At a Glance
- Jaguars and Texans lock AFC South and No.5 seed.
- Browns set single-season sack record with 23 sacks.
- Panthers win NFC South after eight straight losing seasons.
- Why it matters: The outcomes finalize playoff spots and highlight record performances.
Week 18 of the 2025 NFL season wrapped up with division titles, record-setting plays, and a flurry of playoff-seed implications. From Jacksonville’s 41-7 demolition of Tennessee to the Browns’ last-second win over Cincinnati, the final Sunday delivered drama across the league.
AFC South Clinches & Playoff Implications
Jacksonville’s 41-7 rout of Tennessee secured the division title after a 7-0 start was undone by a shoulder injury to Cam Ward. Brandon Allen stepped in, and the Jags scored 41 straight points to finish the season. Houston’s 38-30 win over Indianapolis locked the No. 5 seed, with Ka’imi Fairbairn’s last-second field goal and a defensive touchdown sealing the victory.
- Jaguars win streak: 8 games
- Texans win streak: 9 games
- Top AFC wild-card spot gives Texans a road game against the AFC North winner
Panthers Claim NFC South After 8-Year Losing Streak
A 19-17 loss by the Falcons to the Saints left Carolina, Tampa Bay, and Atlanta tied at 8-9, but the Panthers earned the division crown on head-to-head record (3-1 vs. 2-2 vs. 1-3). The win marks the Panthers’ first playoff appearance since 2017 and their first division title since 2015. Third-year quarterback Bryce Young reached 3,000 passing yards for the first time in his career.
- Panthers’ record: 8-9
- First playoff berth since 2017
- First division title since 2015
Browns Edge Bengals and Garrett Sets Sack Record
Myles Garrett’s 23rd sack of the season came in the fourth quarter against Cincinnati, forcing a fumble that was returned for a touchdown. The Browns’ buzzer-beating field goal gave them a 20-18 win, improving to 5-12 after consecutive victories. Garrett’s performance matched the team’s success for the first time this season.
- Garrett’s sacks: 23 (single-season record)
- Browns’ record after win: 5-12
- Bengals’ turnovers: 2 returned for touchdowns
Meaningless Games: Packers, Vikings, Giants, Cowboys
With the No. 7 seed secured, the Packers rested starters and fell 16-3 to the Vikings, whose third-string quarterback Clayton Tune struggled. The Giants’ 34-17 upset of the Cowboys ended Dallas’s bid for the No. 1 overall draft pick, as the Giants finished 4-13 after winning their last two games. Backup quarterback Joe Milton appeared for the Cowboys in the second half, while the Giants’ Jaxson Dart finished with 230 yards and two touchdowns.
- Packers vs. Vikings: 16-3 loss
- Giants’ record after win: 4-13
- Cowboys’ final record: 7-9
Key Takeaways
- Jaguars and Texans clinch AFC South and secure playoff positions.
- Panthers win NFC South after an eight-year drought.
- Myles Garrett sets a new single-season sack record with 23.
- Games with no playoff implications still influenced draft positions.
The final Sunday’s outcomes not only determined the playoff field but also highlighted individual achievements that will resonate throughout the league.
