play1:00Ryan Clark: Sam Darnold has an opportunity to reshape his entire perceptionRyan Clark breaks down the Seahawks’ win over the Rams, saying Sam Darnold can entirely reshape how he’s perceived with a playoff run.
play1:03Jason McCourty: Packers must score fast to make a playoff runJason McCourty and Peter Schrager explain what the Packers must do to have a chance of making a run in the playoffs.
play1:19Why McElroy thinks Giants should consider drafting a QBGreg McElroy says the Giants should consider moving on from Jaxson Dart and drafting a QB.
play1:38Can the Rams win three road playoff games?Dan Graziano and David Dennis Jr. discuss whether the Rams can win three road playoff games.
play0:53How should you approach the Patriots’ RB options in fantasy?Daniel Dopp explains why both Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson will both be productive in fantasy moving forward.
play2:36David Dennis: Josh Allen needs to prove himself this postseasonDavid Denis Jr., Jason McCourty and Dan Graziano debate what Josh Allen’s legacy would be if the Bills fail to win the Super Bowl this season.
NFL NationCloseNFL NationNFL Nation is made up of 32 team-specific reporters who cover the NFL year-round across ESPN.com, ESPN television shows, ESPN Radio, ESPN+ and social media platforms. It was established ahead of the 2013 season.Seth WalderCloseSeth WalderESPN AnalyticsSeth Walder is an analytics writer at ESPN, specializing in quantitative analysis. He is also a regular on “ESPN Bet Live” and helps cover sports betting. Seth has been at ESPN since 2017. He previously worked at the New York Daily News covering the Jets and Giants. You can follow Seth on X via @SethWalder.Jan 2, 2026, 06:30 AM ET
Get ready for Saturday’s epic NFL doubleheader on ESPN (0:30)With an NFC South title and the NFC No. 1 seed on the line, tune in to Saturday’s epic doubleheader on ESPN. (0:30)
Ryan Clark: Sam Darnold has an opportunity to reshape his entire perceptionRyan Clark breaks down the Seahawks’ win over the Rams, saying Sam Darnold can entirely reshape how he’s perceived with a playoff run.
Ryan Clark breaks down the Seahawks’ win over the Rams, saying Sam Darnold can entirely reshape how he’s perceived with a playoff run.
Jason McCourty: Packers must score fast to make a playoff runJason McCourty and Peter Schrager explain what the Packers must do to have a chance of making a run in the playoffs.
Jason McCourty and Peter Schrager explain what the Packers must do to have a chance of making a run in the playoffs.
Why McElroy thinks Giants should consider drafting a QBGreg McElroy says the Giants should consider moving on from Jaxson Dart and drafting a QB.
Can the Rams win three road playoff games?Dan Graziano and David Dennis Jr. discuss whether the Rams can win three road playoff games.
How should you approach the Patriots’ RB options in fantasy?Daniel Dopp explains why both Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson will both be productive in fantasy moving forward.
Daniel Dopp explains why both Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson will both be productive in fantasy moving forward.
David Dennis: Josh Allen needs to prove himself this postseasonDavid Denis Jr., Jason McCourty and Dan Graziano debate what Josh Allen’s legacy would be if the Bills fail to win the Super Bowl this season.
David Denis Jr., Jason McCourty and Dan Graziano debate what Josh Allen’s legacy would be if the Bills fail to win the Super Bowl this season.
Carolina-Tampa Bay and Baltimore-Pittsburgh will decide winner-take-all games for the final spots in the playoffs (though Sunday’s Saints-Falcons game could impact that NFC South race). The Broncos, Jaguars and Patriots are all playing for the No. 1 seed in the AFC. Meanwhile, in the NFC, the Seahawks and 49ers will duel for the No. 1 seed.
We have you covered with everything you need to know. Our NFL Nation reporters take you inside the locker room with the best thing they heard this week, and ESPN Research provides a key stat to know and a betting nugget for each contest. Plus, analytics writer Seth Walder makes a bold prediction for each matchup. We also have Football Power Index (FPI) game projections, and three analysts — Pamela Maldonado, Eric Moody and Walder — give us final-score picks for every game.
Let’s get into the full Week 18 slate, which culminates with the “Sunday Night Football” matchup between the Ravens and Steelers. (Game times are Sunday unless otherwise noted.)
What we’re hearing on the Panthers: “We’ve actually got one game left, and it’s for everything,” DB Nick Scott said as the Panthers prepared for the regular-season finale. It’s the attitude they plan to keep in the playoffs. It’s a cliché “let’s go 1-0 each week” mentality that has allowed Carolina to bounce back from bad performances and losses to win the next week, as the Panthers have done consistently since mid-October. — David Newton
Stat to know: The Buccaneers’ defense has allowed a score on 21 of 22 opponent red zone drives over the past eight games (16 touchdowns, five field goals). — ESPN Research
Bold prediction: Panthers QB Bryce Young will throw an interception against the blitz. The Bucs blitz at the fourth-highest rate in the league (33%), and the Panthers have the fourth-worst EPA per play when facing the blitz (minus-0.14). — Walder
What’s at stake: The Panthers can clinch the NFC South and a playoff berth with a win/tie or a Falcons loss. The Bucs can clinch with a win and Falcons loss. See Playoff Machine. — ESPN Research
Betting nugget: The Panthers are 7-0 against the spread after a loss this season. The Buccaneers are 0-6 ATS in their past six after a loss (2-6 ATS overall after loss). Read more. — ESPN Research
Maldonado’s pick: Panthers 24, Buccaneers 13 Moody’s pick: Buccaneers 24, Panthers 21 Walder’s pick: Buccaneers 22, Panthers 20 FPI prediction: TB, 61.7% (by an average of 4.6 points)
Matchup must-reads: Jansen, Moton only vets who experienced Panthers in playoffs … Buccaneers CB Dean, LB Nelson out
What we’re hearing on the Seahawks: The stakes couldn’t be higher for the Seahawks. “It’s in our hands and all we have to do is grasp it,” OLB DeMarcus Lawrence said. But grabbing the NFC’s No. 1 seed would be harder if Seattle is down to its No. 3 LT in Amari Kight, an undrafted rookie. Starter Charles Cross (hamstring) has missed the past two games and was listed as a nonparticipant Tuesday. His backup, Josh Jones (ankle/knee), is hurt as well and didn’t practice Tuesday. — Brady Henderson
Stat to know: The Seahawks’ defense ranks top 10 in the NFL in sacks (44, ranked eighth) and pressure percentage (35%, fifth) this season. Meanwhile, the 49ers’ defense ranks last in sacks (18) and pressure rate (25%). — ESPN Research
Bold prediction: 49ers RB Christian McCaffrey will record at least eight receptions. Running backs get 22% of targets against the Seahawks’ defense — the highest rate in the NFL. And because Seattle has such a good run defense, the 49ers will have to get McCaffrey the ball through the air. — Walder
Ryan Clark: Sam Darnold has an opportunity to reshape his entire perception
Betting nugget: The 49ers are 7-1 outright and 6-2 ATS when QB Brock Purdy starts this season. Read more. — ESPN Research
Maldonado’s pick: 49ers 35, Seahawks 31 Moody’s pick: 49ers 23, Seahawks 17 Walder’s pick: Seahawks 27, 49ers 24 FPI prediction: SEA, 50.5% (by an average of 0.1 points)
What we’re hearing on the Texans: Coach DeMeco Ryans said Monday that the Texans are playing their “guys” because they “still have an opportunity to win our division.” Houston has a chance to win the AFC South title for the third consecutive season. — DJ Bien-Aime
Stat to know: Texans’ Danielle Hunter has four games with multiple sacks this season. He is tied for second most in the NFL with Myles Garrett, trailing only Brian Burns (five). — ESPN Research
Bold prediction: Colts WR Josh Downs will have his highest receiving yards game of the season (meaning at least 66 receiving yards). Though it will be Leonard starting at QB, Downs has demonstrated that he can get into space. He has a 67 open score in ESPN’s receiver scores, which ranks well above average. — Walder
What’s at stake: The Texans can clinch the AFC South with a win and a Jaguars loss. See Playoff Machine. — ESPN Research
Betting nugget: The Texans are 11-5 to the under this season, tied for the second-best record in the NFL. Read more. — ESPN Research
Maldonado’s pick: Texans 30, Colts 24 Moody’s pick: Texans 26, Colts 13 Walder’s pick: Texans 34, Colts 17 FPI prediction: HOU, 69.1% (by an average of 7.2 points)
Stat to know: The Packers have 13 takeaways this season, tied for the sixth fewest in the NFL after having 31 takeaways last season (fourth most). — ESPN Research
Bold prediction: Jefferson will close out the regular season with a 100-yard receiving game. But it will fuel debate if it’s really a sign of a connection between J.J. McCarthy and Jefferson going forward, considering the Packers were already locked in to the No. 7 seed entering Week 18. — Walder
What’s at stake: The Packers have clinched the No. 7 seed, and the Vikings — who are eliminated — are projected to pick No. 15 at the draft, per ESPN’s FPI. See Playoff Machine. — ESPN Research
Jason McCourty: Packers must score fast to make a playoff run
Maldonado’s pick: Vikings 20, Packers 13 Moody’s pick: Vikings 26, Packers 23 Walder’s pick: Vikings 20, Packers 9 FPI prediction: GB, 75.2% (by an average of 10.2 points)
Matchup must-reads: Love clears protocol but Packers to sit QB until playoffs … Packers claim ex-Cowboys CB Diggs off waivers
What we’re hearing on the Browns: With 22 sacks this season, Myles Garrett has one more chance to record a sack and break the NFL’s single-season record. He’ll get the opportunity to do it against a QB who has become well-acquainted with him over the years. Garrett has sacked Joe Burrow 12 times in his career, tied with the Ravens’ Lamar Jackson for the most of any QB in Garrett’s career. — Daniel Oyefusi