1 of 5 | Running back Derrick Henry (C) and the Baltimore Ravens will face the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday in Pittsburgh. File Photo by David Tulis/UPI | License Photo
The NFL moved the Baltimore Ravens-Pittsburgh Steelers Week 18 finale, which will decide the AFC North champion, into primetime, the league announced.
The matchup between the division rivals kick off at 8:20 p.m. EST Sunday in Pittsburgh and air on NBC. The winner will not only claim the division title, but also clinch the AFC’s final playoff berth.
But Steelers (9-7) and Ravens (8-8) fans won’t be alone is catching winner-take-all action.
The Week 18 slate will start with a matchup between the Carolina Panthers (8-8) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9) at 4:30 p.m. Saturday in Tampa, Fla. That game, which will determine the winner of the NFC South and second-to-last spot in the NFL’s 14-team playoff field, will air on ESPN and ABC.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by NFL (@nfl)
A meeting between the Seattle Seahawks (13-3) and San Francisco 49ers (12-4) will follow at 8 p.m. on the same networks. That NFC West matchup will determine the division winner and the top seed in the NFC.
The Los Angeles Rams (11-4), who take on the Atlanta Falcons (6-9) on Monday in Atlanta, were eliminated from contention for the top seed due to the 49ers’ Week 17 win over the Chicago Bears (11-5).
Because of the NFL’s seeding structure, the 2026 postseason could feature an 8-9 team (Buccaneers) earning a Top 4 seed and home-field advantage in their opener while potentially two 13-4 teams are forced to start their playoff run on the road.
The Rams, Seahawks and 49ers each could come out of the NFC West with matching 13-4 records, but only the division winner will earn a first-round home game.
Sunday’s Week 18 NFL slate includes six 1 p.m. matchups. Another seven games will kick off at 4:25 p.m. The final Sunday afternoon wave of 2025 regular-season NFL games will air across CBS and Fox.
The Denver Broncos (13-3) already clinched the AFC West, but are still fighting for the AFC’s top seed and a first-round bye. The New England Patriots (13-3) also clinched a division crown, but remain alive for the conference’s top seed.
The Jacksonville Jaguars (12-4), who clinched a playoff berth, but are still fighting with the Houston Texans (11-5) for the AFC South crown. They also could earn the AFC’s No. 1 seed, but need to beat the Tennessee Titans (3-13) and require losses by the Broncos and Patriots.
The Texans will host the Indianapolis Colts (8-8) at 1 p.m. Sunday in Houston. That game will air on CBS. The Jaguars will host the Titans at 1 p.m. in Jacksonville, Fla. That matchup will air on Fox. The Broncos will host the Los Angeles Chargers (11-5) at 4:25 p.m. on CBS.
Those games, and additional Week 18 meetings, will determine playoff matchups. The 2026 NFL postseason will be contested from Jan. 10 through Feb. 8.
UPI Pictures of the Year 2025: Winning moments in Sports
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto (C) celebrates with teammates after the Dodgers defeat the Toronto Blue Jays 5-4 in 11 innings in Game 7 to win the World Series in Toronto on November 1, 2025. Photo by Aaron Josefczyk/UPI | License Photo
