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NFL Week 18 Recap 2025 - Sunday January 4 2026: Scores, Highlights & Playoff Picture

NFL Week 18 Recap - Sunday January 4 2026: Final Scores, Highlights, and Playoff Picture

The 2025 NFL regular season wrapped up with dramatic finishes, record-breaking performances, and the playoff picture solidified across both conferences. Here’s what happened:

AFC Highlights

Denver Broncos 19 – Los Angeles Chargers 3
Denver’s defense dominated, highlighted by Ja’Quan McMillian’s 45-yard interception return for a TD. Broncos clinch AFC #1 seed and a first home playoff game in 10 years.
New England Patriots 38 – Miami Dolphins 10
Rhamondre Stevenson scored three TDs (two rushing, one receiving). Patriots earn AFC #2 seed and will host the Chargers.
Buffalo Bills 35 – New York Jets 8
Backup QB Mitch Trubisky threw four TDs; Bills finish AFC #6 seed and will face Jacksonville. Jets lock the No. 2 draft pick.
Pittsburgh Steelers 26 – Baltimore Ravens 24
Aaron Rodgers threw a go-ahead TD with under a minute left; Ravens missed a last-second FG. Steelers win AFC North and will host Houston.
Las Vegas Raiders 14 – Kansas City Chiefs 12
Daniel Carlson’s career-long 60-yard FG lifts Raiders, ending a 10-game losing streak. Raiders are set for No. 1 overall draft pick.
Jacksonville Jaguars 20 – Tennessee Titans 17
Jaguars clinch the AFC South and will host the Bills in the wild-card round.

NFC Highlights

Detroit Lions 19 – Chicago Bears 16
Jake Bates hit a 42-yard game-winner as time expired. Bears secure NFC #2 seed; Lions finish season with a win despite missing playoffs.
Philadelphia Eagles 17 – Washington Commanders 24
Starting QBs Hurts and Barkley rested; Commanders third-stringer Josh Johnson rallies for a late win. Eagles drop to NFC #3 seed.
Minnesota Vikings 25 – Green Bay Packers 13
Vikings dominate at Lambeau Field and secure NFC #1 seed. Packers are NFC #7 wild-card.
Los Angeles Rams 24 – Arizona Cardinals 21
Matthew Stafford leads a comeback; Rams clinch NFC #6 seed.
Atlanta Falcons 20 – New Orleans Saints 17
Falcons survive tight divisional clash; both teams miss playoffs.
Carolina Panthers 31 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers 28
Panthers’ late TD seals a win; neither team makes the postseason.

Season-Ending Takeaways

AFC Playoffs: Broncos (#1), Patriots (#2), Jaguars (#3), Steelers (#6), Bills (#6), Houston (opponent TBD).
NFC Playoffs: Vikings (#1), Bears (#2), Eagles (#3), Rams (#6), Packers (#7).
Draft Lottery: Raiders will pick #1, Jets #2.
Close finishes: Lions, Steelers, and Raiders games decided in final seconds.
Records & milestones: Ja’Quan McMillian (45-yd INT TD), Daniel Carlson (60-yd FG), Rhamondre Stevenson (3 TDs), Stefon Diggs surpasses 1,000 yards.

✅ Bottom Line:

Week 18 provided a mix of clutch moments, season-defining performances, and playoff implications, setting the stage for an exciting postseason across both conferences.

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