets: 3-14, .552 SOS
3. Arizona Cardinals: 3-14; .571 SOS
4. Tennessee Titans: 3-14, .574 SOS
5. New York Giants: 4-13; .524 SOS
6. Cleveland Browns: 5-12, .486 SOS
7. Washington Commanders: 5-12; .507 SOS
8. New Orleans Saints: 6-11; .495 SOS
9. Kansas City Chiefs: 6-11; .516 SOS
10. Cincinnati Bengals: 6-11; .521 SOS
11. Miami Dolphins: 7-10; .488 SOS
12. Dallas Cowboys: 7-9-1; .438 SOS
13. Atlanta Falcons (pick belongs to Los Angeles Rams): 8-9; .495 SOS
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 8-9, .529 SOS
15. Indianapolis Colts (pick belongs to Jets): 8-9; .538 SOS
16. Baltimore Ravens: 8-8; .503 SOS
17. Detroit Lions: 9-8; .490 SOS
18. Minnesota Vikings: 9-8; .514 SOS
19. Carolina Panthers: 8-9, .522 SOS
20. Green Bay Packers (pick belongs to Cowboys): 9-7-1; .483 SOS
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: 9-7; .507 SOS
22. Los Angeles Chargers: 11-6; .467 SOS
23. Philadelphia Eagles: 11-6; .476 SOS
24. Buffalo Bills: 12-5, .470 SOS
25. Chicago Bears: 11-6; .458 SOS
26. San Francisco 49ers: 12-5, .498 SOS
27. Houston Texans: 12-5; .524 SOS
28. Jacksonville Jaguars (pick belongs to Browns): 13-4; .478 SOS
29. Los Angeles Rams: 12-5, .528 SOS
30. New England Patriots: 14-3; .390 SOS
31. Denver Broncos: 14-3; .422 SOS
32. Seattle Seahawks: 14-3; .497 SOS

4th & Monday: Our NFL newsletter always brings the blitz 

Do you like football? Then you’ll enjoy receiving our NFL newsletter in your inbox.   

The playoff field for the 2025 NFL season is set, the wild and crazy 272nd and final game of the regular season between the Ravens and Steelers determining the field’s final entry − Pittsburgh, newly crowned champs of the AFC North, as it turns out.

One other division was determined Sunday − a day after the NFC South-winning Panthers lost in Tampa … before the Falcons backed them onto the throne. Seeding in both conferences was also finalized Sunday, including the Broncos wrapping up the top spot in the AFC.

Here’s where things stand with the regular season now complete:

AFC playoff picture

yz − 1. Denver Broncos (14-3), AFC West champions: Sunday’s win over the Chargers, who rested a lot of key players, gave the Broncos home-field advantage and a first-round bye in a season which brought Denver’s first division title in a decade − which was also the last time they won the Super Bowl. The common-games tiebreaker gives the Broncos the No. 1 seed instead of New England. Remaining schedule: Bye, TBD

y − 2. New England Patriots (14-3), AFC East champions: They have their first division title since 2019 even if they couldn’t quite get up to the conference’s top spot, as Tom Brady and Co. so frequently did. Their Week 1 loss to the Raiders cost them in the tiebreaker department. Remaining schedule: vs. Chargers, Jan. 11 (8 p.m. ET)

y − 3. Jacksonville Jaguars (13-4), AFC South champions: They won their ninth straight game with ease, capturing the division crown for the first time since 2022. Remaining schedule: vs. Bills, Jan. 11 (1 p.m. ET)

y − 4. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7), AFC North champions: In a wild finale, their kicker’s late-game letdown wasn’t nearly as bad as Baltimore’s. Aaron Rodgers and Co. forge ahead. Remaining schedule: vs. Texans, Jan. 12 (8 p.m. ET)

x − 5. Houston Texans (12-5), wild card No. 1: They’ve won 10 of 11, including nine in a row after Sunday’s narrow defeat of Indianapolis. But the Texans weren’t able to overtake similarly surging Jacksonville for the top spot in the AFC South. However Houston, which beat both the Chargers and Bills this season, locks into the fifth seed and a guaranteed wild-card matchup on the road against Pittsburgh. Remaining schedule: at Steelers, Jan. 12 (8 p.m. ET)

x − 6. Buffalo Bills (12-5), wild card No. 2: Their subs whacked the Jets and moved the Bills up to the sixth seed and a trip to Duval County. Remaining schedule: at Jaguars, Jan. 11 (1 p.m. ET)

x − 7. Los Angeles Chargers (11-6), wild card No. 3: They’ll be on the road as long as they’re postseason relevant. Remaining schedule: at Patriots, Jan. 11 (8 p.m. ET)

NFC playoff picture

yz − 1. Seattle Seahawks (14-3), NFC West champions: Huge win at Silicon Valley on Saturday night assured them of staying home in the Pacific Northwest − with a week off − unless they get back to Santa Clara for Super Bowl 60. Remaining schedule: Bye, TBD

y − 2. Chicago Bears (11-6), NFC North champions: They hung on to the second seed and the two home playoff games it could bring despite losing to Detroit. Next? A 2025 season trilogy matchup with Green Bay. Remaining schedule: vs. Packers, Jan. 10 (8 p.m. ET)

y − 3. Philadelphia Eagles (11-6), NFC East champions: They’re the first team to win this division in successive years since they last did it 21 years ago. Successive Super Bowl wins feels like a much longer shot. Remaining schedule: vs. 49ers, Jan. 11 (4:30 p.m. ET)

y − 4. Carolina Panthers (8-9), NFC South champions: Turns out Saturday’s loss at Tampa didn’t finish the Panthers. Atlanta saved them Sunday by beating New Orleans and creating a three-way tie atop the division. The Panthers’ 3-1 record against the Falcons and Bucs proved to be the determining tiebreaker. Remaining schedule: vs. Rams, Jan. 10 (4:30 p.m. ET)

x − 5. Los Angeles Rams (12-5), wild card No. 1: They became the first team this season to clinch a playoff spot but lost the pathway to home-field advantage and a first-round bye after consecutive losses. But they got back on track against Arizona on Sunday, claiming the fifth seed − and a matchup with the NFC South champion Panthers − to wrap the regular season. Remaining schedule: at Panthers, Jan. 10 (4:30 p.m. ET)

x − 6. San Francisco 49ers (12-5), wild card No. 2: They could have stayed home for the next month as long as they kept winning. Alas, they lost Saturday and plummeted to the sixth seed Sunday − which means a trip to the City of Brotherly Love. Remaining schedule: at Eagles, Jan. 11 (4:30 p.m. ET)

x − 7. Green Bay Packers (9-6-1), wild card No. 3: Locked into the seventh seed a week ago, they won’t play another game at Lambeau Field this season. Remaining schedule: at Bears, Jan. 10 (8 p.m. ET)

NFL playoff schedule: Wild-card games

Jan. 10

Los Angeles Rams at Carolina Panthers, 4:30 p.m. ET, FOX

Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears, 8 p.m. ET, Prime Video

Jan. 11

Buffalo Bills at Jacksonville Jaguars, 1 p.m. ET, CBS

San Francisco 49ers at Philadelphia Eagles, 4:30 p.m. ET, FOX

Los Angeles Chargers at New England Patriots, 8 p.m. ET, NBC

Jan. 12

NFL playoff schedule: Divisional-round games

Jan. 17

TBD vs. TBD

TBD vs. TBD

Jan. 18

TBD vs. TBD

TBD vs. TBD

NFL playoff schedule: Conference championship games

Jan. 25

AFC championship game, TBD

NFC championship game, TBD

NFL playoff schedule: Super Bowl 60

Feb. 8

AFC champion vs. NFC champion, NBC

NFL teams eliminated from playoff contention in 2025

x – clinched playoff berth

y – clinched division

z – clinched home-field advantage, first-round bye

AI-assisted summary
• The Seattle Seahawks defeated the San Francisco 49ers 13-3 to win the NFC West title.
• Seattle’s victory clinched the No. 1 seed in the NFC, securing a first-round bye and homefield advantage.
• The Seahawks defense dominated the game, holding the 49ers to just three points and 173 total yards.

It’s already a happy new year for the Seattle Seahawks.  

The Seahawks secured the No. 1 seed in the NFC and won the NFC West title after defeating the San Francisco 49ers 13-3 on Saturday night.

Seattle’s stingy defense controlled most of game as they contained a hot 49ers offense through four quarters.

The Seahawks scored the game’s first touchdown and held a 10-3 lead at halftime.

Seattle managed just a field goal in the fourth quarter, and that represented the only points of the second half.

The 49ers threatened to cut into Seattle’s lead, but Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas intercepted a tipped Brock Purdy pass in the fourth quarter. The Seahawks offense took over possession of the football and proved able to preserve their advantage in what was a dominant performance by Seattle’s defense.  

The victory earned the Seattle the NFC West title and clinched them the No. 1 seed overall in the NFC playoffs.

Here are the winners and losers from the battle out west:

Winners

Seahawks defense

The Seahawks held San Francisco to only three first downs and three points in the first half.

Seattle held San Francisco to just 105 total yards and five first downs entering the fourth quarter.

Seahawks linebacker Boye Mafe ended what was a promising drive for the 49ers when he got his finger tips on a Brock Purdy pass intended for Christian McCaffrey. The wobbly football floated behind McCaffrey and was picked off by Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas at Seattle’s 3-yard line with 10:27 left in the fourth quarter.

The turnover helped Seattle maintain a 13-3 lead.

Seattle’s defense held the 49ers to 173 total yards as they went 2-9 on third downs and only managed three points. The 49ers went scoreless in the second half.

Brock Purdy was sacked three times and intercepted once.

The Seahawks came into Week 18 with a top 10 total defense and ranked No. 2 in points allowed (18.1).

Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Kenneth Walker III

Smith-Njigba and Walker were the two best players on Seattle’s offense.

Smith-Njigba entered Week 18 with an NFL-best 1,709 receiving yards this season. The Seahawks wide receiver produced a game-high six catches for 84 yards.

Walker rushed 16 times for 97 yards in what was a productive night for the RB.  

Seahawks, city of Seattle

The Seahawks will be a rested team come playoff time. Seattle clinched the NFC’s top seed, a first-round bye and homefield advantage throughout the NFC playoffs.

The road to Super Bowl 60 goes through Seattle in the NFC.

Alternate 49ers jerseys

The 49ers debuted their Nike X NFL Rivalry jerseys on Saturday night. It’s a slick all-black look that features midnight black helmet with a red stripe down the middle and a gold-coated facemask.

Losers

Jason Myers

Myers missed a 47-yard field goal wide right in the second quarter and had a 26-yard field goal brick off the upright in the fourth quarter.

The Seahawks kicker even had a kickoff go out of bounds.

It was an off night for Myers, who came into the contest having not missed a field goal since Week 11.

Seattle’s defense was so dominant, though, Myers’ off night didn’t have much of an impact.  

49ers run defense

Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III had a 19-yard run on third-and-17 late in the third quarter to help Seattle maintain possession.

The Seahawks capped off the drive with a successful 31-yard field goal by Myers to extend their lead to 13-3 with 14:15 remaining in the fourth quarter.

The 49ers defense gave up 180 yards on the ground and one touchdown. The Seahawks averaged 4.6 yards per carry.

49ers injuries

The 49ers have dealt with injuries to key players all season. The team’s ability to overcome injuries to players such as linebacker Fred Warner, edge rusher Nick Bosa and wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk is a big reason why Kyle Shanahan is a coach of the year candidate.

On Saturday, star left tackle Trent Williams was inactive due to a hamstring injury and wide receiver Ricky Pearsall was out because of knee and ankle injuries. San Francisco couldn’t overcome its injuries against a good Seahawks club.

Linebacker Dee Winters injured his ankle in the first half, and Purdy took a beating late in Saturday’s game.

Los Angeles Rams

The Rams, last year’s NFC West champion, had to watch what amounted to be the NFC West title game.

Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.

Saturday ended in rough fashion for San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy.

Purdy walked away the 49ers’ 13-3 loss to the Seattle Seahawks battered and bruised.

The 49ers quarterback had his thumb bloodied after he was hit in the second half following a pass attempt.

The hits didn’t stop there for Purdy.

On fourth-and-6 with less than two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, Purdy was sandwiched in the pocket by Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall and defensive lineman Leonard Williams as he threw an incomplete pass. Purdy was on the ground for a moment in visible pain before he walked off the field under his own power.

The Seahawks took over possession of the football and went into victory formation with the game decided.

Was Brock Purdy injured against the Seahawks?

Head coach Kyle Shanahan announced postgame that Purdy suffered a stinger on the desperation play.

“Purdy would’ve went back in,” Shanahan said to reporters. “He checked out all right.”

Purdy was sacked three times and hit three times in the loss. He was pressured on 11 dropbacks, per Pro Football Focus.

San Francisco’s loss prevented them from winning the NFC West and the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs.

Shanahan said Purdy’s stinger won’t prevent him from playing in next week’s wild-card game.

The 49ers have delt with a slew of injuries this season. Linebacker Fred Warner (ankle) and Nick Bosa (knee) suffered season-ending injuries earlier in the season. Standout left tackle Trent Williams (hamstring) and wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (knee and ankle) were both inactive on Saturday due to injuries.

San Francisco does expect Williams, Pearsall and Purdy to be available for next week’s road playoff game.

“It would’ve been nice to have both home games here and get a bye, but it is what it is,” Shanahan said. “This team’s been through a lot this year. Now we got to do it the hard way. We’ll embrace the (expletive) out of doing it the hard way. Look forward to it.”

Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.

AI-assisted summary
• Tampa Bay’s victory over Carolina did not decide the NFC South, leaving the division title still contested.
• The Atlanta Falcons now have a chance to create a three-way tie for the NFC South title with a win on Sunday.

The NFL runs a risk every May when its schedule comes out – hoping those “TBD” slots it reserves for the Saturday of Week 18 ultimately get filled by games worthy of the standalone broadcast windows.

Jan. 3 provided further proof that the league knows what it’s doing – serving up a pair of matchups with massive postseason stakes. And even then, the schedule makers got another win – the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ 16-14 defeat of the Carolina Panthers actually failing to decide the NFC South title (more on that later). On the other side of the country, the Seattle Seahawks dominated the San Francisco 49ers 13-3 to win the NFC west and the conference’s top seed.

Scoreboards aside, here are the winners, losers – and otherwise – from Saturday’s games:

Neither winner nor loser

NFC South

The Bucs and Panthers now knotted with 8-9 records, the winner of the division is still unknown. In a vacuum, Tampa Bay owns the common-games tiebreaker that puts the team in its near-perennial spot atop the division. But if the Atlanta Falcons create a three-way tie by winning Sunday, Carolina would get the tiebreaker by virtue of a 3-1 mark against the Falcons and Bucs, eclipsing the other two teams. The ironic aspect? Atlanta and the New Orleans Saints are clearly the division’s best squads at this point of the season.

WINNERS

Seattle Seahawks

Ironically, they’ve been a better road in their two seasons under coach Mike Macdonald. But the ‘Hawks have also won five in a row at Lumen Field, traditionally one of the most raucous venues in the league. Seattle has won 10 of its last 11 postseason games at home – though the loss, five years ago to the Rams, came in the Seahawks’ most recent playoff appearance in the Pacific Northwest. Still, if nothing else, the No. 1 seed not only afford that precious week off, it spares the Seahawks from a far-flung trip from the nation’s corner – and forces another team to possibly take a long flight there.

Sam Darnold

Who says he can’t win the big game? Like Seattle LB Ernest Jones IV said … well we can’t repeat what he said − but job well done, Sam.

Mother Nature

Still undefeated. The footing at Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium was bad, and it was evident as players slipped, kicks were affected, and the general quality of play was impacted in such a critical game.

Seattle D

The Seahawks limited the 49ers to three points − after San Francisco had averaged 42.3 over its previous three games. Enough said.

ESPN

The home of “Monday Night Football” continues to enjoy an expanded presence late in the season, broadcasting both of Saturday’s consequential duels with another to come during the wild-card round of the playoffs. A year from now, ESPN will have the Super Bowl for the first time – though it will be simulcast on ABC. And Disney’s NFL footprint is only likely to continue growing ahead of its pending deal to acquire NFL Network, RedZone Channel and other media assets owned and controlled by the NFL, the crossover between the entities already readily apparent.

Los Angeles Rams

They can move ahead of the 49ers and claim the fifth seed by beating the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. Why is that important? It would convey a date with the sub-.500 NFC South champion. And, we know, the Panthers beat the Rams a few weeks ago – but we’re betting Matthew Stafford and Co. are ready to roll with real stakes hanging in the balance.

Atlanta Falcons

Hey, a team eliminated from postseason contention weeks ago now has something tangible to play for Sunday in its finale against the Saints. Not only might a season-ending four-game winning streak save this coaching staff but knocking off the Bucs in the process would be especially sweet.

Lavonte David

In what might have been the 14-year veteran’s final game – or at least the linebacker’s last one with the Bucs, his contract set to expire after the season – he recorded six stops Saturday to tie Hall of Famer Derrick Brooks as the most prolific tackler in franchise history.

Rico Dowdle

The Carolina running back, who ran for nearly 1,100 yards in 2024 for the Dallas Cowboys but was grossly undervalued by them and the free agent market has essentially matched that figure this season and earned a $1 million bonus Saturday by reaching 1,350 yards from scrimmage. Dowdle, who signed a $2.75 million contract with the Panthers before the season – and prior to hitting his incentive Saturday and others previously – should see a lot more green on the market a few months from now.

LOSERS

Rico Dowdle

With Carolina set up in the Bucs’ red zone early in the fourth quarter and trailing by nine, Dowdle slipped while tossing the ball back to QB Bryce Young on an apparent flea flicker. Fumble … and pretty much game, set and match. Tampa Bay didn’t actually convert the turnover into points but did burn nearly six precious minutes off the clock before getting a field-goal try blocked. (Regardless, Dowdle still gets to keep his milli.)

San Francisco 49ers

Not only did they fail to climb up to the top spot in the NFC, they could now drop to the sixth by Sunday night. Worse, QB Brock Purdy suffered a stinger near the end of the loss to Seattle and only has a week to get right before the Niners hit the playoff road.

Christian McCaffrey

A guy who was deservedly getting something of a late MVP push was responsible for a late turnover – unable to hang on to a Purdy pass near the goal line in the fourth quarter that turned into an interception – and one that effectively ended the Niners’ shot at that coveted No. 1 seed. ‘It’s a play that I absolutely have to make,’ McCaffrey said afterward.

Jason Myers

Seattle’s kicker missed two field goals, from 47 and 26 yards – not the kind of momentum you want to carry into the Super Bowl tournament.

Third quarter officiating in Tampa

Whether it was the lateral that was prematurely blown dead − though the officials still moved the Panthers back 7 yards − or the dubious offensive pass interference against Tetairoa McMillan, which wiped out his 32-yard reception, the zebras were especially unkind to Carolina as it tried to whittle down a 13-6 halftime deficit.

49ers offense

Kicking off Saturday without injured starters – especially studs like all-universe LT Trent Williams and WR1 Ricky Pearsall – was hardly an ideal way to take on the mighty Seahawks defense with so much hanging in the balance.

SAN FRANCISCO — Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green was ejected during the second quarter of the game against the Utah Jazz on Jan. 3 at Chase Center.

After back-to-back technical fouls, Green was sent to the showers early with 2:25 left in the second quarter.

After defending Jazz forward Kyle Filipowski in the paint, Green said something to the official and clapped his hands.

Concerned with the no-call (looking for an offensive three-seconds in the paint?) Green gave up a Lauri Markkanen dunk as he ran freely into the lane after a Filipowski pass.

Green continued to have an animated discussion with the official and received his first technical foul. He continued to argue his case and received a second technical foul from a different official.

Green ended the game with eight points, three rebounds, two assists and a block in 12 minutes. The Warriors trailed at the half, 65-58.

‘I don’t know what he said,’ Warriors coach Steve Kerr said after his team’s 123-114 win.

It was Green’s ninth technical foul of the season. An automatic one-game suspension is issued when a player receives their 16th technical of the NBA regular-season.

‘We need Draymond. I want him out there,’ Kerr said. ‘We’re not halfway through the season yet, so long way to go and we need him.’

Green’s teammates also came to his defense.

‘Believe it or not, Dray sparked us,’ Gary Payton II said. ‘Everybody had to turn it up a notch. You don’t make up for what he does and what he brings to the team. I think after halftime we came out with a little more spark, less turnovers, got in transition and got our shooters open shots.’

AI-assisted summary
• The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Carolina Panthers 16-14 in their final regular-season game.
• Both teams’ playoff hopes now depend on the outcome of the Atlanta Falcons vs. New Orleans Saints game.
• The Buccaneers need a Saints victory or a tie to win the NFC South and make the playoffs.

Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales wore a hat during his team’s Week 18 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers that had the word “OPPORTUNITY” written on it. 

Ironic. 

Both teams enter the final day of the regular season with their respective playoff fates beyond their control. A potential Atlanta Falcons victory over the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, Jan. 4 would render the Buccaneers’ 16-14 victory in sloppy conditions Jan. 3 in Tampa moot. But if the Saints win (or tie), the Bucs would move on as the NFC’s No. 4 seed and NFC South division winners for the fifth straight season.  

The Panthers cracked the window for the sliding doors scenario – a win would have automatically clinched the division title for Carolina, who can still make the playoffs with a Falcons victory.

“Shoot, I think we’re all gonna be on the seat of our – the edge of our seats (Sunday), watching that game, hoping for the outcome, for the Falcons to pull through,” Canales told reporters after the game. “At the same time, at least we have that hope to look at.”

Baker Mayfield ‘hates’ the Saints, but will pull for them Sunday

For Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield, who earlier this season made headlines for espousing his hatred of the Saints, it’s a somewhat awkward situation. 

“We’ll all be pulling for New Orleans,” Mayfield told reporters. 

Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David started his postgame news conference by thanking everybody in the room for the past 14 years, which begged the question: “So is this it?” 

“Nah,” he replied. “I’m trying to see what the Saints are going to do tomorrow.” 

He never thought the day would come in which he had to root for the Saints. 

“I got some guys over there who I know who I can get in contact with to make sure they handle business,” he said. 

Mayfield was quick to point out that a tie could get the Bucs into the playoffs too. He said there could be a group text sent out for a watch party among teammates. 

‘We put ourselves in this situation’

Carolina signal-caller Bryce Young said he hasn’t even thought about the Falcons-Saints matchup. Missing out on the opportunity – there’s that word again – to take the division for themselves and now that it’s in the hands of somebody else is uncomfortable. 

“I might not even watch, to be honest with you,” he told reporters. 

Waiting is all these two teams can do, Tampa Bay head coach Todd Bowles said. 

‘Can’t wait for tomorrow if we didn’t win today,” Bowles told reporters. He continued: “Gave ourselves a chance. All we can ask for.” 

He will be watching the 1 p.m. ET kickoff from home. His team watched a 5-1 start to the season slip away and Bowles said they could have made “a ton” of plays down the stretch. But dwelling on the past doesn’t change it, he said. 

“It’s disappointing today. Could be jubilation tomorrow,” Bowles said. “If tomorrow doesn’t happen, it’ll be disappointing. We put ourselves in this situation. We’re grown men about it.”

Mayfield agreed with everything Bowles said. The focus was always beating the Panthers and then letting the chips fall as they may. 

“Honestly, it just felt good to get back into that win column, have that singular-game focus, control what we can control. It’s just about us right now. Go execute to the best level that we can and find a way to win.” 

Mayfield was asked about his thoughts on the Bucs should they advance. 

“Feel good about it,” he said with that type of grin that says more than anything that actually came out of Mayfield’s mouth. “Feel good about it if we get in.” 

“If” being the uncomfortable reality for the last day of the season.