At a Glance
- Jacksonville Jaguars lock AFC South title with 41-7 win over Tennessee Titans.
- Houston Texans clinch No. 5 AFC seed after 38-30 victory over Indianapolis Colts.
- Carolina Panthers capture NFC South crown, earning first playoff berth since 2017.
- Why it matters: The results set the playoff seeds, give teams road or home games, and determine matchups for the postseason.
Week 18 wrapped up with decisive wins that sealed division titles and playoff positions, while some games had little at stake.
AFC South Clinches
The Jacksonville Jaguars secured their division after a 41-7 triumph over the Tennessee Titans. They trailed 7-0 early, but a shoulder injury to Cam Ward left the Titans with a key player out, and Brandon Allen led a 41-point surge that finished the game. Meanwhile, the Houston Texans beat the Indianapolis Colts 38-30, pulling starters in the second half but still winning on Ka’imi Fairbairn’s last-second field goal and a defensive touchdown.
- Cam Ward injury halted early Jaguars rally.
- Brandon Allen orchestrated a 41-point comeback.
- Fairbairn’s field goal and defensive TD sealed Texans win.
NFC South Title
The Carolina Panthers clinched the NFC South, topping the division over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers despite the Bucs having beaten them the day before. The Falcons’ 19-17 win over the New Orleans Saints created a three-way tie, but the Panthers held the head-to-head advantage (3-1 vs. Bucs, 2-2 vs. Falcons, 1-3 vs. Bucs). Bryce Young reached 3,000 passing yards for the first time in his career.
- Panthers beat Bucs after a 24-hour loss.
- Panthers hold 3-1 head-to-head edge.
- Young’s first 3,000-yard season.
Browns vs Bengals
The Cleveland Browns edged the Cincinnati Bengals 20-18, with Myles Garrett recording his 23rd sack of the season in the fourth quarter. Garrett’s tackle on Orlando Brown Jr. and Joe Burrow came just before a Bengals turnover returned for a touchdown. A field goal at the buzzer gave the Browns a 5-12 record after consecutive wins.
- Garrett’s 23rd season sack.
- Buzzer-beating field goal secured win.
- Browns improve to 5-12 after back-to-back victories.
NFC Games With Nothing to Play For
The Green Bay Packers lost 16-3 to the Minnesota Vikings while resting starters; third-string QB Clayton Tune struggled against Brian Flores’ defense. The New York Giants upset the Dallas Cowboys 34-17, ending the Cowboys’ chance at the No. 1 overall draft pick. Jaxson Dart finished with 230 yards and two touchdowns, while the Cowboys ended the season 7-9.
- Packers used third-string QB in a low-stakes game.
- Vikings’ J.J. McCarthy injured again.
- Giants’ Dart 230 yards, 2 TDs.
Key Takeaways
- Jaguars and Texans lock AFC South and No. 5 seed, respectively.
- Panthers secure NFC South title and first playoff berth since 2017.
- Browns’ late-season win and Garrett’s record sack highlight a turnaround.
These outcomes shape the playoff landscape and set the stage for the next week’s matchups.
