The final week of the NFL regular season is upon us.
Almost all playoff spots have been clinched. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers host the Carolina Panthers in a battle for the NFC South title and the final playoff slot in the conference.
The Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers meet in the Bay Area for chance to get the No. 1 seed in the NFC.
The final game of the regular season features the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers in a win-or-go home matchup.
Playoff positions and teams will be determined by the end of Jan. 4. The roadmap to Santa Clara will be set. USA TODAY Sports provides the early predictions for Week 18:
Odds courtesy of BetMGM.
NFL Week 18 predictions, picks
Carolina Panthers vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Date: Saturday, Jan. 3
Time: 4:30 p.m. ET
Location: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL
TV: ESPN
Streaming: FUBO
Spread: Bucs (-3)
Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY: Bucs 21, Panthers 17
A win-or-go-home game in Tampa Bay. The Bucs have lost four-straight games and don’t have the look of a playoff team. But can Bryce Young lift the Panthers in the biggest game of his NFL career? I think the Bucs hang on at home.
Seattle Seahawks vs. San Francisco 49ers
Date: Saturday, Jan. 3
Time: 8 p.m. ET
Location: Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, CA
TV: ESPN
Streaming: FUBO
Spread: 49ers (-1.5)
Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY: Seahawks 28, 49ers 25
The 49ers have overachieved all year despite major injuries on both sides of the ball. Seattle is the more balanced team, with a better defense. The Seahawks lost to San Francisco at home in Week 1. They return the favor in Santa Clara this week.
New Orleans Saints vs. Atlanta Falcons
Date: Sunday, Jan. 4
Time: 1 p.m. ET
Location: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
TV: FOX
Streaming: FUBO
Spread: Falcons (-2.5)
Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY: Falcons 25, Saints 21
Both teams are playing for bragging rights. The Saints have quietly won four straight games. Bijan Robinson and the Falcons score just enough to win in front of their home fans.
Cleveland Browns vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Date: Sunday, Jan. 4
Time: 1 p.m. ET
Location: Paycor Stadium, Cincinnati
TV: CBS
Streaming: FUBO
Spread: Bengals (-7.5)
Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY: Bengals 26, Browns 20
Myles Garrett’s pursuit of the sack record is the story of this game. I think he sets the record against a below-average Bengals O-line. However, the Bengals should win.
Green Bay Packers vs. Minnesota Vikings
Date: Sunday, Jan. 4
Time: 1 p.m. ET
Location: U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis
TV: CBS
Streaming: FUBO
Spread: Vikings (-6.5)
Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY: Packers 24, Vikings 20
The Packers are locked in the No. 7 seed in the NFC and could rest multiple starters. But I still think Green Bay has enough to get the win.
Dallas Cowboys vs. New York Giants
Date: Sunday, Jan. 4
Time: 1 p.m. ET
Location: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
TV: FOX
Streaming: FUBO
Spread: Cowboys (-5)
Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY: Cowboys 26, Giants 20
Both these teams should be better next year. The Cowboys and their high-powered offense finish the season on a high note.
Tennessee Titans vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Date: Sunday, Jan. 4
Time: 1 p.m. ET
Location: EverBank Stadium, Jacksonville, FL
TV: FOX
Streaming: FUBO
Spread: Jaguars (-11.5)
Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY: Jaguars 27, Titans 20
The Jaguars are playing for playoff positioning. That’s bad news for an inferior Titans club. Cam Ward will make a couple plays that will have fans optimistic about the future.
Indianapolis Colts vs. Houston Texans
Date: Sunday, Jan. 4
Time: 1 p.m. ET
Location: NRG Stadium, Houston, TX
TV: CBS
Streaming: FUBO
Spread: Texans (-10)
Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY: Texans 26, Colts 17
The Texans are the hottest team in the NFL right now (as I said in a recent column). Houston extends its NFL-best win streak to nine games and enters the playoffs as a scary team.
New York Jets vs. Buffalo Bills
Date: Sunday, Jan. 4
Time: 4:25 p.m. ET
Location: Highmark Stadium, Orchard Park, NY
TV: CBS
Streaming: FUBO
Spread: Bills (-8.5)
Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY: Bills 27, Jets 17
The Bills are coming off a tough loss to the defending Super Bowl champion Eagles. Expect Buffalo to win in its final game at Highmark Stadium. The Jets are thinking about the draft.
Detroit Lions vs. Chicago Bears
Date: Sunday, Jan. 4
Time: 4:25 p.m. ET
Location: Soldier Field, Chicago
TV: FOX
Streaming: FUBO
Spread: Bears (-2.5)
Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY: Bears 27, Lions 26
The Bears are the most improved team in the NFC. The Lions are the most disappointing team in the NFC. Fittingly, Chicago wins.
Los Angeles Chargers vs. Denver Broncos
Date: Sunday, Jan. 4
Time: 4:25 p.m. ET
Location: Empower Field at Mile High, Denver
TV: CBS
Streaming: FUBO
Spread: Broncos (-7.5)
Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY: Broncos 24, Chargers 20
The Chargers are undefeated in the AFC West this year. Los Angeles might rest multiple starters in Week 18. The Broncos need to win to clinch the No. 1 seed in the AFC. They’ll do it.
Kansas City Chiefs vs. Las Vegas Raiders
Date: Sunday, Jan. 4
Time: 4:25 p.m. ET
Location: Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas
TV: CBS
Streaming: FUBO
Spread: Chiefs (-5.5)
Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY: Chiefs 24, Raiders 20
Tank for the No. 1 draft pick is alive and well in Las Vegas. The Raiders clinch the 2026 top pick with a loss. The Chiefs are motivated to play well in what seems to be Travis Kelce’s final game.
Arizona Cardinals vs. Los Angeles Rams
Date: Sunday, Jan. 4
Time: 4:25 p.m. ET
Location: SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CA
TV: FOX
Streaming: FUBO
Spread: Rams (-9.5)
Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY: Rams 28, Cardinals 17
The Rams are playing for playoff positioning. The Cardinals are already thinking about how different their roster will look next year. Advantage Rams.
Miami Dolphins vs. New England Patriots
Date: Sunday, Jan. 4
Time: 4:25 p.m. ET
Location: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA
TV: FOX
Streaming: FUBO
Spread: Patriots (-10.5)
Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY: Patriots 28, Dolphins 19
The AFC East Champion Patriots can still clinch the top seed in the AFC. Expect New England to dominate a Dolphins team ready for vacation in South Beach.
Washington Commanders vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Date: Sunday, Jan. 4
Time: 4:25 p.m. ET
Location: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
TV: CBS
Streaming: FUBO
Spread: Eagles (-8)
Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY: Eagles 24, Commanders 17
The Eagles have won three straight games and are beginning to resemble the team that won Super Bowl 59. The Jayden Daniels-less Commanders are ready for this season to end.
Baltimore Ravens vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Date: Sunday, Jan. 4
Time: 8:20 p.m. ET
Location: Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh
TV: NBC
Streaming: Peacock
Spread: Ravens (-3.5)
Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY: Ravens 25, Steelers 20
Baltimore’s gameplan should center around handing Derrick Henry the football regardless of Lamar Jackson’s status. DK Metcalf’s suspension hinders Pittsburgh’s offense. The Ravens win in a winner-take-all game.
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