At a Glance
- Jaguars lock AFC South with a 41-7 win over Titans
- Texans secure No.5 seed, Panthers clinch NFC South
- Browns edge Bengals 20-18, Myles Garrett a sack record and field goal sealing Houston’s win
- Why it matters: Final regular-season games set playoff seeds, division titles, and record-setting performances that shape the postseason landscape.
Week 18 wrapped up with dramatic finishes that locked division titles, set playoff seeds, and saw record-breaking plays. The Jaguars and Texans captured the AFC South, the Panthers earned their first NFC South title in eight years, and the Browns edged the Bengals in a tight finish.
AFC South Wrap-Up
The Jacksonville Jaguars capped an 8-game streak with a 41-7 demolition of the Tennessee Titans, clinching the AFC South title. A 7-0 deficit early in the game was overturned after a shoulder injury to the No.1 pick, allowing Brandon Allen to lead a 41-point surge. Meanwhile, Houston’s 38-30 win over Indianapolis secured the No.5 seed, with Ka’imi Fairbairn’s last-second field goal and a defensive touchdown sealing the victory.
NFC South Shifts
The Carolina Panthers seized the NFC South after a 19-17 win over the New Orleans Saints, overtaking Tampa Bay despite a recent victory. Head-to-head records gave the Panthers the edge in a three-way tie, granting them the division title and a first playoff berth since 2017. Quarterback Bryce Young’s 3,000-passing-yard season capped the turnaround.
Browns Edge Bengals
Cleveland’s Myles Garrett recorded his 23rd sack of the season in the fourth quarter, a new single-season record. The Browns’ last-second field goal gave them a 20-18 win over Cincinnati, while the Bengals’ offense fell short after two turnover-return touchdowns. Joe Burrow finished with 236 yards and three touchdowns, and rookie Shedeur Sanders threw 111 yards.
NFC Dead-Heat Games
With the No.7 seed locked, the Green Bay Packers rested starters and fell 16-3 to the Minnesota Vikings, while the New York Giants upset the Dallas Cowboys 34-17, dropping the Giants to 4-13 and eliminating a top-draft pick bid.
| Division | Champion | Seed |
|---|---|---|
| AFC South | Jacksonville Jaguars | 1 |
| NFC South | Carolina Panthers | 1 |
Key Takeaways
- Jaguars clinch AFC South with a dominant 41-7 win.
- Texans lock No.5 seed, setting up a road playoff game.
- Browns’ narrow win over Bengals cements playoff hopes.
With division crowns and playoff seeds set, the league now turns its focus to the looming postseason battles.
