Which NFL teams have something to play for in Week 18

The NFL has arrived at the final week of the regular season. We break down who has something to play for and who might rest their starters on Saturday and Sunday in Week 18.

We have reached the final week of hte 2024-2025 NFL season.

For many, that means fantasy seasons are over and if you emerged victorious in your league, congratulations! However, others are still looking to play DFS this week, and there are the few leagues out there that last into Week 18 to decide championships.

If you fall into one of these latter categories, Week 18 can be tough to navigate. But we are here to help. Here is a look at the teams with something on the line in Week 18 — offering opportunities in both season-long fantasy as well as DFS — and the teams that might be resting their starters.

Must win teams and matchups

We will have more on playoff scenarios later this week, but these games involve teams that are fighting for their playoff lives, or in one case the top seed in their conference.

Cleveland Browns at Baltimore Ravens (Saturday, 4:30 p.m.)

While the Cleveland Browns have been eliminated from playoff contention, the Baltimore Ravens are on the cusp of locking up a spot in the postseason in Week 18. Baltimore can clinch the AFC North title — and the No. 3 seed in the playoffs — with a win or a tie against Cleveland on Saturday afternoon.

They could also clinch the division, and the No. 3 seed, if the Pittsburgh Steelers lose or tie later Saturday night.

Cincinnati Bengals at Pittsburgh Steelers (Saturday, 8 p.m.)

While both of these teams have something on the line in this game, there are some interesting scenarios to consider.

Let’s start with the Cincinnati Bengals. They are in an absolute “win and get help” position heading into Week 18. To clinch the final AFC playoff spot the Bengals need a win over the Steelers, and then a Denver Broncos loss to the Kansas City Chiefs as well as a Miami Dolphins loss or tie against the New York Jets. With both of those games coming on Sunday, the Bengals will be going all out to win this game.

As for the Pittsburgh Steelers, should the Ravens lose earlier in the day, the Steelers have a chance to clinch the AFC North with a win over Cincinnati. But even if the Ravens win or tie — which locks up the division for Baltimore — there are still some seeding scenarios to consider. If the Ravens win or tie against Cleveland, a Steelers win over the Bengals would clinch the No. 5 seed for Pittsburgh, and a trip to Houston to play the Texans. Pittsburgh can also clinch the No. 5 seed if the Los Angeles Chargers lose to the Las Vegas Raiders, but given the seeding implications, expect the Steelers to be playing to win even if Baltimore wins earlier in the day.

Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons (1 p.m.)

The Carolina Panthers have already been eliminated from the playoffs, but the Atlanta Falcons need a win and some help to take the NFC South, and the final playoff spot in the conference. With a win over the Panthers, and a Tampa Bay Buccaneers loss to the New Orleans Saints, the Falcons are in the playoffs.

Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos (4:25 p.m.)

The Kansas City Chiefs have already clinched the top seed in the AFC, and will likely be resting starters.

Things are much different on the other sideline.

For the third week in a row the Denver Broncos have a chance to clinch a playoff spot. All they need to do to punch their ticket is win or tie against Kansas City.

Denver can also back into the playoffs if both the Miami Dolphins and the Cincinnati Bengals lose or tie in their games, but with a win or a tie they are in.

New Orleans Saints at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4:25 p.m.)

While the Atlanta Falcons swept the season series against them, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers still control their own destiny when it comes to winning the NFC South and clinching the final playoff spot in the conference.

With a win or a tie against the New Orleans Saints, the Buccaneers are in. However, bear in mind that they can still back into the postseason if the Atlanta Falcons lose or tie earlier in the day. With this game coming after the game between the Panthers and the Falcons, the Buccaneers could decide to rest players if they have already clinched a playoff spot thanks to the ending of the Carolina-Atlanta game.

Miami Dolphins at New York Jets (4:25 p.m.)

Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets have already been eliminated from postseason contention.

The Miami Dolphins, however, are alive with a viable path to the playoffs. With a win in this game — and a Broncos loss to the Kansas City Chiefs — Miami is in the postseason. Given that the Denver game is happening at the same time, Miami will be playing to win in this contest.

Whether Tua Tagovailoa is under center, however, remains a question mark as the Dolphins passer deals with a hip injury.

Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions (8:20 p.m.)

The regular-season finale has some pretty big, but simple, stakes on the line.

The winner of Sunday night’s game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Detroit Lions is the NFC North Champion, and the No. 1 seed in the NFC.

The loser drops to the No. 5 seed, and will go on the road on Wild Card Weekend.

Clinched playoff spot, but chance for better seeding

Teams in these games have already locked up playoff spots, but might be looking to improve their seed before the Wild Card games begin.

Washington Commanders at Dallas Cowboys (1 p.m.)

The Washington Commanders are already in the playoffs, but they are still playing for seeding. Washington can either be the No. 6 seed in the playoffs — and face either the Los Angeles Rams or the Tampa Bay Buccaneers — or the No. 7 seed in the playoffs and take on the Philadelphia Eagles for the third time this season.

With a win over the already-eliminated Dallas Cowboys, the Commanders are the No. 6 seed. They can also clinch the No. 6 seed with a tie against Dallas — and a Green Bay Packers tie against the Chicago Bears — or a Packers loss against Chicago.

Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers (1 p.m.)

As with the Washington Commanders, the Green Bay Packers are already in the playoffs. But both Washington and Green Bay are fighting for the No. 6 seed.

Washington has the advantage, as laid out above, and controls their destiny for the No. 6 seed. But the Packers can still slide into the No. 6 spot with a win over the Bears, and a Washington loss or tie against the Cowboys.

Green Bay can also clinch the No. 6 seed with a tie against Chicago, and a Commanders loss to Dallas.

Los Angeles Chargers at Las Vegas Raiders (4:25 p.m.)

The Los Angeles Chargers have already punched their playoff ticket, but can either slot in as the No. 5 seed, or the No. 6 seed.

But their chances at the No. 5 seed are impacted heavily by results on Saturday, so they may be locked into the No. 6 seed by the time this game rolls around.

For example, if the Ravens lose on Saturday and the Steelers win, Pittsburgh is the AFC North Champion and the No. 3 seed. Baltimore would drop to 11-6 on the year, and with the Chargers beginning Week 18 with a 10-6 record, even with a win Los Angeles would lose the tiebreaker against the Ravens, thanks to their loss to Baltimore back in November.

However, if the Steelers win and the Ravens win or tie, then Baltimore wins the division and takes the No. 3 seed. Pittsburgh would improve to 11-6 on the year, but they also own a tiebreaker over the Chargers thanks to an early-season win over Los Angeles.

This means that depending on results Saturday, Los Angeles could be locked into the No. 6 seed before their game on Sunday, and could rest players. The only way the Chargers can move up to the No. 5 seed is if the Steelers lose on Saturday, which would open the door for them. With a win on Sunday — and a Steelers loss or tie on Saturday — then the Chargers are the No. 5 seed. They could also clinch the No. 5 seed with a Steelers loss, and a tie against the Raiders.

Seattle Seahawks at Los Angeles Rams (4:25 p.m.)

Dreams of a “winner-take-all” game between the Rams and the Seahawks to decide the NFC West were dashed in Week 17.

But while the Seahawks have been eliminated, the Rams can still improve their seeding depending on results in Week 18. At the moment, Los Angeles is the No. 3 seed, and they can stay there with a win or tie against Seattle.

However, they would drop to the No. 4 seed with a loss to the Seahawks, and a Tampa Bay win against New Orleans.

Given that the No. 4 team will be hosting the loser of the Detroit-Minnesota game, you would expect Los Angeles to be playing to win against Seattle. However, head coach Sean McVay has already announced that Jimmy Garoppolo will start in place of Matthew Stafford on Sunday.

Resting starters

Teams in this category are already locked into both the playoffs, and their seed in the bracket. As such, expect these four teams to be resting starters in Week 18. For example, Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott already indicated that Josh Allen will start to keep his consecutive starts streak — which is currently the longest active streak among quarterbacks — alive but not play for long against the New England Patriots.

This includes Saquon Barkley and the Philadelphia Eagles. Barkley is just 100 yards shy of tying Eric Dickerson’s all-time record for rushing yards in a single season. With the Eagles facing the New York Giants — and their spotty run defense — there was a chance Nick Sirianni let Barkley chase the record.

However, Sirianni announced on Wednesday that Barkley and other starters would be resting this week.

Kansas City Chiefs
Buffalo Bills
Houston Texans
Philadelphia Eagles

Nothing to play for

These teams have been eliminated from playoff contention entering Week 18. They could choose to play starters for season-ending moral victories, or they might choose to sit some key starters if they want to focus on their position in the 2025 NFL Draft. Teams won’t admit that, but there will be some players that sit among the worst teams. We should know ahead of kickoffs for their games what’s going on with their starting lineups. They don’t have the same motivations as potential playoff teams, but they can still offer some value if you’re playing DFS.

Arizona Cardinals
Carolina Panthers
Chicago Bears
Cleveland Browns
Dallas Cowboys
Indianapolis Colts
Jacksonville Jaguars
Las Vegas Raiders
New England Patriots
New Orleans Saints
New York Giants
New York Jets
San Francisco 49ers
Seattle Seahawks
Tennessee Titans