NFL Week 18 complete schedule: times and key games for Saturday and Sunday
We’ve arrived at that fateful moment, when those who are playoff worthy will be separated from those who aren’t. It’s the NFL’s Week 18 schedule and we’re diving in!
As we head into the 18th and final week of the 2022-23 NFL regular season, we’re taking a look at the full slate of games which will be played this coming weekend. With major playoff implications, it promises to be a wild one.
Why did the NFL delay Week 18′s schedule?
If you’re wondering why the NFL only announced the Week 18′s slate of games on Sunday, there’s actually a simple answer. Since 2006, the league has waited until the last possible moment to announce the times and TV channels for its Week 18 games, in an effort to 1) maximize viewership and 2) take advantage of the most intriguing playoff scenarios as the curtain comes down on the regular season. Needless to say, the move has proven to be quite successful one for the NFL over the years. Consider last season’s dramatic finale between the Los Angeles Chargers and Las Vegas Raiders, both of whom were playing for a playoff spot on Sunday Night Football.
Indeed, there is no Monday Night Football game in Week 18, which means that the season’s last game will be played on Sunday Night Football. With that in mind, the NFL can then ensure that the final game with that ever coveted prime-time slot is the tastiest one of all when it comes to playoff implications.
NFL Week 18: The Complete Schedule
It’s what you’re here for. So, with no further ado, let’s get into the full slate of games for NFL’s Week 18:
What are the key games in NFL’s Week 18?
Jaguars vs Titans
Firstly, if you’re wondering why there is a doubleheader this week, it’s the result of ESPN’s media deal with the league, which is to say it’s permanent going forward. Yet, it’s the doubleheader which holds one of the biggest surprises of the slate, with an absolutely critical game between the Titans and Jaguars, who will be playing for the AFC South title. There was initial speculation that the league might have scheduled the game for Sunday night in Week 18, but ultimately, it will be played on Saturday. This, as you can imagine would not have pleased the Jaguars as not only are they playing on a short week, but their opponents played on Thursday, meaning they’ve had three full days of extra rest. It’s important to note that the loser of this game won’t necessarily be eliminated. Should the Titans win, the Jaguars could still get into the postseason with a Steelers loss to the Browns, a Patriots loss to the Bils, or a Dolphins loss to the Jets. If the Jaguars win, however, the Titans will be going home.
Chiefs vs Raiders
In reality, the Chiefs have a straightforward scenario: win and they will enter the playoffs as the AFC’s top seed. If the Raiders manage to upset them, however, then the winner of the game between the Bengals and Bills will likely be the No. 1 spot in the conference. In case you missed it, Monday night’s game between Cincinnati and Buffalo was halted due to the shocking collapse of Bills safety Damar Hamlin, who appears to have suffered a cardiac arrest on field. It’s worth noting that has scheduling implications for both teams in Week 18. There has yet been no official word as to how the league will deal with that.
Packers vs Lions
Sunday’s prime-time slot is as good as it gets. Aaron Rodgers and his Packers will go into battle against the Lions knowing that their season is quite literally on the line. The Lions head into the clash, with the understanding that they need to win, but they’ll also need a little help. That’s to say that they need the Rams to beat the Seahawks in order to book their ticket to the post season. Incidentally, that in itself could pose a slight mental issue for Detroit, as the Rams vs Seahawks game is actually being played earlier in the afternoon. If the Seahawks beat the Rams, then the Lions will take on the Packers knowing that they’ve been eliminated before a ball is kicked.