By Tim Byrnes
While many playoff spots have been decided, the final week held three contests deciding Division Titles and first-round byes. Week 18 began in Tampa, Florida.
Saturday:
Carolina (8-8) @ Tampa Bay (7-9): TB 16-14
The Buccaneers did their part Saturday, beating Carolina, but watched the Panthers win the NFC South, when the Atlanta Falcons beat the New Orleans Saints 19-17 on Sunday.
Baker Mayfield threw for 203 yards, including a touchdown toss to Cade Otton, who had seven receptions for 94 yards, and controlled the clock by giving the ball to Bucky Irving (85 yards) a season-high 26 times.
With Sunday’s results, Carolina (8-9) will be the only team in the playoffs, with a losing record, and just one-of-two teams with less than ten wins. The other team is Green Bay at 9-7-1.
Seattle (13-3) @ San Francisco (12-4): Sea 13-3
The Seahawks dominated the high-scoring 49ers, clinching the NFC West Division Title, home-field advantage, and a first-round bye in the playoffs. Seattle is gelling at the right time.
San Francisco was averaging over 42 points per game over its last three contests but was only able to convert two third downs all game, holding star running back Christian McCaffrey (23 yards rushing) to just eight carries. Seattle’s defense held the 49ers to just 174 total yards for the game, with constant pressure on quarterback Brock Purdy.
The running back duo of Kenneth Walker III (97 yards rushing/ 36 yards receiving) and Zach Charbonnet (74 rushing-TD/ 23 receiving) handled most of the offense, pounding the ball and controlling the clock.
It cannot be stressed enough that Sam Darnold IS the winning side of the blockbuster trade that saw the Vikings abandon the quarterback that led them to 14-3 record last season. Darnold (20/26-198 yards) who was quiet yet efficient, broke 4,000 yards for the second consecutive season and has 25 touchdowns going into the playoffs.
Sunday:
Baltimore (8-8) @ Pittsburgh (9-7): Pit 26-24
The reason the Steelers took a shot with Aaron Rodgers was the experience, the pedigree, and the clutch play. Rodgers responded with his season-best 294 yards, including the go-ahead 50-yard touchdown to Calvin Austin III, with under a minute remaining.
In true Steelers fashion for drama, Chris Boswell missed the extra-point, giving Lamar Jackson a shot at a win, with a field goal.
Jackson had hit Zay Flowers for a 50-yard touchdown earlier in the fourth quarter, before Rodgers led the go-ahead scoring drive, and he made things interesting.
After Keaton Mitchell’s dazzling 41-yard kick return, Jackson (238 yards passing-3 TDs/Int) Jackson hit Isaiah Likely for 26 yards on fourth and 7, putting them in field goal range.
The storybook ending wasn’t to be, as rookie Tyler Loop missed the 44-yard field goal and Pittsburgh won the AFC North and the final home game.
Other Games:
Hou 38 – Ind 30
NYG 34 – Dal 17
Cle 20 – Cin 18
Atl 19 – NO 17
Min 16 – GB 3
Jax 41 – Ten 7
LAR 37 – Ari 20
Den 19 – LAC 3
LV 14 – KC 12
NE 38 – Mia 10
Was 24 – Phi 17
Det 19 – Chi 16
Buf 35 – NYJ 8
Coaching Casualties:
Las Vegas Raiders Coach Pete Carroll secured the #1 pick in the 2026 Draft but won’t be around for it, as he was fired after a 3-14 season; his only year with the team.
Arizona Cardinals Coach Jonathan Gannon was fired after a 3-14 year, and a three-season record of 15-36.
As expected, Cleveland Browns Coach Kevin Stefanski was fired after six seasons where he went 45-56 in the regular season, and 1-2 in the playoffs. He did win NFL Coach of the Year in 2020 and 2023.
Atlanta Coach Raheem Morris: back-to-back 8-9 seasons were enough for the Falcons to let him go.
Baltimore Ravens fired John Harbaugh on Tuesday. Harbaugh coached the Ravens for 18 seasons, winning one Super Bowl.
Playoff Brackets:
AFC:
1 Denver Broncos (14-3) – BYE
5 Houston Texans (12-5) @ 4 Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7)
6 Buffalo Bills (12-5) @ 3 Jacksonville Jaguars (13-4)
7 Los Angeles Chargers (11-6) @ 2 New England Patriots (14-3)
NFC:
1 Seattle Seahawks (14-3) – BYE
5 Los Angeles Rams (12-5) @ 4 Carolina Panthers (8-9)
6 San Francisco 49ers (12-5) @ 3 Philadelphia Eagles (11-6)
7 Green Bay Packers (9-7-1) @ 2 Chicago Bears (11-6)
Byrnes Final Season Picks: 2025 Record
(7-9) (167-104-1)
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Incredible but true that long-time coach Harbaugh was fired because his rookie kicker failed to split the uprights on that 44-yard attempt. The man was literally KICKED out!